Windows 10: Six Steps for a Successful Upgrade to v.2004

After suffering through many painful mistakes, I became determined to learn how the pros install feature updates to Windows. Eventually, I 'got it' and since that time I have not had trouble with a feature update.

I would love to spare you from making the same mistakes I made. The steps below equally apply to all feature updates to Windows 10:

Step #1: Wait

Nobody needs a new feature update as soon as it gets released. Waiting 3 or 4 months allows time for enterprise system administrators, hardware developers, tech journalists and other professional testers to discover early problems that areinevitable in an update to a huge, complex project like Windows 10; and it gives Microsoft an opportunity to fix them. The ongoing progress of a feature update is widely covered in the media, and also on Microsoft's own website. When the early bugs have been resolved, and no new bugs are being reported, it's safe to update.

Step #2: Prepare

While you're waiting, spend time learning about the update's new and changed features, and read about the experiences of professional testers. That way, by the time the update comes to your computer, you'll be ready for it.

Step #3: Repair

A feature update won't fix your computer's problems. If your computer is experiencing problems, you'll want to fix them before it's updated. In addition, feature updates work best on computers with supported configurations. If you've made unsupported changes to your copy of Windows, you'll want to undo them before the update arrives. Better yet: Don't make unsupported changes in the first place.

Step #4: Patience

Wait for Microsoft to send the update to your computer, rather than getting it yourself from Microsoft's website. Microsoft has an organized system for sending out updates in stages, so that bug fixes can be applied 'on the fly.' It could take quite a while before a feature update finds its way to your computer, and that's perfectly fine.

Step #5: Backup

If you backup every day, you never have to worry about computer problems. I'm talking about animage backup, which is an exact copy of your hard drive compressed into a single file. Windows 10 doesn't have a supported utility for this type of backup - you'll have to install third-party software. When you restore an image backup, your computer reverts to exactly the way it was when the backup was made. It's time travel. You won't know in advance exactly when a feature update will install, so backup every day.

Step #6: Observe

Technically, you can continue to do work on your computer while a feature update is installing, but I suggest you don't. And don't go to bed, either. Instead, watch what your computer is doing, and make careful notes of anything that doesn't seem right, and especially any error messages that you hopefully won't see. All that information will come in handy if you have to diagnose why an update failed to install properly.


Nobody can guarantee that a feature update will install correctly, but these six steps afford you the best chance for success. And if the worst happens ... you have a backup that you can restore.


BTW: My own upgrade to v.2004 went off without a problem. The whole thing took 1 hour and 50 minutes from beginning to end.

:)

 

Blue Screen after upgraded to V.2004

Hi Paul,

Thank you for your reply.

• I could not find the *dump files, I don't think I enable it,
• I will work on the MSinfo file and the Specc files when I have more time in hand.

Questions:-

• you're suggesting that I should install the V.2004 and let it crash (if it'll crash)?
• since there is no .dump file exist (or I couldn't find one), the troubleshooting still good just using the MSinfo and the Specc files that reflects my current system state (V.1909)?

Thanks again!

-Al

 

PC Build Steps

all parts should be here by friday...any last advice? I will follow the step lists we created guys...

 

PC Build Steps

Ok just because I like steps i am going to create some steps. Please give me the stamp of approval/disapproval

• Install system in case
  • Remember to connect SSD and optical to same SATA ports on motherboard
• Turn on PC
• setup HDD
• run blend test in prime95 for 30-60 min
  • run realtemp at the same time

• While in Prime95 test
  • if CPU goes above 70c in RealTemp, I have a leaky CPU
  • if my system locks up or blue screens, there is an instability in the system somewhere
  • if my system does not lock up or blue screen, my CPU is not damaged and I am in the clear!

What do you guys think??