Windows 10: Inserted win10 boot USB flash drive to working Win10 system - problems

OK, maybe this was really stupid. I had a 32GB flash drive formatted with the Win10 media upgrade image on it (bootable). I was going to use it to upgrade another system but in the meantime I wanted to copy some programs between two systems. I inserted the flash drive into my previously installed Windows 10 laptop which was running flawlessly for 5 weeks and setup using the D: user profile setup (autorun move of profiles to D post install step).

So now after I inserted the flash drive it appeared like my current windows 10 system was trying to reinstall windows 10 again, I didn't realize anything would happen simply by plugging in the flash drive. So I aborted the "getting windows ready" but now I can login to the system but have an error dialog:

C:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is unavailable. If the location is on this PC, make sure the device or drive is connected or the disc is inserted, and then try again. If the location is on a network, make sure you're connected to the network or Internet, and them try again. If the location still can't be found, it might be moved or deleted.

So when I open explorer and look in C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile I do not see a Desktop folder. I am guessing the install got to a certain point before I halted it and now some system files are gone. Damn I am so fuming over this, I assumed the flash drive insert would prompt before any action and I was just going to copy a couple of files to do an install of Visual Studio. I'm hoping there's a path to recovery that doesn't involve complete reinstall, there is a lot of additional software installed and configured now that I don't want to re-install! Hoping someone has some tips to try and recover this. I do have all the software on the system and can run it but I realize the OS is not fully configured.

Cheers,
-Scott

:)

 

Inserted win10 boot USB flash drive to working Win10 system - problems

Something doesn't sound right. To me, it sounds like you actually initiated the install again.

In order to do that, the following would have happened when you connected the thumb drive. A lot of requires user input. So, could you explain how that happened unless you some how configured the thumb drive for unattended setup?

So could you explain how you went through all this?

Connect the thumbdrive then

Click Run setup.exe





Wait while setup is initialized.





You can select download and install any important updates before upgrading. This is recommended since it can help to ensure a smooth upgrade. If you are not connected to the Internet, select the Not right now radio box instead. Click
Next.





Wait while Windows 10 setup checks your system.





Accept the End User License Agreement.





Wait while Windows 10 setup does one final check to ensure your system is ready.





Windows 10 setup will check if you have enough disk space. If you don’t, review the following article for instructions how to upgrade to Windows 10 Anniversary Update on a system with limited space:

How
to Install Windows 10 on Devices with Limited Space





Please note, you have the option of choosing what you would like to keep, which includes personal files, apps and settings. If you want to perform a new install or just keep your files click
Change what to keep. Once you have chosen the desired options, click Install to begin.





This will be your screen for a little while. During the installation, your computer will restart several times.

 

Inserted win10 boot USB flash drive to working Win10 system - problems

OK, maybe this was really stupid. I had a 32GB flash drive formatted with the Win10 media upgrade image on it (bootable). I was going to use it to upgrade another system but in the meantime I wanted to copy some programs between two systems. I inserted
the flash drive into my previously installed Windows 10 laptop which was running flawlessly for 5 weeks and setup using the D: user profile setup (autorun move of profiles to D post install step).

I didn't think any install action would happen automatically and certainly nothing if running on a system already running Windows 10 (nothing to upgrade) but I guess that was and incorrect assumption??

So now after I inserted the flash drive it appeared like my current windows 10 system was trying to reinstall windows 10 again, I didn't realize anything would happen simply by plugging in the flash drive.
So I aborted the "getting windows ready" but now I can login to the system but have an error dialog:

C:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop is unavailable. If the location is on this PC, make sure the device or drive is connected or the disc is inserted, and then try again. If the location is on a network, make sure you're connected to the
network or Internet, and them try again. If the location still can't be found, it might be moved or deleted.

So when I open explorer and look in C:\Windows\system32\config\systemprofile I do not see a Desktop folder. I am guessing the install got to a certain point before I halted it and now some system files are gone. Damn I am so fuming over this, I assumed
the flash drive insert would prompt before any action and I was just going to copy a couple of files to do an install of Visual Studio. I'm hoping there's a path to recovery that doesn't involve complete reinstall, there is a lot of additional software installed
and configured now that I don't want to re-install! Hoping someone has some tips to try and recover this. I do have all the software on the system and can run it but I realize the OS is not fully configured.

It runs but there are no icons on the desktop (they show up and immediately disappear after login). Looking for the best solution to recover from this situation.

Cheers,

-Scott

 

Hi Scott and welcome to Tenforums.

Are you able to do a System Restore? Or, was that not turned on?

If not, perhaps a repair install might do the trick:
Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade - Windows 10 Forums

.