Windows 10: USB Flash Drive - Create to Install Windows 10?

Morning LCDR,

I think your right on having to do a clean install. Before I do that I will have to take a crash course on changing the boot order.

While searching last night for other possible fixes I came across one for KB3194496 which is the last update to fail. The fix, which worked for some folks, relies on disabling two items in Task Scheduler and then deleting these same keys in System32 and in the registry. I never knew these items to be disabled and/or deleted even existed on my computer until I read about them in this fix.

Any chance I could get you to check it out and see if it is safe to try or if it even could correct my failure to download Cumulative Updates. If you don't have time I will harbor no bad feelings because you have already gone above and beyond for me.

If you want to check it out the suggested fix is here:http://winaero.com/blog/fix-kb319449...ls-to-install/

I am out to do some honey-do's before my wife throws this computer out in the street ....lol *Wink

Thanks and regards,

 

It's safe to try. It is XboxLive saved game settings. Don't know if it will help or not, but couldn't hurt.

 

Hi NavyLCDR,

It didn't work but it was worth a try.

I am just going to sit back and if Microsoft doesn't come up with a fix for all the failing Cumulative Updates I will just use this computer for a word processor ....lol

Thanks for your continued help and support. If you hear of any fixes feel free to pass them my way. I am holding off trying the Media Creation Tool on my Flash Drive from boot because I hate to think of replacing all my apps and the like.

Regards,

 

Morning all,

I am going to take one more stab at solving my Cumulative update failures. However, first I would like to tap in on the expertise of the folks who have been trying to help me in this thread.

To begin, I would just like to remind everyone: I am using an All-In-One HP Pavilion 23-g017c (x64) AMD A6-5200 APU w/Radeon HD Graphics, running Windows 10 Home, Version 1607, Build 14393.105, using the Edge Browser while utilizing Windows Firewall and Windows Defender as my major security programs.

My computer came with Win 8.1 and then I updated to Win 10 when it became available free of charge. In early August I then updated to the Win 10 Anniversary Edition.

Each time I try to bring my Windows 10 Cumulative Updates up to par with the Media Creation Tool the Installation fails when it gets to about 33% of the actual Win 10 installation from the USB Drive. I also have noticed the installation screen displays a message saying the computer will restart several times during the actual installation. Mine has never tried to restart at all.

So, I got to thinking maybe I need to change my boot order in my BIOS.

Right now when I get in my BIOS and check boot order it shows under UEFI Boot Sources:
Windows Boot Manager
USB Floppy/CD
USB Hard Drive
UEFI: IPv4 Realtek PCI GBE Family Controller
UEFI: Ipv6 “ “ “ “ “
Legacy Boot Sources: Disabled

(1) Is this the right boot order when I am using the install from a USB Flash Drive while Windows is running or do I have to move USB Floppy 'above' Windows Boot Manager?
(2) Also, since I started to try to solve my Update Problem I have read that the ‘Secure Boot’ option has to be disabled. I have never done this because I thought that only applies to Windows 8.1. I thought I would do a little investigating so I went into Secure Boot Configuration in my BIOS and saw this message: “The options on this Setup page are only for Windows 8 and other operating systems that support Secure Boot.
“Changing the default setting of any of the setup options on this page for Operating Systems that do not support Secure Boot may prevent this system from booting successfully. Are you sure you want to continue?

At this point I exited because I didn’t know if I clicked ‘Continue’ if it would screw me up or what would happen.

(3) Should I ‘Disable’ the Secure Boot’ option or let it alone? If so, will clicking the 'Continue' button above take me to the screen where I disable Secure Boot?
(4) Also, I already have a USB Flash Drive with the Installation on it that I downloaded from the Tool on Oct. 4. Could I go ahead and use it again or should I download an updated Tool the day I decide to try this again?
(5) If I did download an Updated Media Creation Tool would it erase the previous install on my Flash Drive?
I still plan on running the Tool while Windows is running if that is okay but since it restarts several times during the installation process I figure I have to have the correct boot order and the secure boot setting correctly set.
(6) One final question, if by chance this works this time, once Windows 10 is correctly updated will I have a chance to take the Flash Drive out and change my Boot order or will it automatically restart to finish the installation before I have a chance to take the Flash Drive out or change my boot order back to normal if my current settings are incorrect?

I plan on using the option to Install Windows 10 and save only my Personal Files. If this fails, I will do the clean install taking out everything.

Thanks and regards,

 

"My computer came with Win 8.1 and then I updated to Win 10 when it became available free of charge. In early August I then updated to the Win 10 Anniversary Edition."
Not to confuse you but since you can obviously run the computer less Updates, I would have suggested a couple easier things to try without trying to change boot and startup options. First, you can download the latest Cum Update which contains all updates to date, even the ones you didn't install previously. See Brink's post in Win10 News and the DL link for the install package is here - http://download.windowsupdate.com/c/...9bb4b5e108.msu

If that is unsuccessful, try an In-place Repair. Copy the contents of the usb that you created via Media Creation tool to your desktop. R-click/ "Mount' or "Open"/ run setup.exe from folder that opens. Watch tutorial here (you are performing Step 4 after you copy the usb contents to desktop) - Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade
Uncheck get updates first. This will return your computer to Anniv edition, replacing missing files or over-writing corrupted ones. Try Windows Update in the Action Center or try the Cum Update package again.

If these two options fail, backup all your personal files and insure that you have installs for all your programs, incl keys and serials. Clean install directly from the Action Center/Updates & security/Recovery and click the link at page bottom (see screenshot). This will take you to a link that downloads a tool that will retrieve a Win10 image. Check Keep 'nothing', agree to continue & let the Refresh tool run itself; nothing to put on usb or need to change BIOS settings. Full Refresh/Clean Install tutorial here, incl screenshots) - https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5...tml#post778516

PS; I notice you have USB external listed. Unplug all usb connections (except all-in-one keyboard and mouse) and disable 3rd party anti-virus before doing any steps I recommended. Keep your usb as a recovery tool in case Windows, one day, will not boot but learn how to enable it at startup so you're prepared. Good Luck & keep us updates on your progress. Cheers

 

@2harts4ever,

At this point, it looks like erasing everything and a clean install is probably going to be the only way to fix your issue.

You already have the correct boot order. Changing it won't do anything in this case.

Secure boot applies to Windows 8 AND LATER. With Windows 10, which supports secure boot, it will work with it enabled or disabled. When you are booting from a USB drive other than the stock Windows 10 installation USB drive, that is when you want to disable it because it might interfere with booting from a USB drive other than the stock Windows 10 installation USB drive. Once Windows 10 is installed, having it enabled will not interfere with Windows 10 booting. Secure boot enabled - might interfere with booting other than Windows 8 or 10. Secure boot disabled - won't interfere with booting anything.

I keep mine disabled because I want to boot what I want to whenever I want to. If you are only going to boot Windows 8 or 10, then enabled won't interfere.

The flash drive created with the October 4 media creation tool will be just fine until Microsoft release the next major upgrade when changes the version (1607) and major build (14393 series) numbers. No idea when that will be.

Yes.

They already are correctly set, changing them won't help.

The only time you have to remove the flash drive is if the computer boots from it into Windows setup and you get that first blue/purple screen with the Install Now button in the middle. If that happens all you have to do is take the flash drive out and reboot the computer to continue setup from the hard drive. With your boot order set the way it is, that is not likely to happen. Since you are not doing a clean install (yet), you don't want the computer to boot from the flash drive and with your boot order set the way it is it won't boot from the flash drive.

I think wiping everything and doing the clean install is going to be the only fix to your issue.

 

Morning mrgeek and NavyLCDR,

mygeek: I appreciate your response. I tried your suggestion for an 'in-place repair' after unplugging all my USB connections except the ones you told me not too. Windows Defender is my Anti-virus/spyware program and I didn't consider it 3rd Party so I did leave that enabled.

However, the end result was the same .... failure!

I am going to hold off trying the 'Clean install' until I know I have exhausted all my other options.

I did download the 'msu' file you recommended but I couldn't find Brinks' post you referred to in Windows News so I have not tried it as of now.

NavyLCDR: Thanks for all your indepth answers to my questions. I am helping baby-sit my 10-month old great-granddaughter today and once done I will try to get up the nerve to try the 'clean install' you and mrgeek recommend. On a scale of one to ten what would you say my chances for success would be?

I'll keep you both updated via this post.

Thank you both, Regards,

 

"I couldn't find Brinks' post you referred to in Windows News so I have not tried it as of now."

Thanks for keeping us up to date with your progress. Nothing more aggravating than posting and having the op leave w/o comment. The forum Mod, Brink, always has a sticky at the top the Windows 10 News section with the latest updates and the msu package. Since the Repair did not work, try installing the CumUpdate from the install package. Relevant CumUpdate topic here -
Cumulative Update KB3194798 for Windows 10 PC & Mobile build 14393.321l

If that fails, do you see the Clean Install option in the Action Center (new feature a couple updates ago) within Win10 and see the tutorial ? This is the easiest clean install method, as dl'g the tool and running it, takes care of everything. I've done it on a few computers, incl my own, before but only if the user can log in and start the computer. Like I said, you can keep the media creation usb as a recovery drive, sort of like having the HP recovery discs but up to date to Win10 Anniv. PS; I have n HP laptop and also an all-in-one desktop too.

 

Hi mrgeek,

I have tried installing the last few updates using the 'msu' method too and they failed. However, I figured I already had KB3194798 downloaded so I went ahead and tried installing. But ... it failed too.

Tonight after the Mrs. goes to bed and I am done baby-sitting my great grand-daughter I will try the Clean Install Option you mentioned in your response. I take it you are talking about going to Settings >Update and Security >Recovery >More Recovery Options > Learn how to start fresh with a clean installation of Windows > And, After clicking on the last item it takes you to a Microsoft page where you actually download the tool?

I just spent some time making sure I could transfer my personal files from my external drive back to my PC and they all seem to make the journey without any problems. The only thing I haven't been able to save to my External are my Edge Favorites, but the ones I use all the time will be easy to find and save again.

So, I guess I am good to go. I plan on saving nothing for the attempted install.

Keep your fingers crossed and I'll update you one way or the other ... if I still have a computer ....lol

Thanks and regards,

 

"going to Settings >Update and Security >Recovery >More Recovery Options > Learn how to start fresh with a clean installation of Windows > And, After clicking on the last item it takes you to a Microsoft page where you actually download the tool?"

If you can see this link, you're good to go. It's like media creation tool except it runs itself since you are able to login and start your computer. Brink's tutorial will show you all the screens to expect so you can plan ahead. Good Luck.
PS; I don't suppose you tried the Control Panel/Troubleshooting/Fix problems with Windows Update tool ?

 

Hi mrgeek,

Just came back from taking my little 'kiddo' for a stroller walk. It is beautiful out today in Pennsylvania.

You asked: PS; I don't suppose you tried the Control Panel/Troubleshooting/Fix problems with Windows Update tool

Many times ... in fact more than I would like to admit ....lol

Thanks again and keep your fingers crossed for my attempt tonight.

Thanks and regards,

 

I didn't see it mentioned but will relate my experience with the Thumb drives. I made a 'mistake' [before I knew better] in using a 64GB Thumb drive for the purpose as it was the only large-enough drive I had on hand and Windows deleted everything and created a 32GB FAT32 partition [Windows has a 32GB limit for FAT32] and I could not create an additional partition in the remaining 32GB. I did get more smaller-capacity drives to have on hand and things were better. I did have to use my Linux computer to delete everything on the 64GB drive and re-partition fully then format as FAT32.

 

Hi Berton,

Mine was 32 GBs.

I appreciate your thoughts.

Thanks and regards,

 

Hi mrgeek, NavyLCDR and all,

I just finished my Clean Install or I should say it finished me ....lol

Got to 34 % of installing Windows 10 and it 'Failed'.

I'm going to call it a day. It has been a long one. Entertaining a 10-month-old little girl is a lot harder at 74 than it was when I was 21 ....lol

I appreciate the efforts of everyone. However, I am getting to the point where I might have to take it to a repair shop or buy a new one. Not being able to install any of the last four Cumulative Updates makes me feel as 'unsecure' as if I was running around town without my clothes!

Any ideas feel free to send them.

Thanks and regards,

 

Sorry for the bad news. Did you get an error code that you can post ?
Rather than spend $$$ on a repair shop or new device, I'd stay with the one you have, as is, since you do have the Anniv build. Many of the Updates that you could not install were minor feature changes, etc and few have anything to do with serious security issues and you have Defender to fall back on, anyway.

Here's a complete list of Cum Updates and. if you click the date/build#, you can see what was added since your last successful one (I'm assuming you're up to date thru end of Aug). -
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...update-history

Unless you see something that's an every day issue, and since your Windows Update troubleshooter found no issues, I would just wait for the next CumUpdate (they come out about every 2 wks) and if it's successful, it will install everything you missed out on (that's why it's called 'Cumulative'). Bottom line, I think it's silly to spend $$$ on a repair or new computer just because hte Updates won't install. Just my 2 cents. Good Luck.