Windows 10: Windows 10 1511 will not install no matter what I do!

The title says most of it, so I'll go through what I have tried and what happened when I tried it. (on version 10240 btw)

• Run Windows update manually. I've run it dozens of times now, the 1511 update is there but always fails.
• Make sure defer upgrades is uncheck. I don't even have this option, and haven't since I went from Tech Preview to full.
• Use WIndows Media Creation tool. Gets to the end and says setup can't run, reboot and try again.
• Install from ISO. Exact same issue as Media Creation tool, but without the long wait of it downloading files.
• Run SFC and retry updates. Ran it once, it said there was files it couldn't fix but I tried updating anyway. Failed. Ran it 3 more times in a row (in hopes of it fixing the files it said it couldn't fix the first time) each times it said there was files it couldn't fix and the update still failed.
• Download update from MS update catalog. Not knowing exactly which one it was when I searched for "1511" I downloaded all of the x64-based cumulative updates and tried all of them one by one. Every single one said it was not meant for my computer.
• Downloaded .MSU file from another thread. I tried the 1511 one here and it also said it was not for this computer.
• Rebooted into minimal startup and try from ISO. Same issue as if I wasn't in minimal. "Failed to start setup properly. reboot and try again"
• Run DISM with /limitaccess. Same error as installing from ISO.

So I am at a loss at this point. This computer started out as a Gateway machine with WIn7 Home on it, which I then upgraded to Win 10 Tech Preview, and then to full Win 10 Home. Back in September I replaced the mobo and processor and had to use an activator ( I actually went through 3 or 4 until I found one that worked) to keep it activated with the Gateway key.
I've spent 3 days now working on this (while fixing a bunch of other software issues I had, like Cortana not working) so please, any help would be greatly greatly appreciated.
Oh and a clean install wouldn't be an option, as I have some programs that I may never find the setups for again.

:)

 

Windows 10 will not update no matter what I do...

Really glad to hear it, Willy!

 

Windows will not upgrade to 10 no matter what I do (Microsoft Surface Pro 3 - Windows 8.1 - Office 365)

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

It’s unfortunate that you are facing this issue, however I’ll be glad to assist you.

Method 1: I suggest you to try the steps under the section “Manually reset Windows Update components” and check if it helps. Resetting Windows Update Components will fix corrupt Windows
Update Components.

How do I reset Windows Update components?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058/en-us

Method 2: Download and save the Fixit. Then configure the system to clean boot prior to running it. Setting the system in a clean boot state will help to identify if any third party applications/drivers or
startup items are causing the issue. Refer the article and check if it helps.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/929135

Note: After clean boot troubleshooting steps, follow the section
"How to reset the computer to start as usual after troubleshooting with clean boot" in the provided link to return your computer to Normal startup mode.

Once the Fixit has been downloaded and the system booted to the clean state, check to see that the native Windows firewall is now on, if a 3rd party firewall was being used previously. Now run the Fixit and choose the Default mode. Restart once
it's done and see if the system can connect to the update servers. If it cannot, then run the Fixit again and choose the Aggressive mode. Restart when it's finished running and check for updates.

Note: You should not turn off Windows Firewall unless you have another firewall enabled. Turning off Windows Firewall might make your computer (and your network, if you have one) more vulnerable to damage from worms or
hackers.

Method 3: Try the following steps to run
DISM scan to check and restore system file corruption.

• 
  Open command prompt by pressing Windows key + X and selecting “Command prompt admin”.
  
• 
  In command prompt, type the following commands and press Enter after each command:
  
  DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Scanhealth
  
  DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  

Check to see if the issue is resolved. If not, restart the PC.

Do let us know if you have any other queries pertaining to Windows in the future. We will be happy to help.

Thank you.

 

Hi RolandHazoto and welcome to Tenforums.

Okay, you've tried just about everything! I wonder - since sfc is not able to repair some things, perhaps you can try the DISM tool to get things in shape? I am thinking, since you have the ISO (from MS TechBench?) you could use the DISM command and point it to the mounted ISO and use the limitaccess switch to prevent it from using WU during the process. Please read through this tutorial:

DISM - Repair Windows 10 Image - Windows 10 Forums

When you replaced the MB and CPU, were they identical to the original? What do you mean, you had to use an activator?

 

The DISM command line using /limitaccess also gave me "Setup could not start properly, please reboot and try again" (same message as if I was installing from the TechBench ISO)

And no it was not the same mobo, I guess I should have said upgraded, not replaced. Because it was a new mobo it deactivated my windows key, so I had to use an activator to reactivate it. (The key was tied to the previous Gateway mobo which was decommissioned.)

 

if I understand you correctly, you have an illegal activation of Windows. Our rules forbid any help with illegal activations. If you will get a legal installation we will be happy to help.

Forum Rules - Windows 10 Help Forums

 

If I understand things correctly, it isn't illegal since OEM keys are allowed on 1 machine at a time, and the previous machine was decommissioned. (And by decommissioned, I mean the mobo and CPU were trashed and the PSU, hard drives, and vid card are currently in this machine)

And as I look further into the ISO setup not starting, everyone else who has had this problem deleted "$Windows.~BT" but I am unable to delete this, even in safe mode it says something is using it.

 

When you use an activator to activate it, that makes it an illegal installation. You can call Microsoft and talk to them or get a legal Key. An OEM key is good for that machine (Motherboard). When you change Motherboards it is considered to be a new machine. Microsoft can help you activate it legally if they want to.

 

@essenbe is correct. This web site will allow you to download the licensing terms of your system. For W7HP OE-installed, I get this:

Microsoft License Terms

OEM pre-installed terms link the key to that particular machine. When the machine is retired, the key dies with it. It's the same with System Builder keys. The only ones that have "transfer rights" are Retail keys. If you would have replaced the MB + CPU with the exact same things, a quick call to MS would have reactivated the machine.

Sorry, but we can't help you until you have a legally activated setup.