Windows 10: "You can't install Windows 10 to a USB drive using setup" cure?

Do a repair upgrade to current version by mounting 1703 iso as a drive, tgmhen running setup.exe. Then mount 1709 iso as a drive and run setup.exe.

 

Okay good.

You don't need Glary if you have Ccleaner. You don't need AOMEI if you have MiniTool. I would get rid of those two (Glary and AOMEI). Besides, (except for Ccleaner), I would NOT recommend ever using cleaners on a system - they can really mess things up.

Perhaps a list of all installed programs on your system? Maybe there are some problematic ones we can weed out. You can get that easily using Ccleaner: Tools>Uninstall>Save to text file (bottom RH corner). Attach the text file to your next post.

You might try cereberus's suggestion of doing a repair install with the current ISO that your system is running (v1703); not sure if this would help, but couldn't hurt.

 

I seem to remember trying to do something similar sometime back...mounting a downloaded Windows10.iso and mounting it as a drive. If that is the same thing as what you are suggesting, it did not work, ended with "You can't install Windows 10 to a USB flash drive using setup."

If not the same thing, I would need a step-by-step procedure to follow in order for me to get that done.

 

You said in Post #9 that you've done this already.
cure? - Windows 10 Forums

So, did you or did you not try to run an in-place repair install with either v1703 or v1709 ISO?

Honesty, a repair install is the best bet, short of a clean install.

Here are the basic steps:
Download the latest ISO, save it to your computer.
Right-click the ISO and select MOUNT or Open With File Explorer
Find the setup.exe file
Double-click it to run
Let it go through the motions of installing W10 - select Keep Personal Files and Apps.

 

I'd really like to see a list of your installed programs.

 

I found the following tutorial on how to delete/rename the "softwareDistribution" folder.
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-c...der-windows-10
However, when I get to the step where I have to stop the Background Intelligent Transfer Service, (net stop bits <enter>), it does NOT stop the service. It just states that the service has not stopped and refers me to HELPMSG 3521, which tells me nothing.
Perhaps I am not getting in there as administrator...This is what I am doing: I right click the Window, I click on Windows PowerShell (Admin). Is that the Windows 10 equivalent of "Open Start", right-click Command Prompt, etc.?
Or, is there some other reason that "net stop bits" is not stopping?

 

I do not believe that my installed programs can be the cause of the problem with upgrading to 1709 that I am having. Nevertheless, I would be glad if you could provide me with a logical explanation of why they could. As I see it, for example, having two partition programs (or two clean-up programs), both of which are not resident cannot logically have an effect upon the operation of my computer inasmuch as they were not there yet when the problem started. Nevertheless, I am willing to learn...just explain to me how they could be the problem.
I would rather that the focus of my problem would be some internal setting/corruption of files...perhaps from one of the frequent improper shut-downs due to power loss out here in the country. Therefore, I wish to focus on the cause of this when I try to rename my SoftwareDistribution folder ("bits" is set to automatic (delayed start) and the Windows update is set to manual, :

 

I remember doing this before and it not working. However, it worked this time.
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...-flash-drive/0
My computer now has update 1709!
Thanks to all who offered suggestions.

 

Glad to hear it! Sorry I was not available yesterday.

I can't seem to get through to the link you provided...I get this:



One thing I will mention about the registry cleaners: Steer clear of them, as a rule. They generally do more harm than good. They can really mess up a system if you don't know what you are doing (and sometimes even if you DO know what you are doing!). The only one I'd use is Ccleaner.

 

I will post the link here again:
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...5-e7e83d488c63

 

Thanks, that one works. Glad you got it sorted. Now you're ready for the Spring Creators Update which comes out this month. *Smile