Resolved Windows 10 Going Away???

In 2017 I purchased a Dell XPS desk top with Windows 10. For a number of months I have been receiving emails from (I hope) Microsoft to the effect that the version of Windows 10 that I have is going to be discontinued and I should download the new version. The email asks one to set a time for the new download. I have followed the directions carefully and on 3 occasions have indicated that 7PM would be a good time . All 3 times the download began and the screen indicated an upgrade was in progress. Each next morning I would check the computer screen around 6AM and a notice on a light to medium blue screen would say words to the effect the update is 90% finished - please do not turn off the computer. All three times including today after a total of 17 hours and at least 5 hrs on the 90% the info on the screen was the same 90% complete with the little ring running around in the middle of the screen to indicate something was going on. In each case the 90% screen was constant for a minimum of 5 hrs - one time it was 8 hrs. On all 3 tries I finally gave up assuming that the last 10% would
not take all that much time and if it did they would certainly have indicated such a situation. My only option was to turn the machine off and when I restarted it, each time it posted a message on a black screen "Undoing changes made to the computer" which took about 5 minutes. After that the computer seemed normal...no indication of an aborted upgrade attempt. Any help would surely be appreciated.

 

I am not a man of the world, but you are the first one that I have seen this with. Little more reading in the link below.

https://www.quora.com/When-is-Micro...indows-Operating-Sytem-better-than-Windows-10

 

What version of Windows 10 do you have? In 2017 I believe the version of Windows 10 was Windows 10 1703 but there have been many new versions released since then and you should have received them automatically, all of Windows 10 Updates are delivered automatically unless there is some sort of problem with your machine.
The most current version is version 1909 (OS Build 18363.778)
To find out which version and build you have go to Search and type in winver
Click on it and a box will open giving you the information you need.

 

Hi bsilverfox, I recently read a notification from MS that support for version 1709 (W10) would cease at a certain date.
I cannot find the source at the moment but MS want users to have the latest version installed at all times.
If you are experiencing problems Downloading and Installing version 1909 ( as Judy noted in her Post) I would advise you to Disable any 3rd. party Antivirus you may be running.
Disconnect all peripherals you may have plugged in and ensure you only have your OS drive connected. Disconnect any additional drives you may normally use.
This should enable the Download and install process to operate. You can connect your extras after the install is completed.

 

Absolutely follow the suggestions given by retiredlearner.
Also, since you said you have chosen 7 p.m. three times with same results I would strongly suggest you choose a different time. You certainly can continue to use the computer while the download occurs but you absolutely must NEVER turn the computer off. It must stay on in order to do the update. It cannot hibernate or sleep or anything like that, it must be fully "awake".

 

The best way I have found out is to download the files directly from Microsoft & then manually update. Windows Update just doesn't seems to work in some settings.

 

Hi Retired Learner, I checked and I have Version 1809 (os Build 17763.1098) Prior to the beginning of the update 2 days ago I closed down all open programs. However, I have 3 programs running that I know of: Malwarebytes Premium, ESET Security Suite, and CCleaner. I have never closed them since installing them and I'm really not sure how to do that although hopefully I could go to them and find out. Your suggestion makes sense as all 3 times I have been advised of the update and scheduled it and it took place, it always hangs up at exactly the same place (90%complete) and simply does not progress from there. Checking my emails I find that after I responded to the Microsoft update message with a time to begin, it is gone and so I have no way to contact them (which is most likely no accident). Hopefully they will contact me again. I want to THANK YOU for your prompt response which has helped me significantly!!

 

Hi jholland1964, and thank you for responding to my post. I had no clue I could continue working on the computer while an update is in progress. I have already decided not to do 7PM again although reading responses I doubt that is the problem. The warning from Microsoft not to shut down the computer during the update was stern enough that I knew not to do that. <G>
Thank you again for your response! bsilverfox Bill Edgeworth

 

rsinfo---Thank you for your response. You obviously are much more experienced and knowledgeable than I am with the internal works of computers. Should I embark on such a path, God only knows what the end result would be. Most likely when I finished and began to use the machine--it would blow up. <G> I really appreciate your response and it would most likely be a good solution for more experienced users. Best regards and thank you again! bsilverfox Bill Edgeworth

 

There is no reason to ever have CCleaner running all the time. Plus Malwarebytes' Premium and ESET Security Suite are actually over kill, no need for both of them. If I had to choose one then I would choose Malwarebytes' Premium and uninstall ESET but of course this is your choice. There is absolutely no need for both and may very well be the reason that your computer is so far behind on updates...more than TWO years for sure.
An easy way to turn all three of them off is to open CCleaner and then choose Tools. When Tools Opens then choose Startup. There you will see a list of programs that automatically run at start up and therefore run all the time. Go through the list and Click on CCleaner and then click the Disable Button which will appear on the right side. Then go through the list and do the same for ESET. Once you have done this then Reboot the computer.
Once the computer is rebooted fully then there absolutely is NO Reason to wait for a mail from Microsoft. If the computer is configured correctly then it WILL Automatically Check for and Receive New Updates. Because your computer is so many years behind then you should go to Settings>Update and Security. When that opens then hit the button that says Check for Updates. The computer should search for and likely find updates. Take them and follow the instructions given. Do Not pick a good time to do them, just do them. This is going to take you quite awhile because you are two years behind so you must get them all. Once one set downloads and installs and the computer reboots, because it will automatically then check for updates again. Install any of them found. Continue this until your computer is fully up to date.

 

Wow! Thank you so much for your follow up and the instructions you have provided!! This has been somewhat of a trauma for me because it is something I want to get done and no clue as to where to start or what to do. I called Micro Center here where I live and where I bought the desktop and they are open but apparently swamped and you have to make an appointment to get into the store as they are only allowing a certain number of customers at a time. They answer the phone with a recording and you have to text them-which I did-it is over 24 hrs and no response and then it would be by appt and you have to be prepared to wait in your car for up to an hour to be admitted. Anyway, I have printed out your instructions and am going to get busy.
I am very grateful and will be in touch with how I make out................bsilverfox Bill Edgeworth

 

FTR, Windows 10 is not going away any time in the foreseeable future. However, "earlier" versions of Windows 10 are no longer being supported and definitely need to go away.

See Products Ending Support in 2020 and Windows Lifecycle Fact Sheet.

Bottom line, keep your OS current.

 

Hi Bill, Thanks for acceptance of my suggestions. I would like to clarify Judy's reasoning for closing MBAM and ESET and Ccleaner. These AV and Antimalware programs cause havoc with MS updates.
It has always been MS instruction to Close/Disable ANY 3rd. party software when getting MS Updates.
Further, You do not need any other AV software as MS Defender will protect your computer better than any 3rd party software can do. Who else would know better than the designer of the OS?
Windows Update should download and install the latest version once it has all the necessary Security updates installed to enable this to happen.
You will not have to go through a process of installing each version - the latest version has ALL that is required to bring your comp up to date.
I hope I have explained this correctly as this is based on my experience with W10 since it's introduction and I also have run The Insider Preview W10 on a dedicated comp since that was made available. Cheers Neil.

 

Thanks Neil, I should have explained things better. So glad you jumped in. I wholeheartedly agree with your recommendation to use Windows Defender too. It works superbly and I too highly recommend it.

 

Hi Judy, I think there are a great number of users who are not aware that the anti-virus and malware software are chock full of bad codes to enable the software to recognize and counteract.
These codes are then a problem for MS updates to determine whether there are a bunch of baddies already in the System.
Stop or Disable this 3rd party software until Windows update has done it's job and there should not be any problems.
Games are another source of code which can cause confusion during updates.
My protocol is to ensure that Windows Updates and Security patches are installed and I personally have left the WU to do its thing and I either wait or use the laptop if I'm that desperate.
This has worked trouble free for me for many years. The time I wait has never been long enough for me to go gray - better to be 10 minutes late in this world than 20 years too soon in the next.

 

Neil, I agree 100%. We are on the same page for sure!