Windows 10 update failing to install

I have been researching how to remedy this as all my updates are failing to install on my 2015 Dell XPS 13. While there may be some updates I am happy not to install I am certain there are other updates that would make my version of Win10 more stable. Right now Win10 is so unstable I am very frustrated. Thanks for any help.

 

RobotDoctor, there is no way I would ever run a newly released piece of software on a critical computer - my only computer as a consumer, for example. The one I depend on for my connection to the outside world.

Certainly not an unproven OS like Windows 10, not with Microsoft's long established track record.

There is no benefit to immediately upgrading to Windows 10. Wait 6-12 months

There is only the pain and misery of discovering you have made a mistake, and must now waste your time to get back to some sense of stability, from whence you came.

The only way back to stability and that reliable feeling of expecting your computer to work every time you go to use it, is to restore back to your last configuration, whether it be Windows 8.x or Windows 7.

If you didn't do a backup of your previously stable running OS configuration such that you can restore to it, then rely on the Recovery partition / software / bootable USB/DVD provided from the vendor and restore your data backup once you have updated Windows and drivers.

It is at this point it is good to reflect on, plan, and implement a good bare metal backup - such that you can boot on a USB flash drive, and restore from an external backup your entire Windows installation.

Or, you could continue to beat your way through the Windows 10 bugs, and you will likely muddle through for months, until drivers begin to be stable, and MS issues enough continuous delivery patches to get you stable.

Please let us know how it works out

 

That's probably because you did an upgrade.

1) Search for a utility on google to allow you to view your current Windows product key then save it somewhere safe

2) Use the Windows 10 Download to download Windows 10 installation media and let it create the installation for another PC using a USB Flash Disk. Ensure you select the correct language and edition for Windows, Example: Windows 10 Single Language x64 or whatever your current license is

3) Format your computer completely and do a fresh installation

4) Install all the latest drivers first before attempting to connect to the internet otherwise Windows will install drivers from Windows updates which will most likely mess up your computer.

 

I reinstalled Windows 10 Pro from a USB. This was a copy of Win10Pro that I purchased outright, not an upgrade from Win8.1. I didn't format the drive but installed over what was there. I think I will try a fresh install by formatting my drive. It can't hurt.

 

I wonder if I could actually load Win7 on my 2015 XPS 13. I would definitely consider doing this if I knew Win7 would run without issues. I'll research this and if plausible then it looks like some computer OS loading time for me and the XPS. It looks like I will be carrying two laptops with me for the time being.

 

W7 should run just fine on your system. A couple of things to bear in mind, though:

1) If your XPS came with W8.x getting it onto W7 would mean purchasing/obtaining a license for that OS. I'd run a trial for a bit before spending $$

2) If you liked W8.x - once again, presuming that's what the laptop came with - you may or may not be happy with W7.

Happy downgrading.

 

My XPS came with Win8.1Pro but I immediately upgraded it to Win10Pro. I really do not like the interface of Win8. I have been running Win7Pro on my business laptops for the past 6 years right after it launched. I don't remember having this many issues with a newly launched platform but then again this was the Windows Vista replacement. I prefer the layout of Win7 and Win10 gives me a very close replication of that. Regarding Win7Pro OS, I do have an unused copy of this that was intended to be used on an older machine but I never got around to it. So the $$ have already been spent. If I have to go back to Win8 then I suppose I will but as of now I am leaning on going to Win7. If I lose the touch screen capability of my laptop then so be it. I don't really use it now since I have not been used to having it. I just want a laptop that is dependable without the inherent issues Win10 is currently experiencing. Maybe in 6 months to a year I'll revisit going back to Win10 but for now I think I'm heading to Win7.

Thanks for the response!

 

I'm fairly certain that the touch capability will be there in W7. It's just a matter of locating the correct drivers. Do bear in mind that I'm not familiar with XPS series of recent vintage. Having said that, I've owned W7 machines which were touch-enabled and worked without issues.

Well, W7 would be my weapon of choice given the dependability requirement as well.

Good luck.

 

Thanks ajkula66. I'll work on this tomorrow and into next week and post on the XPS 13 Win7 thread.

 

RobotDoctor, if you were on Win10 less than 30 days, you still have legal right to use your original Windows 8.1 Pro license

I would recommend you immediately (before the 30 days are up) install, register/activate your Windows 8.1 Pro key to preserve that license. Run on it for 30+ days to make sure that gets logged into the Microsoft servers before moving on to Windows 7, if you decide you still want to do that.

Otherwise it will look like you simply upgraded to Windows 10 and stayed offline through the balance of the 30 days.

If you tried to recover your Windows 8.1 Pro license, I am not sure how MS would decide whether you lost your 8.1 Pro license to a Windows 10 upgrade, or not, but I wouldn't take the chance. Reinstall and Activate Windows 8.1 Pro to keep that key alive.

Windows 8.1 with Classic Shell is ok... at least it has been / solid stable for me. It also has a longer supported life than Windows 7 - which may not come into play for this particular laptop, but you never know.

If you still want to get a Windows 7 x64 license, I would encourage you to do so, and wait to see if you need to burn that key on this laptop, or keep it for future use.

*Preserve Windows 8/8.1/7 (Pro/x64) keys, don't give them up for Windows 10 !*

I wonder if there is a reverse path for those that have Accepted the Windows 10 EULA...send a letter to Microsoft stating that you no longer accept the EULA, you are off of Windows 10, and have no intention of agreeing to any future Product/EULA that encroaches on personal, business, and device privacy? Something to think about.

 

Someone posted information they were told by MS support that you can switch back to Win 8.1 within the one year grace period. After Win X is no longer free you can't transfer back to Win 8.1 or WIN X without paying.

 

I'm fairly certain that the license for W8.x is embedded in BIOS and that it will remain valid if one wants to re-install the OS in question even after the 30 day period has expired.

 

That's a great idea. I did a clean Windows 10 install on this PC so I will have to contact Dell regarding the Win8 key for my computer. I think this might be the path I'll take. Thanks for the insight!

 

As I've stated earlier, the activation code for W8.x is embedded in your machine's BIOS.

I'm not all that certain that the verbiage used would hold up in court. They are interested in scaring people away from the very idea of suing them.

 

RobotDoctor, yes!, your key is already in the BIOS, no need to contact Dell - unless you no longer have the Windows 8.1 Pro install/recovery partition/recovery usb bootable restore available.

Then you would need to ask Dell to help you with the recovery media. IDK about Dell, but other vendors ask you to send in the whole laptop to do the restore - it's a licensing issue.

If you have in home service, then Dell should be able to bring in a restore to apply to your laptop

Since you have a new laptop, I would recommend this path. If you were out of support/service period, then you can download a Windows 8.1 Pro image from Microsoft, install on a USB, and go from there.

Windows 7 Download tool
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/windows-usb-dvd-download-tool

Windows 8.1 Media Creation tool - Create installation media for Windows 8.1
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-8/create-reset-refresh-media

I think Dell has a Service Tag application that will get your service tag, and apply all the drivers and updates needed after you install Windows 8.1 Pro from scratch.

I am also updating my post to include: preserve Windows 7/x64 Keys from Windows 10 lossage

 

Guys, I wouldn't count on unsubstantiated 3rd party hearsay

If you can't find it in writing / posting from an official Microsoft statement, you can't rely on someone's verbal assurance, including Microsoft support phone/chat's. You need to get it from an official source in writing. If it is an official Microsoft statement online, save a copy of it.

Everything I find online says 30 days. Period. No extensions. Everywhere. Not a single statement about you have 1 full year. Nowhere.

The official About Windows 10 Update page, doesn't even list the 30 days... just that you have 1 year to upgrade, and if you upgrade to Windows 10, agreeing to the EULA, then you have Windows 10 for free on that device.
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/windows-10-upgrade

Spoiler

"1 Windows Offer Details

Yes, free! This upgrade offer is for a full version of Windows 10, not a trial. 3GB download required; internet access fees may apply. To take advantage of this free offer, you must upgrade to Windows 10 within one year of availability. Once you upgrade, you have Windows 10 for free on that device.

Windows 10 Upgrade Offer is valid for qualified Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 devices, including devices you already own. Some hardware/software requirements apply and feature availability may vary by device and market. The availability of Windows 10 upgrade for Windows Phone 8.1 devices may vary by OEM, mobile operator or carrier. Devices must be connected to the internet and have Windows Update enabled. Windows 7 SP1 and Windows 8.1 Update required. Some editions are excluded: Windows 7 Enterprise, Windows 8/8.1 Enterprise, and Windows RT/RT 8.1. Active Software Assurance customers in volume licensing have the benefit to upgrade to Windows 10 enterprise offerings outside of this offer. To check for compatibility and other important installation information, visit your device manufacturer’s website and the Windows 10 Specifications page. Windows 10 is automatically updated. Additional requirements may apply over time for updates."

If you did an upgrade, Microsoft gives you a revert option for 30 days, after which time MS deletes your Windows 7/8.X backup.

Please let us know how it works out RobotDoctor

 

You missed a key point. Microsoft is giving everyone a 12 month grace period from the time Windows 10 was released. You can switch back and forth between the original OS and Windows 10 and keep your product key. After the 12 month grace period where Windows 10 is NO longer free, then whatever OS your key is activated with will permanently be assigned to that OS.

While you have a 30 day downgrade period, you can still reformat your disk drive and activate your product key with the version of Windows you purchased.

I was outside the 30 day Windows 10 downgrade period. I reformatted my hard drive and reactivated my Windows 8.1 product key on the same laptop. You are allowed to go back and forth during the 12 month Microsoft grace period but keep in mind you will need to reformat and start over.

 

Rodster, for all the clear statements made in the EULA, it would be nice to have a clear statement on this, but there isn't, it's clouded in non-statement.

I understand what you are saying, but in my experience with Microsoft, they always error to the side of their best interest.

I am happy you were able to recover from the Windows 10 experience

 

You do not have to start from a format and scratch if you have a backup. M$ is stating the year but again with a bios embedded key that will be tough to enforce unless they can embed the advertising ID into the UEFI bios. Another method may be the unique HDD ID they attach to the boot drive.

I replaced my primary drive with a 1TB SSD using W7 backup. I placed the 480GB SSD in a dock but the system was refusing to load it. Turned out the ID given to it by windows was transferred to the new drive and this conflict would not allow it to mount. To activate, and hold activation, they easily could be looking for both to match properly along with even further criteria..