After update of my windows 10 I got problem Desktop is unavailable

I started windows 10 as normal and it got to the missing desktop screen.

At this stage I inserted the usb stick. Using task master I got to the usb and found windows set up. Clicked on that and away it went.

It asked me if I wanted to install the updates or leave it till later. I clicked on leave it till later.

I did not unplug the internet.

The installation stopped at 81% and re-installed the previous version of windows 10 so when it comes back it is on the page with just the recycle bin.

At this stage I have given up.

I have taken my machine to my local friendly IT expert. He has run some tests and has told me that the hard disc has failed. I don't really understand how the failure of the hard disc can cause this sort of problem and is everybody's hard disc failing because of this update?

Anyway I have told him to replace the hard disc and replace it with SSD. Wait and see!!

I have now tried to re-install Windows 10 from scratch.

On a different PC I got the download tool to enable the creation of installation media onto a usb stick.

I then returned to the problem computer and loaded the usb stick. I changed via bios to order of start up so the computer went to the usb stick first. All seemed to go well  until I got a message stating I could noot upgrade windows from the usb stick and I should upgrade via the existing installation.

So I started windows and got to the the missing desktop screen. Via task master got to the usb stick and ran windows set up.

Again everything seemed to go well the installation went well including updates that it had downloaded as part of the process. However it got to about 90% and then stated it was reverting to the previous version of windows. 

Guess what back to missing desktop!!!

I am running out of ideas.

Help.

Hmmm. Perhaps let us know your EXACT installation procedure?

Don't get me wrong, you seem to have explained it quite well for now...  Just thinking...

• Did you allow it to download "updates" & such?
• Try disabling this option
  • Don't allow it to get updates before installing or such
  • Actually disconnect your computer from the internet also

So when running this from your messed up install (in Windows, using Command Prompt) ?

Still seems start you're booting from the USB. Please tell me that I'm incorrect...

Please read previous posts. Don't start your computer using the Windows USB drive.

You should let Windows start/load up until you get to the state where you can't do anything else.  The blank desktop or such. Them perform any/all of the previous suggestions.

Sorry for the late reply. Purchased a prepaid phone, also left my notebook at home [on purpose, first time ever!!!]

I APOLOGISE FOR DIGRESSING FROM THE TOPIC!!! Just wanted to reply to this post.

I still use a Dell Precision 690 periodically though I don't have it running 24/7 because its a huge energy cost

• Dual quad Xeons + 16 memory modules @ 64GB
• Doesn't seem like much these days but back in the mid 2000's this was the S**T
  • Took me another few years to find a compatible solution (motherboard/processors) to actually be able to use dual quad processors.
• Part of the reason I still have this unit... basically rebuilt it from the ground, still have all original equipment also. Could actually build another 690 of I had an extra case

My uncle still had an ancient unit, forget which, that he used until a few years ago when he left the planet Earth. Offered him new units several times but he was happy with his computer. It accomplished what he needed it for, I only needed to supply him with 3.5" floppies here & there.

Also concerning drives/backup/etc: in 2016 I c.f. lost my digital music because I kept putting off backing it up. Had already donated my CD collection to various others, and certainly hadn't purchased most digitally. About 500GB gone and no way to recover this.

Currently I use Dropbox for important files

• Moved my 'Documents' etc folders to my Dropbox location on a drive so even if my house burns down I'll still be able to access my important files
• Anything else I lose will still suck, but at least I can recover from a catastrophic event

Anytime I purchase a drive, USB, well pretty much anything I register it online though the manufacturer. 

• Generally end up purchasing Logitech mice these days cause they're cheap. But sometimes they crap out quickly. Same thing with USB drives
• If you warranty them then they can be replaced
• May be a PITA but worth it

Sorry about busting on your IT/computer person. It's quite difficult to diagnose computer issues, mainly because the client/customer generally has no idea how to express the issue accurately

AGAIN SO SORRY FOR THIS.  JUST WANTED TO REPLY. I'LL READ THROUGH THE POST AND REPLY AS WELL AS I'M ABLE.

I have 2 others drives I'm hanging onto lol... one I hope someday to get the stuff off of it... it was a backup drive (internal drive put in an external case)..then it died without notice; if I remember it's not really spinning anymore.  The 1TB one there's not much on there (I think)- I don't know why it failed in under 2 years though.  But do have a new backup drive; just have to remember to either get a second one or replace BEFORE the thing decides to take leave without notice.

LOL... Oh.. my Creaky Dell is 16 years old.  Still runs... 40GB HDD (original) is still in there.  Got the stuff I wanted off of it in case I give away or recycle Creaky Dell.  My father has older computers also- including one from the 1980s- lil thing with a tiny monitor and 2 5.25 floppy disk drives- no hard drive to speak of.  Last I remember it still works.   Between my father and I we have a LOT of computers- Mom's not thrilled.  

Makes me wish I never sold my ATT 6300 (my first computer); and as a side note- I'm close in age to you (same decade lol).

Ah read further down.  The guy I took it to seemed competent - 30 years in the business.  It was a free consult so.. eh.  Supposed to do another one one tomorrow but likely won't go (I wasn't impressed with their automated email response to my form entry). 

SMART?  I'll google info on that.    As for 'clicking' there isn't any- so far... some noise but I suspect a large portion of the noise was due to a very dusty fan (not like I can hear it or any noise unless it's REALLY loud).

No hurry... I'm spending my days job hunting (Web Dev or QA Tester).