Windows 10 update fails with error about iastora.sys after upgrading to recommended Intel Rapid Storage version

Anonymous
2019-07-26T19:17:02+00:00

I'm attempting to update Windows 10 to 1903. The update failed with the error message "The inbox storage driver iastora.sys doesn't work on these systems and causes stability problems on Windows. Check with your software/driver provider for an updated version that runs on this version of Windows." This error led to a support page at https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4514156/updating-to-windows-10-version-1903-on-devices-with-certain-versions-o recommending that the driver be upgraded to version 15.9.6.1044.

I have upgraded the driver accordingly (see attached screenshot), and rebooted the machine afterwards, but still receive the same error. I have also tried uninstalling and reinstalling the driver, and attempting the upgrade with the driver uninstalled, but receive the same error message no matter what version of this driver is installed, or indeed if it is installed at all.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Windows update

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Anonymous
2019-07-26T19:22:48+00:00

Hi Todd. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 10 year Windows MVP here to help you.

That's the buggy Windows Upgrade Advisor which is often wrong and wastes a lot of time. For this reason it's much more stable to Upgrade using the media itself and not buggy Windows Updates or Upgrade Advisor.

Install the Media Creation Tool from this link http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m..., choosing Download Tool Now, install the tool, open it and choose Upgrade this PC Now. . This will save your files and apps while bringing you up to the latest version by the most stable method. It will also bring all of your Updates current and solve most problems since it reinstalls Windows.

If any problems report back the verbatim error and number, then continue with these steps for overcoming Version Upgrade problems: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-08-02T12:28:19+00:00

    that's because when i had the MS tech installing my update, he explained that this issue was just acknowledged a few days prior , it took awhile to come to light that it wouldn't install on some older versions, if you have valid MS software and you registered it, or a computer running a licensed product. you can create a profile on MS site it will scan your device and verify it's legit and give you a breakdown of every product installed and its version and if it's running properly.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-08-02T12:15:00+00:00

    you log in to microsoft web site, i went to windows and started my process there.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-08-02T08:11:03+00:00

    Thank you c-donovan! I did exactly as you say and problem sorted!

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-08-02T02:44:29+00:00

    I experienced the same issue yesterday. After much wrangling I found a rather simple solution. It appears that when Intel RST is updated, the installation program leaves behind an un-needed driver - iastorA.sys. Probably in case a roll-back is needed. The new driver is iastorAC.sys. The solution that I employed was to rename iastorA.sys to iastorA.sys.old. This way the Windows installer can't find the old driver and cause the 1903 update to fail. The good thing about renaming the file (unless you save it elsewhere) is that if you need the file for a roll-back it remains available. The iastorA.sys file can be found on your system volume in \Windows\System32\drivers.

    This solution assumes that you updated Intel RST to newer version above 15.5.2.1053. Windows recommends 15.9.6.1044 but the newer versions work with 1903.

    I hope this helps.

    This solution worked for me. Thanks!

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