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
    2019-08-01T22:42:31+00:00

    What if there seems to be no iastora.sys file anywhere on the computer? 

    I found an old copy in C:\windows\system32\drivers and the file name was a combination of upper and lower case letters....I renamed it and restarted the windows up and all seems to be working....

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-08-01T21:43:44+00:00

    I did as you indicated, but I ended up getting the same iastora.sys error as before.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-08-01T21:17:27+00:00

    I updated the driver but still can't update Windows 10. The problem seems to be that updating the driver DOES NOT remove the old driver. As soon as Windows update sees that old driver it stops installing, even though the Rapid Storage Technology driver has in fact been updated.

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-08-01T19:33:32+00:00

    Todd, I followed the advice of Gregg, the MVP, and followed the link to the Update Media creator but used the first option to initiate an update, not the MS Settings Menu.

    Before invoking that, I followed the advice of others, updated the I RST Driver and then located the older iastora file in Win32/drivers and changed its spec to iastora.old.

    Before invoking Update, I shut down completely then rebooted. I RST is a slow starter so waited until the cursor stopped spinning then went back to the Update (1st Option) in the Media Creator page and, behold, Windows started to search for updates then got on with it.

    Cold reboot after renaming the old driver file seemed to be the difference.

    Sincerely hope this helps and gratitude to Gregg the MVP.

    BTW, Asus Support were as much use as a rice paper stab vest.

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