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
    2019-07-29T18:01:02+00:00

    Thanks. This was a big help, but I took a simpler route. I had already upgraded Intel RST to version 17.5.1.1021. Based on your post, I did a search for iastora.sys with a batch file I have. The only file which looked like it might be an issue was in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers folder. With RST running, I deleted the file in that folder (it went to my Recycle Bin), figuring if it was in use, I wouldn't allow me to delete it and if needed, I could recover it. The Refresh button from Windows Update process didn't do anything, but I canceled out of the update and started it again and the update is now working.

    Recap for those with the issue: upgrade Intel RST, delete the old, unused iastora.sys file in C:\Windows\System32\drivers folder and start the automatic update in Settings >> Updates & Security >> Windows Update. I don't remember if I had a Fix button or if just clicking on it started the update.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-08-01T16:08:33+00:00

    Please go to windows\system32\drivers, and rename iastora.sys to iastora.sys.tmp

    Then, do your windows update.

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-07-31T16:16:57+00:00

    After the intel upgrade, the iastorA.sys remains on the 15.2.0.1020 version! A new iasorAC.sys is present and has the new version 17.501.1021!

    Renaming the iastorA.sys solved the problem. Windows version 1903 is installed now. Thx

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  4. Anonymous
    2019-07-30T18:22:02+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.

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