2020-02 Updates KB4524244 Locks Up My Computer and Fails Install

(2) Are you saying neither computer will reinstall when you click "Update Now" at...

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Download Windows 10 -- Always the latest released version, currently 1909

That would constitute an over-install of 1909 keeping all files, settings & apps. But - as you've got such instability - definitely ensure you backup important files & downloads to external media first. Also, it might be best to make a USB Installation drive with which to do the over-install. If it fails, you'll be able to try a clean install with it, instead.

FYI

 -  Both 1903 and 1909 share a common set of system files.

The current version of the 1909 MCT Tool or the stand-alone 1909 iso is based on 1903(not uniquely 1909) even though it does include 1909 bits and will clean install 1909(1909 is a simple, small update from 1903 and included in the bits during setup and final install prior to first logon)

What does the above mean and what has previously been seen?

 - Use of the MCT created media(USB/DVD or ISO) or stand-alone downloaded ISO[using a different browser UA string or Win7/8x device] or online 'Upgrade now) with 1903 bits(setup.exe is 18362, not 18363) used to perform an in-place upgrade(i.e. over-the-top-install) may not(and has not in reported cases) provide the all encompassing option 'Keep all files, settings, and apps' option => when the device is already at 1909(18363) - the target o/s on the system is newer than the o/s on the created MCT or ISO. 

 -i.e. 'Keep all files, settings, and apps' is a version specific option - same version to be available.

In the past, the MCT created media and/or ISO was uniquely version specific to the current feature/major update, this time around it was released with 1903 bits and the 1909 upgrade bits.

Thus, over-the-top install keeping 'everything' won't be available(grayed-out), only 'Keep personal files' and 'Keep Nothing'.

You've got a bundle of ailments, but I see you speak of two computers.

(1) Try uninstalling the bundle of updates that just came in, as I posted on page 7.

(2) Are you saying neither computer will reinstall when you click "Update Now" at...

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Download Windows 10 -- Always the latest released version, currently 1909

That would constitute an over-install of 1909 keeping all files, settings & apps. But - as you've got such instability - definitely ensure you backup important files & downloads to external media first. Also, it might be best to make a USB Installation drive with which to do the over-install. If it fails, you'll be able to try a clean install with it, instead.

I have a few elitedesks 705g4 and have started to see the freeze up issue and then the hp smart start security error. I recently attempted to disable smart start in bios to see if that helps. Waiting to see results.  Have you found any hard fixes for this.  I have other newer model HP desktops and luckily have not seen it on those yet.  I am assuming it all comes down to Windows 10 being a pain as usual with horrible updates but feel the HP start smart is conflicting with whatever update and may hold some of the blame. any suggestions or fixes you have found that work since you have same issue on same model of HPs?