[Solved]Unable to update or reinstall Windows... again

Anonymous
2025-01-14T02:57:56+00:00

I had a very similar problem about 8 months ago ([Solved]Unable to update or reinstall Windows - Microsoft Community) and I'm having essentially the same problem right now after a reboot.

I know I'm using a different Microsoft account now, but this is actually the same computer as in the above post.

I receive the following error code when trying to update Windows:

0x800070002 (Win11 23H2 Update12, KB5048685)

Same as last time, I tried:

DISM - says it can't find the source, 0x800f081f

SFC - says windows can't launch the repairing service

Reinstall win11 using iso - If I use the latest iso from the Microsoft website it says "A driver or service on your computer isn't ready for this version of Windows" and won't let me reinstall. If I use an older iso I already have, it will just tell me "install failed" at around ~60-70%.

Because this is very similar to last time's issue (or at least I think so...), I will upload the same log file that I was asked to upload last time.

Logs

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Install and upgrade

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Ramesh 181.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2025-01-17T03:37:33+00:00

If you don't delete the partitions, the old data will be stored in Windows.old.

How to: Perform a Custom Installation of Windows 11 and Windows 10 or - Microsoft Community: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-to-perform-a-custom-installation-of-windows-11/38adfa8c-32f8-4354-8c53-13b5f2cf7e44

// If I reinstall the system, what data will I lose and what can I recover? For example settings? Installed apps? History in Edge browser? Personal files? Etc.//

You may be able to recover Appdata folders for individual apps. Store apps will be gone. Though you can recover personal files from Windows.old, it's advisable to backup those folders to external drive before doing the clean install.

Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.
0 comments

80 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Ramesh Srinivasan 87,615 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-01-15T06:22:55+00:00

    23H2 ISO is not available from official sources. You may use the existing 23H2 ISO. No issues about the build number as long as its version is 23H2.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2025-01-15T06:20:21+00:00

    So uninstall all VM software? Got it.

    I just tried the "January Quality Update" and it says "Some updates were not installed: Windows Security Update (KB5050021)"

    Should I try a clean boot and reinstall now?

    Also, is there a website where I can get the 23H2 iso since MS only offers 24H2? I mean I have a copy of it but it's probably a few updates older even than the system I'm running now. Also, I don't think so but it could be corrupted? Just want to make sure.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Ramesh Srinivasan 87,615 Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2025-01-15T06:12:22+00:00

    I meant VMware. Sorry. VMware drivers are loading on your system as per the Farbar logs.

    Try the latest quality update:

    https://catalog.sf.dl.delivery.mp.microsoft.com...

    If the above update doesn't install correctly, uninstall VMware, VirtualBox, Hyper-V, Sandbox, etc, if any of them are installed. Then do the repair installation.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2025-01-15T06:10:07+00:00

    Sorry if I misunderstood you, but I don't think VirtualBox is installed on my computer.

    Do you mean disabling hyper-v and unchecking all optional features or something else?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments