Windows 11 23H2 installation fails

Anonymous
2023-11-09T20:12:14+00:00

I have been trying, unsuccessfully, to update my Lenovo Thinkpad T490 to Windows 11. Last resort before going to some kind of paid solution is to throw this out to the community. Here's a summary of what I have tried already.

Windows has been not-so-gently nagging me to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 for at least 18 months and assures me that my computer can run it. There is about 32 GB free space on the hard drive. Drivers are up to date.

When I use the Update function from the Settings the update downloads and I am prompted to reboot. During the reboot, I can see the screen indicating the progress of the installation, but in the end the system is still in Windows 10. The message below is displayed in the Windows Update screen "There were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later. If you keep seeing this and want to search the web or contact support for information, this may help: (0x8007001f)"

When I use the Windows 11 Installation Assistant the update also downloads successfully, but the computer still boots back into Windows 10. The only difference is that the message in the Windows Update page in settings now references the code 0xc00000f0.

Similarly, if I use the media creation tool to create a .ISO file, the update downloads, but the installation still fails.

I have also tried updating from a clean reboot, removing the laptop from the docking station to ensure that no external devices (other than Logitech wireless mouse and keyboard) are connected, and uninstalled the McAfee antivirus program that my ISP provides.

I have also tried all of the suggested fixes and scans from this YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pz52tUWNPU.

I'm out of ideas. If anyone can suggest further steps, I'd love to hear them.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Windows update

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Answer accepted by question author
Ramesh 181.6K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2023-11-25T19:06:44+00:00

There are a lot of unwanted/invalid profiles. Download and run del_unwanted_profiles.reg. Click Yes to confirm.

(As you've already backed up the key to "Profilebad.hive", go ahead and run the above registry fix without any hesitation.)

Re-run the Windows setup now.

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-11-11T05:56:38+00:00

    Please use the McAfee uninstaller or Revo uninstaller to clean the residual files or service reports.

    Run Sea Tools for Windows Long Generic and HD Tune Full error tests overnight as needed.

    The Health / SMART may be available using other software.

    Run HD Sentinel (trial version) (all drives)

    Hard Disk Sentinel - HDD health and temperature monitoring (hdsentinel.com)

    Post a share link into this thread using one drive, drop box, or google drive.

    When troubleshooting upgrading problems:

    a) use the MCT (Windows 11 iso) instead of the upgrade assistant

    b) make sure that the only attached drive is the windows drive (attach the MCT flash drive unless using a desktop MCT)

    c) detach all non-essential hardware

    d) use clean boot

    e) disconnect from the Internet (perform updates after a successful upgrade (not during the upgrade))

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  3. Anonymous
    2023-11-10T21:16:05+00:00

    Thanks for this extensive set of recommendations. My comments are below.

    The McAfee site recommends using their consumer product removal tool only if the normal Windows uninstall function is unsuccessful. Since the normal uninstall removed the McAfee antivirus and Microsoft Defender immediately took over, I have left well enough alone. However, I will note that the McAfee Web Advisor is still installed. I will remove this before attempting another update.

    I have turned off Fast Start Up and created a new restore point.

    For the system drive I have run the Sea Tools extended generic test, HD Tune Benchmark test, and HD Tune Error Test. There is a blank screen for the HD Tunes Health test, I presume because this is a SSD. For the external USB drive I have run the HD Tune Benchmark test and HD Tunes Health test. The Sea Tools and HD error scans on the USB drive look like they will take hours to complete, so I will do these through the evening. If the USB drive is a potential problem I can disconnect it; it contains no essential information.

    I am confused about point 7.

    First, the linked article seems to be about repairing an existing Windows 11 installation, but I am trying to update from 10 to 11. Is this information relevant?

    After a quick scan of the article my understanding is that it is using the .ISO method to do the update. It also recommends to do the installation while disconnected from the internet. This implies that using the .ISO method to update Windows does not require an internet connection. Is this correct?

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  4. Anonymous
    2023-11-10T19:19:40+00:00

    In the above post, I had noted that there was no "Rollback" folder in C:$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources.

    I have since cleaned up the system drive to ensure that there was sufficient storage (now at about 120 GB). The update failed again, but there is now a Rollback folder.

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