Stuck on Windows 11 Pro 21H2. Windows update has failed and so has manually updating it

100% mate. You have to wonder how this company is not ashamed of what it puts out. Releases Win 11 all crippled and then adds Windows 7 standard stuff as "features" in Windows 11 ...... lol. Oh but does not forget to release it with bloat and privacy intrusive stuff, even forces you to create a Microsoft account.

As a programmer I would not release a product without doing serious consumer feedback. Back in Uni days professors used to say get sign off from clients on your understanding of what they need or you will have serious **** to deal with when they back flip on what they said they wanted.

Here the consumer base is so vast, not sure why they wanna tick everyone off. The GUI is 95% followed by performance. When a app like Startallback is needed you(Microsoft) as a OS company has failed!!! You need to provide options to change GUI as per clients needs and expand on that. Talking up and adding simple no brainer options as major features demonstrates limitations either in the thinking of your developers or their managers. Practically could get my 15 year old to mention 20 much needed GUI improvements on the fly.

What really makes me laugh is they are not even ashamed releasing AI when Microsoft cant even get your OS to update properly ..... lol.

Just imagine. Copilot what does this error code mean? Goes into meltdown.......... ;)

I mean as programmers you need to capture errors properly and have meaningful notifications on the screen. The only thing I got was "Windows 11 installation has failed". Microsoft = Big Fail!!!

Yes, that is correct, but because every other option has failed to upgrade your system those are the only remaining options.

Sorry to revisit this so late but I was frustrated.

Not sure if you understand the pains I had to take to set this up perfectly to my needs. There i nothing wrong with it. I mean Windows 7 took a bit to setup perfectly but Windows 11, bloatware central needs quite a lot of tweaking. Just so you can appreciate the effort I would like to mention the various tweaks needed to stop all privacy intrusive Microsoft bloat has to be turned off manually, the controversial "requirement" for one drive and Edge etc, the additional apps required to get Win 11 looking like Win 7/10 menu, context menu and various other settings customizing it to my needs. Sorry I cant even remember how many tweaks I have done and therefore my hesitance in pursuing this.

Once I had it setup perfect, I brought another SSD and cloned it to this additional SSD so as to never be without an OS.

Frankly I am thinking if I have to start again I should go back to Windows 7, dont really care about security updates. I am very security conscious so have other tools to keep me protected. Was using it till last year without any issues.

I mean there are no guarantees this wont happen again, and if Microsoft cant code things well in 2023/24 I am really concerned.

thanks for trying to help.

Trust me mate, I've been "working" with Microsoft products since the late '80's/early '90's. Surprised at times I'm not in therapy from all the issues I've dealt with over the years.

And yea, the consumer/professional relationship with Microsoft is at times an abusive love/hate affair. Love how they have either created or acquired IP that makes our lives and computing activities easier (Technet from back in the day, all the iterations of Flight Simulator, Easy Transfer in Windows 7/8, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit, etc.). But like clockwork, they screw us over (killed off Technet, removed Easy Transfer, essentially killing off MDT within the upcoming years, etc.).

And the biggest love/hate for me is if it was not their software that I utilized in my formative years, I wonder what the heck I would be doing to this very day.

And I feel you on their coding at times. But then again, seems like all software publishers are on the "Get it to market now, fix the bugs later" kick. Just look at some of the computer games that have been released as of late.

And no worries on the offer of assistance. I wouldn't be where I am if at times strangers didn't help me. Cheers!

Yes, that is correct, but because every other option has failed to upgrade your system those are the only remaining options.

Sorry to revisit this so late but I was frustrated.

Not sure if you understand the pains I had to take to set this up perfectly to my needs. There i nothing wrong with it. I mean Windows 7 took a bit to setup perfectly but Windows 11, bloatware central needs quite a lot of tweaking. Just so you can appreciate the effort I would like to mention the various tweaks needed to stop all privacy intrusive Microsoft bloat has to be turned off manually, the controversial "requirement" for one drive and Edge etc, the additional apps required to get Win 11 looking like Win 7/10 menu, context menu and various other settings customizing it to my needs. Sorry I cant even remember how many tweaks I have done and therefore my hesitance in pursuing this.

Once I had it setup perfect, I brought another SSD and cloned it to this additional SSD so as to never be without an OS.

Frankly I am thinking if I have to start again I should go back to Windows 7, dont really care about security updates. I am very security conscious so have other tools to keep me protected. Was using it till last year without any issues.

I mean there are no guarantees this wont happen again, and if Microsoft cant code things well in 2023/24 I am really concerned.

thanks for trying to help.

Yes twice. One just failed about a few minutes ago.

Hi, I am Dave, I will help you with this.

Have you tried this method using the Windows 11 ISO to upgrade to version 23H2.

Please follow the steps, this is then not like re-installing Windows, it is just like an update and your personal files, settings and installed software will not be affected.

Click this link:

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-downlo...

to download the Windows 11 ISO

When the ISO file completes downloading

Disconnect from the Internet

Disconnect all external devices with the exception of a mouse or keyboard.

Temporarily disable any 3rd party Anti-virus you may have installed

Then, in Windows File Explorer, double click the ISO and then run Setup.exe and select the upgrade option.