Update to Windows 10 1903 requires updated Intel Rapid Storage Technologies

Question

After receiving the notification, I updated my Dell Inspiron 5000 series with an update from Dell.  This update installed successfully as indicated:

However, the file that is blocking the Windows update, iasota.sys, is the old version that was present before I updated RST (note that other iasot*.sys files are newer):

Any idea on what can be done to workaround the problem?

Is the iaStorA.sys file obsolete and no longer needed now that the RST driver has been updated?  If yes, should I simply rename the file to iaStorA.old and attempt to update Windows again?

Do newer versions of Intel RST still use the older iaStorA.sys file resulting in the Windows Setup not recognizing that a compatible version of RST has been installed?  If yes, then do I have to wait for Microsoft to modify the Setup program so that it assesses RST compatibility by looking at something other than the iaStorA.sys version (e.g., the iaStorAC.sys version, which is the file that serves as the driver for the I/O SATA AHCI Controller?

Answer 1

Hi Maurice. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 10 year Windows MVP here to help you.

Update the chipset and BIOS from the or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page for your exact model.

If that's not enough try the Intel Driver Update Utility here:

http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/...

Then I would manually upgrade to the latest version 1903 by opening the Media Creation Tool from this link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m..., choose Download Tool Now, then open the tool and choose Upgrade This PC Now. This saves your files, apps and most settings in place, is the most stable method to change versions, brings your Updates current, resolves most problems.

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...

If the Version has problems I will work with you to try to resolve them. If the problems are intractable, you have ten days to roll it back in Recovery settings.

Most problems are resolved by doing this gold standard Clean Install which should get you past all difficulties as it has millions of others who have followed the steps in this link and never come back to report another problem: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki... . So read it over and see if its something you want to learn to do.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

Answer 2

Thanks for your advice and quick response.  I had done most of what you recommended before my most recent attempt at updating:

• made sure I had the most recent BIOS and other drivers by scanning computer at Dell website.
• downloaded the Media Creation tool and used it to make an ISO
• installed the latest Intel RST update
• ran the install from the mounted ISO

After doing all this, I still got the message about the iasota.sys file: "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."

After receiving your suggestions, I used the Intel Driver Utility  and found that the only drivers needing an update were Bluetooth and the wireless card.  I performed these updates, but have not attempted to update Windows again.  I do not believe these changes will have any impact.

I am not ready to go through the torture of a clean install, especially since I believe that even that will stop because of the iastora.sys version issue.  What I believe is required is a workaround for this particular problem.  To reiterate, the two options I can think of are:

1. the iaStorA.sys file is obsolete and no longer needed now that the RST driver has been updated and the iaStorAV.sys file is the current driver.  If true, I could simply rename the file to iaStorA.old and attempt to update Windows again.
2. the updated RST driver still uses the old iaStorA.sys file, which is perfectly functional.  In this case, I believe the only way to do an install would be to wait for an update to the SetUp program that assesses the RST compatibility by using criteria other than the iaStorA.sys file.

Finally, I did download the f6flpy-x64.zip file for RST version 15.9.6.1044 (the one Microsoft recommended to use) to see if it contained an iaStorA.sys file that I could use to replace mine.  It did not (nor did the zip file for the RST version that I did install).  This is what leads me to believe that the old iaStorA.sys file is either no longer used by RST or is still used, but is perfectly functional with newer RST versions (in which case it should not be used to assess the installed version of RST).

Answer 3

Hi Maurice -

What's the SATA controller setting in UEFI/BIOS Setup?

http://www.isunshare.com/windows-password/four-...

https://www.mydigitallife.net/comprehensive-lis...

This bulletin just came out yesterday about this: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/451415... I guess those with IRST were gated until now.

Answer 4

Hi Maurice

My name is Andre Da Costa; an Independent Consultant, Windows Insider MVP and Windows & Devices for IT MVP. I'm here to help you with your problem.

Based on information I researched, the Intel installer is not actually updating the iastora.sys file in c:\windows\system32\drivers like it should. It's remaining with the old version and that is what is blocking the upgrade from being successful.

My recommendation is to block the upgrade for the time being and wait a while until it is actually fixed or download and install the version 17.5.1.1021 of the driver to see if that works.

Just to make sure it works, enable the hidden Administrator Account then install the driver.

Proceed to attempt the upgrade again using the Update Assistant.

Step 1:

Open Start

Type: cmd

Right click CMD

Click Run as administrator

At the command prompt, type:

net user administrator /active:yes

Hit Enter

Close command prompt, restart, then try signing into the Administrator account.

Sign in.

Step 2:

Download Intel RST 17.5.1.1021

https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/28966...

Proceed to install it.

Step 3:

Go to the following page then click 'Update Now'

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/win...

See if it works. If not, wait a while then try again.

Note: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Answer 5

"Update to Windows 10 1903 requires updated Intel Rapid Storage Technologies"

Sorry, I have to disagree. I have the v.1903 update, and I do not have Intel RST. In fact, when I did my original clean install of Windows 10, I did not include RST, even though it originally shipped with my computer.

If you don't have a RAID setup, and don't plan on having one, you don't need RST.