Windows 10 Feature Update Issues

Question

Since my site has upgraded all 75 computers to version 1909 I have had poor success moving up a level.  At someone's advice I tried upgrading from the media using a USB key.  No luck.  The error message:

T he installation failed in the Safe_OS phase with an error during the Migrate_Data operation.

I must have tried to upgrade a dozen machines to version 2004.  Now I'm trying to upgrade to 20H2.  This is freaking ridiculous.  Why?

• My computers are standard Dell OptiPlex 3040 and 3050 machines
• I run a WSUS server and these machines get updated with Windows updates every month
• There is really nothing exotic installed on these computers.  Office, FireFox, Chrome...that's it!

Frankly, recommendations to update drivers are ludicrous.  If Microsoft needs a driver updated DO IT DURING THE INSTALL.  The same goes with suggestions to reboot or stop services.

I know most of the people in this forum are not Microsoft employees and to them I apologize for making them read my rant.

But to Microsoft:  EITHER FIX THIS PROBLEM OR STOP FORCING US TO INSTALL FEATURE UPDATES.

Mike Harradon

Answer 1

Thank you for the response.

So I have one machine in particular I am testing with.  About as vanilla a machine as I have.  Originally it offered me version 20H2 as an "option".  I accepted the update and it failed, reversing Windows to it's previous version.  Then I attempted to install from the 20H2 media.  Again it failed.  Lastly, it now has said a "required" update is available - 20H2 - which I accepted and that update failed.

Like I said, it doesn't matter how I attempt to do the install.  Since version 1909 the installation of updates has been awful.  A huge time sync for me and very interruptive for my users.  There's nothing unusual about my environment and to expect the user community to help each other and fix this is totally unacceptable.  ***Microsoft needs to get off the stick and get this fixed!***Microsoft - I'm in the book.  Give me a call.

Answer 2

The update process will first check, download, and install the sequence of updates that were missed, especially from the older major versions that doesn't share common core operating system with an identical set of system files. Usually the process will be faster if it is from version 2004 to 20H2.

Reference for the release version here:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-information/

You can speed up the update process from 2004 to 20H2 using the enablement package. For more information:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4562830/feature-update

For version 1903 to 1909 :

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4517245/feature-update-via-windows-10-version-1909-enablement-package

But still, it is best to wait for the update to be offered via Windows Update.

Btw, I have started a discussion in this community about my circumstance but apparently none like to talk about it. You may read it here:

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/story-about-update-and-upgrade/95a427c0-11db-4cfb-901d-f3f879834365

https://community.windows.com/en-us/conversations/your-main-purpose-of-having-windows-os/b0585dba-338f-4c99-8c1c-3632546fd99c

Wishing you success in your job, Mike.

Answer 3

Hello Tikno,

I've been consulting on Microsoft products for more years than I care to mention.  The problems I have seen occur no matter how the update process is initiated.  If Microsoft is releasing an update then it should be fully cooked.  If not, then pull it back.  The problem I have is these updates can take 2 hours or more to install.  I can't have the update start on it's own in the middle of the workday.  I need to be able to schedule when convenient and know with 100% certainty it will go out OR do it manually when the user won't be impacted.

Again, if Microsoft can't do it right they shouldn't force us to update.

Thanks, Mike

Answer 4

Hello Mike.

As I know, the update process using Intelligent Safeguard to check the system readiness to prevent unnecessary problem for the next version update. Therefore, it's best to wait for the update is offered in windows update rather than force the update manually.

If without the update the users can work normally to finish their daily job for the company, why bother to update. That's my option for several companies which I'm as their IT advisor. Usability is my first option for business can run without trouble. Because businessman just need to print a bill (invoice) to get money. They don't care about the update nor upgrade. Moreover if no applications urgently need the update.

That's just my suggestion.