Failed Windows upgrade with unusual issue

Question

This is an unusual problem that I cannot find a solution to...

I have a PC with TWO SSDs, each with Windows 10 Pro. I could not get an inplace upgrade to Windows 11 Pro after downloading an ISO for the main SSD Windows 10 drive.

I did the same with the lesser used drive after booting into it. NO PROBLEM. So it's not the computer.

I looked at the logs and the implication was that some of the primary Windows 10 files were damaged. I ran SFC /scannow and dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth and DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:WIM:D:\sources\install.wim:1 /LimitAccess both with local ISO .wim files and connected to the internet.

I've run chkdsk C: /f, stopped any AV services, deleted potentially blocking programs and NOTHING works. It always fails. I've even deleted the softwaredistribution folders.

So I downloaded the latest Windows 10 ISO and reinstalled it as admin to freshen the files so I could upgrade to 11 thereafter. Same problem, failed "upgrade" to the same version which doesn't have any problems.

Suggestions?

Answer 1

Please share a zipped copy of the following setup log file on OneDrive (or any other host) and post the link here:

C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Panther\setupact.log

Note: C:\$WINDOWS.~BT is a hidden folder. To access it, press Win + R, type C:\$WINDOWS.~BT and click OK.

Answer 2

It sounds like you've already taken several important steps to troubleshoot the upgrade issue from Windows 10 to Windows 11. Here are some additional suggestions that might help resolve the problem:

1. Check for Compatibility: Ensure that your hardware meets the minimum requirements for Windows 11. Sometimes, specific hardware configurations can cause upgrade issues.
2. Remove Unnecessary Devices: Disconnect any non-essential peripherals (like printers, external drives, etc.) during the upgrade process, as they can sometimes interfere.
3. Update Drivers: Make sure all your drivers, especially chipset and graphics drivers, are up to date. Outdated drivers can lead to compatibility issues during the upgrade.
4. Use Windows Update Troubleshooter: Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter to identify and fix issues related to Windows Update that might be affecting the upgrade process.
5. Clean Boot: Perform a clean boot of Windows to eliminate any software conflicts that might be causing the upgrade to fail. This involves disabling all non-Microsoft services and startup items.
6. Check for Corrupted Files: Since you've already run SFC and DISM, consider checking the CBS.log file for specific errors that might indicate which files are corrupted or causing issues.
7. Manual Upgrade: If the upgrade continues to fail, consider performing a manual upgrade using the Windows 11 installation media instead of the in-place upgrade option. This can sometimes bypass issues present in the current installation.
8. Backup and Fresh Install: As a last resort, if the upgrade fails repeatedly, you might consider backing up your data and performing a clean installation of Windows 11. This can help eliminate any underlying issues with the current installation.

If these suggestions do not resolve the issue, you may want to consult the Microsoft support forums or consider reaching out to Microsoft support for further assistance.

---

References:

• 0x800F0818 - 0x20003 error during upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11
• Windows 10 upgrade quick fixes