How to update pc crash where dell recovery changed operating system from win 10 to win 8

Question

My windows 10 pc crashed and Dell recovery reverted the OS to windows 8 OS. Now I cannot upgrade back to windows 10, keep getting error message: "We encountered a problem processing your request. Please try again later. Reference ID: 20260301T003412Z-17c9cc7f8d9dn2s2hC1BY1cgdg00000018k00000000024sx". Windows 10 had MS special support to October 2026.

Answer 1

You appear to be trying to download an iso file which fails, and the Media Creation Tool fails as well.

You could actually get the Media Creation Tool working, but the tool has prerequisites lately. The MCT requires the TLS 1.2 protocol enabled which is not officially supported in Windows 8. See

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/update-to-enable-tls-1-1-and-tls-1-2-as-default-secure-protocols-in-winhttp-in-windows-c4bd73d2-31d7-761e-0178-11268bb10392

The version of KB3140245 you need to download and install is the one for Windows Embedded 8 Standard, and Windows 8 cannot run the EasyFix. Instead go to

https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/media-creation-tool-error-0x80072f8f-0x20000/

download and run the file enable_tls.reg.

Answer 2

Hello

Because the upgrade path from Windows 8 to 10 has been closed.

You will have to do a clean install in this case. Sorry.

To perform a clean installation of Windows 10 using the Windows Media Creation Tool. You do need to get access to another computer so you can download the Windows installation files into a flash drive, then use the flash drive to help your computer. Hopefully you have a spare computer, or you can have friend or family help you.

The following steps should be done on a working Windows computer:

Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's official website. https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/windows10

Run the tool and select "Create installation media for another PC."

Choose your language, edition, and architecture (32 or 64-bit) and select "Next."

Choose "USB flash drive" as the media to use for the installation and select "Next."

Connect a USB flash drive with at least 8 GB of free space to your computer.

Select the USB flash drive you want to use, and then select "Next."

The tool will then download the required files and create the installation media.

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Now these steps will  be done on your problematic computer:

Go to the computer's BIOS boot menu to have it boot from the USB drive.

Follow the on-screen instructions to install Windows 10, making sure to choose "Custom install" and select the option to delete all existing partitions.

Once the installation is complete, you'll have a clean installation of Windows 10 on your computer.

Answer 3

Windows 10 free upgrade and mainstream support have ended, but Windows 10 can still be installed and activated on devices that already have a valid Windows 10 digital license. The error shown is from an online request flow, not from the local installer itself.

To get back to Windows 10 from Windows 8 after a factory/Dell recovery, use the standard Windows 10 installation path and then troubleshoot any upgrade errors using the documented steps:

1. Make sure Windows 8 is fully updated
   • Install all important updates in Windows 8 before attempting the upgrade. Missing prerequisite updates can cause “update isn’t applicable” or similar failures.
   • If an error appears that “The update isn't applicable to your computer”, verify all important updates are installed, then retry the upgrade.
2. Use the official Windows 10 installation media
   • Go to the Windows 10 software download page and select Download tool now to get the Media Creation Tool.
   • Use it to create installation media (USB/DVD) or to run an in-place upgrade from within Windows 8.
   • Carefully review the notes on that page before using the tool.
3. Check common upgrade/installation blockers
   • Remove nonessential external hardware (USB drives, printers, external disks, docking station, etc.) before starting setup.
   • Uninstall any non‑Microsoft antivirus or antispyware temporarily; these can block setup.
   • Ensure sufficient free disk space: at least 16 GB free for 32‑bit or 20 GB for 64‑bit when upgrading.
4. If Windows 10 setup shows a specific error code
   • Match the error code with the “Other Common Errors” tables for Windows 10 and apply the corresponding fix:
     • Errors like 0x80070070 – 0x50011 / 0x50012 / 0x60000 indicate insufficient disk space; free space and retry.
     • 0xC1900200 – 0x20008 / 0xC1900202 – 0x20008 indicate the PC may not meet minimum requirements.
     • 0x80073712 indicates damaged or missing system files; run DISM and SFC as below.
     • Driver‑related errors (for example 0xC1900101 variants) require disconnecting peripherals, uninstalling third‑party security tools, and updating device drivers.
5. Repair system files if setup keeps failing
   • Open an elevated Command Prompt in Windows 8/8.1 or 10:
     1. In the search box, type command prompt.
     2. Right‑click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
   • Run the following commands in order:
     1. DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
     2. After it completes successfully, run: sfc /scannow
   • When both complete, retry Windows Update or the Windows 10 setup.
6. As a last resort, perform a clean installation of Windows 10
   • From the Windows 10 software download page, use the tool to create bootable media.
   • Boot from the USB/DVD and perform a clean install of Windows 10.
   • This removes installed apps and may remove data, so back up files first.

If, after these steps, the online request for Windows 10 still fails with the same web error message but local installation from official media works, continue using the local media method rather than the failing web flow.

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References:

• Get help with Windows upgrade and installation errors
• Troubleshoot problems updating Windows