After long testing, Microsoft has rolled out the Windows 10 update for everyone with several new features and improvements. And Microsoft has put an immense amount of work into making sure Windows 10 updates happen smoothly. But sometimes users experience difficulty during the upgrade, such as there is a lack of space to download install updates, security software blocks to make changes to OS, External Devices or old Drivers cause comparable issues mostly cause Black screen with a white cursor at startup etc. That’s why here have collected some useful tips to well prepare your Windows PC for the Latest Windows 10/11 Upgrade.
Install the latest cumulative update
Most of the time before a new version of Windows launches Microsoft offers a Cumulative update with bug fix to make the upgrade process go smoother. So Make sure your PC has installed the latest cumulative updates before installing update. Normally Windows 10 is set to install updates automatically, Or you can check it manually by following the steps below.
- Open settings using Windows key + I
- Click Update & Security then Windows update
- Now click Check for updates to allow download the latest Windows updates from the Microsoft server.
Free up Disk space for the upgrade
Again make sure you have enough Free disk space on the system installed drive (normally its C:) to download and apply Windows updates. Especially if you’re using a low capacity SSD as your main drive. Microsoft has not said exactly how much disk space is required But as in previous updates, we notice feature update also need a minimum of 16 GB of Free disk space to download and apply the latest updates.
- If you don’t have enough disk space available, you can make more space by moving files, such as Documents, Videos, Pictures, and Music, to an alternate location.
- You can also uninstall programs that you don’t need or rarely use.
- In addition, you can run the Windows Disk Cleanup tool to delete unnecessary files like Temporary Internet Files, Debug Dump Files, Recycle Bin, Temporary Files, System error memory dump files, old updates, and pretty much any else in the list.
- Again if you have some important data on your System drive ( C: ) I would recommend to backup or move these files to an external HDD.
Disable your Antivirus software
Security software (Antivirus) is one of the most common causes of issues during major operating system upgrades. After all, it’s doing what it’s supposed to do: blocking changes to your system configuration. Antivirus software will sometimes detect and assume an unexpected update making a major modification to system files might be an attack in progress. The same goes for software such as your firewall. To avoid false positives, Microsoft usually recommends updating the antivirus software before upgrading. But I would like to recommend simply uninstalling the antivirus protection and After the upgrade is complete, you can always reinstall your antivirus utility.
Also Perform a clean boot that disables unnecessary startup programs, third-party utilities, and non-essential services which may cause problems during the upgrade process. After completion, the Windows upgrade starts windows normally.
Disconnect unnecessary peripherals
Another factor that can prevent a successful installation are peripherals connected to the computer. These devices could interrupt the installation because Windows 10 is trying to install them, but they are either not compatible or the latest drivers are not available at the time of installation.
So Before beginning with the upgrade process, disconnect all the peripherals ( printer, scanner, external HDD USB thumb drive attached ) that are not necessary. You’ll probably be OK by having connected only a mouse, keyboard, and monitor.
Update Device drivers (Especially Display and network adapter drivers)
Make sure all your Device driver is updated with the latest drivers and firmware. It might even be a good idea to download the latest version of your network drivers first. Sometimes a major system update can render you without network connectivity and no way to grab a new set of drivers. Better yet, download all your drivers in the standalone format first!
And the Display driver “most of the time’s Windows upgrade process gets stuck at the black screen or frequently restart with Different BSOD error”. And this all happens due to the outdated, incompatible display driver. Either install the latest display driver version or I would recommend Uninstalling your video card driver let windows to upgrade with the basic display driver. Then after downloading the latest display driver and install. If you have multiple displays connected, only keep one attached for the duration of the installation.
Create a Windows Recovery Drive
The worst-case scenario for any Windows update is a corrupted operating system that won’t boot. If that ever happens, you’ll need to reinstall Windows altogether — and in order to do that with a non-booting system, you’ll need a recovery drive.
To Create a Recovery Drive in Windows 10: Connect an empty USB drive with at least 8GB of space. Open the Start Menu and search for recovery drive. Next Select Create a Recovery Drive and Follow the Recovery Drive Creator Wizard’s instructions.
You might also choose to create an install-from-scratch drive using the Media Creation Tool, which doesn’t come with Windows 10 and must be downloaded. This option allows you to create a USB drive (only 3GB needed) or a DVD. Learn more in our article on creating Windows 10 installation media.
Enable System Restore
Before Windows applies an update, it backs up various parts of the system, including the Windows Registry. This is a measure of protection against small errors: if the update causes minor instabilities, you can revert back to a pre-update restore point. Unless the System Restore feature is disabled!
Press Windows + Q, type restore, and select Create a restore point to open the System Protection controls. Make Protection is set to On for your system drive. Press Create… to create a fresh restore point.
Note down software licenses
Applying the Windows 10 update should be painless, but sometimes In a worst case scenario, something might go catastrophically wrong during the upgrade, leaving your system so messed up that it no longer boots. In that case, you’re looking at reinstalling Windows and starting from scratch—oomph!
That shouldn’t happen, but if it does, you can do yourself a solid by having any applicable software licenses handy. Magic Jelly Bean’s free KeyFinder program will look up your Windows license and many other keys. Write down any keys you might need if starting over, or snap a picture with your smartphone.
Connect UPS, Ensure the Battery is Charged
To avoid power interruption make sure your PC is connected to a UPS, If you are using Laptop make sure it’s fully charged and connect the power adapter during the upgrade process. Normally windows 10 downloads take more than 20 minutes to download ( it depends on your internet speed ) and ten to twenty minutes to complete the installation process. So, make sure your laptop’s battery is working and charged up, and if you are upgrading a desktop, connect it to a UPS. There’s nothing more disastrous than an interrupted Windows update.
Disconnect from the Internet while Offline upgrade
If you are using Windows 10 ISO image for an Offline upgrade process, Make sure you are disconnected from the internet. You can disconnect the Ethernet cable manually, or if you are connected to a wireless network, you can manually disable Wi-Fi by turning off the Wireless switch on your laptop. An easier way to do it is to open Action Center (press Windows key + A), then click Airplane Mode. This will disable all network technologies. Proceed with the upgrade.
If you are updating through Windows Update when the download reaches 100% disconnect from the Internet LAN (Ethernet) or Wi-Fi then proceed with the installation.
Make your Windows Error Free Before new updates applied
Run the Command below to make your PC error free, Which may interrupt cause during the Windows upgrade process. Such As run the DISM command to repair the system image, Using the System utility check and fix missing, corrupted system files, Rung the update troubleshooter to check and fix common update related problems etc.
Run DISM Tool: The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command is a handy diagnostic tool for resolving file integrity issues that might prevent a successful install. Users can run the following commands as part of their prep routine before initiating the upgrade. Open the command prompt as administrator, type Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth. Wait until 100% complete the scanning process.
Run SFC utility: This is another helpful utility to check and fix missing corrupted system files, After running the DISM command on the same command prompt type sfc /scannow and hit the enter key. This will scan the system for missing, corrupted system files if found any this utility restores them from a compressed folder located on %WinDir%\System32\dllcache.
Another command you should run is the cleanup driver. Press the Windows key + X, click Command Prompt (Admin) then type the following command and hit Enter on your keyboard.
rundll32.exe pnpclean.dll,RunDLL_PnpClean /DRIVERS /MAXCLEAN
What if the Update download is stuck at any point?
You have well prepared your PC before downloading the latest Windows 10 updates. But you may notice the update download process stuck at any specific point such as 30% or 45% or it may be 99%.
That causes makes sure your internet connection is working properly, Or wait some more time to complete the download process.
- If you notice still there is no improvements then open Windows services (press Windows + R, type services.msc)
- Right-click on BITS and Windows update service and stop.
- Open c:\windows\ Here rename the software distribution folder.
- Again open Windows services and restart the service that you previously stopped.
Now open Windows settings -> update and Security -> troubleshooter -> click on Windows update and run the update troubleshooter. Follow on-screen instructions and let Windows check and fix if any basic problem causing the issue.
After that restart Windows and check for updates from settings -> update & Security -> Windows update -> check for updates.
These are some basic tips you must follow to well prepare your PC for the latest windows 10 upgrade. This makes your Windows 10 upgrade process smoother and error free. Have any query, or suggestions or need any help, or face any error during the Windows 10 Upgrade process feel free to discuss in the comments below. Also, Read
- 5 Simple steps to troubleshoot network connection problem on windows 10
- Solved: The configured proxy server is not responding to Windows 10
- Fix unmountable boot volume Windows 10 Blue Screen STOP: 0x000000ED
- Run DISM command line To Fix And Repair the Windows System Image