Did not intend for it to be a tech deep dive day, but when Windows 10 would not update to the latest version, I ended up opting for the fix that is running the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool.

It’s just a coincidence that it is still Black Friday for several more hours.

The beast of a tower was throwing different error messages and freezing when trying to update Windows 10.

DISM is supposed to scan the PCs health and also restore it.

If it could only be so simple, I’d investigate whether a version exists that works on people. I was (and am still not 100%) under the weather all week with the flu.

Glad it wasn’t COVID at least, but this flu bug is a nasty spitfire.

After a lot of rest, lost weight, and congestion problems, I’m actually better enough to have undertaken attempting to get DISM to work for me.

The restore health scan (that followed the scan health scan), is still running, and a little over half done.

Since we can’t live with just one machine that works, it means I can still do my job here with another PC, while my tank tower is being tested to see if it can once more be brought back from the brink of the scrap heap.

It is Black Friday so part of me feels if it were going to bite the big one, and anything could be at this stage of the veteran PC’s life, at least I might be able to find a Black Friday PC deal replacement.

The second health scan has completed

It was time to restart the PC and see if I could update Windows 10 again.

So far so good as the machine came back on without the original error message declaring, “We couldn’t complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don’t turn off your computer.”

In the past, when I had more time in front of me than I do now, I didn’t mind the occasional challenge from a vintage PC that decided to become uncooperative.

If I can’t update Windows 10, I just cannot use it at all. I tend not to roll the dice when it comes to safety on and off line.

Back to Windows Update

I navigated to the Windows Update setting and clicked on the update (KB5020030) that wouldn’t install.

The machine was stuck on 0% for awhile before suddenly bolting to 20% installed.

Now that it’s stuck on 20% I’ll continue here. My eyes are giving this screen and the PC’s screen attention in equal doses, but now it’s time to focus here so I can see if I can give you anything more useful on my update problems.

After opening another tab for some continued research, I returned to the scene of the blog post, and noticed the Windows Update completion progress is 45%.

None of this had happened previously.

The only thing that did occur before I tried the DISM method as it were, was some ugly freezing and various error messages that more or less indicated that I was probably hosed, unless the Black Friday gods did not want to hear from me today.

Now up to 73% complete, Windows update is giving me cause for optimism.

Belated Happy Thanksgiving

What’s even better than seemingly (it’s not certain ’til it’s certain) having resolved this Windows 10 update issue, is the fact we’re celebrating Thanksgiving today.

I was still not feeling well enough yesterday to have enjoyed it as my better half recognized.

For her and our two pit bull kids, I am deeply grateful and thankful.

Love you, honey.