Windows update roadblock [Solved - Yay!]

[AndyB]

and now its rebooted and is restoring my previous version of windows Arrrggggghhhhhh!

[AndyB]

cleared the store cache, trying again

[AndyB]

96% complete and prepairing to restart, at least it got past 84% this time

[AndyB]

now its restoring my previous version of windows again

[thebs]

seems windows doesnt like being threatened with an install source from the bay, windows 8.1 now installing

It used to be much easier to re-install Windows if you had a TechNet (or MSDN) subscription. After years of complaints from us MCPs during 2000/XP/2003 (NT5.0/5.1), Microsoft finally made it so OEM codes were usable with the TechNet Windows Vista, 7 and 2008 (NT6.0/6.1) media.

Unfortunately Microsoft reversed that policy with 8.1+ and 2012+ (NT6.2+), and even stopped having OEMs put the codes on computers. Their argument was display models having their codes stolen (well, duh, rip it off those units you resellers!). They also ended TechNet in 2013, and now force MCPs to have a costly MSDN subscription (the discounts for MCPs are paltry).

So I just buy a full OEM copy (yes, the $99 home, $149 Pro -- usually $80/130 street) whenever I assemble a system now, and reload or move it as needed. It's absolutely ludicrous how they prevent even legitimate copies from being re-installed.

[AndyB]

in the end i phoned microsoft and gave them seven kinds of hell, after about an hour of trying to fix it via remote assist the tech gave up, gave me an 8.1 product key (as the 8 product key wont even let you download the update from anywhere but the store) and a link to download the iso, its installing now.

[AndyB]

if anyone else needs to download a windows iso you can get it from here: https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/home

it looks like its working now, its installed 8.1 and is half way through applying settings

[JustSomeGuy]

After all the horrors you have just told us, I don't want to
I actually did think about 'upgrading' to Windows 7 from 10 a couple of days ago, but I know it takes a day at least to download updates if the connection happens to be good. But I think I'll keep 10 as a gaming platform for now..

Glad you finally got it working.

[AndyB]

After all the horrors you have just told us, I don't want to
I actually did think about 'upgrading' to Windows 7 from 10 a couple of days ago, but I know it takes a day at least to download updates if the connection happens to be good. But I think I'll keep 10 as a gaming platform for now..

Glad you finally got it working.

what if i told you that after installing from a mounted image the only update listed is for windows 10? i guess that's the advantage of downloading the iso directly from microsoft, its the latest version and has all the updates

[JustSomeGuy]

That is nice actually, and they seem to have image for 7 too. Now it's only the question of how lazy I feel
I did not know that they actually keep the images up to date with updates, and not just serve day 1 .iso file.