Share your thoughts on the new Windows 10

[Davis_Mike]

Everytime I try to install 8.1 it stops at 87% and gives me error code 0x80070004. I've tried everything I can find online and nothing works. Some said to do a system refresh where it will re-install windows but not affect my files and that it should do the trick. It gets almost done with the refresh but stops and says it encountered a problem and couldn't finish and undoes the changes it made. I got my wife and son's laptops upgraded with no issues but this sumbitch is driving me crazy.

I looked up the error code & this is what I found:

0x80070004

If you receive error 0x80070004 when you install Windows 8.1, please first check the following:


1.This error may occur if you are using symbolic links (via the mklink command) to redirect your user profile to another drive.If so, you can resolve this by restoring your user profile to the system drive by following the steps in KB 2876597.



2.This error may also occur if you have a corrupt user profile.To check for this:

·Open the System Properties (Type “System” at the Start screen, and then select “System”.)

·Select Advanced system settings.

·In the Advanced tab, under User Profiles, select Settings.

·Try to log into any profiles you see listed here.If you’re unable to log in, that profile may be corrupt.Return to the User Profiles in Advanced system settings and delete the corrupt profile.If you see any profiles listed as “Unknown” or that otherwise look corrupt, delete those profiles as well.

·Try creating a new administrator profile and try installing Windows 8.1 from the new profile.You can find steps for creating a new profile and copying the old profile to the new one at Fix a corrupted user profile.(This was written for Vista, but the steps are similar.You can find Folder Options for displaying hidden system files in the Control Panel, under Appearance and Personalization.)


If you’ve confirmed that you’ve tried all of these steps and you’re still receiving error 0x80070004 when installing Windows 8.1, we would like to collect more information to try to identify additional causes.Please run this automated utility, which will collect log files and send them to Microsoft. (You can also choose to save the information to your desktop.) If you get a message that says the utility has already expired, that means we have already collected enough sample files.

 

[ManuForever]

I have this thing on my computer popping up that says I have a FREE upgrade to Windows 10 for a limited time. Should I do it?

 

[bamabear82]

I looked up the error code & this is what I found:

0x80070004

I tried all that and it didn't work, that's when I decided to create a backup to do the refresh but it won't complete. One of the utilities I ran said that the "ProgramData" directory was relocated from the default location on the "%systemdrive%" drive" but window 8 doesn't support manually relocating from what I understand so you can do the refresh to fix it which won't work. I read in order to fix that (refresh not working), bring up the cmd prompt box and type in-

cd %windir%\system32\config

ren system system.001

ren software software.001 and when it restarts it should be fixed.

but after hitting enter on the 2nd command it say something along the lines of "couldn't complete task, it's being used by another program". That's when I punched myself in the nuts and quit trying.

 

[Davis_Mike]

I tried all that and it didn't work, that's when I decided to create a backup to do the refresh but it won't complete. One of the utilities I ran said that the "ProgramData" directory was relocated from the default location on the "%systemdrive%" drive" but window 8 doesn't support manually relocating from what I understand so you can do the refresh to fix it which won't work. I read in order to fix that (refresh not working), bring up the cmd prompt box and type in-

cd %windir%\system32\config

ren system system.001

ren software software.001 and when it restarts it should be fixed.

but after hitting enter on the 2nd command it say something along the lines of "couldn't complete task, it's being used by another program". That's when I punched myself in the nuts and quit trying.

Yeah, for non-technical people like us, it can be a pain in the ass. I can do the basics & solve most issues I have via google, but if I get a serious problem, I am in trouble.

 

[bamabear82]

Yeah, for non-technical people like us, it can be a pain in the ass. I can do the basics & solve most issues I have via google, but if I get a serious problem, I am in trouble.

That's me 100%.

 

[WizardHawk]

The question was can you upgrade directly to 10 without doing the 8.1 by using the free download ISO? You can't upgrade via Windows Upgrade without going through the 8.1 path, but I'm not sure about directly from 8 to 10.

 

[bamabear82]

The question was can you upgrade directly to 10 without doing the 8.1 by using the free download ISO? You can't upgrade via Windows Upgrade without going through the 8.1 path, but I'm not sure about directly from 8 to 10.

I'm not 100% positive but I don't think you can. I googled that too the other day and most responses were along the lines of "you've got problems in 8 that probably need fixed before trying to force 10". Also seems like I read that if you did get it to take 10 that some stuff may not work correctly. I just enough about computers to be dangerous, so I could be completely wrong.

 

[Davis_Mike]

After reading about this issue, it sounds like it's not an isolated issue & many windows 8 users are having this problem. MS is gathering data from affected users & is working on a solution.

 

[WizardHawk]

I'm not 100% positive but I don't think you can. I googled that too the other day and most responses were along the lines of "you've got problems in 8 that probably need fixed before trying to force 10". Also seems like I read that if you did get it to take 10 that some stuff may not work correctly. I just enough about computers to be dangerous, so I could be completely wrong.

I can't see how upgrading from 8 to 10 would cause problems when you can upgrade from 7 to 10. I'm sure most of those items you read were telling people they can't go to 10 through the update path and that is correct.

I've read that you can downgrade to 8.1, 8, or 7 from 10. I think the worst that would happen if you try going to 10 from an ISO is it tells you that you can't without doing the other updates first.

 

[bamabear82]

I can't see how upgrading from 8 to 10 would cause problems when you can upgrade from 7 to 10. I'm sure most of those items you read were telling people they can't go to 10 through the update path and that is correct.

I've read that you can downgrade to 8.1, 8, or 7 from 10. I think the worst that would happen if you try going to 10 from an ISO is it tells you that you can't without doing the other updates first.

Makes sense, my wife's laptop went from 7 to 10 with no problems. I may give it a shot if I have time when I get back to work Monday. I appreciate the help too guys.

 

[bamabear82]

After reading about this issue, it sounds like it's not an isolated issue & many windows 8 users are having this problem. MS is gathering data from affected users & is working on a solution.

Yeah, it seems pretty damn prevalent. It'd be awesome if they can fix this shit for me before I end up punching a hole in that damn computer.

 

[WizardHawk]

It would suck if the only path you had was to first go back to a clean 8.0 so you could fully patch it to 8.1 to then upgrade it to 10.

 

[bamabear82]

It would suck if the only path you had was to first go back to a clean 8.0 so you could fully patch it to 8.1 to then upgrade it to 10.

Word. With the way things are going with that sumbitch, I'm inclined to punch it right in the ass. The shitty part is that it's not a bad computer, it's one of those HP all in one's with a 23" monitor that I bought like a year and a half ago or so.

 

[Jack_John_Mark]

I have this thing on my computer popping up that says I have a FREE upgrade to Windows 10 for a limited time. Should I do it?

Sure. I did it. It's seamless.

 

[KansasSooner]

FYI: The Windows 10 product key is "generic". One size fits all depending on the version of Windows 10. Once you have activated Windows 10 you are allowed to reinstall the same version of Windows as many times as you please (why you would do this is beyond me, unless you're a masochist). You just skip the part of the install where it asks for the product key and if you are in the MS database as a legit machine it just reactivates your Windows. This doesn't work for those upgraded with pirated license keys... Or if you swap out a motherboard.

Evidently the only time you have to enter a valid product key is if you actually purchase Windows 10 retail and install that.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

FYI: The Windows 10 product key is "generic". One size fits all depending on the version of Windows 10. Once you have activated Windows 10 you are allowed to reinstall the same version of Windows as many times as you please (why you would do this is beyond me, unless you're a masochist). You just skip the part of the install where it asks for the product key and if you are in the MS database as a legit machine it just reactivates your Windows. This doesn't work for those upgraded with pirated license keys... Or if you swap out a motherboard.

Evidently the only time you have to enter a valid product key is if you actually purchase Windows 10 retail and install that.

Even after a year?

 

[KansasSooner]

Even after a year?

Evidently. The article I read said MS would issue generic keys for all upgrade builds so if you wait until the next build you'd get a different key than what was issued for the July 29th build. But if you mean can you upgrade after July 29th, 2016 for free the answer is no...you'll have to buy a retail key.

 

[HaroldSeattle]

Evidently. The article I read said MS would issue generic keys for all upgrade builds so if you wait until the next build you'd get a different key than what was issued for the July 29th build. But if you mean can you upgrade after July 29th, 2016 for free the answer is no...you'll have to buy a retail key.

I was just wondering if a year or two down the road I can do a fresh install using the generic key. Your saying ...yes That can be done. Good to know.

 

[KansasSooner]

I was just wondering if a year or two down the road I can do a fresh install using the generic key. Your saying ...yes That can be done. Good to know.

Since you can skip the key entry part you would just install Windows and if the machine has been activated before MS will automatically reactivate after installing (as long as the Windows version, home or pro, matches). But I'd get a new build download myself every six months or so, otherwise just like with service packs before you'll have to download up to the latest build once activated to be current.

 

[KansasSooner]

Oh yeah, the next major build is in testing right now. Look for it to be out probably in October if not sooner. Minor tweaks I understand but one I really want is color back in the title bar and transparency...