Repair by Reinstall Not Completing

On my wife's ~ 1-month old HP laptop I needed to run a "Repair by reinstall/upgrade" and am having trouble...I've never had trouble with this method on any previous machine. Laptop is running 23H2 and tunep_plus_log does not return any errors (SFC, DISM, etc.). I tried extracting an iso and running from within Windows, and I created an install disk, and tried it from there, also from within Windows. Each time it gets to 100%, but when it goes to restart, I simply get a generic error (no code) on the desktop saying "Windows installation failed."

There doesn't appear to be the option to boot off the installation media, and do it that way, anymore. It gives the "upgrade" option so that you can keep your apps and files, but when I select it, it says I have to run it from within Windows, which I did.

I'm hesitant to do a clean install because it is a HP machine and I've read that it can be a nightmare trying to get the touchpad/drivers to work again (not sure why but it is a common complaint. I had to look it up when I found that the touchpad does not work in Windows installation media setup (I had to use the keyboard), Windows RE, or Hasleo Backup (even when I added the drivers to the emergency disk).

Any other options to "install Windows while keeping files." I'm not sure why it fails right before it restarts after completing setup. Any help and troubleshooting advice would be appreciated.

mccnavy said:

On my wife's ~ 1-month old HP laptop I needed to run a "Repair by reinstall/upgrade" and am having trouble...I've never had trouble with this method on any previous machine. Laptop is running 23H2 and tunep_plus_log does not return any errors (SFC, DISM, etc.). I tried extracting an iso and running from within Windows, and I created an install disk, and tried it from there, also from within Windows. Each time it gets to 100%, but when it goes to restart, I simply get a generic error (no code) on the desktop saying "Windows installation failed."

There doesn't appear to be the option to boot off the installation media, and do it that way, anymore. It gives the "upgrade" option so that you can keep your apps and files, but when I select it, it says I have to run it from within Windows, which I did.

I'm hesitant to do a clean install because it is a HP machine and I've read that it can be a nightmare trying to get the touchpad/drivers to work again (not sure why but it is a common complaint. I had to look it up when I found that the touchpad does not work in Windows installation media setup (I had to use the keyboard), Windows RE, or Hasleo Backup (even when I added the drivers to the emergency disk).

Any other options to "install Windows while keeping files." I'm not sure why it fails right before it restarts after completing setup. Any help and troubleshooting advice would be appreciated.

Click to expand...

Try disconnecting all USB devices, even mouse, try again

If you decide to do a clean install, backup the drivers to an exteral drive first. Backup and Restore Device Drivers in Windows 11 Tutorial

Please give us the specs of your wife computer.

To do a Repair install install you must do under Windows. You mount a Win 11 installation iso and run setup.exe or you run setup.exe from a Win 11 USB installation drive. If you have an antivirus make sure it is disabled or uninstall it. You must have at least 40G of free space on the main drive.
As you reported, you did it and it failed.
If you boot from a Win 11 USB installation drive the only option is a clean install.

As it is a brand new computer, what are the reasons that made you think you "needed" to do a repair install?
Did you check the main drive?
Open a CMD window as administrator and type:
chkdsk c: /f
It will say your disk is in use and ask if you want to schedule to next start = yes
Restart

Megahertz said:

As it is a brand new computer, what are the reasons that made you think you "needed" to do a repair install?

Click to expand...

If it's the same laptop and the same problem, Windows lost activation when they tried to update it to the latest Windows 11 version.

Thanks all...I may try again this weekend. I did have all of the USB devices unplugged, but I did have a Bluetooth mouse active, and the power supply is in the USB-C port. I do have a system image so it may just be worth it to back up the 3rd party drivers, do a clean install with a USB mouse attached, and restore the drivers.

A few ideas-
1. I've seen third party AV screw up a repair install. Disable all third party AV including MWB if you have it. Make sure no processes of AV are running in task manager.
2. Though not likely, there's a possibility your iso could be flaky too.
3. Make sure bitlocker is off before doing a repair install.
4. In step 9 of tutorial, try choosing to NOT download updates during the repair.

Much appreciated. I tried four or five times before I quit...I've never had any problems before on other machines. Even though I removed most of the HP bloatware on there, maybe there is something with their image that is preventing repair by upgrade (or reinstall).

- No 3rd party AV at this time...on MS Defender
- I tried using an .iso created from Media Creation Tool AND one downloaded directly from Microsoft
- I disabled Bitlocker as soon as I got the machine
- I tried installing allowing it to download updates and declining updates (much faster but still failed)

I know at least twice (I sat the entire time) the process made it to 100%. It failed as soon as the message on the blue screen said preparing to restart (or something like that).

After each failure I would use Disk Cleaner to clear everything...there was always 15+GB listed under temporary installation files that had to clear. I just can't get it to restart and finish the install.

@mccnavy, I know this a long shot but it works on my desktops when a new Canary build is released and the update fails and my computers do a rollback. After the first try fails, try the repair install again without changing anything. If needed I would try at least 3 times before giving up.

Could you please provide the following file if it exists:


Along with, the following:

Download and run SetupDiag from Microsoft

• Download
  
  SetupDiag to your desktop.
• Right-click on SetupDiag.exe and select Run as administrator.
• When completed the following files are created: "Logs.zip, SetupDiag.exe.config and SetupDiagResults.log"
• Attach SetupDiagResults.log and Logs.zip to your next reply.

SetupDiag will not run within Windows and when run out of Terminal, it just gives a list of commands...no output files. The following is the Bluebox file output:

2024-01-15 18:24:12: BuildInfo: [10.0.22621.2787 (ni_release_svc_prod3.231113-1748)]
2024-01-15 18:24:12: CommandLine: ["C:\Users\X\Downloads\Win11_23H2_English_x64v2\Sources\SetupPrep.exe" ]
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Opening Box: [C:\Users\X\Downloads\Win11_23H2_English_x64v2\Sources\SetupPrep.exe]
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Opening Box Result: [0x0]
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Detecting Product from config file.
2024-01-15 18:24:12: ParseCommandLine: Product from Setup.cfg: [0]
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Deleting box result...
2024-01-15 18:24:12: ScenarioCtrlHelpers::GenerateBoxHash: Calculating file hash...
2024-01-15 18:24:12: ScenarioCtrlHelpers::VerifySetupVersionMatch: Previous file hash not found.
2024-01-15 18:24:12: VersionMatch: [No]
2024-01-15 18:24:12: StateMatch: Attempting to get Installation Scenario from registry...
2024-01-15 18:24:12: StateMatch: [No]
2024-01-15 18:24:12: ResumeMode: [No]
2024-01-15 18:24:12: OsUninstallWarning: Execute file found [FALSE].
2024-01-15 18:24:12: OsUninstallWarning: [No]
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Checking cleanup registry value...
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Cleanup value missing... assuming no cleanup.
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Skipping cleanup.
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Cleaning alternate storage paths...
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Cleaning MoSetup Volatile key...
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Removing CorrelationVector registry value...
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Removing cleanup registry value...
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Flushing MoSetup registry key...
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Cleaning working dir...
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Creating path (with ACL): [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT]...
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Creating path: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources]...
2024-01-15 18:24:12: ScenarioCtrlHelpers::SetStateInRegistry: Setting Current Scenario: [0x1]...
2024-01-15 18:24:12: ScenarioCtrlHelpers::SetStateInRegistry: Setting Install mode...
2024-01-15 18:24:12: ScenarioCtrlHelpers::GenerateBoxHash: Calculating file hash...
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Launching process: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\SetupHost.exe] with command-line [/Install /Media /InstallFile "C:\Users\X\Downloads\Win11_23H2_English_x64v2\Sources\Install.wim" /MediaPath "C:\Users\X\Downloads\Win11_23H2_English_x64v2"] in Session: [-1]
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Launching: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\SetupHost.exe] [/Install /Media /InstallFile "C:\Users\X\Downloads\Win11_23H2_English_x64v2\Sources\Install.wim" /MediaPath "C:\Users\X\Downloads\Win11_23H2_English_x64v2"] from []!
2024-01-15 18:24:12: Waiting for process events...
2024-01-15 18:24:36: *******SetupHost Logging Begin*******

2024-01-15 18:24:36: SetupHost: Logging begins.
SetupHost: Unable to check for server media. [0x80070003]
SetupHost: SetupHost initialization completed. Starting execution

2024-01-15 18:24:36: *******SetupHost Logging End*******
2024-01-15 18:24:36: Process exit code: [0x800705BB]
2024-01-15 18:24:36: Dynamic update detected! Returning: [0x0]
2024-01-15 18:24:36: LaunchProcessInSession returned: [0x0]
2024-01-15 18:24:36: Checking cleanup registry value...
2024-01-15 18:24:36: Cleanup value missing... assuming no cleanup.
2024-01-15 18:24:36: Skipping cleanup.
2024-01-15 18:24:36: Creating folder [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\DUDownload\Setup] for expansion...
2024-01-15 18:24:36: Expanding Setup Dynamic Update files: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\DUDownload\Cab] -> [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\DUDownload\Setup]...
2024-01-15 18:24:36: OpenCABFilesInFolder: Expanding [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\DUDownload\Cab\Windows11.0-KB5033205-x64.cab] to [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\DUDownload\Setup\Windows11.0-KB5033205-x64]
2024-01-15 18:24:37: Deleting folder [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\DUDownload\Cab] after successful expansion...
2024-01-15 18:24:37: Applying SetupDU from a directory: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\DUDownload\Setup]
2024-01-15 18:24:41: Launching process: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\SetupHost.exe] with command-line [/Install /Media /InstallFile "C:\Users\X\Downloads\Win11_23H2_English_x64v2\Sources\Install.wim" /MediaPath "C:\Users\X\Downloads\Win11_23H2_English_x64v2"] in Session: [-1]
2024-01-15 18:24:41: Launching: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\SetupHost.exe] [/Install /Media /InstallFile "C:\Users\X\Downloads\Win11_23H2_English_x64v2\Sources\Install.wim" /MediaPath "C:\Users\X\Downloads\Win11_23H2_English_x64v2"] from []!
2024-01-15 18:24:41: Waiting for process events...
2024-01-15 18:51:40: *******SetupHost Logging Begin*******

2024-01-15 18:51:40: SetupHost: Logging begins.
SetupHost: SetupHost initialization completed. Starting execution

2024-01-15 18:51:40: *******SetupHost Logging End*******
2024-01-15 18:51:40: Process exit code: [0x8007001F]
2024-01-15 18:51:40: LaunchProcessInSession: Error = 0x8007001F
2024-01-15 18:51:40: LaunchProcessInSession returned: [0x8007001F]
2024-01-15 18:51:40: Checking cleanup registry value...
2024-01-15 18:51:40: Performing cleanup level: [0x2]
2024-01-15 18:51:40: Populating preservation paths...
2024-01-15 18:51:40: Acquiring privileges...
2024-01-15 18:51:40: Cleaning install folder...
2024-01-15 18:51:40: Cleaning folder: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Boot]...
2024-01-15 18:51:40: Cleaning folder: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Drivers]...
2024-01-15 18:51:40: Cleaning folder: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\DUImageSandbox]...
2024-01-15 18:56:44: Error cleaning path: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\DUSetupSandbox]
2024-01-15 18:56:44: Error cleaning path: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Efi]
2024-01-15 18:56:44: Cleaning folder: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\NewOS]...
2024-01-15 18:58:36: BoxDeletePathCallback: Error during callback! Error = 0x80070002
2024-01-15 18:58:41: BoxDeletePathCallback: Error during callback! Error = 0x80070002
2024-01-15 18:58:45: BoxDeletePath: Error deleting path [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\NewOS]! Error = 0x80070003
2024-01-15 18:58:45: BoxDeletePath: Last file path: [\\?\Volume{74cc6f55-7e00-4385-a868-053f32863805}\$WINDOWS.~BT\NewOS\Windows\WinSxS\amd64_wpf-windowsbase_31bf3856ad364e35_10.0.22621.567_none_b973916a10f17da5]
2024-01-15 18:58:45: Error cleaning folder: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\NewOS]
2024-01-15 18:58:45: Error cleaning path: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources]
2024-01-15 18:58:45: Error cleaning path: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Store]
2024-01-15 18:58:45: Error cleaning path: [C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Work]
2024-01-15 18:58:45: Cleaning MoSetup Volatile key...
2024-01-15 18:58:45: Removing CorrelationVector registry value...
2024-01-15 18:58:45: Removing cleanup registry value...
2024-01-15 18:58:45: Flushing MoSetup registry key...
2024-01-15 18:58:45: Cleanup was successful.
2024-01-15 18:58:45: MainHr: Error = 0x8007001F
2024-01-15 18:58:45: wWinMain: Error = 0x8007001F

Could you please see if you can get the following logs manually:

I searched for both of those files and nothing came up.

mccnavy said:

I simply get a generic error (no code) on the desktop saying "Windows installation failed."

Click to expand...

Could you please provide a screenshot of when this error message appears? Additionally, please provide all the CBS logs (if exist):


Does the machine have latest UEFI/BIOS update? This can cause upgrades to fail.

Could you please check the following key:

I couldn't find the CBS log but I did confirm that I have the latest UEFI/BIOS. This morning I went ahead and did a clean install of Windows 11...went without incident and everything appears to be working properly. If something comes up that makes me feel need to do a repair by upgrade/reinstall, and the error comes up again I'll take a picture of the error and post.

"Windows installation failed." I once run into this problem when repair reinstall (at about 6% complete).
after re-try several times, I re-downloaded 23H2 ISO then it's up when re-work.

@mccnavy
Just a stab in the dark, open Windows Security (Windows Defender) and go to Device Security > Core isolation > Core isolation details and turn off Memory integrity.

Then try reinstalling etc...