Windows 10 to 11 update. Cannot remove old/failed updates. Please help!

I have recently updated some pc's at work that are only 3-4 years old from Windows 10 to 11. I had to update the BIOS on a couple, convert the disk to GPT from MBR and adjust a couple of other settings in the BIOS just to get them over the line so that they would actually accept the update through Windows update without a clean install. These are pc's that would be a nightmare to install from clean due to the software and configs on them. I always prefer the clean install option. I would also have to purchase a new Windows 11 Pro key if I was to just perform a clean install without the update.

CPU's are 9th gen intel or later or AMD Ryzen 5/7 3000. All have Asus mainboards. There is no fancy hardware and I know these components can take the update.

Some of them updated just fine first time, others took a couple of attempts for some reason as right at the end of the update process, they reverted back to Windows 10. One was a silly USB device that someone had plugged in. All seem good and settled now, but I just cannot get rid of 2 pending update messages when running Windows update. These are:

2024-01 Security Update for Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5034441)

Windows 11, version 23H2 is available.
We couldn't install this update,but you can try again (0x80248007)

System information says that I am already on Windows 11 Pro 23H2. I have tried every method I could find through a Google search which started with stopping the Windows Update service and deleting the contents of c:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution. Nothing has worked.

Simon911 said:

I always prefer the clean install option. I would also have to purchase a new Windows 11 Pro key if I was to just perform a clean install without the update.

Click to expand...

That isn't true. A computer running an activated Win 10 has acquired a so called "Digital License". During a clean install (win 10 or Win 11), when asked for the key, mark "I don't have a key" and then proceed. Once connected to the internet it will activate.

Simon911 said:

2024-01 Security Update for Windows 10 Version 22H2 for x64-based Systems (KB5034441)

Windows 11, version 23H2 is available.
We couldn't install this update,but you can try again (0x80248007)

Click to expand...

How did you upgraded, via WU or an in place upgrade?
Did you restart the computer?
Open a CMD window as administrator and type:
winver

Post the results here.

Hello @Simon911, and welcome to ElevenForum.


If the problem computer is still on Windows 10, then do an In-Place upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11...



On the Win 10 machine, with the issue, download the Windows 11 ISO as directed in the tutorial, and save it to your Desktop.
Then just follow the directions for the In-Place upgrade.

Mainly, you'll do Option #2 using the ISO method.



By using the Windows 11 ISO, on a Windows 10 machine... you will do two jobs in one.
You'll repair the Windows 10 machine AND upgrade it to Windows 11, at the same time.

NOTE: During the In-Place upgrade you will be given the option to "keep personal files and apps".

See Option #2 steps 14 & 15.



I used this method myself, to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
Including the downloading of the ISO... it takes about 40 minutes total, on my System #1 (in specs).




If I tried to put Windows 11 on my System #2, this would happen...

Megahertz said:

That isn't true. A computer running an activated Win 10 has acquired a so called "Digital License". During a clean install (win 10 or Win 11), when asked for the key, mark "I don't have a key" and then proceed. Once connected to the internet it will activate.



How did you upgraded, via WU or an in place upgrade?
Did you restart the computer?
Open a CMD window as administrator and type:
winver

Post the results here.

Click to expand...

Thanks Megahetz. I am only going by a machine I tried to update last year from 10 to 11 that failed and I tried a clean install. I skipped the key part, but later I got the watermark in the bottom right saying that Windows was not activated and it would never go away. I had to purchase a key in the end.

Not sure what you mean by an 'in place upgrade'. I first downloaded the Windows 11 Update Assistant and the requirements checker app. These failed initially until I updated the BIOS and converted the disk from MBR to GPT on some of the PC's. They all are running fine now in Windows 11. I am not at work currently, so cannot run winver, but it reported 23H2 in system info.

Ghot said:

Hello @Simon911, and welcome to ElevenForum.


If the problem computer is still on Windows 10, then do an In-Place upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11...

Repair Install Windows 11 with an In-place Upgrade Tutorial

This tutorial will show you how to do a repair install of Windows 11 by performing an in-place upgrade without losing anything. If you need to repair or create a new recovery partition or having problems with the Windows 11 operating system on your PC, and the usual solutions will not fix it...

www.elevenforum.com

On the Win 10 machine, with the issue, download the Windows 11 ISO as directed in the tutorial, and save it to your Desktop.
Then just follow the directions for the In-Place upgrade.

Mainly, you'll do Option #2 using the ISO method.



By using the Windows 11 ISO, on a Windows 10 machine... you will do two jobs in one.
You'll repair the Windows 10 machine AND upgrade it to Windows 11, at the same time.

NOTE: During the In-Place upgrade you will be given the option to "keep personal files and apps".

See Option #2 steps 14 & 15.



I used this method myself, to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
Including the downloading of the ISO... it takes about 40 minutes total, on my System #1 (in specs).




If I tried to put Windows 11 on my System #2, this would happen...

View attachment 99801

Click to expand...

Hi Ghot, no, the pc's are running Windows 11 just fine, it's the update notifications that I cannot get rid of.

Simon911 said:

Hi Ghot, no, the pc's are running Windows 11 just fine, it's the update notifications that I cannot get rid of.

Click to expand...

Here's the tutorial for blocking Windows Updates.
(I know that's not what you want to do).


I use WAU Manager (Option #7). It will allow you to "hide" updates as well.
So tell it to check for updates, then highlight the update or updates you want to hide, and just click "Hide"





Different people use different update blockers, but most of them allow you to hide updates, like Windows used to allow.





Also, there is an Enablement Package, which is the easiest way to get to 23H2.

Ghot said:

Here's the tutorial for blocking Windows Updates.
(I know that's not what you want to do).


I use WAU Manager (Option #7). It will allow you to "hide" updates as well.
So tell it to check for updates, then highlight the update or updates you want to hide, and just click "Hide"

Enable or Disable Windows Update Automatic Updates in Windows 10

How to Enable or Disable Automatic Updates for Windows Update in Windows 10

www.tenforums.com

Different people use different update blockers, but most of them allow you to hide updates, like Windows used to allow.





Also, there is an Enablement Package, which is the easiest way to get to 23H2.

KB5027397 Enablement Package for Windows 11 version 23H2 Feature Update

Microsoft Support: Summary Windows 11, versions 22H2 and 23H2 share a common core operating system with an identical set of system files. Therefore, the new features in Windows 11, version 23H2 are included in the latest monthly quality update for Windows 11, version 22H2 but are in an inactive...

www.elevenforum.com

Click to expand...

I don't want to block updates, just clear out the old random Windows 10 update reminders showing in Windows update and the 23H2 Windows 11 update as I am already on Windows 11 23H2 according to System->About!

You can clear updates by doing this tutorial:


You can also run disk cleanup as admin after the upgrade to get space back by checking all the boxes. One of which is windows update cleanup.

i have used this method to upgrade systems that can get stuck using the normal upgrade path.

using Rufus to burn the Windows 11 ISO to USB .. ticking all the boxes.

then .. once the USB has been created open explorer .. then open the USB drive in explorer.
there will be a 'setup' file. double check that and you will get the option to do an in-place upgrade of the system keeping all user files and folders.

it has worked on several systems that i have upgraded without the need to completely wipe and re-install the system.
this may or may not be of help. best wishes. Steve ..