• Delete Previous Windows 10 Installations
• Return To Previous Windows Installation
• Cannot Find Previous Windows Installations

Summary :

If you upgraded the computer from a previous version of Windows, Previous Windows Installation(s) will contain files from that installation. To see the files, look in the folder C: Windows.old. If you need any of the files, such as your My Documents folder from Windows XP, copy them to another location before running Disk Cleanup. Like any complex piece of software, Windows 10 and its installation process is vulnerable to mistakes, glitches, and hardware errors. That being the case, here are some of the most commonly. I found it on my installation. I went to 'C' drive disk cleanup then clicked on clean up system files. This gave me the option to tick 'old windows installations'. Disk Cleanup (cleanmgr.exe) doesn’t list the Previous Windows installation option if you’re not running it as administrator. So, you’ll need to elevate it by clicking Clean up system files button in the Disk Cleanup window. Or, you can start Cleanmgr.exe as administrator via the Run dialog.

Have you ever gotten stuck with the Windows installation error Windows could not complete the installation when updating your operating system? This post will give you 5 ways to solve the error when Windows 10 installation has failed. Just try them one by one to get rid of the issue to use PC properly, especially try MiniTool software.

Phenomenon

Nowadays, more and more computer users say that they have been troubled by the following Windows 10 installation error “Windows could not complete the installation. To install Windows on this computer, restart the installation.” This error shows up when they want to boot their computer after updating the operating system.

However, they don’t know how to fix the issue when Windows could not complete the installation after updating to Windows 10, so they ask for help on the Internet.

If you have the same problem, you have come into the right place now because this article will give you five solutions to fix the issue when Windows creates this database of configuration settings during installation.

In particular, the fifth method is the most effective and reliable one.

Now, we will introduce the methods one by one to fix the Windows installation failure after update.

Quick Video Guide:

Case 1: Windows Could Not Complete the Installation

Fix#1. Using Automatic Repair

If you have received an error message that says Windows 10 could not complete the installation after updating your operating system, you can try using Automatic Repair to solve Windows 10 installation error.

Step 1: Start your PC. Just as Windows attempts to load, press the Power button to turn it off immediately. Do this operation two or three times.

Step 2: On the third time, you can see a message that says “Preparing Automatic Repair”, then you can click “Advanced options” to repair your PC.

Step 3: You need to click “Troubleshoot”> “Reset this PC”> “Keep my files”.

Step 4: You need to choose one account and input your password to continue.

Step 5: Next, you need to click 'Cancel' button. Then click 'Continue' button to exit and continue to Windows 10 Home.

After that, you can try to restart your computer and check whether the issue Windows cannot complete the installation has been fixed.

Fix#2. Enable Administrator Account

The second method of solving error “Windows could not complete the installation Windows 10 Shift 10 not working” is to enable administrator account. You can try using it to fix Windows 10 installation problem.

Step 1: On the error screen, you can press “Shift” key and “F10” key together to launch Command Prompt.

Step 2: Then, type the MMC command and hit “Enter” to continue.

Step 3: In the main interface, you need to click “File” and choose “Add/Remove Snap-in” to continue.

Step 4: In the following popup window, choose “Computer Management” and double-click it.

Step 5: In the next window, you need to check the “Local computer: (the computer this console is running on)” and click “Finish” to continue.

Step 6: Then click “OK” to continue to the next step.

Step 7: After returning to the main interface, you need to click “Computer Management (Local)”> “System Tools”> “Local Users and Groups”> “Users”> “Administrator” to continue.

Step 8: Then you can open the following interface by double-click “Administrator”. After that, you need to make sure that the option “Account is disabled” is unchecked. Then click “OK” to continue.

Step 9: Next, right-click “Administrator” and choose “Set Password”. You need to set a strong password to get started.

Step 10: All steps have been finished. Now, you can restart your computer and check whether the error Windows could not complete the installation Shift 10 not working is solved.

Fix#3. Change Password Requirement

If above solutions are not effectively to solving the error “Windows could not complete the installation”, you can try changing password to solve Windows 10 installation error.

Step 1: You still need to open the Command Prompt by pressing “Shift’ and “F10” keys together on the error screen.

Step 2: Then you can input the secpol.msc command and hit 'Enter' to continue.

Step 3: After that, you will see a popup window. Thus, you need to unfold “Account Policy” and choose “Password Policy”.

Step 4: You can see “Minimum password length” on the right side. You need to right-click on it, choose 'Properties', and change the “Security Setting” to 0 characters. Then apply it and click “OK” to continue.

Step 5: Make sure that the “Password must meet complexity requirements” is disabled by right-clicking it, choosing “Properties” and apply it. Then click “OK” to continue.

Step 6: Then reboot your computer to check whether the Windows 10 installation failure is solved.

Fix#4. Run Account Creation Wizard

Now, we will introduce the fourth method to solve “Windows could not complete the installation Windows 10”. Of course, if the above methods are not working, you can try to use this one.

Step 1: You need to press “Shift” key and “F10” key together on the error screen to launch the Command Prompt.

Step 2: Then type the following command and hit “Enter” to continue.

CD C:windowssystem32oobe

Step 3: Then input msoobe command and hit “Enter” to continue.

Step 4: Then you will see a popup window. You need to make a generic account and password. On this popup window, then click ‘Finish” button to finish the process.

Step 5: Now, you can reboot your computer and check whether the error “Windows could not complete the installation. To install Windows on this computer, restart the installation.” is solved.

Fix#5. Restore to Different Computer

If none of above methods work, you can use the fifth solution which is to restore to different computer. As a matter of fact, this solution is effective and thousands of users have successfully solved the problem by using it.

Now, we will introduce how to restore to different computer step by step with pictures.

To restore to different computer, you need the help of a piece of third-party software. Fortunately, MiniTool Software Limited can provide you with such a kind of software, which is MiniTool ShadowMaker.

The Windows 10 backup software – MiniTool ShadowMaker has been the first choice of thousands of computer users, because it is a type of professional backup software that provides various backup services with its multiple functions, such as files backup, system backup, disk backup and so on.

Besides backup feature, it even can help you to clone hard drive and clone OS from HDD to SSD.

Before introducing how to restore to different computer, you can download MiniTool ShadowMaker Trial which can be used for 30 days without any fees from the following button or purchase an advanced one.

After you have successfully installed the free backup software, you can try restoring to different computer based on following instructions.

The precondition of restoring to different computer is that you have created a system image on a normal computer in advance by using MiniTool ShadowMaker.

Therefore, in order to solve Windows 10 installation problem, you need to install and run MiniTool ShadowMaker Trial on a normal computer and create a system image on it since your computer can’t boot due to the error “Windows could not complete the installation Windows 10”.

Thus, the following article is useful for you to create a system image.

In addition, a bootable media is necessary since your computer can’t boot normally. As a matter of fact, you can use MiniTool ShadowMaker Trial to create it.

Therefore, you need to know how to create the bootable media and how to boot your computer from it. You can take the following two articles as a reference.

Then we will show you how to solve the error of Windows 10 installation has failed through restoring to different computer step by step.

Step 1: Connect the hard drive to your computer and enter MiniTool Recovery Environment. Go to the Restore interface and click “Add Backup” to add system image to the backup list. Then choose it and click “Restore” to continue.

Step 2: In the popup window, you need to choose the backup version and click “Next” to continue.

Step 3: Next, you need to choose volumes to restore from the selected backup files. Please ensure that the MBR and Track 0 should be ticked for a successful boot. Then click “Next” to continue.

Delete Previous Windows 10 Installations

Step 4: You need to choose a target disk and click “Next” to continue.

How to keep data safe? How to back up files on windows 10? This post will introduce 4 ways to back up files with ease.

Step 5: The free backup software will begin the restoration process, so you need to wait patiently.

Step 6: After the restoration process is finished, you may find your computer still can’t boot normally. The reason is that the operating system is incompatible with your computer. Thus you need to boot your computer from the bootable media and go to “Tools” to choose “Universal Restore” to fix this problem.

Step 7: Then this free backup software can automatically list the operating system on the left pane and you need to click “RESTORE” button to continue.

Step 8: After a while, the restore process should be completed. Then you can exit MiniTool Recovery Environment and set your computer to boot from hard drive. Then you can check whether your computer can boot successfully.

Case 2: Windows 10 Installation Has Failed

When installing the operating system, you may come across the error Windows 10 installation has failed. This error may occur in the middle of the installation.

So, in the following section, we will show you how to fix the error that Windows 10 installation has failed.

Fix 1. Check Whether Your Computer Meets the Minimum Requirements

In order to install Windows 10 on your computer, you need to check whether your computer meets the minimum requirement. So, you need to check the following parameters.

• RAM:1GB for 32 bit and 2GB for 64 bit
• Hard disk space:16 GB for 32 bit and 20 GB for 64 bit
• CPU:1GHz or faster
• Screen resolution:800 x 600
• Graphics:Microsoft DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
• Internet access

If your computer cannot meet the above requirements, you may come across the error that Windows 10 installation has failed.

Fix 2. Clear Certain Attributes of the Installation Folder

Now, here is the tutorial.

1. Boot your computer from Windows 10 installation media as usual and navigate to the last screen.
2. Minimize the installer and open File Explorer by opening a folder and navigate to C drive.
3. Then select the $WINDOWS.~BT folder.
4. Right-click on the problematic folder and click the Properties option from the context menu. Stay in General tab and locate the Attribute section at the bottom. Uncheck the option Read-Only and System and click Apply to save the changes.

When it is finished, check whether the error that Windows 10 installation has failed is fixed.

Fix 3. Rebuild BCD

Return To Previous Windows Installation

In order to fix the error that Windows 10 installation has failed, you may try rebuilding BCD. To rebuild BCD, you can read the post: Step-by-Step Guide to Repair and Fix MBR Windows 7/8/8.1/10 to learn some more detailed solutions.

Fix 4. Run the Installation in Clean Boot

If you come across the error Windows 10 installation has failed, you can choose to install Windows 10 in clean boot.

Now, here is the tutorial.

1. Open Run dialog.
2. Type msconfig in the box and click OK to continue.
3. In the popup window, go to the General Then check Selective startup and uncheck the option Load startup items.
4. Go to the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services and click Disable all.
5. Go to the Startup tab, click Open Task Manager and disable all unnecessary items.

After that, check whether the error that Windows 10 installation has failed is solved.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, we have introduced five ways to solve Window 10 installation issue “Windows could not complete the installation. To install Windows on this computer, restart the installation.” There is no doubt that each method has its advantage. We think the fifth way to solve Windows installation issue is more effective and more reliable.

Now, it is your turn to have a try. Of course, if you have any better solution to Windows 10 installation failed issue, you can share it on the comment zone. Or if you have any problem with MiniTool ShadowMaker, you can contact us via the email [email protected].

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Cannot Find Previous Windows Installations

about recovering your data after reinstalling the operating system: how to do it and what tools to use.Working in data recovery business for years, we are used to seeing emails such as this one:“My computer went wonky, so I decided to reinstall Windows. To make sure all the glitches are gone, I chose to reinstall from scratch on a new partition. After I installed Windows on my computer, all of my files are gone. I know that you guys have a bunch of data recovery tools. Is there a particular tool to help me recover my files? I tried your Hetman Uneraser, but it didn’t find anything. Help?”

Indeed, using a simple undelete tool won’t do much good to recover files, especially if you install it onto the same disk you’re about to recover files from. But first let’s see what happens when you reinstall Windows.

Contents:

• Windows Refresh or New Installation?
• How To Recover Data After Reinstalling Windows
• Choosing a Data Recovery Tool
• Special Case: SSD Drives

Windows Refresh or New Installation?

There are several ways to install Windows over your existing installation. You can choose to refresh (or repair) existing OS, which is generally a non-destructive process and should NOT affect your files in any way. This method only works if you are refreshing or repairing exactly the same version of Windows as you have now. By “exactly” the same, I mean if you have a 32-bit Windows 7, you can’t refresh it with a 64-bit version of the same Windows 7. It must be the same.

Sometimes you can upgrade your Windows installation to a new OS. With at least Windows 7, Windows 8 and 8.1 being around in 32-bit and 64-bit versions and numerous editions (Home, Professional, Ultimate, Bing and whatnot), there is a number of complicated rules affecting whether or not your existing system is upgradeable. For example, you cannot upgrade your 32-bit OS to a 64-bit version. If you install a 64-bit OS over 32-bit Windows, it will either boot side by side with your old 32-bit version, or perform a fresh install, potentially wiping your data.

While Microsoft will warn users multiple times before actually deleting partitions or reformatting existing volumes, apparently these warnings are often ignored just the way we ignore those multi-page End User License Agreements. This means data loss.

How To Recover Data After Reinstalling Windows

If you found yourself in a situation where you have a shiny fresh Windows but none of the documents, pictures and other files you had on that disk, you will need to be very careful not to make the situation worse.

First and most importantly, shut down your PC and take the disk out. You don’t want running Windows on that same disk you are about to recover. You will need another computer to connect the disk to as a slave. Don’t have another computer? Want to try recovering your files from within your new Windows install? Then most probably you either didn’t have anything really important and worth recovering, or just don’t care about your data at all. If you do, you will take your disk out and you will connect it to a PC running its own copy of Windows. (Or you can boot from a USB flash drive, of course, which is effectively the same. Just make sure you have a data recovery tool stored on that same USB flash drive).

Choosing a Data Recovery Tool

If you are about to recover files missing after reinstalling the operating system, a simple undelete tool won’t cut it. The thing is, most undelete utilities will look up records in the file system, searching for traces of files and folders that are marked as deleted. However, after you reinstall Windows (especially if it was accompanied with repartitioning and/or reformatting the disk), the original file system is pretty much gone. There is nothing for traditional undelete tools to look up.

What you need is a universal tool used by data recovery specialists, such as Hetman Partition Recovery. This tool can analyze your physical hard drive in an attempt to discover the original partitions and file systems that were used by the old copy of Windows. If such partitions are discovered, they are then added to the list of volumes available for recovery.

But what if no trace of old partitions or file systems can be discovered? Even if this is the case, you can still recover many types of information such as documents (*.doc/*.docx, *.xls/*.xlsx, and several dozen other formats), pictures, videos, emails, calendars, databases, compressed archives and a lot of other information.

Special Case: SSD Drives

All information above only applies to traditional magnetic hard drives. If you installed a new copy of Windows 7, Windows 8, 8.1 or Windows 10, the OS will “trim” your SSD drive, effectively erasing all traces of information that used to exist on that drive before the new OS. Not sure if your data is still recoverable? You don’t have to pay for your data recovery tool right away. Instead, download the free evaluation version, let it scan your hard drive or SSD drive and see if your files can be recovered.