Once again some weeks ago, I had to upgrade an old Windows 7 notebook to Windows 10.
Up to now, it is possible by downloading the Media Download Tool, and following the program instructions.
In the end, you will have a licensed Windows 10 notebook migrated by the previous OS.
My problem this time was that Windows 10 installation met several problems and failed.
I tried different fixes like:
- fix the file system by a ‘chkdsk c: /f‘
- resize the recovery partition to 5-600Mb (by using the portable version of Macrorit Disk Partition Expert…).
- apply all available updates…
- temporary move of some huge user data folders.
Nothing worked.
During my multiple attempts, I discovered that I can start the installation process by starting it manually from the downloaded cache.
Look for ‘\esd\windows‘ folder (usually into your drive C), and start the setup program.
I also found MS reference about the available command parameters.
My default command line is:
setup /auto upgrade
It will upgrade to Windows 10 importing all installed applications and all user data.
After several failed installation attempts, I began to consider this other option below:
setup /auto dataonly
It will install a clean copy of Windows 10 importing only the user data. This is a perfect solution for all the scenarios in which we have a crippled OS, with outdated programs… in which we will take less time to install few updated programs than to try to heal a dying patient.
I used it, and at the end of the installation process, I had a shiny copy of working Windows 10 (with all the latest native drivers).
I only have to reinstall the missing applications to complete my task.