Question Windows 7 to 10 upgrade is stuck

[Mordko]

We have an HTPC, vintage 2011, which I spec’d and assembled at the time. Works great - no noise, lots of storage, fast. Runs on Windows 7, which cost me $96 at the time.

Yesterday decided to upgrade to W10. Happy with the current system, but scared that W7 will become vulnerable as support ends.

So, I downloaded the installer but the Windows 10 Setup is forever stuck on “Checking for updates, 46%”. There is a helpful warning that “this may take a few minutes”. Three hours later on a second attempt still spinning at 46%, I am starting to doubt that a little.

I already switched the computer off and on. Solves 99.999% of problems, but not this time. Stuck in the exact same spot.

Suggestions much appreciated.

 

[helpstar]

Which hardware is in the HTPC? CPU, RAM, motherboard

Use the windows 10 media creation tool and install windows from an usb flash drive
backup all data before doing so.

 

[Mordko]

Thanks, Helpstar. Hardware:

• Sandy bridge i3-2100T @2.50GHz(LGA 1155) 35W with integrated onboard 3D video
• ASROCK H67M-GE/HT (B3) LGA 1155 Intel H67 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Inel Motherboard
• G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10600CL9D-4GBNT

I used the creation tool but tried to install direct from the download. Backed up the data.

 

[helpstar]

With your hardware, it might take really long to install/update. Also depends on your internet speed.
If you install windows freshly via an USB flash drive it shouldn´t take that long.

 

[Mordko]

With your hardware, it might take really long to install/update. Also depends on your internet speed.
If you install windows freshly via an USB flash drive it shouldn´t take that long.

I installed Windows 10 via a USB. Cancelled the "update" step. Worked well. Updates downloaded afterwards. Kept all the systems and files, except that some no longer work on W10.

Thanks!

 

[Mordko]

One of the programs that no longer works is Microsoft Security Essentials. Still have the Defender, but... Do I need additional anti-virus?

Thanks.

 

[helpstar]

Microsoft security essentials is no longer supported because it was superseded from Defender.


I am using avast, usually Defender alone will work fine, but not that good than others.