Troubleshooting a Windows 10 update that seems stuck
Q: I have a question re: Windows 10 Update Assistant. Windows tells me that I need to download the latest version of Windows 10. It says that I have version 10586 and the latest version is 15063. When I give it permission to download, it says CPU OK, memory OK, and Disk Space OK. Then it tries to download and it slowly downloads 1 percent, 2 percent, etc. and then it goes all the way to 82 percent and then it freezes and goes back to 1 percent. It is exactly at 82 percent every time. I have tried this at least a dozen times and I have given up. Then it says “something has gone wrong.” Error code Oxc 1900107. Then it says, setup couldn’t start properly. Then it tells me to reboot and try again. It’s insane — over and over again. Do I really need a new version? What can I do other than buy a new computer and start over? — RCAllen,
Tech+: Buying a new computer seems like a drastic solution, though I’m sure that will work. However, if you skip the update, your version of Windows 10 won’t have the latest security features. Of course, it’s a huge pain when updates don’t update smoothly. Microsoft doesn’t seem to explicitly offer a universal fix to speeding up the process. So, with the Tech+ mindset that it’s better to “Teach a man to fish,” here’s what I did to find the answer.
I Googled “Windows 10 Update Assistant takes forever” and found several users complaining about the sluggishness and failure. In response, Microsoft has recommended users keep at it, even if it takes a day and the progress appears stuck. Another Microsoft response suggests running Windows Update Troubleshooter (at dpo.st/win10updatefix) if something goes wrong.
Sometimes Microsoft just doesn’t have a universal solution. When that happens, make sure you search all the clues offered. In this case, I also Googled “Error code Oxc 1900107,” which led to some Microsoft Community forums offering some answers but more confusion.
But in these forums, look for responses that say this worked. One user mentioned he fixed this after renaming the folder that is blocking the update (The “$Windows. ~BT” file in the computer’s C: drive can be renamed to “$Windows. ~BT2,” suggests user Max Cortez). There are more details if you keep reading the replies.
There could be other factors preventing the Windows 10 upgrade. Your PC may not have enough space (it needs 10 GB). It may have issues with an external USB device or other computer part. And it may not even be compatible with the new Windows 10 update (you can check right here: dpo.st/win10compatible).
Ultimately though if the process ends with an issue, presumably such as RCAllen’s, Microsoft’s response is take it to a Microsoft Store or ask the company for help online at support.microsoft.com/en-us.
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