Booting from USB

[vg247]

Microsoft Support are trying to help me resolve a Windows 10 update issue. It seems I have a problem with BITS service. " The requested service has already been started System.Management.Automation.RemoteException" I am still running Windows 10 version 1909.

Microsoft have helped me download an update to USB so they can force an update but when we tried ESCAPE/F9 the Boot Device Options did not include any option to use a USB drive.

Could you please explain how to access the USB option or any other help or advice would be gratefully received.

If you need more information or I have not explained it very well please do ask.

Thanking you in advance

[itsmyname]

Open the Windows "File Explorer", and open the drive-letter assigned to the USB device.

If you see a "setup.exe" in the root-directory of its file-system, double-click to launch that program, to start the installation of the update from Windows 1909 (9th month of 2019) to Windows 21H1 (first major release in 2021).

[WAWood]

@vg247 

IF the USB stick does not show up in the F9 Boot Devices menu, then it's probably a BIOS restriction known as Secure Boot that is preventing it from being displayed.  You get into the BIOS settings by pressing F10 repeatedly when you reboot.  Once there, you would have to search through the settings for Secure Boot and then disable it and reboot.  After that, the USB stick should show up in the Boot Devices menu.

[vg247]

Hi 'itsmyname'

I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

I think I can remember that Microsoft Support tried this initially but nothing 

happened! That is why she was trying to access the USB boot device through Escape/F9.

When i recontact MS I will suggest this and let you know the result.

Thanks again for your help.

[itsmyname]

If you run that "setup.exe" while Windows is running, it should keep all your files, while "upgrading" Windows.

Give this another try.

If you do manage to boot from USB, you may not get an option to keep your personal files & applications, i.e., it will do a "clean-install".

[vg247]

Hi WAWood

That sounds very, very helpful.

I will get back to you when this is tried out by the Microsoft Support Member.

It is no point my trying it, I may click on something crucial and make matters worse.

I just wondered, as the expert you are, have you heard of the situation i find myself in with the 

BITS service fault? If so do you have any other advice?

Thank you again for your time and clear explanation.

Fingers crossed,

vg247

[itsmyname]

>  the situation i find myself in with the  BITS service fault? I

BITS == Background Intelligent file Transfer Service

The Windows Update service uses this service to download files when you are not actively using your Internet connection.

If this service already has been started, then trying again to start it is flagged as an error, but BITS is running. So, it's not a "fatal" error; it is only an annoyance. Does it affect your usage of Windows?

[vg247]

Thanks for your continued interest and support. In reply to your question - No, I don't believe it affects my day to day usage but something is stopping me updating from Windows 10 version 1909. I have the link there when I close down the computer but nothing happens when i close down or restart. When I ran Trouble Shoot in Settings/Update this issue was listed as a "problem that may prevent background downloads from working. Package Version 2.5 Microsoft Windows" This was in the Publisher Details section. It also has, in this section, under Window Update - Resolve problems that prevent you from updating Windows "Package Version 9.3, Microsoft Windows" and another with "Package Version 9.2, Microsoft Corporation" I have no idea what these refer to! Having read the reply from the other person to my query I am now very concerned about this idea of using a USB. Do you have any other work arounds/suggestions? Thank you again for your continued help. vg247

[vg247]

OMG That sounds like using the USB idea is a move too far!

I will be brave and have a go at this tomorrow when i have more time to focus on what i am doing.

Fingers crossed, and thank you for your continued interest.

BTW your colleague at Community Support has also given me food for thought and i have added more information

about the original problem in my reply to her/him, I  only say this in case you are interested.

Thanks again,

vg247

[vg247]

Hi Itsmyname

I have tried using the download Microsoft Support saved to my USB

and i really thought you had cracked it. i was so pleased.

Everything seemed to be working fine however when it completed I got the message 

"We Couldn't Install Windows 10".

Please see screenshot below.

Thanks for the idea which was a good one, thank you very much, but unfortunately the solution didn't work for me.

yours,

vg247