One of the characteristics of Windows 10 is that, in addition to the patches that usually arrive every few weeks, the operating system receives a major update every 6 months. These new versions usually bring new functions and features, in addition to correcting problems and improving computer security. So it is very important to make sure to install these new versions as soon as possible. Each update is completely free, however, if we do not have our computer in good condition, the probability increases that, due to an error, we cannot install the new version. And even that something goes wrong and leaves our computer totally disabled.
Although Microsoft has worked hard to end the problems of the past and reduce the failures that may appear when updating our PC, there is still a chance that something will go wrong and we will not be able to update the computer or we will directly be unable to use it.
At first we do not have to do anything to receive the new versions of the operating system. These usually reach all users through Windows Update , regardless of the version of the operating system they currently have installed. Users will always receive the latest available directly. However, if we want to avoid possible problems, here we are going to give you a series of recommendations with which we will reduce the probability that something will go wrong and we can make sure that our computer is updated properly and that everything works perfectly.
Tips to prepare our computer to update Windows 10
Install the latest updates
Microsoft usually releases a series of security patches every week that fix security flaws in the operating system, and quality patches to correct other errors and debug Windows. However, as the release date of an update approaches, the company often takes the opportunity to include some changes to solve small errors and incompatibility problems that may cause an error when installing the new major update to Windows 10.
Therefore, the first thing we must do to prepare our PC for the new versions of Windows is to make sure that we have installed all the patches , both security and maintenance, of Windows Update.
If we haven’t updated our PC drivers in a long time, this is also a good opportunity to do so. Older drivers often show compatibility problems when installing newer versions of Windows. Therefore, we must ensure that we have recent versions installed on the PC. We can update them manually or using software like IObit Driver Booster.
Check the antivirus
Things have changed since the launch of Windows 10 in 2015. Today, the main antivirus on the market are usually ready to work with the operating system without causing problems, stability or updates. However, antivirus software is often the first responsible for errors that may appear when updating Windows.
Windows 10 comes by default with its own free antivirus, Windows Defender . This antivirus has not only proven to be one of the most effective and efficient on the market, but being the default antivirus from Microsoft, it is the one that best matches the operating system. If we use this antivirus we will not have problems updating Windows.
If we use another antivirus we must make sure we have the latest version installed (since, thanks to the Insider versions, the security firms have several months to prepare it to work with the new versions), or, better yet, uninstall it before updating the PC. When we have the new version of Windows ready we can reinstall it if we want it to protect us.
Update computer programs
In addition to making sure to update the antivirus, we must also make sure that all, or most, of the programs that we have installed on the computer are up to date.
If the installation wizard of the new version of Windows detects an obsolete program on the computer, it will generally uninstall it to avoid possible problems. However, an outdated program, although it may work in the new version of Windows, may be one of the reasons why the update fails, or is directly canceled before starting.
We can use programs, such as SUMo or IObit Software Update to check our programs and install the latest versions of them automatically.
Create system and data backups
Prevention is always the best way to ensure that if something goes wrong, the damage is going to be minimal. With weekly and monthly Windows updates there are usually no problems. However, with larger updates, biannual, the probability of something going wrong skyrockets.
So even if we take all possible measures to ensure that the new version installs without problems, it never hurts to back up your data . This backup can be done in several ways. For example, we can manually copy the most important data (photos, documents, etc.) to a second hard drive, or to the cloud, so that if something goes wrong, we can easily recover the data.
We can also resort to Windows restore points (which we could access from the Windows 10 recovery menu if the PC stops booting), or most certainly, create an image of the Windows partition (with Clonezilla or Acronis, among others) so that, if something goes wrong, we can restore the entire image and leave the PC as it was before updating.
Clean Windows and free up space
Windows 10 updates generally require about 32 GB of hard disk space . This is because Windows Update does not use delta updates every six months. They download a full version of Windows 10 and install it on our complete computer. In addition, it keeps a backup of our current Windows to be able to revert the changes if something goes wrong, or gives us problems. Therefore, at least we have to have 32 GB of free space to avoid having problems when updating Windows.
If we have made strange configurations in Windows (if we have used “debloat” programs, for example), we must make sure that our Windows is correct and it does not lack essential system files or have internal files modified by other programs. This is one of the reasons why Windows update may fail the most. Therefore, if we have modified essential Windows files, we must restore their original versions so that there are no problems.
We can execute the following commands in a CMD or PowerShell window to analyze our entire system, detect if files are missing or some have been modified or corrupted and restore them to their original versions:
- sfc / scannow
- DISM / Online / Cleanup-Image / CheckHealth
- DISM / Online / Cleanup-Image / ScanHealth
- DISM / Online / Cleanup-Image / RestoreHealth
- chkdsk C: / F / R
What to do after updating Windows 10
If the update has been successful, we can already start enjoying all the news of the new version of Windows 10. However, before leaving our computer ready we must take time to make sure that we can enjoy it to the fullest.
The first thing we will do is reinstall the programs that we have uninstalled when updating. If we have deleted the antivirus, or the wizard has removed a potentially incompatible program, we can now install it again to use it. In addition, we should also look for new updates to prepare our PC in case a post-update cumulative patch has been released to debug bugs.
If the new version of Windows 10 works well, we can delete the Windows backup to free up 32 GB of space. That will allow us to have more free space on the hard drive, but will prevent us from going back if something starts to go wrong. If we have not returned to the previous version in the 7 days following the update, this will be automatically removed and the space will be freed without having to do anything.
Finally we must review the operating system settings , especially personal and privacy-related settings . This will ensure that our PC is working the way we want it to.
We can now enjoy the new version of Windows 10.
