Non-destructive Windows 10 reinstall

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Pardon me if this question has already been answered. I have a customer for whom I will do a non-destructive reinstall of Windows 10 this afternoon (reinstalling only the Windows files, and leaving the apps and data in place). I believe she is on a version which is pre-1803. Last night I downloaded the Windows 10 ISO from Microsoft – after doing the download, I found that it is 1803.

Here are my questions:

1. If I do the reinstall from this ISO, will it upgrade my customer to 1803, or will I simply have a mess on my hands? I suspect that she will be upgraded to 1803, but I wanted to see if anyone knew for sure.

2. How much of a chance am I taking if I upgrade her to 1803? In other words, how buggy is 1803? Would she be better off staying at the version she currently has? (I believe she is on 1709.) I may not have a chance to get an older ISO before I see her this afternoon.

3. Where can I get the ISOs for previous versions of Windows 10? For some reason, I am unable to view the Computerworld article that Woody linked to in a previous post, in which the author explained where to go to get the previous ISOs.

Thanks.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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@MrJimPhelps

Pretty good discussion of where to get previous versions of Windows 10 ISO’s here:

https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/how-and-where-to-find-isos-for-old-versions-of-windows-10/

I have personally used the HeiDoc.net Windows ISO Downloader.exe program, located here:

https://heidoc.net/joomla/technology-science/microsoft/67-microsoft-windows-and-office-iso-download-tool

The current version is the 6.04 one. This program uses links directly to legitimate ISO’s on the MS Tech Net site. I’ve used it for Win7 and Win10 ISO’s.  Never had a problem with them.

Oh, the reason you can’t read the whole article on Computerworld is you have to be an “Insider” and signed up with them to read various articles. I signed up years ago, get emails about articles from them, can’t remember if it’s every day or just now and then…too many other tech related emails from where ever coming in every day.

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MrJimPhelps

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Thanks for the info.

the reason you can’t read the whole article on Computerworld is you have to be an “Insider” and signed up with them to read various articles.

I tried to sign up as an insider, but after entering my info, it never got to the next screen. Perhaps my job is blocking that site.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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I have the same problems with Computerworld Insider articles. If I enter the info, it does not stick, and they ask for the same info for every article I try to read. Apparently the login name and PW never register with the site.

I get notices of new articles, but when I try to read them the site wants all the data over again.

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MrJimPhelps

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SkipH wrote:

I signed up years ago

Apparently it worked years ago.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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It will install 1803. If the update fails to install it should roll back to the previous version on it’s own. If it installs ok she can see how things go and I think she has 10 days to decide if it’s ok for her or she can roll it back to the previous version before the 10 days go by. I would say the biggest concern would be the age of the pc. If it’s only 2-3 years old chances are it will install ok. Older computers may or may not have an issue. I actually have no issues with 1803 on my primary work pc. The problem is there are too many variables that may be an issue with this release for me to push this update to client pc’s on a group scale.

Red Ruffnsore

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MrJimPhelps

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I have since learned that I won’t need to do the non-destructive install till Monday. This will give me time to get the ISOs for the last several versions of Windows 10, both 32 and 64 bit, downloaded and on my flash drive, so that I can match what my customer currently has on her computer when I arrive at her office.

I appreciate everyone’s helpful advice, which will enable me to be ready for Monday.

Perhaps I should say “the last several versions of Windows10”.
I’ll bet it will soon be “Windows365”.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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I went to the Heidoc website listed above – fantastic place to download Windows or Office ISOs. You can download the ISO for any version of Windows or MS Office that is still being supported by Microsoft.

I am in the process of downloading all of the Windows 10 ISOs.

Thanks again for the information.

Group "L" (Linux Mint)
with Windows 10 running in a remote session on my file server

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