How to Update Windows 10 to the Latest Version

Microsoft has decided to implement a strategy of two major updates per year in Windows 10, but we already know well that it doesn't work perfectly. In addition to some delays associated with high-profile bugs, we also have to consider Windows Update, which has the power to block an update to the next build. Below we are going to explain how to update Windows 10 to the latest version by circumventing those potential blocks, but there are several details to review before we start.

Before we continue...

Over time we have learned not to give Microsoft the benefit of the doubt, and on more than one occasion, when Redmond says something "can't be done", the opposite actually happens. However, in Windows 10 there is the concept of a "hold", meaning that Windows Update has the ability to delay and/or prevent a major update if it detects that the hardware "isn't ready" in some way. Before losing functionality, the operating system seeks to ensure the stability of the system by staying on the current build.

Now... what if you don't want that? What can we do when we are stuck on an old build of Windows 10? Our historical recommendation is none other than applying the "Lieutenant Ripley diplomacy", known as "nuke and pave" on the other side of the pond. Erasing the drive and reinstalling everything from scratch helps minimize any conflict or compatibility issue, but with a clean install it also makes it easier to detect hardware problems. The alternative... is an "in-place" upgrade.

How to update Windows 10... over Windows 10

Unfortunately, the "in-place" upgrade is not a hassle-free process. On the contrary, several conditions must be met for it to succeed, and personally I would venture to say that there are no guarantees. Too many past experiences ended badly, though we can't judge the latest Windows 10 build by the performance of its predecessors. What should we take into account?

1. Backups, backups, BACKUPS. This is no joke. We have seen many Windows installations stuck halfway or caught in a bootloop. If you don't have a backup of your information, it's the first thing on your list that you must complete, and if you can't do it, stop here.
2. The existing Windows 10 installation must be in good condition. Many "in-place" installations fail due to the impressive amount of bloatware on the system, or a background malware infection. A bit of "pre-installation" maintenance (including updates for critical drivers) never hurts.
3. Disconnect all USB devices except mouse and keyboard. External drives, USB flash drives and memory cards, WiFi and Bluetooth dongles, drawing tablets, headsets and speakers, DACs, printers (multifunction or not), smartphones, tablets, microcontrollers... the list goes on. There are multiple reports of conflicts between USB devices and the Windows 10 installer, so we recommend only the minimum necessary: a keyboard, a mouse, and the flash drive with the installation files.
4. There must be enough space on the main drive, 20 GB or more to be safe. There are still many netbooks with 32 or 64 GB SSDs circulating, and that is why they are frequent candidates to get stuck on a previous build of Windows 10. Can you free up space? Great. Otherwise, backup and full installation. It will save you a headache.
5. "Is it really necessary to do the update?" That is the question you inevitably have to ask yourself. If the Windows build is too old, some things are likely to stop working (for example, video driver installers), but it is always worth reviewing the support limits for each build: 1909 will last until May 11th (an extra year for Enterprise and Education), and 2004 will extend until December 14th.

If these five points have been covered properly, then you can proceed with the "in-place" installation of Windows 10 to force the upgrade to a more recent build:

• Download the latest version of Rufus, run it, and let it connect to the Internet.
• Connect the USB drive (8 GB minimum) to your PC, Rufus should detect it.
• Change the Select option to Download, and click on it.
• Select the Windows version to download, release, edition, language, and architecture. It is important to replicate the same parameters as the existing installation (e.g., Windows 10 Pro, Spanish x64), and remember to select the most recent release (20H2 at the time of writing). Start the download, specify a destination path, and wait.
• With the image downloaded, use Rufus to write its content to the USB drive. Once Rufus has finished, it's a matter of going to the USB drive and double-clicking the Setup file.
• Follow the installer's steps to complete the process and update to Windows 10. This will take longer than a fresh install with clean drives (between 30 and 35 minutes was what it took here, but our machines have SSDs).

Conclusion

This should be enough to update Windows 10 to the latest version and avoid Windows Update blocks. However, sometimes it is the Setup itself that detects an anomaly and doesn't allow you to continue. In that case, we advise following the classic route: make a good backup of your information, purge everything, and install Windows 10 using the USB drive as a boot drive.

One last detail before concluding the article: Rufus prepares the USB drives prioritizing the GPT/UEFI combination. If your computer uses a traditional BIOS or has the CSM compatibility module enabled, you will need to change the partition scheme and the target system to MBR and BIOS (UEFI-CSM) respectively. Otherwise, the system might never "see" the USB drive as a boot option. Good luck!