Running Windows 10 Home (version 1803, build 17134.523) on my desktop HP. I also subscribe to Avast Internet Security and Avast Cleanup Premium. I think I did something with ACP that has screwed up Windows ability to install updates. Twice now, while trying to install the latest Windows update, the computer (Windows) threw out the error message that it couldn’t install the update (after about 93% had been installed) and had to roll back the installation. What I think I did to cause this issue was to use ACP to stupidly delete the Windows Setup Files. Somehow I only paid attention to the Avast statement that I wouldn’t need those files if I didnt intend to reinstall Windos…I never associated updating with “modifying Windows.” Do I have any recourse to get those files back? And if not, do you think a computer repair person could get those files back for me so that I can continue to update Windows? Thanks.
From the following website you can download the media creation tool for Windows 10 v 1809 (october 2019 update)
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10
Use the second option "Using the tool to create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) "
Once you’ve created the installation media, you can use it to upgrade to the latest version.
For more information take a look starting here: https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=156141.msg1478367#msg1478367
Hey Bob, thanks for the quick and helpful reply. So, it looks as though all is not lost. I think that I will have no problem loading the installation media onto a flash drive. However, I’m a little shaky on just how to get the updates to work. From what I read on your referenced links, once the installation media is loaded onto the flash drive, I then place the drive in the computer, but now my anxiety increases. If I have to mess with the booting of the drive, I may have a problem and I’m not really sure how to handle the rest of the FD loading.
I have looked at this HP link on loading a recovery drive and I’m assuming that it would be the same for loading the installation media…Yes or No? However, the video instructions are for a system recovery and I don’t want to send my computer back to its original state, I just want to add files that will allow me to install updates??? But, as I view the video, it appears to me that in order to be able to restore updating, I will have to do a Windows system recovery that will take the computer back to its original state…Yes or No??? Obviously, I may be confused and hope that you can continue to put me onto the right path. Thanks again for your help.
Booting from the installation media will allow you to upgrade your system to Windows 10 v 1809.
If you need help in How to boot from a USB drive, take a look at the following:
https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/21756-boot-usb-drive-windows-10-pc.html
Excuse me, but I may not have made one of my question clear enough. What I’m asking is when booting the installation media onto my PC, will the PC be returned to its original state (loosing all programs and tweaks,) but keeping the various files like Documents, pictures, emails etc on external backup? OR, will everything remain the same (don’t loose anything) and I can go straight to updating Windows? I think that the booting will cause the PC to revert to its original state with loss.
During the upgrade process, you’ll be asked to decide what you want to keep. that will include all your current items. or,
if you want to only keep your personal items and lastly if you want to not keep anything.
You make the choice before the upgrade starts.
Does “…keep…all your current items…” mean that not only my Doc, pics, music etc will be saved, but also all my programs (like Firefox, Thunderbird, Avast, Office Writer, Photoshop Elements, MS Money, etc) and their settings will also be saved??? I hope so as I really would hate to have to reinstall them.
That’s exactly what it means.
You keep everything and the computer will be updated to Win 10 v1809
Sounds good. Now all I need is the courage to try and hope for a successful outcome. Thanks for you help.
Let us know once you’ve taken the plunge and upgraded to v1809. 
Hate to be such a nit-picker, but before I use the installation media, I do have a question? In reading the instructions (https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10), I note that #3 under “Using the tool to create installation media,” calls for selecting “Create installation media for another PC.” What confuses me here is that I will be using the desktop PC to create installation media for itself. In other words, the desktop that is creating the installation media is the desktop that needs to be able to recapture its setup for windows 10 Home so that it will be able to continue to update the OS. Is it OK for the same computer to create installation media for itself?
Read #4 Select the language, edition, and architecture (64-bit or 32-bit) for Windows 10
Read #4 and it tells me that the install is OK for Windows 10 Home, which is the program that I need to repair. But, my confusion is based on the #3 statement which calls for installation in …another PC…, whereas I’d be installing into the same PC it was downloaded from??? However, from your response, it appears that you are saying that the download tool can be installed into any PC in accordance with the table in #4???
I’ve done this many times. You can procrastinate forever or, you can simply bite the bullet and do the update.
It’s up to you.
I am not procrastinating! As I have jumped too fast into using Avast to clean up stuff and have suffered for it. I am just trying to make sure that in correcting the issue, I am doing it right. I have simply stated that I need the answer to one more question (post above) before proceeding. So, specifically, once downloading the tool into a flash drive, that drive can be used in any PC using Windows 10 Home v. 1803 that has had its setup files removed by Avast?
I’ve already answered that question.
First, let me say that I have appreciated your help with my issue. However, I have not appreciated your approach to didactic tutoring. I have asked some direct questions that a simple yes or no would have sufficed. But, somehow, you have seen fit to respond obliquely…not appreciated as this only lead to more questions and a waste of time. Nonetheless, I will interpret you obliqueness as yes responses and move on.
If you don’t like my help, get it from someone else. All I’ve done is provide you with information.
You are free to follow it or not. Good luck.
The final word! I have successfully downloaded and installed Windows 10 v. 1803 ISO. And then, I was able to load on all updates. No programs or important files were lost. I chose to do 1803 as there was no need to use the media installation download. Instead it was much, much easier to do the 1803 download and install via MS Edge (https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/9230-download-windows-10-iso-file.html#option3).
Just as you installed 1803, you could have installed 1809.
So now you’re still using an old version of Windows 10.
Your computer, your choice. Good luck.