The Windows 10 Anniversary Update is finally here and by now, the vast majority of users should have access to it. As this is Microsoft we’re talking about, there are quite the number of bugs and issues with the update. They range from BSOD during install to freezing or erroring partway through. As I have experienced the latter myself and found a way to overcome it, here’s how to fix ‘Failure To Complete The Anniversary Update Installation’ errors.
I saw ‘Error: We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer’ when performing the Windows 10 Anniversary Update on my laptop. Not the most informative error ever. Fortunately, there is a simple way around it.
1. Backup anything you don’t want to lose from the system you’re updating.
2. Remove power from the machine, either remove the laptop battery or turn off the power supply at the wall. Leave it for a couple of minutes to let residual voltage dissipate.
3. Plug back in and boot your computer.
4. Perform a Windows Update.
This worked immediately for my laptop. I downloaded the Windows 10 Anniversary Update once more and it installed straight away without a problem.
If that doesn’t work, try this:
1. Type or paste ‘troubleshooting’ into the Search Windows box.
2. Select ‘View all’ and then ‘Windows Update’.
3. Run the troubleshooter and follow the instructions.
Or:
1. Navigate to ‘C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download’.
2. Delete the contents of the folder. You may have to boot into Safe Mode to do this.
3. Reboot your computer.
4. Navigate to Settings, Update and security.
5. Select ‘Check for updates’ and run the process again.
More useful Windows 10 tutorials on Tom’s Hardware:
How to remove password login in Windows 10
How to block a program in Windows Firewall
How to become an administrator in Windows 10
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