Discussion Update Windows 1909 to Windows 20H2 Direct

[Wittmann]

There appears to be a controversy with this issue. Some say you can and some say you can't and that 2004 must be installed first.

I would use the Windows 10 Support Assistant, which currently shows 20H2 as the latest issue.

I found these comments on another Forum -

Comment 1
It is perfectly fine to update from version 1909 to version 20h2, no need to install version 2004 first, I just updated two of my laptops from 1909 to 20H2 and absolutely no problems, the update went smoothly on both.
Comment 2
There should not be a problem. Windows Update Assistant will check if your device is compatible and ready for version 20H2. If Windows Update Assistant tells you that your PC is compatible, then you should proceed and continue with the update.

Can somebody please confirm that these comments are perfectly correct and that 20H2 will update 1909, 2004 install having been bypassed.
Obviously it needs somebody who has actually done it with success to respond.

 

[USAFRet]

There should be zero issue upgrading to 20H2 from 1909, with no intervening update.

I'm nearly certain I've done just that. Possibly even from 1903 direct to 20H2.

 

[Wittmann]

There should be zero issue upgrading to 20H2 from 1909, with no intervening update.

I'm nearly certain I've done just that. Possibly even from 1903 direct to 20H2.

Thanks a million for that. My computer is vital to me during this COVID crisis, so I don't want to take any risks, but when things die down a little I will go ahead with the 20H2 update using the Windows 10 Update Assistant. 👍

 

[USAFRet]

Thanks a million for that. My computer is vital to me during this COVID crisis, so I don't want to take any risks, but when things die down a little I will go ahead with the 20H2 update using the Windows 10 Update Assistant. 👍

Also, before ANY major update, I always do a full drive Image. Just in case things go wrong.
Easily recoverable.

I use Macrium Reflect, save the Image off to some other storage location.
Looking in my backup folder tree, for my HTPC.
I have a Post2004 image, and Pre20H2.
I could recover the system to exactly as it was on Oct 7 2020 or Dec 1 2020, respectively.

 

[Wittmann]

Also, before ANY major update, I always do a full drive Image. Just in case things go wrong.
Easily recoverable.

I use Macrium Reflect, save the Image off to some other storage location.
Looking in my backup folder tree, for my HTPC.
I have a Post2004 image, and Pre20H2.
I could recover the system to exactly as it was on Oct 7 2020 or Dec 1 2020, respectively.

I renew a Macrium Reflect clone every month and have the MR bootable media inserted between the HP computer start-up and Windows start-up

 

[Deleted member 2838871]

I didn't have any problem updating from whatever version was on my Windows 10 USB stick purchased in April 2017 to version 20H2... AFAIK it was a direct update. After I built PC and installed I ran the update tool (the downloadable .exe) and it downloaded everything without any further input on my end.

 

[Wittmann]

The only way I could find to update my 1909 to 20H2 was to go to the Microsoft link - https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/software-download/windows10
Clicking Update simply puts Windows 10 Update Assistant on your desktop. Click Update Now and the download starts.

Updating Windows 1909 to 20H2 is now up to you. Click the WUA icon on your desktop and it will ask you if you wish to update now - click Restart and the update will start or click Update Later if you wish.

It takes a very long time to download the 20H2/2004 update, it took me 5.1/2 hours, but you can keep on working while it is downloading, then you can Restart the WUA to commence the 20H2 update whenever you wish.

The actual Windows updating of my PC took just over 2 hours (they say 90 minutes or less), but it went like a dream with no problems at all - I am now on 20H2 and everything is as it was and working perfect.

It seems faster.

 

[Colif]

Another way I suggest is on the same link, download the media creation tool.
Use it to make a Installer USB.
Put installer USB in PC you want to update
go to file explorer and navigate to the USB
run setup
agree to update current PC
follow wizard steps and it will restart and install latest version.

It is essentially the same thing but if the update fails at any point, at least you have the installer. The way you did it, if it failed you would have had to go through the download process again. Another advantage is you can use installer on more than 1 PC. So if you have a few PC to upgrade you can save time.