Windows Could Not Complete the Installation Error [SOLVED]

Sometimes when the Windows 10 users are trying to manually install the updates, the error message ‘Windows could not complete the installation’ pops up on the display.

This issue also occurs while updating the computer from a previous version of Windows to Windows 10. 

Users claimed that, if the Administrator account is disabled, registry issues, are the root causes behind the occurrence of the glitch. 

Also, if you are trying to complete the installation process on the Audit mode, then the error might occur. 

Windows could not Complete the installation Windows 10: Easy Solutions to Perform

Attempt the below methods one after one to fix this installation error.

Solution 1: Use Automatic Repair

Use Automatic Repair

In case you encounter the error message even after updating the Windows 10 operating system, then use the Automatic Repair tool. For that, perform the following.

Step 1

Turn on the device, when the windows start to load, immediately shut down your computer. Repeat twice until the ‘Preparing Automatic Repair’ message appears on the screen.

Next, click on the Advanced button to repair the computer. 

Step 2

Furthermore, click on the Troubleshoot button. From there move to the ‘Reset this PC‘ button. Select the ‘Keep my files’ button.

Select one account and enter the password to continue. Now, select the Cancel option. To exit from the page click on the Continue button.

Reboot your Windows 10 device and check if the error has been resolved or not.

Solution 2: Enable the Administrator Account

Enable the Administrator Account

After enabling the Administrator account, you might get rid of the problem. 

Step 1

To do so, press and hold the Shift and F10 keys together to open the Command Prompt window.

Enter ‘MMC’ in the command prompt and press the Enter key to continue. Now, in the main interface, click on File and select the ‘Add/Remove Snap in’ option.

Step 2

On the next pop up window, select Computer Management and after that, double-click on it. A new window will pop up on the screen. Here, drop down and click on  Local Check.

 After that, click on Finish followed by OK. Then, return to the main page and click on the Computer Management ( Local). Select System Tools. Furthermore, choose Local Users and Groups option.

Step 3

Click on ‘Users’ on the next page. Move to the Administrator and double click on it to open. Make sure that ‘Account is disabled’ option is unmarked.  Then, tap on OK. 

After that, right-click on the Administrator and select the ‘Set Password’ option. You should enter a strong password.  

Restart the computer and if the error message still appears on the display, then try the next one.

Solution 3: Change the Required Password

Change the Required Password

In case, the above two solutions are not workable for you, then you might try this solution to overcome the situation.  

For that, simultaneously press and hold the Shift and F10 keys to open the Command Prompt. Then, type ‘secpol.msc’ in the given field and press the Enter key to continue.

Now, a pop-up window will appear on the LED display. Here, open the ‘Account Policy’ and select ‘Password Policy’.

On the right side of the page, you will see the ‘Minimum password length’ option. Right-click on it and select Properties from the available options.

Set the Security Settings to 0 and click on Apply. On the next page, ensure that the ‘password must meet complexity requirements’ option is unmarked. Furthermore, click on OK.

Restart the computer and check if any change is made or not.

Solution 4: Start Account Creation Wizard

Start Account Creation Wizard

Open the Command Prompt. Enter the given command as well as hit the Enter key.

‘Cd:\windows\system 32\oobe’. Next, enter ‘msoobe’ and hit the Enter key. It will then start the Account Creation Wizard. Hence, create a generic account and its password.

Once done, click on Finish and reboot the system. Unfortunately, if the error message still appears, here is another effective solution that is ready for you.

Solution 5: Upgrade BIOS

Upgrading the BIOS might help you to deal with these glitches. In order to do so, follow the given instructions.

Step 1

Locate the current version of the BIOS that you have recently installed on the device. For that, enter ‘ msinfo’ in the search field and hit the Enter key.

Under the processor, the model find out the BIOS version.

Step 2

Now, prepare the computer for an update. In case, you use a laptop, ensure that its battery is fully charged. In case you want to update a computer, then you are suggested to use a UPS. 

To complete the rest of the process follow the online instructions. Once completed, then exit from the tab and check the status of the error message.

Solution 6: Turn off Audit Mode

Turn off Audit Mode

 Open the Command Prompt on the error screen. In the Command field, enter the following command and hit the Enter key.

‘sysprep /oobe /generalize’. This will disable the Audit mode.

Restart the computer. In case, you are still experiencing the error, then again open the Command Prompt.

Type ‘regedit’ and press the Enter key. Furthermore, go to the below section.

‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\State’. Then, highlighted the State Registry key and after that, right-click on the ImageState, present on the right side and click Delete.

Finally, restart your Windows 10 device.

These ways you can remove the ‘Windows could not complete the installation’ error message from your computer. 

Maria Colombo
Maria Colombo
Articles: 1205