Windows Could Not Complete the Installation: How to Fix

If you encounter the “Windows could not complete the installation” error while trying to install or upgrade Windows, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the issue:

1. Run Automatic Startup Repair: This can be done by accessing the Advanced Boot Options and selecting the ‘Startup Repair’ option​​.
2. Enable Administrator Account: Use the Command Prompt to enable the Administrator account on your system. This involves opening the Command Prompt using Shift + F10, using the ‘mmc’ command, navigating to Local Users and Groups, and ensuring the Administrator account is enabled​​.
3. Start Account Creation Wizard: If the error occurs during the user account creation phase, you can manually start the account creation wizard. Open Command Prompt with Shift + F10, navigate to C:\windows\system32\oobe, and run ‘msoobe’​​.
4. Change Password Requirements: If your computer is in Audit Mode and joined to a domain, the error might be caused by password requirements in the local security policy. Changing these requirements may resolve the issue​​.
5. Modify Some Registry Key Values: Modify specific registry values related to the system setup and audit mode by using the Command Prompt to open the Registry Editor and adjusting the values accordingly. Key paths include Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\Status and related subkeys​​.
6. Disable Audit Mode: Use the Command Prompt to run the command sysprep /oobe /generalize to disable Audit Mode. This step should be taken if the issue persists even after trying the above solutions​​.

Before attempting these steps, ensure you have backed up important data and are comfortable with advanced system settings, as incorrectly altering system configurations can lead to further issues. If you’re unsure about any step, consider seeking assistance from a professional technician or Microsoft support.

Eric Chan

Hi! I’m Eric and I work on the knowledge base at GadgetMates.com.  You can see some of my writings about technology, cellphone repair, and computer repair here.

When I’m not writing about tech I’m playing with my dog or hanging out with my girlfriend.

Shoot me a message at ericchan@gadgetmates.com if you want to see a topic discussed or have a correction on something I’ve written.