Windows 10 Official Usb Drive Won't Update Windows 7 Pro - Says Must Uninstall Avira, But Not There

Transferred thread from here, per TimW's request. Appreciate any and all assistance, as the longer this machine is running W7Pro online, the more goobers are going to get on it before I upgrade to W10Home.

Oh, I did try doing the full install, but it's telling me I have to format the HD, so...that's out. I'm getting close to my brother's level of frustration during his efforts! Haven't cussed yet, though.

 

Why is formatting the HD out? Is there something on the drive (other than settings) you want? I didn't notice that in the previous thread.

If there are files (like pictures) you want, then try booting from a linux distro from a USB drive or DVD drive (thinking if you're running win7 you might still have one) then mount the HD and navigate to the files you want on the HD, then save them to another USB drive. It's less likely that malware will be active under linux... but I would still be super careful using those files so as not to reinfect your comp. Try and keep those files quarantined from your comp until you're sure they are clean.

Then format the HD and do a clean install.

If possible, I would re download the Win 10 install on another comp so you know your Win 10 hasn't been tainted by your malware machine... unlikely but you want to be sure.

 

....Okay, um--Most of what you've told me to do is beyond my ken. I know what Linux is but need direction to a safe place to get a safe copy of Ubuntu, which I'm told is the most user friendly for those more familiar with Windows-type environments. Other than that, I have no idea how to do what you've told me to do. I require very simple, very clear step-by-step instructions without any assumptions of prior knowledge, please. (I do know how to plug the computer in, turn it on and off, navigate a bit around Windows, and adapt quite well to new office software; I also know the difference between a CD/DVD drive and a cup holder.) I have Asperger syndrome complicated by severe depression and anxiety disorder and non-combat PTSD.

I didn't download Win10; I bought the thumb drive because my brother told me not to put this machine on the Interwebs (which he denies saying now). Anyway, I've got the hard copy from MS on a thumb drive, and it cost me over $100 I didn't have, so I'd better not have to get another copy!

 

Echoing _dinsdale_ somewhat...

1. Make sure you make a backup of any and all data files.
2. Do a full install - just follow directions - including reformatting of your hard drive. It's the best way for a clean install.

 

Yes what Zebra Last said: backing up your files would be a good thing to do in case things go badly ... good practice at any time. BUT actually "cloning" your current Hard drive onto another USB drive would be an excellent thing to do as, if things go badly, you can at least get back to where you are now. But this might be a bridge too far since you're still on a steep learning curve.

So let me try again.
First of all. Do you have another computer you can use to connect to the internet? Pretty difficult without this.

I think you have no choice but to Format Hard Drive and Fresh install Win 10. It is the most bulletproof best solution to your problem.
If you want to save any files on the existing, you need to access them beforehand, and that would be best done without firing up Windows (and activating the malware)... I would abandon any hope of saving any settings.

So to access the files you want, you need to load another operating system. Ubuntu is a good choice. You can download it from https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop. The idea is to have it on a DVD (or USB), then boot from the DVD, NOT the old hard drive. There should be a choice to install or run it from the DVD. Don't "install" but run it from the DVD... It's like try-before-you-buy thing. So Ubuntu is running from the DVD and independent of your computer's hard drive.

Ubuntu is not so different from Windows, but you will need to work out how to "mount" your computer's hard drive so Ubuntu can see all the its folders and files. Find what you want to save (probably buried in a complex tree of folders) and copy them to a USB drive (you may also have to "mount" it so Ubuntu can "see" it and copy to it.

See how far you get with this before we go to the next step. If you get this far you're nearly there!

 

My brother is coming to help today, but neither of us knows what to do with Ubuntu. I tried formatting the drive with Windows's installation tools before I saw the further replies here, and now I have no working system on the HD and an upgrade that refuses to install because there are partitions on the disk (even though I "deleted" those I didn't format using the Windows installation advanced tools). My brother might be able to look it up on his phone or talk to my friend from the Detroit River Area who knows Linux, as long as there aren't any conventions he (my friend) can safely attend this weekend. Wish us luck! My brother can't be here long because he has two dogs at home, but I hope we'll make more progress than we did last time. The only empty disks we have around the house are CD-R's. I hope those are good enough!

 

You can install Ubuntu on a flash drive and run it.

 

Okay, we found some DVD-RW's and loaded the Ubuntu ISO Archive onto it. My brother is having trouble getting the BIOS to boot from the disk. Is there something we're missing?

 

You have to do more than just copy the ISO onto the disk. There is a special way to burn the ISO so that the computer reads the disk as something it can boot from. There are lots of "how tos" on the internet. Here's a random one I just googled https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-burn-an-iso-image-file-to-a-dvd-2626156

 

After much cussing and reading through posts and downloading tools from your site and arguing with the Win10 installation medium, he got 'er done. My brother is on his way home to feed his dogs and relax with a beer. Thanks to all who helped!

 

Good job!