This Pc Can't Run Windows 10... ?

Greetings,
I am struggling to update a neighbours Sony Viao Ultrabook laptop from windows 10 1803 to 1903.
After downloading 80% of the update a windows update box opens saying 'Checking the PC' and then comes up with the statement...
This PC can't run Windows 10
We couldn't update the system reserved partition.
I'm a little confused because 1903 will install on an empty HDD but my neighbour would like his current disk to be updated.
Any thoughts as to what I should do?

Many thanks,
s.

 

Adding a slight variant to the question. I have 1903 installed on one sata drive. The mechanical drive is stuck in 1803. All the users setup is the aim...

Perhaps I should get a picture of the partitions on the drive.
I'll be back.
s.

 

I think I deleted all the Disk 1 partitions.

On no...
This is not good.
s.

 

Microsoft recommends that you try to free up space on the partition:

"We couldn't update system reserved partition" error installing Windows 10
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...m-reserved-partition-error-installing-windows​

MiniTool recommends that you enlarge the partition:

Best Fix: We Couldn't Update System Reserved Partition Windows 10
https://www.partitionwizard.com/par...couldnt-update-system-reserved-partition.html​

Either one should do the trick. Microsoft's fix is a bit complicated; MiniTool's fix will take more time due to the partition shuffling.

 

Thank you MK.
Just saw your reply.
regards,
s.

 

No, it is not. You solved the "I don't have enough free space!" problem by replacing it with the "Where are all my files?!" problem.

The Ultimate Boot CD has a copy of TestDisk for partition recovery. You can also try MiniTool Partition Wizard Free and Active@ Partition Recovery Toolkit.

 

My uncertainties are now divided. Should I go ahead and get 1903 working or should I try and restore the drive I killed...

The machine is working fine.
I think I will consider,,,
s.

 

You shouldn't have a problem getting the partitions back. Just don't write anything to the unallocated space on disk 1 while you get set up. You could still restore Windows whether you restore the partitions or not, but you only get one chance to attempt to repair the original problem. Good luck...

 

Oh dear, again.
Found that

is available as a download for win10. All started fine. Made the wrong choice as to what to search for.
I exited the program 20 minutes after 99% search hadn't moved. Rebooted and then tried again.
After a deep search it found the partition and I clicked write.
It warned me did I want to go ahead. I confirmed.
It should have told me that I needed to reboot and let me exit first.
Another screen came up. Some sort of mismatching... I could rebuild or exit.
I chose rebuild. The program caughed a bit and shut down. I rebooted windows 10 and opened the disk Manager.
Drive D: was now there but I don't know if anything is in it?
Thanks for listening...
s.