Been stuck on Win11 23H2, and update to 25H2 fails with 0xc1900101 error

Question

Been stuck on Win11 23H2, and update to 25H2 fails with 0xc1900101 error

Jacob Anderson 0

I've been unable to update my Win11 install from 23H2 for quite a while and the currently offered 25H2 keeps failing with the error 0xc1900101. I've done more troubleshooting than I can count and tried the install probably a dozen times over the last year or so, and it's never worked. I've collected the setuperr.log and setupact.log files in case that helps narrow the issue down. I'm worried at this point that I'll just have to just do a fresh install and set everything back up, but would like to avoid that if at all possible.

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2 answers

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Answer 1

Ramesh 179.4K Volunteer Moderator

Please share your Farbar scan logs for analysis.

Download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool 64-bit FRST64.exe
If the OS language is not English, rename FRST64.exe to FRST64English.exe.
Run the program. Don't check or uncheck any options. Click "Scan".
Add the two logs, FRST.txt and Addition.txt, to a zip archive.
Share the zip file on OneDrive or GoFile.io, and post the link here.

Note: If Microsoft Edge or Chrome mislabels the Farbar Scanner executable as PUA/malware, choose to keep it by tapping … in the bottom bar, choosing Keep, and then choosing Keep anyway in the dialog that appears. See this screenshot. It's a safe tool used in most antimalware forums.

Standard Disclaimer: There is a link to a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to provide accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.

Jacob Anderson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-02T05:31:45.1833333+00:00

I ran the program and have uploaded the files as requested at this link: https://gofile.io/d/hRoCaP

I also just tried to upgrade using the Win11 ISO and grabbed the most recent setuperr.log and setupact.log and have uploaded those here: https://gofile.io/d/Ch8L7L
Ramesh 179.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-02T05:37:56.0833333+00:00
Please upload the following log file as well.

C:\$WINDOWS.~BT\Sources\Rollback\setupact.log
Jacob Anderson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-03T01:51:51.1+00:00

Here you go: https://gofile.io/d/L41iSn

Ramesh 179.4K Volunteer Moderator

Please uninstall these apps:

HWiNFO® 64 (HKLM\...\HWiNFO® 64_is1) (Version: 8.34 - Martin Malik, REALiX s.r.o.)
Malwarebytes version 4.6.17.334 (HKLM\...\{35065F43-4BB2-439A-BFF7-0F1014F2E0CD}_is1) (Version: 4.6.17.334 - Malwarebytes)
reWASD (HKLM\...\reWASD) (Version: 7.2.0.9014 - Disc Soft FZE LLC)
SpeedFan (remove only) (HKLM-x32\...\SpeedFan) (Version:  - )
TechPowerUp GPU-Z (HKLM-x32\...\TechPowerUp GPU-Z) (Version:  - TechPowerUp)
ELECOM MouseAssistant5 (HKLM-x32\...\{8B1706AF-452F-47DB-B769-C8C38681E355}) (Version: 5.2.0202.00000 - ELECOM)

Post fresh Farbar logs.

Jacob Anderson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-03T03:18:40.4366667+00:00

Okay, I'll try when I get a chance. I'm curious though, how do you know those might be causing the issue? I'd like to learn so I can better troubleshoot in the future.
Ramesh 179.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-03T03:20:49.9833333+00:00

All those apps add drivers to your system, and some of them are outdated, as shown in the FRST logs.

Also, go to Windows Security → Device security → Core isolation details → Memory integrity. If the page lists any incompatible drivers, please post a screenshot.
Jacob Anderson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-03T05:12:12.89+00:00

Ok, that makes sense. Some of those were installed a long time ago and I haven't used them for a long while, though I do use HWiNFO regularly, though I haven't updated it in a bit. I did already check the memory integrity and there were 2 logitech webcam drivers that were shown, which I removed before trying last time.
Ramesh 179.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-03T05:52:42.1633333+00:00

I think the Memory Integrity test will also flag the WDC_SAM driver.
Jacob Anderson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-03T07:16:55.6666667+00:00

Well, whatever the case, it's not flagging anything else.
Jacob Anderson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-03T22:31:48.3833333+00:00

Well, I first tried to remove all but HWiNFO and ReWASD, though I updated those, and remove all the others, but it still failed. I've then tried to remove these two, and though HWiNFO uninstalled, there were a large number of drivers leftover and I can't seem to remove them. I try to delete them but I'm just told that I can't because they're open in another program, which makes no sense. I then was going to try to boot into safe mode in order to remove them, but then discovered that my recovery environment seems to be inaccessible and I can't figure out how to fix that either. I'm starting to think that it would actually be easier and faster to just start over from scratch with a new windows install. I really didn't want to, but it seems that my install is just too screwed up at this point.
Ramesh 179.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-04T02:32:13.5766667+00:00

We're not done yet. I requested that you post fresh Farbar logs after uninstalling those apps.

But if you wish to do a clean install, this guide can help → Windows 11 Clean Installation
Jacob Anderson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-06T23:43:00.1333333+00:00

Ok, here are the farbar logs: https://gofile.io/d/aR9IRI
Ramesh 179.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-07T05:20:13.23+00:00

Please backup the registry using Acelogix Regbak.

Let me know once it's done.
Jacob Anderson 0 Reputation points

2026-08-07T17:14:27.2966667+00:00

Okay, it's done.

Answer 2

Emma1-N 10,135 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Welcome Jacob Anderson,

I understand how frustrating it can be when your Windows 11 device has been unable to upgrade from 23H2 to 25H2 for an extended period, with the upgrade repeatedly failing with error 0xC1900101.

Before proceeding, could you please confirm:

Are you attempting the upgrade through Windows Update, Installation Assistant, or a mounted Windows ISO?
Do you have any third-party antivirus, VPN, disk encryption, or hardware monitoring software currently installed?

In the meantime, you can try these steps below to troubleshoot the issue:

Go to Windows 11 website: Download Windows 11
Under Download Windows 11 Disk Image (ISO) select Windows 11 (multi-edition ISO)
Once done downloading the ISO, kindly right-click on ISO then click Mount> then Click Setup.exe
You may be prompted by User Account Control. If so, click on Yes.
In the Install Windows 11 dialog, click Next.
Setup will check your PC and show a license agreement. Click on Accept in the license terms dialog.
Wait for the setup program to check for the available free space.
On the Ready to install page, make sure Keep personal files and apps has been checked.
Then click Install and just follow the prompt.
Windows 11 will restart your device several times and lead you to the lock screen. Depending on the options you set, it will keep all your files, apps, and user accounts.

I hope the steps above help you deal with your issue.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Yes". If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Emma1-N 10,135 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-21T04:22:36.8833333+00:00

Hello Jacob Anderson,

I just wanted to check if my previous response addressed your question correctly. If there is anything I may have misunderstood, I would truly appreciate it if you could provide a bit more detail to help me better understand your needs.
Jacob Anderson 0 Reputation points

2026-07-21T09:00:56.3933333+00:00

Hi, sorry, I haven't had a lot of time recently to respond. I have been trying to do this with windows update more recently, but I have already tried using a usb installer created with the media creation tool, as well as with a mounted ISO, and all have failed similarly. The only thing I haven't tried yet is a fresh install with a spare hard drive. As for your second question, I do have proton vpn installed, but it was not connected during the attempt. I do not have another antivirus currently installed, though I did have avast a while back. I don't have disk encryption, but I do have hardware monitoring software, HWiNFO, though I can't imagine that would be causing the issue. I will say that this install was originally a windows 7 installation, that I upgraded to win10, then to win11, so I've had it for a while. I would not be surprised if there was some conflicting software or a driver that's been installed for a while, but I'm not given any information to go on except that there MIGHT be a conflicting driver, and I have no idea how to narrow it down. I dread the idea that I might have to do a fresh install and set everything back up since I've been honing this setup for years.
Emma1-N 10,135 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator

2026-07-22T08:03:00.64+00:00

Hello Jacob Anderson,

Please check the step of Ramesh above to see if the issue is resolved.