[Fix] This Upgrade Path is not Supported. Close Setup and Re-Launch from Root of Media or Pick Different Installation Choice
Yesterday I was trying to upgrade one of my computers operating system from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10. I knew that the upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 is possible but when I tried to upgrade the computer, the Windows setup wizard showed following error message:
Compatibility report (saved to your desktop)
This upgrade path is not supported. Please close Setup and re-launch from the root of the media or go back and pick a different installation choice.
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The error message was incorrect because upgrading from Windows 7, 8 or 8.1 to Windows 10 is possible. I tried various things to fix the issue such as:
Fix 1: First of all I tried to run the setup.exe file of Windows 10 ISO in compatibility mode as mentioned here. But it didn’t work.
Fix 2: I was using Windows 10 English (United States) ISO. I also tried to download its English (United Kingdom) ISO file because my Windows 8.1 ISO file was also English (United Kingdom) one. But it also didn’t work. I received same error message.
Fix 3: I also tried to check cversion.ini file present in Sources folder inside Windows Setup ISO as mentioned here but it was already containing a smaller value in MinClient field. So it also didn’t help.
After a lot of troubleshooting finally I was able to upgrade my Windows 8.1 computer to Windows 10. I used a simple trick which also worked long time back when I upgraded my Windows 7 computer to Windows 8.
If you are also facing similar problem while upgrading an older version of Windows to Windows 10, this tutorial will definitely help you in solving the issue.
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This tutorial will also help you if you are receiving similar error message while upgrading your old Windows to Windows 8 or 8.1.
NOTE: Please follow this guide only if the upgrade path is possible. If your old Windows version is not supported for upgrading to the new Windows version, don’t use this method.
Now without wasting time lets start the tutorial:
1. Once you receive the error message, close Setup wizard.
2. Now go to Windows setup folder which you got after extracting or mounting ISO file and open Sources folder.
3. Now scroll down and you’ll find a file installprep.exe.
4. Double-click on the file and it’ll allow you to upgrade your old Windows version to the new Windows version without any problem.
I was successful in making this not possible upgrade from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10 possible using this method.
Thanks VG. But, will MSFT know this problem to publish your solution to preview windows site?
Hi i could not install at all my message was that to needed upgrade to windows 7 or Higher as windows vista or xp is not surpported .
Thanks much for all the info… I have a FOLDER in my Backup Files that are 100% for ASKVG
When I start installprep.exe I get the following message:
“This version of Windows is not supported. Minimum version required is Windows XP with Service Pack 3”
The system is Windows 8.1 with Media Center – genuine. Any clue?
^^ Try to remove Media Center using Programs and Features. Windows 10 TP doesnt allow upgrade from Windows versions having Media Center installed.
Not working with the WMC trick… I’ve seen that this shouldn’t be a problem, since it is stated on a Microsoft site, that the installation of Windows Technical Preview removes the WMC…
Does replacing new windows delete all of the data on the hard drive?
^^ If you upgrade existing Windows, then your data will remain on the hard disk. But if you format the partition and perform clean installation of new Windows, your data will be deleted.
You saved me tons of time! However, on the newest release installprep.exe has been replaced by setupprep.exe for the 64bit. I did not check the 32bit iso to verify this. Thanks a bunch 😀
Just do the same thing again, but this time click custom installation.
Install on a primary hard disk.
Just so you know, some newer versions have setupprep.exe, and it seems to work in the same fashion as above.
I don’t have the instalprep file in my soure folder. How to solve this?
Have found it, in my folder its called setupprep. But when I click it it says: “Setup couldn’t start properly. please reboot your pc and try running Windows 10 Setup again.
What now?
i tried to installprep.exe but the message shows this something happened setup has failed to determine supported install choice and im downgrading my windows 10 to windows 8.1 home single language which is the previous/orig version before i upgraded it to windows 10
i have the same problem when upgrading from windows server 2012 R2 to 2016 both are standard editions.
d:\sources\setup.exe gives an error: “setup couldn’t start properly. please reboot your pc and try running windows 10 setup again”
also
d:\setup.exe && d:\sources\setupprep.exe gives another error: “”setup couldn’t start properly. please reboot your pc and try running windows 10 setup again”
any one has solved the problem.
Hello… thank you for your generous help…
However, I have neither installprep nor setupprep in the Sources folder!
Thanks VG! This was a good one!
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when i open the
installprep.exe
it says
“use the other installation disc that says 64 bit”
help me with this
there is no such file “installprep.exe”
It is saying that we cant say if there is enough space to install that even i have 120gb space in my c drive and 15gb space where i have the setup of it help me pls