Fix Windows Could Not Complete The Installation [SOLVED]

Fix Windows Could Not Complete The Installation. To Install Windows On This Computer, Restart The Installation: If you are facing this error then it means you are using Audit Mode to install Windows which is the main cause of this error. When Windows boots for the very first time then either it can boot to Windows Welcome Mode or Audit Mode.

Fix Windows Could Not Complete The Installation. To Install Windows On This Computer, Restart The Installation

What is Audit Mode?

Audit Mode is a network-enabled environment where a user can add customizations to Windows images. Whenever Windows starts it shows you a Welcome screen immediately after installation, however one can skip this Welcome screen and boot directly to audit mode instead. In short Audit Mode allows you to boot directly to Desktop after Windows installation.

Windows could not complete the installation. To install Windows on
this computer, restart the installation.

Also, the main issue in this error is that you’re stuck in a Reboot loop and that’s why it’s more annoying. Now you know about Audit Mode and Welcome Mode it’s time how to fix this error, so without wasting any time let’s see how to Install Windows when in Audit Mode.

[SOLVED] Windows Could Not Complete The Installation

Method 1: Run Automatic Repair

1. Insert the Windows 10 bootable installation DVD and restart your PC.

2. When prompted to Press any key to boot from CD or DVD, press any key to continue.

Press any key to boot from CD or DVD

3. Select your language preferences, and click Next. Click Repair your computer in the bottom-left.

Repair your computer

4. On choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot.

Choose an option at windows 10 automatic startup repair

5. On Troubleshoot screen, click Advanced option.

select advanced option from troubleshoot screen

6. On the Advanced options screen, click Automatic Repair or Startup Repair.

run automatic repair to Fix or Repair Master Boot Record (MBR) in Windows 10

7. Wait till the Windows Automatic/Startup Repairs complete.

8. Restart and you have successfully Fix Windows Could Not Complete The Installation Error.

Method 2: Enable Administrator Account

1. On the error screen press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.

2. Type the following command and hit Enter: MMC

3. Next click File > Add/Remove Snap-in.

In MMC console click file then Add Remove Snap-in

4. Select Computer Management and then double-click on it.

double click on Computer Management

5. In the new window that opens select Local computer and then click Finish followed by OK.

select Local computer in Computer Management snap in

6. Then double-click Computer Management (Local) > System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users > Administrator.

7. Make sure to Uncheck the “Account is disabled” option and click OK.

uncheck account is disabled under Administrator in mmc

8. Next, right-click on the Administrator then select Set Password and set a strong password to get started.

set Administrator password in mmc

9. Finally, close everything and restart your PC. After the restart, you may be able to Fix Windows Could Not Complete The Installation.

Method 3: Start Account Creation Wizard

1. Again open the Command Prompt on the error screen by pressing Shift + F10.

2. Type the following command and hit Enter: cd C:\windows\system32\oobe

Start Account Creation Wizard

3. Again type “msoobe” (without quotes) and hit Enter.

4. The above will start the user account creation wizard, so create a generic account and it’s password.

Note: Keep your product key ready as sometimes it is required. If it asks for OEM/No then simply hit finish.

5. Once done hit Finish and close everything. Restart your PC you may have successfully fix Windows Could Not Complete The Installation. To Install Windows On This Computer, Restart The Installation.

Method 4: Change Password Requirements

This error tends to pop-up when in Audit Mode and the computer has just been joined to a domain. The error is caused by password requirements added to the local security policy. This typically includes a minimum password length and password complexity.

1. Open the Command prompt on the error screen.

2. Type the following the command and hit Enter: secpol.msc

3. Navigate to Account Policies > Password Policy.

set Minimum password length to 0 and Disable Password must meet complexity requirements

4. Now change “Minimum password length” to 0 and disable “Password must meet complexity requirements.

5. Apply the changes and then exit the Security Policy console.

6. Click OK on the error message to reboot your PC.

Method 5: Registry Fix

1. On the same error screen press Shift + F10 to open Command Prompt.

2. Type the following command and hit Enter: regedit

run regedit in command prompt shift + F10

3. Now in the Registry Editor navigate to the following key: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\Status

4.Adjust the following values if they don’t match the following:

Note: To change the value of the below keys double click on them and then enter the new value.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\Status\AuditBoot                                              Value: 0
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\Status\ChildCompletion\setup.exe               Value: 3
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\Status\ChildCompletion\audit.exe                Value: 0
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\Status\SysprepStatus\CleanupState             Value: 2
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\Status\SysprepStatus\GeneralizationState  Value: 7
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\Status\UnattendPasses\auditSystem            Value: 0

change the value of setup.exe under ChildCompletion from 1 to 3

5. After a Reboot the Audit Mode is disabled and Windows starts regularly – in the Out of Box Experience mode.

Method 6: Disable Audit Mode

Running Sysprep command each time resets Windows licensing the state to default. So if your Windows is activated and you run this command, you’ll need to reactivate Windows after executing this command.

1. Open Command Prompt on the error screen.

2. Type the following command in the cmd and hit Enter: sysprep /oobe /generalize

disable audit mode using cmd sysprep

3. This will disable the Audit Mode.

4. Close everything and reboot your PC normally.

5. If you’re still facing this issue then again open cmd.

6. Type the following command and hit Enter: regedit

7. Navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup\State

8. Highlight State Registry key, then right-click on ImageState in the right window pane and click on Delete.

delete ImageState key in setup

9. Once you deleted the string, close everything and restart your PC.

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That’s it you have successfully Fix Windows Could Not Complete The Installation Error but if you still have any queries regarding this guide then please feel free to ask them in the comment’s section.

25 thoughts on “Fix Windows Could Not Complete The Installation [SOLVED]”

  1. Every single solution you provide is on the basis that you can successfully invoke the shift + F10 command. Unfortunately for me it doesn’t work, so still stuck in an irritating reboot loop.

    1. Same! So irritating… this is happening on a new Surface Laptop and unable to do the Shift + F10 no matter how I try…

  2. If shift + F10 does not work and you are using a laptop, make sure you also press the function button (FN) (to activate F1-F12).

    So press: shift + FN + F10 and it should work.

  3. The shift f10 worked until I got to this point:

    Computer Management (Local) > System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users > Administrator.

    Mine does not say local users and groups. What do I do? I am concerned as I have a 13pg file typed on word. I hope I can retrieve the file at least.

    1. I’m stuck here too. Did you get an answer? Talking to Dwayne above.
      I also keep loosing my mouse and go through this convoluted effort just to get to the above step you mention.At this this point I JUST want to just boot and get my data and get a new computer. I can’t do elaborate fixes like re-install Windows. Mine also does not say local users and groups.

  4. Found a slightly different approach at https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install/windows-could-not-complete-the-installation-to/ef6119bb-5c9a-46c7-84a6-891fe2f69ba3?auth=1&rtAction=1512230719912 and replaced step 3 with my own version.

    Step 1: Download Bootable Windows ISO http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_10-windows_install/how-to-download-official-windows-10-iso-files/35cde7ec-5b6f-481c-a02d-dadf465df326

    Step 2: Use Rufus to create a bootable copy: https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki/windows_10-windows_install/how-to-prepare-bootable-install-media-for-windows/442447c3-0826-4473-a5b7-36568d20ef9d

    Step 3:
    – Allow computer to boot to error dialog box.
    – Insert Bootable USB produced in step 2.
    – Use Shift-F10 to bring up command prompt
    – Bootable USB should be available as disk D:, but you may need to experiment to find the drive letter.
    – Run the following commands in command prompt
         – D:\setup.exe (Replace with correct drive letter)
    – This will start the setup process again from within the currently running system and perform the upgrade process properly. 

    1. Avatar photo
      Daniel Miller

      Thank you SO much! I had to reinstall Windows 7 on my old laptop after some how losing my Windows 10….then a ton of updates…then after rebooting…has this error.. The Regedit process was the solution. Much appreciated!

  5. Hi there,
    Do you have a work around when your mouse will also not respond, my laptop touch mouse and usb plug in mouse will not work so double clicking anything is a task?

  6. Good day I am having the same error message when I boot from USB. The image was created using MDT workbench.
    I have a feeling the problem is related to task sequence.
    Thank you in advance!

  7. I have the same problem and none of the above methods worked for me. I am in the bush, without internet or another leptop so USB can not work for me.
    Any advice?

  8. Acctually I went to reinstallation of windows 10 because I can not enable dotnet framework v3.5 ..I have done every thing possible andcevery thing mentioned on the enternet related to this peoblem including all the commands related to dism.exe but nothing solved it …reinsallation eith keeping files and apps failed in the second face (enabling features)…allthoug administrator account is enabled .. can any one help

  9. Could not complete installation to install windows on the computer reset the installation because the touch pad arrow not working ,I can’t press OK

  10. Thank for you comment to save my MDT deployment which encountered the same error above. I used to fox woth the registry fix. Setup.exe set to 3 .. But use the same usb media deploy to another model of laptop. Everything fine. Anyone know the root cause? Drivers are installed based on models .

  11. Even though I did all the things you mentioned I still get the error message “windows could not complete the installation. What to do?

  12. In my tablet 8″ i have the sa masage windows could not install but idont have only the start button and volume button up or down.my tablet is akai ak8468 model no keyboard no nothin please help.

  13. Am on step 3 of creating an account wizard,,,,after putting the details it’s bey loading for the past 30 minutes showing a message for “just a moment” what should I do? Is this how it’s supposed to be? Your fast reply will be appreciated

  14. I am trying method 2 and I can’t double click as mouse isn’t working when I press enter it all disappears. What can I use on keyboard instead of double click mouse?

  15. I have an rca cambio and it still showinge the error window and its still stuck on the start up how do I fix this please

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