Care when using MS diskclean with Windows 7 - deletes required files!

[Mel_P]

I still have my HP Microserver 8 on windows 7. I use it to back up photos so I only turn it on every week or so to back up a batch so not much of a security risk on a time at risk basis.

Yesterday I turned it on and checked there were no updates (monthly virus scan). There were none. I thought I would check to see if I could remove any unnecessary files / windows rubbish.

Well I checked normal files and system files and the MS diskcleaner found some unwanted files. So I ran it - seemed OK - but as I shut down it said "configuring Windows" - but there hadn't been any updates??

Well it finished but when it restarted stuck at 100%. Left ages, rebooted. Configuring stuck at 53% - huh!

Stayed like that for ages - thought something wrong here . . . Did a web search on "Configuring Windows 7 stuck at 35%.."

Found this: https://www.nextofwindows.com/fixing-stuck-in-configuring-windows-update-issue-on-windows-7

Turns out that Diskclean had wiped out some required files - wow thanks Microsoft.

The web site said have to "revertpendingactions" - from the repair screen.

Did this as per link above and on reboot the PC said "reverting actions". (have to boot from a bootable WinPE USB drive) Windows rebooted to the logging screen an all was OK - but could have been a disaster! Shan't be using diskclean on Win 7 again.

BE WARNED

 

[Mel_P]

Two things..
Install Veeam Endpoint Backup, it's free and awesome.
Stop using Windows 7!

1. Backup - I have a clone of the SSD "in the garage" so could have used that.

2. Stop using windows 7. I am not sure if windows 10 will run on the HP Microserver (drivers etc) and still I have the original 2014 BIOS. Can't download a more recent one from HP. The 3 storage drives are plain ACHI so no issues with RAID.

I just want to leave well alone!

Mel

 

[Mel_P]

Two things..

Stop using Windows 7!

Well, I did try. I made a spare clone and set it going. All seemed OK so I left it churning away. Cut the lawn (last of the year?) and cam back - Hmmmm.

On win 7 logon screen with a message - "Cannot install Windows 10 - "the installation failed in the safe_os phase with an error during replicate_oc operation".

Looked that up to see what the issue might be - it seems mostly anything / everything possibly out of date - e.g. intel microcode, BIOS, any hardware item for which there is no driver, etc.

If I had updated it a long time ago it probably would have updated - but is gen 8 compatible with Windows 10 Version 2004? SO it looks like it's windows 7 for me on my Microserver. Unless anybody has an idea?

Mel