FIX: Windows could not run on this computer's hardware

Windows Update on Windows 10 is the number one instigator of system malfunction.

Recently, users with Creators Update have had a hard time upgrading due to an error.

During the update installation process, they were prompted with the Windows setup could not configure to run on this computer’s hardware error.

In order to address this, we prepared a list of applicable solutions so make sure to check it out.

If you’re constantly stalled by the error after numerous tries, the below-presented steps should help you out.

1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter
2. Restart Update Services with a batch file
3. Run SFC and DISM
4. Uninstall Internet Information Services
5. Update with Update Assistant or  Media Creation Tool
6. Install update with the external media
7. Remove all peripheral devices and check drivers
8. Block the update for the time being

How do I fix the hardware upgrade configuration error in Windows 10?

1. Run Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows always had a plethora of troubleshooting tools at users’ disposal. With Windows 10, Microsoft finally decided to make a dedicated menu for troubleshooters.

Windows Update Troubleshooter is one of the most used ones, which is rather obvious if we take into consideration the notoriety of Windows 10 Updates.

In this case, we recommend running it once the major update installation fails. It should restart the update services and check for additional errors.

Follow these instructions to run it in Windows 10:

1. Right-click Start and open Settings.
2. Open Update & Security.
3. Choose Troubleshoot from the left pane.
4. Expand Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter.

2. Restart Update Services with a batch file

If the built-in troubleshooter fails, you can always take the matters into your own hands. There are various services related to Windows Update and restarting them could be helpful.

In addition, the downloaded update files ready for installation can often get corrupted for various reasons.

So, what you’ll need to do is to both restart the dedicated services and delete the Software Distribution folder.

After that, the update sequence should recommence.

There are various ways to do this, but the manual approach can take too much of your time. The best way to do it is by running the batch script, and we explained how to do it, here.

3. Run SFC and DISM

SFC and DISM are two essential built-in utilities for troubleshooting major system errors. They should scan the system files and replace them.

The System File Checker tool is the first tool you should run, just to confirm that the error is not within the system.

If it doesn’t help, you might have better luck with Deployment Image Servicing and Management.

Follow these instructions to run SFC on Windows 10:

1. In the Windows Search bar, type cmd.
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and run it as an administrator.
3. In the command-line, type sfc/scannow and press Enter.
4. Wait for the procedure to end and restart your PC.

And this is how to run DISM:

1. Open Command Prompt with administrative permissions.
2. In the command line, type the following commands and press Enter after each:
   • DISM /online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
   • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
3. Wait for the procedure to end and restart your PC.

4. Uninstall Internet Information Services

There are some system features that, when enabled, can cause various update issues.

In this case, numerous users found that IISA (Internet Information Services Admin) services were causing the upgrade error.

There are multiple ways to address this and we can’t guarantee which will work.

The first way relies on disabling this Windows Feature, while the second requires the uninstalling via the Command Prompt command-line. Here’s how to perform both and, hopefully, resolve the issue at hand.

Disable in Windows Features:

1. In the Windows Search bar, type Windows Features and open “Turn Windows Features on or off“.
2. Scroll below until you reach Internet Information Services and uncheck its box.
3. Confirm changes and restart the PC.

Uninstall with Command Prompt:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
2. In the command-line, type the following commands and press Enter:
   • NET STOP IISADMIN
   • SC DELETE “IISADMIN”
   •  NET START IISADMIN
3. Close the command prompt.

5. Update with Update Assistant or Media Creation Tool

When it comes to major Windows 10 updates, we always recommend upgrading manually with one of the available tools.

The over-the-air distribution is known for various issues and you can avoid them with Update Assistant or Media Creation Tool.

They’ll download the update automatically and install it, without worrying about problems Windows Update feature is plagued with.

Here’s how to update Windows 10 with Update Assistant:

1. Download Update Assistant, here.
2. Run the tool and wait until it prepares your PC for updating.
3. Back up your data from the system partition.
4. Follow the instructions until the installation is completed.

And this is how to utilize Media Creation Tool for the same purpose:

1. Download Media Creation Tool, here.
2. Accept the Agreement terms and click Upgrade this PC now.
3. Wait until the tool downloads update files and continue with the installation procedure.

6: Install update with the external media

If the system update won’t install through the Windows shell, you can always boot from the installation media drive and install updates that way.

In order to do so, you’ll need the Media Creation Tool and USB drive with 6 or more gigabytes of storage space.

After you’ve created the bootable drive, just change the boot sequence, boot from a drive and upgrade the system without issues.

7. Remove all peripheral devices and check drivers

Since the error prompt obviously points in the direction of hardware failure, you should remove all peripheral devices from USB ports and restart the installation.

A lot of issues in Windows 10 are to be blamed for faulty drivers for legacy devices and lack of proper support.

So, before you start with the updating, make sure to remove all peripheral devices and stick only with the essential ones – mouse and keyboard.

In addition, we recommend navigating to Device Manager and double-checking the state of system drivers.

If there’s an exclamation point informing you about the device failure, make sure to get the proper driver prior to a system upgrade.

Just right-click Start and choose Device Manager.

8. Block the update for the time being

Finally, as the case has shown on many occasions, major Windows updates are quite often unpolished after the release. The latest Windows 10 April Update caused a lot of problems for a variety of both home and enterprise users.

In other words, waiting for some time until Microsoft provides hotfixes is a good idea.

Also, since updates are mandatory, you’ll need to postpone them for some time. Here’s how to do it in a few simple steps:

1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Choose Update & Security.
3. Select Windows Update from the left sidebar.
4. Click on Advanced Options.
5. Choose Semi-annual Channel.
6. Enter for how long you want to postpone updates (up to 365 days) from the drop-down menu.

With that, we can conclude this article. We hope you addressed the issue at hand. In case you’re aware of other applicable solutions or have some questions, make sure to share them with us. You can do so in the comments section below.