How to Fix Error C1900101-20017 During Microsoft Windows 10 Installation

On July 29, Microsoft Corporation released its long-awaited Windows 10 to users in 190 countries. The new OS is being offered as an update through Microsoft’s Windows Update service. All that’s required to update is a working installation of Windows 10 or 8.1, purchased via legitimate channels. Many users have successfully updated to the new OS, with a new report claiming that Windows 10 is now on67 million computers worldwide. However, quite a few users have run into different issues during the upgrade process.

One frequently reported error is C1900101-20017. After initializing the upgrade process, the installer reboots the PC. Just a few moments after the restart, users are met with a blue-screen, following which the PC restarts again and the setup informs the user of an installation failure with the error code C1900101-20017. The subtext detail tells you that in the SAFE_OS phase during the boot process, the installer failed. The issue reportedly occurs because of a faulty BIOS setting. Here’s how to fix it.

How to fix Error C1900101-20017

Before delving into the installation process once again, we recommend you start from scratch. Follow the steps below to re-initialize the process.

Step 1: Navigate to C:Windows Software Distribution Download

Step 2: Delete all the files contained in the folder. Also, delete the $Windows.~BT folder located on the root of the system drive.

So, instead of utilizing Microsoft’s own upgrade process, you need to perform a clean install. To do this, download the Windows 10 Install ISO from Microsoft’s official website. Following which, you need to create a bootable installation media using Microsoft’s Media Creation tool.

Once the flash drive is prepared, you need to rectify a couple of settings from the BIOS menu.

Step 1: Reboot your system to bring and as soon as the display starts, repeatedly press the key which triggers the BIOS menu. The F12 or Delete key does the trick in most cases.

Step 2: Disable all overclocking options if you’ve set your processor to a higher clock speed.

Step 3: Enable UEFI Boot from the BIOS. The setting is found in the Boot section for most manufacturer's BIOS.

Now you need to install the OS by booting from the installation media you created earlier and the setup should process smoothly.