Update from LTSB 2015 to LTSB 2016 not working

Question

Hello all,

I am having a HP Z640 operating a machine which I have to bring from Windows 7 pro to Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016. The latter is the version that the producer of the machine is delivering with newer systems, so chances are best that their software will work in the long run. My idea was to go to LTSB 2015 first and then to LTSB 2016 (because the direct path is not allowed by Microsoft). I want to perform the "inplace upgrade" so that I do not have to reinstall the machine control software and the many users with their preferences that we have on the system.

Part 1 was no problem. The update to LTSB 2015 ran smoothly. But when trying to go from there to LTSB 2016, the update won't let me keep my programs. I only can select "keep personal files only" or "Nothing". The desired option "keep personal files and apps" is grayed out and at the bottom it says "Your files, apps, and settings can't be kept because you're installing an edition of Windows that's different than the one you're currently using."

I am not understanding how these two versions are different. My first attempt was with a en-gb version of 2015 and en-us 2016 so I though maybe the language was the problem. I rolled back to Win 7 and tried again with both versions en-US. Same result.
I was able to update other systems from Win 7 pro via LTSB2015 to LTSC 2019, so there does not seem to be a general block to update LTSB2015.

For the updates I was using the following iso files:

SW_DVD5_WIN_ENT_LTSB_10_2015_64BIT_Eng_Intl_MLF_X20-26801.ISO or SW_DVD5_WIN_ENT_LTSB_10_2015_64BIT_English_MLF_X20-26562.ISO

and then SW_DVD5_WIN_ENT_N_LTSB_2016_64BIT_English_MLF_X21-07487.ISO

Under LTSB 2015, systemversion says: OS Version: 10.0.10240 N/A Build 10240

dism /online /get-currentedition tells me image version is 10.0.10240.16384 and current edition Enterprises.

Any ideas?

Referring to question source: https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windowsserver/en-US/98ecdaa7-434a-4aa3-8db0-4fd4e5956ca4/update-from-ltsb-2015-to-ltsb-2016-not-working?forum=win10itprosetup

Answer 1

Hi,

You may need to check for more details on the build.

For an example, run '2015 LTSB N', upgrade '2016 LTSB without N', so Windows installed as a new system.

You should update with version '2016 LTSB N' and it shall work.