Alienware tool said to be blocking the upgrade

May 2, 2018 08:08 GMT  ·  By
Alienware laptops can't install Windows 10 version 1803 due to software compatibility issue
   Alienware laptops can't install Windows 10 version 1803 due to software compatibility issue

Users trying to upgrade Alienware laptops to Windows 10 April 2018 Update are hitting an issue that prevents the new OS version from being installed, with an error indicating that an app needs to be manually uninstalled before proceeding.

Specifically, the upgrade fails on Alienware laptops that are getting Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803) via Windows Update with a manual check, and during the process, the installation freezes because “we couldn’t uninstall these apps.”

“You’ll need to remove these apps yourself, and then select Refresh. These programs need to be uninstalled because they aren’t compatible with the upgrade – Hybrid laptops with discrete GPU connected to display,” the error message reads.

While it’s pretty obvious that there’s a software compatibility issue blocking the update, it’s not entirely clear what app needs to be removed, despite the message quoted above.

The workarounds

But as it turns out according to a thread on TenForums, there are two different workarounds to successfully install Windows 10 April 2018 Update on an Alienware laptop hitting the said issue.

One of them is uninstalling the Alienware update and digital delivery utility. Due to compatibility issues, this tool is blocking the upgrade to Windows 10 version 1803. The Alienware command center and onscreen display app do not cause any issues.

The second workaround involves downloading Windows 10 April 2018 Update with Media Creation Tool. Alienware laptop owners should then begin the update and when the app starts creating media, they must shut down the Internet connection in order to prevent any attempt to download new drivers and thus block the process.

Others say that downloading the update, removing the drivers and then pulling the Internet connection to prevent them from reinstalling also does the job.

Bugs like this are the reason Microsoft is shipping the new OS update in stages, as the company needs to collect telemetry data and develop fixes to ensure a smooth upgrade regardless of hardware configuration.