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UUPDump.ml Invaluable Resource

Last weekend, I had trouble updating my older T520 Lenovo laptop (mfgr circa 2012, purchased 2013). I could click the “Check for updates” button, but the check never completed. Under those circumstances the next thing to try is a Windows Update reset. (See this great TenForums.com tutorial for step-by-step instructions and a batch file to automate command line stuff.) But after a couple of failed reset attempts, I had to consider an upgrade repair install as my next move. That’s when UUPdump.ml came into play, with a surprising alternative. In fact, it’s what makes UUPDump.ml invaluable resource: it will build an ISO for the most current, completely up-to-date version of Windows 10. I found this appealing because I needed to upgrade to the latest Build 18363.535 anyway.

As the most recent CU for 19H2/18363, .535 appears right now at the top of the list.
[Click image for full-sized view.]

Using the UUPDump.ml Invaluable Resource

When you go to the UUPDump.ml home page, simply click on the search button at the top of that page that reads 19H2. This takes you straight to the page shown in the preceding screencap. From there, you can find builds by Version (1909) and Build number (18363.535). Then, you must match the download to your platform type (x64 for me and most readers) and click the corresponding download link. This creates a ZIP file that you must download to your PC. Then, you’ll copy that ZIP file to its own folder, and unpack its contents therein.

Among its contents, Windows users will find a file named aria2_download_windows.cmd. Run that command at an administrative command prompt (or in PowerShell, likewise administrative) and UUPdump’s program will do the rest — namely:

1. Grab the Windows OS elements it needs in cab format
(this involves 8.5 GB worth of downloads)
2. Convert those cab files to esd files
3. Assemble those .esd files into various .wim and other Windows install files
4. Apply the latest KB updates to the Windows image files
(two install.wims and WinRE.wim)
5. Create an ISO file for the current, updated version of Windows 10

Even on a fast PC with a fast Ethernet connection this takes a while. I have an i7-6700K with 32 GM RAM and a Samsung 950 NVMe SSD, and my Spectrum Internet link is nominally 940 Mbps, with actual rates as high as 800 Mbps from time to time. It still took about half an hour to go through the whole process. Just building an ISO for the base OS usually takes only 15-20 minutes, so updating the image files using DISM is pretty time-consuming. That said, UUPdump really is an invaluable resource because you can use it to build a mountable ISO for just about any version of Windows 10 you might ever need. This is just the thing, when repairs or clean installs are necessary. Add it to your favorites list right away!

To Learn More

I conducted an interview with UUPdump.ml’s developer earlier this year, and learned more about the web site’s inner workings. If you’d like to get better educated on this terrific tool, check out my blog post at Win10.Guru: A Peek Inside UUP dump. I hope you’ll find it both interesting and informative. Cheers!

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