Windows Server 2022 in-place upgrade to 2025 keeps failing "Windows setup failed"

Hi David,

After reviewing the setuperr.log you shared, it looks like the setup operation failed because of a corrupted Driver Store.

The specific message is: Failed to enumerate DriverStore packages [0x80004005]

This usually happens when Windows Setup tries to scan or access the DriverStore but encounters a generic “Access Denied” or “Unspecified error” (0x80004005).

I recommend checking the permissions on the DriverStore folder:

Navigate to: C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository

1. Right-click on FileRepository → Properties → Security tab.
2. Make sure both SYSTEM and TrustedInstaller have Full control.

Once that’s confirmed, run the following commands to repair any potential corruption:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator and run: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth sfc /scannow
2. Reset the Windows Update and DriverStore-related services: net stop wuauserv net stop cryptSvc net stop bits net stop msiserver net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver

Before trying the upgrade again, make sure to run the installer with elevated permissions:

Right-click on setup.exe → Run as Administrator

Hope this helps! Let me know how it goes.