How to Fix Broken USB Drivers When Upgrading from Windows 10 LTSB 2015 to LTSB 2016

• The content explains how to fix broken USB drivers when upgrading from Windows 10 LTSB 2015 to LTSB 2016, which is caused by a Windows update reliability tool that removes some drivers.
• The content provides a step-by-step solution to block the Windows update reliability tool from running, and then reinstall the USB device drivers manually using the Device Manager.
• The content also includes some FAQs related to Windows 10 LTSB and LTSC versions, and a summary and a disclaimer at the end.

Windows 10 Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) is a version of Windows 10 that receives only security and critical updates, and no feature updates. It is designed for systems that need stability and reliability, such as embedded devices or industrial machines. However, upgrading from one LTSB version to another can sometimes cause issues with drivers, especially for USB devices. In this article, we will show you how to fix broken USB drivers when upgrading from Windows 10 LTSB 2015 to LTSB 2016.

What causes broken USB drivers when upgrading from Windows 10 LTSB 2015 to LTSB 2016?

The main cause of broken USB drivers when upgrading from Windows 10 LTSB 2015 to LTSB 2016 is a Windows update reliability tool that is installed during the upgrade process. This tool is meant to clean up the INF driver cache as part of its remediation procedures, but it can also remove some custom or third-party USB device drivers that are needed by your applications. This can result in USB devices not being recognized or working properly after the upgrade.

How to fix broken USB drivers when upgrading from Windows 10 LTSB 2015 to LTSB 2016?

The solution to fix broken USB drivers when upgrading from Windows 10 LTSB 2015 to LTSB 2016 is to block the Windows update reliability tool from running, and then reinstall the USB device drivers manually. Here are the steps to do that:

Solution 1: Block the Windows update reliability tool from running

To block the Windows update reliability tool from running, you need to take ownership of the folder where it is located, and then deny the system access to it. You can do this by running the following commands in an elevated command prompt:

takeown /f "C:\Program Files\rempl" /r /d y
icacls "C:\Program Files\rempl" /grant administrators:F /t /q
icacls "C:\Program Files\rempl" /deny system:F /t /q

These commands will prevent the Windows update reliability tool from running in the future, and thus avoid removing your USB device drivers again.

Solution 2: Reinstall the USB device drivers manually

To reinstall the USB device drivers manually, you need to access the Device Manager, and then update the drivers for each USB device that is not working properly. You can do this by following these steps:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to open the Run command. Then, type devmgmt.msc and click OK.
2. In the Device Manager, expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers category, and look for any devices that have a yellow exclamation mark or a red cross on them. These are the devices that have driver issues.
3. Right-click on each device that has a driver issue, and select Update driver.
4. Select Browse my computer for driver software, and then click on Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
5. Select the driver that matches your device, and click Next. If you don’t see the driver that matches your device, click on Have Disk, and then browse to the location where you have the driver file. Then, follow the on-screen instructions to install the driver.
6. Repeat the steps above for each USB device that has a driver issue, until all of them are fixed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: What is the difference between Windows 10 LTSB and LTSC?

Answer: Windows 10 LTSB (Long Term Servicing Branch) and LTSC (Long Term Servicing Channel) are essentially the same thing. They are both versions of Windows 10 that receive only security and critical updates, and no feature updates. The name was changed from LTSB to LTSC in 2018, to align with the naming convention of other Windows products.

Question: How can I check which version of Windows 10 LTSB or LTSC I have?

Answer: You can check which version of Windows 10 LTSB or LTSC you have by following these steps:

1. On your keyboard, press the Windows logo key and R at the same time to open the Run command. Then, type winver and click OK.
2. In the About Windows dialog box, look for the version number and the build number. For example, if you see Version 1607 (OS Build 14393.447), that means you have Windows 10 LTSB 2016.

Question: How can I upgrade from Windows 10 LTSB 2015 to LTSB 2016?

Answer: You can upgrade from Windows 10 LTSB 2015 to LTSB 2016 by following these steps:

1. Download the Windows 10 LTSB 2016 ISO file from the Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) website. You need to have a valid license and login credentials to access this website.
2. Mount the ISO file as a virtual drive, or burn it to a DVD or a USB flash drive.
3. Run the setup.exe file from the mounted or burned media, and follow the on-screen instructions to upgrade your system.
4. After the upgrade is completed, restart your system, and activate Windows 10 LTSB 2016 with your license key.

Summary

In this article, we have shown you how to fix broken USB drivers when upgrading from Windows 10 LTSB 2015 to LTSB 2016. The main cause of this issue is a Windows update reliability tool that removes some custom or third-party USB device drivers during the upgrade process. The solution is to block the Windows update reliability tool from running, and then reinstall the USB device drivers manually. We hope this article has helped you resolve your USB driver issues and enjoy the benefits of Windows 10 LTSB 2016.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. We are not affiliated with Microsoft or any of the products or services mentioned in this article. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or validity of the information provided in this article. You should always consult with a qualified professional before making any decisions or taking any actions related to the topics covered in this article.