There's an app preventing Windows 10 upgrades

Microsoft has the scoop on why some people can't upgrade to Windows 10.

What you need to know

• Those with the app CryptoPro CSP can't upgrade to Windows 10.
• Microsoft has addressed the issue and provided a workaround.

If you happen to have an older version of the app омпаниякриптопр риптопроcsp (CryptoPro CSP, for those of you not familiar with омпаниякриптопр риптопроcsp) lying around and can't upgrade to Windows 10, Microsoft has addressed the issue as well as included steps for how you can get the second-most-recent iteration of Windows.

For a quick primer on what омпаниякриптопр риптопроcsp/CryptoPro CSP is, it's "a cryptographic software package which implements the Russian cryptographic algorithms developed in accordance with the Microsoft - Cryptographic Service Provider (CSP) interface." That's how it's described on the software's website.

As for how it affects Windows 10 upgrades, Microsoft outlines the scenario in its support post on the subject (via BleepingComputer): "A compatibility issue has been found between older versions of омпаниякриптопр риптопроcsp and Windows 10, version 20H1 or Windows 10, version 2004. If an incompatible version of омпаниякриптопр риптопроcsp is installed, your device might start to update to a later version of Windows 10 but might roll back to a previously installed version."

The fix Microsoft advises is simple enough: Grab an updated version of омпаниякриптопр риптопроcsp and you'll be fine to upgrade to Windows 10 20H1 and Windows 10 version 2004. The company also advises waiting up to 48 hours after you've updated your version of омпаниякриптопр риптопроcsp to see the Windows 10 upgrade offered, as it may take that amount of time for said offer to appear.

And in case you're not worried about upgrading to Windows 10 but, rather, are concerned with upgrading to Windows 11, here's the scoop: Microsoft's just revised its PC Health Check app to better inform you of what is stopping you from upgrading (or if anything is stopping you at all), as well as admitted that you don't need to meet W11's requirements to get the OS.