Some details on downloading a Windows 10 ISO.

[loomberah]

A few months ago I tried to do a standard Windows 10 update. I sat up at night for 5 hours until the download finished. When it did, there was nothing. There didn't seem to be any sight of the download on the computer. In fact, the amount of data hadn't changed at all. I tried the whole download again with similar results. I now feel I might try to download the ISO version, it least I'll have a copy of it available in an emergency. Is there any reason why I should not attempt this procedure? Also my readings of various suggestions indicate I should have a number for the Win 8.1 OS as well. I didn't get this number when I purchased it new from a computer shop. Help will be appreciated.

HP Pavillion 20-b020a. About 70% of 1 Tb available.

 

[Trouble]

various suggestions indicate I should have a number for the Win 8.1 OS as well. I didn't get this number when I purchased it new from a computer shop

Most new computers that came pre-installed with Windows 8 or 8.1 no longer have a product ID on a COA sticker as was the case with previous Microsoft Operating Systems. Their product ID is embedded in the System BIOS, so you do not need a product ID (number) to upgrade or re-install your O.S..
I would strongly recommend, before going forward with any update / upgrade that you make a disk image of your machine in advance, so that if said upgrade does not go as expected you have a fall back option from which you can recover.
https://www.windows10forums.com/threads/please-for-your-own-peace-of-mind.794/
Regarding your download of the upgrade. You may need to show hidden files and folders to see something that looks like
$WINDOWS.~BT in the root of C:\
That would be your downloaded upgrade container.

I now feel I might try to download the ISO version, it least I'll have a copy of it available in an emergency. Is there any reason why I should not attempt this procedure?

Nope no reason at all not to have a copy of the installation media on hand going forward.
The installation media can be obtained through either of these two resources.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/techbench
OR
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Once you have the ISO, you can use ImgBurn to burn it to a DVD or Rufus to burn it to a USB ThumbDrive, either of which you can use to perform the in-place upgrade by simply double clicking setup.exe from within your current Windows installation.

 

[loomberah]

Most new computers that came pre-installed with Windows 8 or 8.1 no longer have a product ID on a COA sticker as was the case with previous Microsoft Operating Systems. Their product ID is embedded in the System BIOS, so you do not need a product ID (number) to upgrade or re-install your O.S..
I would strongly recommend, before going forward with any update / upgrade that you make a disk image of your machine in advance, so that if said upgrade does not go as expected you have a fall back option from which you can recover.
https://www.windows10forums.com/threads/please-for-your-own-peace-of-mind.794/
Regarding your download of the upgrade. You may need to show hidden files and folders to see something that looks like
$WINDOWS.~BT in the root of C:\
That would be your downloaded upgrade container.

Nope no reason at all not to have a copy of the installation media on hand going forward.
The installation media can be obtained through either of these two resources.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/techbench
OR
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

Once you have the ISO, you can use ImgBurn to burn it to a DVD or Rufus to burn it to a USB ThumbDrive, either of which you can use to perform the in-place upgrade by simply double clicking setup.exe from within your current Windows installation.

 

[loomberah]

Thanks, Trouble for you rapid reply. First, I couldn't find any sign of the initial download by going to hidden files.
Now your suggestion to use the TechBench download sounds like a winner, It seems to have all the gen I need. One problem. I tried 3 times to download it without success. It started off with a time remaining of over one hour. When it got to about 30 mins to go, the download stopped! I wonder what the trouble is - it's only 75.7 mb. I've had no other problems with downloads. Do you have any idea about that?