I tend not to want to move past the iOS version a device ships with. Also, if I do the full wipe and update, exactly what order and how should I do this? How do I update if even iTunes won't let me and how do I know a wipe will fix it? Should I try the OTA update instead? etc.

Now I have a feeling the answer here is to do a full wipe and update but I am not exactly certain. Following that screen it asks to send Apple information and lets me click 'Show Details' but it just opens a blank Notepad with a dialog box that says 'The system cannot find the path specified'.

After it downloaded the update it said 'Extracting software' then 'Backing up' then 'Preparing Update' then it pops up an error window that says 'The iPad could not be updated. I connected it to my Windows 10 PC, copied the photos in Explorer, went into iTunes, did a backup then clicked Update in the Device screen. I also decided to do this update via iTunes since it is a big jump. I decided to update my iPad first as there are fewer photos/videos on there and Authy isn't a concern on that device. I'm nervous about losing photos/videos and Authy function. I've decided to upgrade because I have apps that won't work now. I am VERY hesitant to upgrade after iOS 7 debilitated my iPhone 5. I currently have an iPhone 8 & iPad Pro 10.5 both on iOS 12.4.1.

Itunes wont extract software