Windows 10 update can delete your files!

[Lucius]

After Microsoft stopped providing free support for its most popular operating system (Windows 7), many (including myself) switched to Windows 10. For me personally it was not some kind of painful experience, more or less I am satisfied with how everything works. But it seems that Microsoft is doing a really bad job with its updates, which create big problems for their users.

One of the rather annoying problems is that the update deletes all your data from your computer, which just happened to some users. This is especially tricky if you have crypto wallet and backup stored on your computer that just happened to one user few days ago. Windows 10 update is delete his Electrum and seed is also saved on desktop (so stupid move). Read more here : Microsoft update deleted Electrum.

What actually happens is that after the update, Windows should return to main profile, but for some reason it stuck in temporary profile that is created during the update. What should remedy the situation is explained on Microsoft support page :

The solution to this problem is usually very simple - restart (not shut down) you PC 4 times in a row, each time let Windows get to the Desktop, before the next restart. The logic behind this fix is, it prompts Windows to complete the update and restore the original user profile, complete with files and applications

Of course, this solution does not work for everyone, and some are still struggling to recover their files. So be careful with the Windows update, check whether other users have some problems, and backup all important files on external disk/usb stick.

[mk4]

Windows seems to be getting worse an worse lol. From the bloat included in a Windows installation, the ads, the fact that it's pretty much spyware, a few others, and now this. This might be the best time to try out Linux if you havent yet. Do a dual-boot for now though, just to be safe(and because gaming on Linux can suck depending on what games you play).

For the readers that are interested in trying out Linux, Ubuntu[1], Mint[2], and Pop!_OS[3] are pretty newbie friendly.

[1] https://ubuntu.com/
[2] https://linuxmint.com/
[3] https://system76.com/pop

[NeuroticFish]

Indeed it's a bad move to keep useful data on desktop (or on the system drive). And the seed ... in a text file, really?!

From what I've read it's a bug they had/have: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/windows-10-kb4532693-update-bug-reportedly-deletes-user-files/
Their testing department is getting weaker and weaker, and that's already well known.

From what I've read there's a chance that uninstalling that update may restore the correct desktop. And this means that the files are still there somewhere.


PS. My computer got updated today and everything seems to be in place, including a handful or reminders I have on desktop.

[rhomelmabini]

From what I've read there's a chance that uninstalling that update may restore the correct desktop. And this means that the files are still there somewhere.

Yeah it has been explained here https://www.laptopmag.com/news/nasty-windows-10-update-is-deleting-files-heres-what-to-do and the bad thing is if it's the same for all since the user that explains here doesn't explain if he have done so the same thing.

I try to tryout linux mint is there a chance that a bootable drive can only be installed on a flash drive or are there great guide out their to dual-boot your desktop? If I try to dual-boot my Windows wil I still receive updates from them? I'm a newbie in this kind of things.

[joniboini]

I try to tryout linux mint is there a chance that a bootable drive can only be installed on a flash drive or are there great guide out their to dual-boot your desktop? If I try to dual-boot my Windows wil I still receive updates from them? I'm a newbie in this kind of things.

There is plenty of dual boot guide for any Linux-based system with Windows, such as https://itsfoss.com/guide-install-linux-mint-16-dual-boot-windows/.

Your Windows will still receive the update.

[20kevin20]

I always keep 2 backups of all my files just in case. I've had enough hard drive failures and silly mistakes that cost me either money or some very important data.

Now I've moved from Windows to Linux and it's not only so much smoother but feels safer too. Backups are golden when shit like this happens.

[Chlotide]

There were lots of bugs and broken updates in the last fee months. At some point the search option did not work because windows could not connect to Microsoft servers. Was not able to find files IN MY PC! Makes you wonder
Been saing I would switch to Linux for a while now but did not get around to do it yet. But starts to seem a better option by each day

[Lucius]

Windows seems to be getting worse an worse lol. From the bloat included in a Windows installation, the ads, the fact that it's pretty much spyware, a few others, and now this. This might be the best time to try out Linux if you havent yet. Do a dual-boot for now though, just to be safe(and because gaming on Linux can suck depending on what games you play).

From my perspective W10 is working just fine, no problem with updates or anything else, but this is maybe because I have brand new device and clean copy of OS, which very likely makes some difference if we consider that many just upgrade from W7 to W10, and that they use outdated hardware which can cause problems.

Unfortunately, many will not opt for Linux at all, it is a technical challenge for them (which includes dual-boot), so we should still try to get the best out of W10.


It looks like someone has decided to play Linux Lite 4.8 LTS distro, and make Windows 12, so we have a Linux OS that looks like W10.

https://www.techradar.com/news/sick-of-windows-10-linux-based-windows-12-lite-promises-to-be-three-times-faster

[Chlotide]

It looks like someone has decided to play Linux Lite 4.8 LTS distro, and make Windows 12, so we have a Linux OS that looks like W10

Looks cool but would not trust new diatros. As they are new, not community tested and reviewed, proned to errora and other issues.
Would recomend a mature version like Ubuntu or smth
Not sure they just changed gnome

[mk4]

Pop!_OS[3] are pretty newbie friendly.

Pop!_OS isn't created for newbie though, Manjaro and Elementary OS are better options.

Trust me, it is. Download it and test it out on a Virtual machine. I did less configuring to get everything working well compared to Mint due to the Nvidia driver active during the OS installation hence less complications(at least on my end). https://system76.com/pop

I probably sound like I'm affiliated with it with how much praise I'm giving it LOL but I really just had a great experience with it. With that said, I've also heard good things about Manjaro being a sort of "easier" Arch Linux. Never tried Elementary OS though.

[Vod]

Microsoft has stated from the start the desktop should not be considered file storage.  :/

Too many automated processes rely on and control that part of the file system.

[BADecker]

Your best bet is to back up your files to USB flash drives or other. Keep nothing on your computer HD. Use it only for applications and programs. Even back up the apps and programs on USB drives.

Maintain two similar computers that are as exactly the same as you can make them. Now and again, wipe the whole computer and HD. Do the other computer after you have >>> Start from scratch, reinstall the OS, and reinstall the applications just as before.



EDIT: Do I do this? No. It takes too much time.