Windows Update problem

Started by JBR, October 05, 2022, 08:51:35 PM

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JBR

I don't know whether there are any Windows experts on here, but I have recently had problems with my computer.  My mistake was to download a Windows Update, which completely cocked up my computer.  I could no longer log into Windows using either my PIN or my password.
Having contacted Microsoft Support, I was led through a number of actions which proved of no use at all.  At the end of the day, the best they could suggest was to remove everything from the computer (luckily I had a backup on an external hard disk) and reinstall Windows afresh.
I have since spent many hours over several days in trying to reinstate everything that was there: software, files, etc.
I finally finished it all, but I'm afraid my new setup is still not quite what I used to have, but I suppose I'll have to live with it now.
I am pretty angry that Microsoft has been able to ruin my computer due to no fault of my own, and if I could I'd be demanding some sort of recompense.
The important lesson I have now learnt is never to allow any more Windows Updates again and do this by setting my 'busy' times to be from 0800 to 0200, so that any update can not begin when my computer is switched on.
A missionary from Yorkshire to the primitive people of Lancashire

Alex

What a pain !  Can you set the PC to not allow automatic updates ?

JBR

Quote from: Alex on October 05, 2022, 09:10:29 PMWhat a pain !  Can you set the PC to not allow automatic updates ?
Yes,  by setting my 'busy' times to be from 0800 to 0200, so that any update can not begin when my computer is switched on.
A missionary from Yorkshire to the primitive people of Lancashire

Scrumpy


Klondike is the clever one on here.. 
Don't ask me.. I know nuffink..

Ashy

As far as I know Windows 10 professional version allows you to turn off updates but the home version does not. When Bill Gates or whoever decides you need an update he tells every computer and it will sulk until it gets it.

Another way is to use Linux which is very good for internet and  home office use.

klondike

#5
Quote from: Scrumpy on October 06, 2022, 08:33:23 AMKlondike is the clever one on here..
I'm not going to get involved with Windows Update problems. I have never had a problem with it except once when it stopped some device or other working which I fixed quickly after using google. I've certainly never heard of it fouling up login credentials so I can't help with that.

The problem with not keeping a Windows machine updated is that, being the most widely used operating system and frequently by technically inept users it is the main target of malware producers. Unpatched vulnerabilities can be exploited and many of the updates are to fix vulnerabities that have been found.

October 06, 2022, 09:49:38 AM
Quote from: Ashy on October 06, 2022, 08:40:32 AMAs far as I know Windows 10 professional version allows you to turn off updates but the home version does not.
Certainly Windows 11 Home lets you delay updates being applied.

October 06, 2022, 09:54:26 AM
Quote from: JBR on October 05, 2022, 08:51:35 PMI have since spent many hours over several days in trying to reinstate everything that was there: software, files, etc.
I tend to keep my data on a network device along with the installers for programs  I use. Getting Windows set up how I like it can certainly be a pain as MS keep updating the GUI and adding annoying features which I don't want. Google is my friend for turning the new junk off.

Diasi

#6
Me too, I've never had any issues with Windows updates, although sometimes they can take an age to download & install.

I do know, from the Microsoft forum, that some people can't wait & turn off the computer if it's taking a long time & that can cause problems.

As for computer crashes, anyone with half a brain will have a recent system image to restore it to where it was before the update was attempted.

In fact I was doing one when I saw this thread.

I try to do one each week.
Make every day count, each day is precious.
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal".  (Cassandra)
[email protected]

klondike

Yes https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree is what I use for imaging. Keeping data separate from the operating system keeps the images down to a manageable size and obviously they need to be kept off the computer's own disk. You can have it produce a recovery disk on a USB drive for restoring. I have never had to resort to it in anger and MS will produce installation media on USB too these days which makes installing afresh easy enough if it can't be recovered by the machine itself.

I don't bother for this laptop as there is nothing stored on it of any consequence. All my working files are on Dropbox and google drive with bigger stuff on a network raid drive and a pretty extensive movie collection on USB drives.

Diasi

#8
Quote from: klondike on October 06, 2022, 10:11:00 AMYes https://www.macrium.com/reflectfree is what I use for imaging. Keeping data separate from the operating system keeps the images down to a manageable size and obviously they need to be kept off the computer's own disk. You can have it produce a recovery disk on a USB drive for restoring. I have never had to resort to it in anger and MS will produce installation media on USB too these days which makes installing afresh easy enough if it can't be recovered by the machine itself.

I don't bother for this laptop as there is nothing stored on it of any consequence. All my working files are on Dropbox and google drive with bigger stuff on a network raid drive and a pretty extensive movie collection on USB drives.
I use Macrium Reflect as well, the laptops each have the recovery mode in the boot menu & I have the system images on the laptops & on external drives.

I have a 4 bay external hard drive enclosure that I put the drives from their individual enclosures in as the extension leads were getting stupid. Lol.
Make every day count, each day is precious.
"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal".  (Cassandra)
[email protected]

JBR

I'm still struggling to get this computer to work as it used to do before the Windows Update destroyed it.  Several other alterations and problems keep appearing, so I expect that I'll be at it for some time yet to come.

Another problem is that I have been using Edge as my browser until the Update problem came along.  I reinstalled it, and all my tabs, etc., but I now find that I cannot now include my Gmail as a tab.  From what I have read, Microsoft may refuse to allow it because it is from a competing organisation(!), although it worked on Edge before the Update disaster.  Consequently, I now use Chrome but I'll have a look at other browsers.

It sounds like Macrium Reflect is the one to go for.  Thanks for the advice.
I'd also appreciate any advice on which antivirus software to go for, though I think Windows has its own.
A missionary from Yorkshire to the primitive people of Lancashire

klondike

I just use the Windows built in Defender.

I don't use Edge as my normal browser but it works fine with Gmail for me. Did you do a clean install of Windows? Try this for the Edge/Gmail problem https://www.thewindowsclub.com/gmail-is-not-opening-in-edge-fixed#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20cause%20of,problematic%20extension%20causing%20the%20problem.

JBR

Quote from: klondike on October 06, 2022, 11:51:30 AMI just use the Windows built in Defender.

I don't use Edge as my normal browser but it works fine with Gmail for me. Did you do a clean install of Windows? Try this for the Edge/Gmail problem https://www.thewindowsclub.com/gmail-is-not-opening-in-edge-fixed#:~:text=The%20most%20common%20cause%20of,problematic%20extension%20causing%20the%20problem.
Thanks for this.  However, I have now cancelled Edge and am using Chrome instead.  Slightly different to what I was used to, especially the bookmarks which I shall have to go through and delete the many which I no longer use!
A missionary from Yorkshire to the primitive people of Lancashire

klondike

I wrote my own web app for bookmarks many moons ago. they all appear on a webpage which I can access with any browser on any device.  

Most browsers these days let you sign into them and save bookmarks so they will  keep be synced across devices. I'm pretty sure Chrome does.

JBR

Quote from: klondike on October 06, 2022, 02:09:44 PMI wrote my own web app for bookmarks many moons ago. they all appear on a webpage which I can access with any browser on any device. 

Most browsers these days let you sign into them and save bookmarks so they will  keep be synced across devices. I'm pretty sure Chrome does.
Yes it does indeed.  I have 'FREQUENT USE' and 'Bookmarks', the latter containing far too many and most of which may now no longer be current.  I shall have to do some deleting!
A missionary from Yorkshire to the primitive people of Lancashire