Excellent overnight analysis from Lawrence Abrams and a surprising observation from Günter Born point at a possible smoking gun. Microsoft should be p
[See the full post at: February Win10 1903 and 1909 cumulative update, KB 4532693, causing desktops to disappear]
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February Win10 1903 and 1909 cumulative update, KB 4532693, causing desktops to disappear
Home » Forums » Newsletter and Homepage topics » February Win10 1903 and 1909 cumulative update, KB 4532693, causing desktops to disappear
- This topic has 51 replies, 20 voices, and was last updated 3 years, 4 months ago.
AuthorTopicwoody
ManagerViewing 26 reply threadsAuthorReplies-
radosuaf
AskWoody LoungerOh, that’s nice, Microsoft! 🙂
Antec P7 Silent * Corsair RM550x * ASUS TUF GAMING B560M-PLUS * Intel Core i5-11400F * 4 x 8 GB G.Skill Aegis DDR4 3200 MHz CL16 * Sapphire Radeon 6700 10GB * XPG GAMMIX S70 BLADE 1TB * SanDisk Ultra 3D 1TB * DVD RW Lite-ON iHAS 124 * Windows 10 Pro 22H2 64-bit -
Mr. Natural
AskWoody Lounger -
Susan Bradley
ManagerLoss of profile has historically been a race condition between the boot process and something holding files open. I personally have seen antivirus most often do this but it could be other things like antiransomware protection, group policy settings. Microsoft DOES test their patches they really do. What they can’t do is test for the myriad of unknown ways that we set up our computers.
Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher
8 users thanked author for this post.
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Mr. Natural
AskWoody Lounger -
doriel
AskWoody LoungerI look at this issue this way:
If your/mine user folder is affected, in this update, there has to be some procedure, that does something user folder – move/rename/delete files – or messes up with some registry where path to user folder is stored.If it manipulates for example wit syswow64 folder, how it can crash my user folder? It happens for 1% of users, but still, there is always risk and this update has to colaborate with user folder somehow.
It just cant cant happen randomly, otherwise we created AI.
And still, if some third party SW blocks windows update resulting in user folder crash, how is it, that it does not recognize windows update process?
I think that affected computers could be somheow infected with malware or viruses.Dell Latitude 3420, Intel Core i7 @ 2.8 GHz, 16GB RAM, W10 22H2 Enterprise
HAL3000, AMD Athlon 200GE @ 3,4 GHz, 8GB RAM, Fedora 29
PRUSA i3 MK3S+
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anonymous
Guesttijsco
AskWoody PlusIn The Netherlands some people also report these problems. On my website, four visitors said they lost their personal folders. One of them had Norton and of them had no anti-virus, so, it’s not only Avira possibly causing trouble. Here my article about it in Dutch.
https://www.gratissoftwaresite.nl/nieuws-windows-10-81-beveiligingsupdates-februari-lekken
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woody
ManagerI also have a tweet from @JasperKusters that absolves Avira….
Nope, they are not [running Avira or AVG]. But they are running some software that make sure the system/usee can’t do crazy stuff and is pretty boxed.
1 user thanked author for this post.
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tijsco
AskWoody PlusI don’t know if this has something to do with the problems, but two of the users had a local account for Windows 10 (not logged in with Microsoft account). Don’t know about the other two.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by
tijsco.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by
tijsco.
1 user thanked author for this post.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by
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tijsco
AskWoody Plus
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anonymous
Guestanonymous
GuestThe desktop disappearing is only the most visible sign, but the issue is that the entire user profile or user data is not accessed so My Documents would also be gone. Restarting again is the safest first step if you see this problem. Some reports are that Avira antivirus users are affected. The profile data is not actually deleted, it sounds, so if it does happen don’t panic.
1 user thanked author for this post.
abbodi86
AskWoody_MVP-
bbearren
AskWoody MVPAnd we thought v1809 deletion bug was serious enough to have Microsoft do more tesing before releasing
Not all of us. I ran v1809 with no real issue until Microsoft pulled it. I restored my drive images and waited for Microsoft to sort it out. I soon as they reissued it, I was right back one it.
Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!We were all once "Average Users". We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems, we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things. -
abbodi86
AskWoody_MVP
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Alex5723
AskWoody PlusWhat they can’t do is test for the myriad of unknown ways that we set up our computers
If Microsoft can’t test all the various hardware/software/settings combinations, they should go Apple’s way and restrict Windows to specified list of hardware/software and don’t break users’ PCs with beta updates.
PS : Even when they do go Apple’s way they **** up like with the Surface tablets/laptops..
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This reply was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by
Alex5723.
rontpxz81
AskWoody Plusanonymous
Guest-
woody
Manager
zeuswoz
AskWoody LoungerIn my years (20+) of doing IT support on Windows, I have seen this issue countless times. And each time it was caused by one of two things. The first reason is the user profile service had a “moment” at logon and couldn’t access the correct profile. With a hard reset (power off / power on) the issue cleared. The second reason is no free space on the the system volume. This prevents the logon process to create the temporary files it needs to load the profile correctly and thus it shows a temp profile instead.
Rgds, Zeus
4 users thanked author for this post.
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woody
ManagerI hear ya… but the reports I’m seeing are across wide swaths of machines — 80 for one unfortunate admin. I think Susan’s right and it’s a race condition… but I’m surprised an installer has problems with race conditions when restoring temporary settings. Should be relatively easy (and very common) to program around. I think.
1 user thanked author for this post.
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Mr. Natural
AskWoody LoungerI’ve also seen many times where a user logs in and their profile doesn’t load properly and they receive the temporary profile message. The easy fix that worked every time is to have the user log off and back on. No reboot needed, as a matter of fact a reboot would often result in the same thing. Log off and back on and the profile properly loaded.
That would not resolve this issue with this update since the entire profile has been renamed.
Red Ruffnsore
1 user thanked author for this post.
Alex5723
AskWoody PlusAnd we thought v1809 deletion bug was serious enough to have Microsoft do more tesing before releasing
I saw a post of a Microsoft Surface user that claimed he LOST all of his data after the update.
1 user thanked author for this post.
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Paul T
AskWoody MVP -
woody
Manager -
woody
ManagerEnds up that Mayank Parmar ran an article about completely missing data this morning, in Windows Latest, Windows 10 KB4532693 could delete and hide your data.
He’s very careful to point out that he’s reporting what folks have said. Like him, I’m a bit skeptical – but would welcome more info!
1 user thanked author for this post.
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Alex5723
AskWoody PlusKB 4532693
This is not the post I saw but probably a reference to similar posts :
“Some users of Surface have no temporary accounts, and no restore points. Their data is gone. Let me be the first to say it’s so.”
1 user thanked author for this post.
anonymous
GuestA minor update in December wiped out all my files, and first I found them in the Users folder but when I turned the computer off, they disappeared completely. When I took my laptop to Geek Squad, they found a few of my folders (incomplete) in the recycle bin — interestingly, that hadn’t been wiped out. So I sent the laptop to Geek Squad’s tech lab, they reported they found some of my docs and photos but when I got it back from them, there was absolutely nothing of my original files or folders. And I paid $450 for that — nothing. Plus, I had to buy a new laptop that I didn’t even need. If there’s a fix, I’d love to hear about it because Geek Squad couldn’t help me.
1 user thanked author for this post.
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woody
Manager -
bbearren
AskWoody MVPMy #1 rule about files is one I heard at least twenty years ago, probably longer than that.
Any file for which you don’t have 3 copies is a file you’re willing to lose. How many external storage drives would $450 buy?
Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!We were all once "Average Users". We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems, we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things. -
Morty
AskWoody Lounger
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Alex5723
AskWoody PlusIf there’s a fix, I’d love to hear about it because Geek Squad couldn’t help me.
Of course there is a fix. Restore from your ‘last before the update’ image backup.
No one should use any device running any OS (pc, smartphone, smartwatch…) without creating a daily backup.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by
Alex5723.
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Susan Bradley
ManagerA little kinder but what he said. Everyone MUST have backups. Short of a total crash of a hard drive, updates (with the exception of the lovely feature update a few years back – and even that was an odd set of circumstances that involved onedrive) – updates don’t delete files. Given that you found some in a recycle bin, it feels more like a botched ransomware or something else afoot. Patches don’t delete files. Hard drives do crash, they can wear out and have damaged sectors. But mere monthly updates don’t touch doc and pictures and everything else we hold dear.
Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher
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bbearren
AskWoody MVPEveryone MUST have backups.
I completely agree. Why is this so hard for folks to wrap their heads around? I haven’t had any problems with updates/upgrades, but obviously some have. And yet I stay fully prepared with drive images.
And hardware failure is a matter of when, not if. I have replaced motherboards and hard drives on my machines, always with drive images at the ready to make a smooth transition after replacement. It is not that hard to do, and pays huge dividends in both time and money.
Why people would rather complain bitterly about Microsoft instead of preparing for an easy resolution to problems is something I simply don’t understand.
Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!We were all once "Average Users". We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems, we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things. -
anonymous
Guest
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rc primak
AskWoody_MVP“…without a daily backup.”
My data don’t change that often. So at least for System Images I can get away with once or twice monthly. That’s manageable for most people. My DATA on the other hand, get at least one external round of backup every time I make any change I don’t want to lose — at that moment and without any delay whatsoever. (I also do this in Linux, where I find this practice even more critical.)
-- rc primak
Win7and10
AskWoody LoungerEP
AskWoody_MVPanonymous
GuestEP
AskWoody_MVPa follow up on my previous comment – I manually downloaded & installed KB4532693 from the Microsoft Update Catalog site rather than thru Windows Update. that could be one big reason why I’m not experiencing the problems with KB4532693; I did not install it thru WU but from MUC
anyone else with Windows 10 v1903 or v1909 brave enough to download & install KB4532693 from MS Catalog (instead of thru windows update) to see if the desktop user profile problems occur?
jabeattyauditor
AskWoody LoungerThree machines at home (all 1909 Pro) with 4532693 installed via Windows Update – no issues. No issues at work (primarily 1903 Pro installs with a few 1909s out there for testing purposes).
Work PCs are primarily new/newer Dell machines; machines at home are Dell and HP of considerably older vintage.
Just a data point.
anonymous
GuestA few different websites are posting the possible Avira, AVG, Avast connection.
If someone posts their success or failure with updating to 4532693 on 1903 or 1909, could you please state if you have either of those anti-virus packages installed?
Thanks!
1 user thanked author for this post.
EP
AskWoody_MVPFrom Windows Central site – “Microsoft confirms major Windows data-deletion bug (sort of) and offers an (awkward) fix”
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geekdom
AskWoody_MVPThe awkward fix may be beyond the skills of the average client.
On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender -
woody
ManagerSeveral problems with the Windows Central post — and the reason why I didn’t mention it on the main blog page.
- It’s based on Mayank Parmar’s reporting. Adds nothing to his report, as best I can tell.
- I’m not convinced, yet, that anybody’s actually lost data after installing KB 4532693. I’ve seen lots of reports of missing data, but none of them pass my sniff test. (May just be my faulty sniffer.)
- The title “Microsoft confirms major Windows data-deletion bug (sort of) and offers an (awkward) fix” stretches way too far. It isn’t supported by the evidence. Same complaint I have with many Forbes posts.
That said, clearly there’s a problem with the patch. Clearly, MS should acknowledge it. They’ve had ten days to clear the air and they’re just twiddling their thumbs.
anonymous
GuestJust a thought. If you have not installed the update yet. As a preemptive measure, could you not just back-up all the files and folders from your user folder? Then if the issue occurs, place the backed-up file in the new user folder that it created?
I am not a Windows power user by any means, but would this work?
Personally, my user folder is quite empty as I store all my working documents on an external drive that is backed up every night. App Data would be the only “big” folder.
Just a thought. Could be a bad one.
Or, just pause updates as everyone has suggested and wait for MS to fix the update…
geekdom
AskWoody_MVPNow might be a good time to build a spare profile. The instructions below say Windows 7, but work for Windows 10 and are quite explanatory. Especially useful is how to move documents, pictures, and other such information from private profile to Public profile.
https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/creating-and-using-a-standard-user-account-on-windows-7/On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefenderEP
AskWoody_MVPBorn also reported a similar situation with the KB4537821 update for Win8.1 destroying some user profiles and possibly causing the disappearing desktop problem:
https://borncity.com/win/2020/02/16/windows-8-1-update-kb4537821-kills-also-user-profiles/I was unable to reproduce nor encounter the problem with the KB4537821 update on a Win8.1 machine, though a few other Win8.1 users seem to have gotten the problem.
so it’s not just Win10 alone that may have the problem
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This reply was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by
EP.
NancySchwartz64
AskWoody PlusMy husband’s disappeared. I do not pause his updates since he doesn’t do much on it. Also, all the themes were gone except for those that come with Windows 10. I added the couple of links I had on his desktop and tried to go out to the MS Store to download the the themes again. It said “You’ll need a new app to open this ms-windows-store link!” So, I uninstalled KB 4532693 and the desktop returned. I have Webroot and Malwarebytes installed on his machine. This machine has older hardware and is home built.
anonymous
GuestWin 10 pro x64 1909 OS Build 18363.628
Kaspersky Internet Security 2020Local Admin account.
I’ve run both WU and the stand alone package for KB 4532693 restarts every time with the temp profile bug, uninstall the patch back to normal.
When the temp profile loads, sign back out to fix the issue as noted by the win 10 message displayed, doesn’t work.
What it does do however is create another temp profile folder under :C/users and every sign out and back in creates another, the loop continues… reboot the machine presented with the temp profile.
Other machines here (also win 10 pro x64) with Microsoft accounts installed KB 4532693 without issue.
All machines running Kaspersky Internet Security 2020
1 user thanked author for this post.
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woody
Manager
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