Windows 10 Upgrade removes shortcuts, VueMinder Lite, and changes browser

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For about the last 3 or 4 auto upgrades MS Windows 10 (currently 21H2, Build 19044.2006) has removed more than half of my desktop shortcuts, wiped out my calendar program (VueMinder Lite 2022.01), all its backups and installed Microsoft Edge as my browser on my Dell desktop.

After rebuilding my shortcuts, reinstalling VueMinder Lite calendar, and adding in all my  appointments, birthday reminders, etc. I finally made copies. I store them on my hard drive and on an external hard drive. This is, of course, annoying and requires considerable time to do and to put all this info back in operation after each update.

Also, I’ve checked; my computer is not able to upgrade to Win 11…I’m not ready to buy another computer.

Can anyone explain why this is happening over the last several months? Much appreciated!

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So you are saying the monthly security updates are doing this or the feature releases?

When you log in, are you getting your same profile or is it trying to set up a new profile?

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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I believe it’s the monthly security updates doing this. My profile seems Ok; no changes that I’m aware of here. Just the majority of shortcuts on the desktop disappear. The free calendar program VueMinder Lite 2022.01 disappears (uninstalled, except for this last time). It also wipes out the backup files for the data that I make whenever I make changes or additions to the calendar.

I found where it stores the data under Users and now make a copy in a different directory. Then if I have to re-install the program I direct it to this copied location and the last time I was able to get back in business without having to input each data item by hand…a long process. So I have a work around for these problems that seems to be working but it’s an annoyance to have to keep redoing the work arounds.

Thank you for seeking to help me with this issue.

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If it’s happening every security patch I can guarantee that’s not normal.  When symptoms  like this occur a temp profile is built.  The trigger is usually security software or antivirus that is holding files open.  What a/v or security software do you have installed?

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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I use two antivirus programs: Microsoft Defender and Avast. McAfee was running for a while as an inducement to purchase but I never did. Now I’m wondering if McAfee was running while I had this problem.

McAfee is no longer running so I’ll watch and see if the next security update continues my problem. I’ve made sure it’s removed from my system since I have no intention of using it.

Thanks for that clue to watch.

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I would make sure that you used a tool to remove all traces of Mcafee.  I might even recommend going without Avast as a test one month just to be safe.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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rwoz44 wrote:

Microsoft Defender and Avast. McAfee was running for a while as an inducement to purchase but I never did.

Avast and McAfee are very problematic A/Vs. Remove them both.
With Defender you can add Malwarebytes.

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I appreciate your considered opinion and shall give this a try, hopefully, resolving this disconcerting behavior of my computer. I truly appreciate your assistance…I didn’t know where else to get help. Thank you!

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Hello Susan,

I wiped out McAfee a couple of days ago and left Avast functioning. Today, I found my computer system again did an update (security?) and once again the old problem repeated. I wiped out Avast and restarted my computer. Everything I had lost came back…and then some! So it definitely was the Avast antivirus program that was giving me trouble.

So, my sincere thanks to you for helping me find and eliminate the gremlin in the machine!

Ron Wozniak

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