Microsoft Winows 10 Update Harming PC's

[theGinsue]

Microsoft has recently released a Windows 10 Update (Update # KB4541335) which has been causing a number of serious issues with Windows 10 PC's - to include "bricking" the computer ("bricking" refers to a computer that has been rendered useless - into nothing more than a brick).

Search for information about this update for yourselves, but I'm including a couple of links for reference.

In the mean time, I recommend that you go into your Windows 10 computer(s) and turn off Automatic Updates (Microsoft is recommending this for now as well). I can't walk you through the entire process to do this, but essentially you follow this path to get where you'd turn Automatic Updates off/delayed:

Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

(If, once you get into Settings, you don't see "Update & Security", you can type in the Settings search bar for "Update" and it should give you an option for Windows Updates. Additionally, you may need to go into the Advanced Options to either turn it off or at least delay Updates. Without going into the Advanced options I was only able to choose to delay for 7 days; Advanced options allowed me to extend that longer. The PC I'm on now only allowed me to delay updates through May 18th.)

Promised reference links:
https://www.windowslatest.com/2020/04/06/windows-10-update-kb4541335-is-wrecking-pcs/?fbclid=IwAR0nTi3SvOFdU3CcGXw95PM7rmosZmdzyPkk89FA BQ5MQDY2f09p_nkM1aE

https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2020/03/26/microsoft-windows-10-warning-crashes-boot-problems-no-internet-wifi-upgrade-windows-10-free/#7b71fbc54846

Good luck!

Ginsue - out

[00tec]

My pc has been trying for months to update. It hasn't. It fails 2 or 3 times, then runs through the process of "undoing changes made to your computer.

I have been too lazy to figure it out.

[Zundfolge]

They say you should never disable updates because then your machine is more vulnerable to malware ... but what do you do when the OS Updates are the malware? :p

Glad I never "upgraded" my Windows box from 7 (since its my understanding that there's no easy way to completely disable updates on 10).

[theGinsue]

Microsoft has released at least a couple of bad updates so far this year that are causing issues for folks. I know the second link I provided refers to both of these.

While I almost exclusively use Windows products these days, I am no fan of Microsoft and the junk they put out - but putting out products that brick peoples computers is total horse manure for even Microsoft.

I'll say until the day I day that if Microsoft is the answer, it must have been a stupid question.

[cstone]

I recommend the Southern version of the M$ operating system...Winders. Offers better protection against bugs when used with Screens. For critical systems leave your Winders closed and just run your AC. If your Winders isn't secure your computer will likely be very damp because of the humidity.

Linux, because you shouldn't have to pay for crappy software. [Flower]

[theGinsue]

From your keyboard to God's ear.

[davsel]

You can keep windows from automatically updating by setting your internet connection as a "metered connection."

[GilpinGuy]

Hmmmm, got a notification today to update my credit card info for Office but nothing about this.

[Zundfolge]

Linux, because you shouldn't have to pay for crappy software. [Flower]

Yep, really if you're not locked into some sort of proprietary software (like I am with Adobe) its worth it to switch and learn how to use Linux (which is way easier than it used to be). As it is for me now, I run Linux on my laptop and dual boot Linux and Windows 7 on my desktop machine (so I can run Adobe software in Windows when I have a freelance job and then when I'm done boot back to Linux).


You can keep windows from automatically updating by setting your internet connection as a "metered connection."
Not if you have Home edition.

[Great-Kazoo]

Microsoft has released at least a couple of bad updates so far this year that are causing issues for folks. I know the second link I provided refers to both of these.

While I almost exclusively use Windows products these days, I am no fan of Microsoft and the junk they put out - but putting out products that brick peoples computers is total horse manure for even Microsoft.

I'll say until the day I day that if Microsoft is the answer, it must have been a stupid question.

So what you're saying is. Is this a Virus?


In before the WINDOWS 10 VIRUS, thread gets going.

[Gman]

I'm on Windows 10 Pro 1909. The KB is for both 1903 and 1909.

I haven't had any issue on any of my systems, FWIW.

I'm also not seeing a lot of chatter on the usual sites that seem to scream bloody murder with bad updates. The links provided aren't very specific and "One person said their computer doesn?t work after the update." doesn't get my undies in a bunch.

As to higher CPU utilization on a restart immediately following an update, that's not very surprising and should calm down. This is particularly true for .NET Framework updates.

[Bailey Guns]

I had that issue recently where Windows explorer went bad. What a PITA. I did finally fix that computer but it took a clean install to do it. Fortunately I had almost everything backed up. Only lost my documents folder...had some important stuff but mostly things that can be replaced or recreated. I'm suspicious that was caused by an update but I can't prove it.

[roberth]

My history doesn't show the KB4541335 update.

This morning I do have a new update KB4537572 that is supposed to replace KB4534132 which was installed on 12 March 2020.

I checked my laptop and the KB4541335 update is available as an OPTION.

Thanks to TheGinsue I won't be installing it.

[Bailey Guns]

Yep...me, too. That update is showing as an optional download. I'll pass, too.

[CS1983]

Folks, this seems like a great reminder to backup important files in case your machine bricks :)

[WillysWagon]

Thanks for the info Ginsue !!

[StagLefty]

My son finally convinced me last year that since I was retired I didn't need a windows based computer anymore. To really convince me he showed up one day with a new Chromebook. I couldn't be happier !!!!

[Zundfolge]

Folks, this seems like a great reminder to backup important files in case your machine bricks :)

My recommendation is that everyone get a NAS or re-purpose an old machine as a file server (running Linux, not Windows), use it to store your files on (not your My Documents folder, or at the very least back your My Documents folder up to the NAS). Also make a backup of your server (either on an external drive or via the cloud). This way you're protected either from problems caused by Microsoft, or from hardware failures or viruses, ransomware or other malware, etc. I'm real fond of my Synology NAS (https://www.synology.com/en-us/products/DS218+).

I'd also recommend using backup software that copies the files individually and not one that makes a disk image and/or puts files into some proprietary archive format as it'll make it easier to get to your files later should you switch OSs or can't get to a copy of the backup software. I like the free version of Syncback for use on Windows https://www.2brightsparks.com/download-syncbackfree.html

Remember, 2 is 1 and 1 is none.

[XJ]

I see it listed as an optional update, with a separate button to download and install.

[whitewalrus]

Thanks for the information, looks like it?s on both my laptop and desktop. If I start to have issues I will at least know that rolling back that update may be the place to start.

[Gman]

I had that issue recently where Windows explorer went bad. What a PITA. I did finally fix that computer but it took a clean install to do it. Fortunately I had almost everything backed up. Only lost my documents folder...had some important stuff but mostly things that can be replaced or recreated. I'm suspicious that was caused by an update but I can't prove it.

In hindsight, wonder if this is what got you when attempting to reset that system: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-information/status-windows-10-1909#393msgdesc
(Not that it means much now) ;-)

[battlemidget]

Windows got wu flu.

[Bailey Guns]

In hindsight, wonder if this is what got you when attempting to reset that system: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-information/status-windows-10-1909#393msgdesc
(Not that it means much now) ;-)

Hmmm...

[roberth]

I checked my laptop this morning, KB4541335 is not listed, there is a new update KB4549951.

[Gman]

KB4549951 is the new cumulative update that came out yesterday.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4549951/windows-10-update-kb4549951

NEW
IMPORTANT We have been evaluating the public health situation, and we understand this is impacting our customers. In response to these challenges, we are prioritizing our focus on security updates. Starting in May 2020, we are pausing all optional non-security releases (C and D updates) for all the supported versions of Windows client and server products (Windows 10, version 1909 down to Windows Server 2008 SP2).

There is no change to the monthly security updates (B release – Update Tuesday); these will continue as planned to ensure business continuity and to keep our customers protected and productive.