Network icon disappeared from Taskbar after Windows Update 1511 10586

--- @cpa wrote

I've posted this question under Microsoft Community. Here is the link:
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/w...f-278f7132491d

I went to that answers.microsoft thread, I made a post over there, below is a copy


--- reinstalling the drivers for the network solved the problem for me ---

I have been on Win7 a long time. When the first reviews came out in favor of Win10, I installed it on my laptop. For many various reasons, I wasn't happy with it, and went back to Win7.

Several months later, I tried again, same result. Full details are beyond the point of this post.

I just tried Win10 again, this time on my desktop. I am *trying* to stay with it. A major thing that is difficult getting used to is Windows ramming updates down my throat.

As the first go-rounds of trying Win10 were on the laptop, I had the Wifi set as 'metered' so that I could install updates when I wanted to. But with the desktop I am unable to do that.

---

Windows network discovery, is a separate issue, but it is what brought me here. I frequently use the home network to backup important files. And *every* time I run my backup, I have to go into 'advanced sharing options' and turn on network discovery. It just doesn't stay set, keeps reverting back. This was happening with Win7 and continued with Win10.

I tried trouble-shooting to no avail, it wasn't worth the time and gave up. Before I ran my backups, it was automatic to click on the network icon and re-set for network discovery.

After a session at my desktop today, I was dismayed to NOT see the network icon in the tray. And Windows was really acting strange. I tried several times to turn the icon off and on, but when I did, it would *turn OTHER icons* off and on. The internet was working fine but, I could not get the network icon to show.

Internet search brought me to this thread. After trying several different solutions, I found that reinstalling the drivers for the network solved the problem for me.

In the process, I found a new setting for Windows updates "defer upgrades". The 'learn more' link took me to

Defer upgrades in Windows 10
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/w...-in-windows-10

---

"Some Windows 10 editions let you defer upgrades to your PC. When you defer upgrades, new Windows features won’t be downloaded or installed for several months. Deferring upgrades doesn’t affect security updates. Note that deferring upgrades will prevent you from getting the latest Windows features as soon as they’re available."

Well gee thanks Microsoft.

Obviously, your latest Win10 update did something screwy. It is painfully apparent that this is how it is going to be ... so I sure as hell don't wan't "the latest Windows features as soon as they’re available".

--- UPDATE to my last post

Win10 was doing other weird stuff. All of it happening after the latest update. I felt the need to re-install, but thought it was better to revert to Win7 first, this went fine. The OS is on an SSD drive, things went quickly. I re-installed Win10 with the ethernet cable disconnected.

I immediately reviewed my update settings. On the drop-down I selected 'notify to reschedule restart'. I checked the box to 'defer upgrades'. I connected the ethernet cable. A little while later, I checked, and sure enough, there was an update waiting to install ... KB 3135173.

Internet search showed this is the problem.
reference: InfoWorld.com article Windows 10 forced update KB 3135173 changes browser and other defaults


--- RESOLUTION

1. Uninstall the unwanted Windows Update.

In the settings window, search for "installed updates".
Right click on the unwanted update and uninstall.
Restart.

2. Prevent from being reinstalled.

Download and run "Show or hide updates" troubleshooter package
support.microsoft.com ... kb/3073930.

--- MY COMMENTS

It's the damndest thing. You would expect that the folks at Microsoft have tested this stuff before releasing it to the general public. I mean, they using are Win10 eh? What happens when their personal and work computers have these problems?

Yes, you would think so. This win10 has really caused so many wasted hours all over the world. I'm self employed and can't afford any more issues. No doubt they will come with the next update. It's been one thing after another for me since I started trying to use it a few weeks ago. Part of me wishes I had just stayed with XP but I was getting nervous that it would start causing issues because it's no longer supported. All I need is something that works quick and easy access to everything so I can get on with my daily tasks. Instead, Ive had to become a full time computer technician just to be able to do a simple task on win10 and get it working. Simple things like a start menu or installed fonts should not freezing up or going missing. Yet here I am still looking for solutions to get an operating system I can use again.