KB4571756 has demolished windows functionality for me

jonnieos · 12 Sep 2020

After running this latest update. I've completely lost the ability to use the windows search function. Explorer.exe won't run saying I'm referencing an unknown token. Task manager is empty and won't show nor run any processes (although I can see them in the resource manager. Networking has completely gone and I can't access settings/drivers to troubleshoot. I've tried system restore to a previous date and the files can't be extracted. I've booted into safe mode with networking and still can't get network. I've also ran dism/SFC and now the drive went from corrupt to showing no errors. Can't really use dism anyway with no internet. I can run a power line network adapter for internet in safe mode but WiFi is completely gone (Asus Wi-Fi 6 oem motherboard adapter). I've gone as far as disabling and re-enabling Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity in the BIOS. Keyboard and other drivers seemed to stop loading as well. Not sure what else to try other then a full reset of windows from the thumb drive which I'd really like to avoid.

dalchina · 12 Sep 2020

Hi, given that update your full build number (requested by the forum when you posted) is presumably 19041.508.

Given what you describe, you could simply try an in-place upgrade repair install of 2004 which like any upgrade procedure keeps all progs and data.

Tutorial available if needed.

A cautious person, given what you describe, might also consider checking his disks are ok first: E.g.
HD Tune v2.55 (free) - portable version also available e.g. Softpedia.com. Health & Error Scan tabs.
Crystal Diskinfo (Smart only) - free- portable version also available.

Short version:
Check you have at least 30Gb free on C:
Download iso for 2004 (if you don't already have one) using the MS media creation tool.
Rt click iso, Mount
Open new drive letter
Double click setup.exe

Once you have a working system again, your first job is to start using disk imaging routinely so you are pretty much guaranteed a way back to a good previous state should things go badly wrong, as is so, so often recommended here, E.g Macrium Reflect (free-paid) + large enough external storage.

jonnieos · 12 Sep 2020

Edit: I see you're referring to the media creation tool
I'll give that a try as soon as I can get logged back in somehow

dalchina · 12 Sep 2020

Please go to the Tutorial section, search 'in-place'

The short form instructions I've given are MUCH simpler.

Granted you can start this straight from the media creation tool, but my suggestion means you have the iso ready for reattempt or reuse.

Perhaps take precautions about applying that update next time.

Don't skip the disk check just in case.

Of course, you may be unlucky and whatever has happened to your O/S may cause the repair attempt to fail, in which case having a set of disk images would have been great. If it fails, I hope you have a full backup ready for a clean install should that prove necessary.

zbook · 12 Sep 2020

The "My Computer" section did not have any computer information.

Update the specs in the "My Computer" section:

System Specs - Fill in at Ten Forums
In the left corner below in your post you find 'My System Specs'.
After clicking it you can find a link a little below that says 'Update your System Spec', click on this link to get to the page where you can fill in your system specs.
System Info - See Your System Specs - Windows 7 Help Forums

Include PSU. cooler, case, peripherals and anything attached to the computer by wired or wireless (mouse, keyboard, headset, printer, xbox, USB wireless network card, etc.)

Some options are:
a) attempt to uninstall recent windows updates
b) reset save files
c) reset remove files
d) clean install

jonnieos · 12 Sep 2020

Appreciate all the help to this point. So far the built in factory reset no longer works. Running an iso to reinstall windows directly from the machine got halfway through and failed. And now trying to write the image to a flash drive with the media creation tool is also failing and am trying to troubleshoot that.

- - - Updated - - -

I also did check the drive health and it came back 100% healthy

dalchina · 12 Sep 2020

Feel free to create the Win 10 install drive on another PC (of same base language and 'bitness'), if available.

However, I suspect something is wrong here.

I guess you haven't been using disk imaging routinely as is so often recommended here - e.g. Macrium Reflect (free).

jonnieos · 12 Sep 2020

For sure I actually just joined here last night after these issues happened, and haven't been able to find the windows recovery flash drive I have anywhere. But I'll definitely start using that going forward.

dalchina · 12 Sep 2020

Here's how it should work:
Create Bootable USB Flash Drive to Install Windows 10

DriftyDonn · 12 Sep 2020

If I may add some advice, do not let windows install updates as soon as they are available. Wait-delay- 2 to 3 weeks to see if any news about bad code comes out- MAYBE msft will fix it, maybe not, but don't be a tester for msft!! And IMAGE IMAGE IMAGE!
Best wishes!