After update all programs and user profile moved to windows.old

virtualgeorge · 10 Jul 2018

Not sure what happened and junior was on the PC. Have a desktop with fairly new pc, not used much and win10 home. Was going to add some video software so first created a system restore point. Something asked about an update but don't remember what it said and some one else was using the pc and I didn't see what they did.

After the update my usual user that would show on startup was gone, just said "other user" so had to create another account before I could login, my user account was gone.

in the c drive I see there is a windows10update folder, windows folder and a windows.old folder.
The windows.old folder has all the programs I have installed to date and I see my original user account folder is there.

When I go to system restore there are no restore points even though I created one before the update. Any tips on how to go back the state before the update?

Or can I copy the programs & user profile from my windows.old folder would someone know what I did to create the windows.old folder in the first place?

thanks!!
-George

dalchina · 10 Jul 2018

Hi, a few thoughts:
1. Windows.old is created whenever you do any form of upgrade from one Windows 10 build to another.
2. It is automatically deleted -normally after 10 days.
3. During those 10 days you can 'Go back to the previous build' - which uses- yes- Windows.old
That should put things back as they were, but you would then be offered the upgrade again of course.
4. Some users, during the upgrade, find they have a temporary profile created. There are numerous threads here addressing that issue. Try searching e.g. for 'temporary profile' 'temporary profile upgrade'
5. Do NOT fiddle with the contents of Windows.old. You would end up in a real mess.
6. System restore points are only relevant to the build for which they are created. It would be totally wrong, for example, to restore a registry created under build 1709 in build 1803, likewise system files, which have all been replaced. Sadly many users don't appreciate this. By design, all system restore points are, correctly, deleted when upgrading.
7. You can check your Update History in Settings to see what update or upgrade occurred.

virtualgeorge · 10 Jul 2018

Ok I see "update" history but not "upgrade" history or is that what you meant?
There is only a few driver & defender updates, not an os upgrade. If I go to recovery there is no “Go back to Windows 7" or anything like that.

The computer is new & came with win10, If there was an upgrade then I should see "go back" in recovery correct? I did buy it back on black friday and am just now setting it up so could there have been a windows10 build update that it most likely installed?

Can you tell me what steps to take so I can get back what is now in the windows.old folder?

Thanks!!

dalchina · 10 Jul 2018

Sorry, Update, yes.

What is your current Windows version? Windows key + R, winver

The upgrade process is quite lengthy and I would have expected it to be noticeable, had you been watching the PC.
Yes, Go back to previous build would be available assuming 10 days after upgrade.

IF you've been assigned a temporary profile - check carefully- this simple step may help-
temporary profile Solved - Windows 10 Forums

You can find more threads on temporary profiles as I mentioned above.

And from the huge Tutorial section here:
Fix You've been signed in with a temporary profile in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

virtualgeorge · 10 Jul 2018

I have version 1803 and not sure how long the update took.
After the update the screen showed "other user" as the username on the login screen. There was nothing about a temporary login. I found some threads on that and created a new user account since I couldn't login.

There is no go back option and its only been 1 day.

When I go to user account control I get a popup asking to allow this app to make changes but there is ONLY a no button, can't click yes, button is gone, not greyed out.

dalchina · 10 Jul 2018

Have you read the thread I posted? It might help... very easy to try

temporary profile Solved - Windows 10 Forums
Please see post #5
I will quote it for you:

That was it!! Turned off fast startup and now win 10 doesn't boot to the temp profile account. I should have known that. Thank you so much for your solution.

And here's the tutorial on how to "go back to previous":
Go Back to the Previous Version of Windows in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
- at least that's how it should work.

Lily · 10 Jul 2018

Hi, here is what I can think of:
1. Retrieve files from the Windows.old folder by copying and pasting the files that you want from each folder to a folder. Remember Windows.old folder is available for 28 days after you update, so do it within the date.
2. Downgrade Windows 10 by restoring the system backup point.

dalchina · 10 Jul 2018

It used to be 30 days, now 10 days.
Also see:
Set Number of Days can Go Back to Previous Version of Windows | Windows 10 Tutorials

Bree · 10 Jul 2018

virtualgeorge said:

When I go to user account control I get a popup asking to allow this app to make changes but there is ONLY a no button, can't click yes, button is gone, not greyed out.

That is a sign that there are no administrator accounts available to use...

dalchina said:

...here's the tutorial on how to "go back to previous":
Go Back to the Previous Version of Windows in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
- at least that's how it should work.

virtualgeorge said:

...If I go to recovery there is no “Go back to Windows 7" or anything like that...

Option One in the tutorial Dalchina gave the link for may be available: 'Go back to Previous Windows from Windows 10 in Advanced Startup options'.

virtualgeorge · 10 Jul 2018

dalchina said:

Have you read the thread I posted? It might help... very easy to try

And here's the tutorial on how to "go back to previous":
Go Back to the Previous Version of Windows in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials
- at least that's how it should work.

When I tried that it says there is a problem and to try reset instead. I did not remove all my user accounts first though. When I go to accounts, I have no " family & other" option available to choose from as it says in the instructions?

For the temp user it says to disable fast start up but when I go into power options and it asks to allow the app to make changes there is ONLY a no button, can't answer yes.

Maybe the user I created does not have admin rights?