Windows 10 Update 1809 Issue

Ok, I want to start this post saying I am heated but trying not to let it get to me as to make an informative and purposeful post.

This evening I updated to Windows version 1809. I had heard from a friend that they added a night theme and a couple other features i was excited about. I finished the update and restarted my PC. Upon arriving at the desktop i quickly realized that several files and programs were missing. I grabbed a cold beer in anticipation of the rage to follow. Programs like Spotify and Discord were gone (no big deal, re downloaded) but i also found that all of my Rainmeter skins and files were COMPLETELY gone, along with EVERYTHING FROM PICTURES AND DOCUMENTS. The pictures and skins i have mostly been able to find and download again, however, I had several school papers i was working on that are gone. I also lost some very sentimental documents. This is unacceptable! I made sure my drives were set up right to make sure this wasn't my error for some reason. Microsoft, if your update has some issues and is not ready to be launched, YOU NEED TO ****ING FIX THAT, this is unacceptable and could (if not already) result in some serious problems for other users. INSTALL THIS UPDATE AT YOUR OWN RISK BUT I WOULD RECOMMEND AVOIDING IT FOR NOW.

(Edit {I really should have backed up, I’m pretty good about it usually, but I got lazy this time. My data loss is partially my fault, however the point about automatic updates and less tech savvy users still raises concern and frustration towards Microsoft. Get it together Bill.})

Bansisingh said:

This evening I updated to Windows version 1809. ... Upon arriving at the desktop i quickly realized that several files and programs were missing... along with EVERYTHING FROM PICTURES AND DOCUMENTS....

(Edit {I really should have backed up, I’m pretty good about it usually, but I got lazy this time. My data loss is partially my fault, however the point about automatic updates and less tech savvy users still raises concern and frustration towards Microsoft. Get it together Bill.})

Welcome to TenForums Bansisingh.

Sadly, this bug during the upgrade to 1809 is precisely why MS pulled all downloadable sources of 1809 on the 8th October, just days after releasing it. Only a very few were affected, but like you if the bug hit the effects were catastrophic.

Microsoft said:

Last week we paused the rollout of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) for all users as we investigated isolated reports of users missing files after updating. Given the serious nature of any data loss, we took the added precaution of pulling all 1809 media across all channels...

If you have installed 1809 and lost files, then Microsoft's advice is to NOT USE THE PC in order to get the best possible chance of recovering the deleted files...

Microsoft said:

Support for affected users

To help our customers that may be impacted by this issue, Microsoft Support is assisting customers and trying to recover data for users who may have experienced related data loss. Microsoft retail stores support services also offer this same level of support in-store. While we cannot guarantee the outcome of any file recovery work, if you have manually checked for updates and believe you have an issue with missing files, please minimize your use of the affected device and contact us directly at +1-800-MICROSOFT or find a local number in your area.

KB4467228 Windows 10 October 2018 Update Build 17763.17 to Insiders Insider - Windows 10 Forums

By all accounts, MS support are using third party file recovery software to recover as many deleted files as possible. This is something you could try for yourself if you feel confident enough, but if you continue to use the PC the chances of recovery will be reduced as the 'lost' data will soon get overwritten.

Just out of curiosity, how did you manage to do the update to 1809, as it was withdrawn from all official sources about 3 weeks ago?

Hi,
1809 went exactly as planned
MS is pushing onedrive a security measure against loosing data and showed some impulsive people how easily it can happen

bobkn said:

Just out of curiosity, how did you manage to do the update to 1809, as it was withdrawn from all official sources about 3 weeks ago?

I may have mislead about when it was pulled from Windows Update.

I got the build through the Insider program. Fortunately, none of my machines was one of the small minority that had the bogus flag setting that led to the overwriting of files. (That is not to excuse MS, especially as they probably were informed of the error by some Insiders.)

I haven't noticed the bugs with Zip archives yet. I wonder whether it affects every 1809 machine, or just some?

bobkn said:

I haven't noticed the bugs with Zip archives yet. I wonder whether it affects every 1809 machine, or just some?

Yes, every 1809. But you'll only see it if you try to extract files from a .zip to a location that already contains a file of the same name. It fails to ask you if you want to overwrite it with the new one or keep the original. It will always leave the original intact.