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Windows update seems to reset computer – Solved!
On 7 Feb after I performed a Windows Update, the Restart brought up a blue screen with the Windows pane but had reset Outlook, Windows Media Player, and iTunes as if I had never had an account. All of my file folders, Exel, Word files etc. were Gone. I recovered my files via Carbonite. The other issues, Outlook, etc were still reset. On 8 Feb I uninstalled all Windows updates dated 7 or 8 Feb.
I waited until 11 Feb and performed another Windows Update. There were many updates. When finished instead of a Restart I performed a Shutdown, followed by Power On. When the computer came up the original symptoms had returned. The only difference was that Carbonite had also been changed in that it would not open.
It seemed clear that the problem was with Windows Update.
I waited until today, 17 Feb, for Microsoft to correct the Windows Update. When I executed a Windows Update no updates were found. So I’m turning to the Komando community. Thanks in advance. -
3 Replies
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Hello lt7484GP6272,
This sounds a bit like data corruption, I would start off by running a test on your Hard Drive / SSD. You can find information here on how to do so. Also, be sure to let us know if you see a found.001 folder or similar in the root of the C:\ drive.
If not data corruption, I suspect you may have been far behind in keeping the latest updates installed or you have a really old computer. Please let us know your Make / Model
The fact that your data disappeared is worrisome, I would navigate to the c:\users folder to see if there are any duplicate user accounts, or if you are using the wrong account, or even if the user profile became corrupt and you are now using a temporary profile which I have seen Windows do in the past.
Lastly, do you have more than one storage device on your computer, eg c:\, D:\?
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Hello again,
If you find everything checks out with the HDD / SSD storage, and given the fact you have a backup in place. You may want to consider performing a clean install of Windows 10. You can find out how by tapping or clicking here.
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John, thank you very much. First my corrections: 1) I only lost my data one time. Since the Carbonite recovery those files have remained in my OS C drive through the subsequent updates and restarts. 2) You are correct. It is an old Dell Inspiron One 2020 All-In-One vintage 2012 running Windows 10. I have kept it updated weekly since 2012. 3) I was wrong also about Carbonite not opening. It is merely reset like iTunes, Outlook, and Windows Media.
When I ran CHKDSK /P I did the following steps: Windows key + X key(not capitalized), then I right cliked “Run” on the pull-down menu. Then I typed CHKDSK /P in the command line followed by enter. There was a momentary flash as if a window had been momentarily displayed. I then waited 5 minutes and repeated the steps but this time entered CHKDSK C:/F/R. Again a momentary flash but nothing further. I then shutdown and rebooted.
It seems like if I start over with the reset apps: Outlook, iTunes etc, MS Edge Favorites etc I can rebuild what I had originally but there still is the concern about the cause of the apparent Reset that started this. Would reinstalling Windows 10 (presumably with all its Updates) correct a hypothetical corruption within Windows itself? I expect I would still have the app rebuild issues and perhaps another Carbonite recovery? Your reminder about the age of my HDD does suggest that a new machine in the relatively near future is recommended. Thanks again. This has justified my many years of being a subscriber.
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