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Alert

Windows 10 October 2018 Update (1809) deleting files?

Oct 5, 2018 12:33PM PDT

You may want to hold off on Windows 10 October 2018 (1809) Update as people have been reporting that their files are being deleted. No word yet from Microsoft about this. If you are going to go through with the update, make sure you back up your important files. Here are some resources of what is being reported and how to stop the updates for the time being:

ZDNet: Windows 10 October update delete your files? This tool might recover them

ZDNet: Windows 10 October update problems: Wiped docs, plus Intel driver warning

CNET: Windows 10 October 2018 Update may have a big problem -- here's how to delay it until we learn more

CNET: Windows 10 October 2018 update may delete your files during upgrades

Reddit: Windows 1809 update wiped my documents

Microsoft Community forums Windows 10 Pro Update version 1809 (10-2-18

MSPowerusers: Some users are complaining the Windows 10 October 2018 update is deleting their files

If any of you updated to 1809 and the deletion occurred or it didn't happen to you, please post it here, so we can get a sense of what people are experiencing. I hope this isn't widespread or it's going to be a disaster.

Post was last edited on October 5, 2018 12:54 PM PDT

Discussion is locked

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Lee, Some Of That's Already Been Posted In This Forum
Oct 5, 2018 2:04PM PDT

It's the discussion thread at the top of this Windows 10 forum, at the link below:

https://www.cnet.com/forums/discussions/windows-10-october-2018-update-released-today/

And as mentioned in those posts, I've now installed Version 1809 on three different computers and I've had no problems with losing files or anything else in particular, except for a few settings which were changed back to default.

On the other hand, one individual in the discussion did lose files. I'm thinking it may have something to do with OneDrive settings and/or possible Microsoft logins. On all the computers I've tested so far, they are all local logins with OneDrive disabled. All files are saved to "My Documents" and none were lost. Just guessing though.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Post was last edited on October 5, 2018 2:57 PM PDT

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Thank you, Grif. I saw your post above.
Oct 5, 2018 4:25PM PDT

I just wanted to call this particular issue out in it's own thread, just in case people don't catch yours. Thank you as always for your coverage on these releases!

Glad that your installs have gone smoothly, Grif, I really do hope this problem isn't widespread.

Post was last edited on October 5, 2018 4:34 PM PDT

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A Method Of Getting The Deleted Files Back
Oct 5, 2018 2:51PM PDT
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My thought here.
Oct 6, 2018 3:00PM PDT

Is to install Recuva before the loss.

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Windows 10 October update
Oct 6, 2018 2:24PM PDT

I had no problem with the update.
Everything went fine. My Laptop and Desktop.
I dont keep photos and music on my main drive, to risky.

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Microsoft pulls Windows 10 October 2018 Update
Oct 7, 2018 8:55AM PDT
“We have paused the rollout of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) for all users as we investigate isolated reports of users missing some files after updating,” says Microsoft on its support site for Windows Update.

So if you have already downloaded the latest ISO from the Media Creation Tool and not installed it, DON'T. Wait for a newer version of the ISO.

See the link below:

https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/6/17944966/microsoft-windows-10-october-2018-update-documents-deleted-issues-windows-update-paused

Hope this helps.

Grif
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Microsoft Is Re-Releasing the October Update After Fixes
Oct 9, 2018 4:41PM PDT
Microsoft is re-releasing its Windows 10 October 2018 Update today, following the company pulling it offline due to data deletion issues over the weekend. The software giant says there were only a few reports of data loss, at a rate of one one-hundredth of one percent. “We have fully investigated all reports of data loss, identified and fixed all known issues in the update, and conducted internal validation,” says Microsoft’s John Cable, director of program management for Windows Servicing and Delivery.

See the articles in the links below:

https://www.theverge.com/2018/10/9/17957506/microsoft-windows-10-october-2018-update-data-deletion-fix

https://redmondmag.com/articles/2018/10/09/microsoft-lost-files-issue-windows-10.aspx

Hope this helps.

Grif

Post was last edited on October 9, 2018 4:56 PM PDT