February Win10 1903 and 1909 cumulative update, KB 4532693, causing desktops to disappear

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Excellent overnight analysis from Lawrence Abrams and a surprising observation from Günter Born point at a possible smoking gun. Microsoft should be p
[See the full post at: February Win10 1903 and 1909 cumulative update, KB 4532693, causing desktops to disappear]

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rontpxz81, lurks about, geekdom

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Oh, that’s nice, Microsoft!

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Why is Microsoft playing around with the desktop now? Seems like they’re on another one of their secret missions which will later cause uproar in the community when it is revealed.

Red Ruffnsore

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Loss of profile has historically been a race condition between the boot process and something holding files open.  I personally have seen antivirus most often do this but it could be other things like antiransomware protection, group policy settings.  Microsoft DOES test their patches they really do.  What they can’t do is test for the myriad of unknown ways that we set up our computers.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

8 users thanked author for this post.

rc primak, wavy, doriel, Barry, Kranium, Mr. Natural, woody, jabeattyauditor

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Loss of your profile would certainly change the appearance of your desktop. 

Red Ruffnsore

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I look at this issue this way:
If your/mine user folder is affected, in this update, there has to be some procedure, that does something user folder – move/rename/delete files – or messes up with some registry where path to user folder is stored.

If it manipulates for example wit syswow64 folder, how it can crash my user folder? It happens for 1% of users, but still, there is always risk and this update has to colaborate with user folder somehow.

It just cant cant happen randomly, otherwise we created AI.

And still, if some third party SW blocks windows update resulting in user folder crash, how is it, that it does not recognize windows update process?
I think that affected computers could be somheow infected with malware or viruses.

Dell Latitude 3420, Intel Core i7 @ 2.8 GHz, 16GB RAM, W10 22H2 Enterprise

HAL3000, AMD Athlon 200GE @ 3,4 GHz, 8GB RAM, Fedora 29

PRUSA i3 MK3S+

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Seven domain attached computers (1909) with MS AV had no problems with KB 4532693.

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bbearren

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In The Netherlands some people also report these problems. On my website, four visitors said they lost their personal folders. One of them had Norton and of them had no anti-virus, so, it’s not only Avira possibly causing trouble. Here my article about it in Dutch.

https://www.gratissoftwaresite.nl/nieuws-windows-10-81-beveiligingsupdates-februari-lekken

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rontpxz81, gborn, woody

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I also have a tweet from @JasperKusters that absolves Avira….

Nope, they are not [running Avira or AVG]. But they are running some software that make sure the system/usee can’t do crazy stuff and is pretty boxed.

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gborn

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[tijsco]

I don’t know if this has something to do with the problems, but two of the users had a local account for Windows 10 (not logged in with Microsoft account). Don’t know about the other two.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 2 months ago by tijsco.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 2 months ago by tijsco.

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woody

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Now six visitors of my site are reporting these problems and three stated they had a local account. The other three, I don’t know yet. Maybe something going wrong with the local accounts?

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Will this company ever get anything right ? This is an absolute joke. Sounds like they’re out to trash every ones PC’s.

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The desktop disappearing is only the most visible sign, but the issue is that the entire user profile or user data is not accessed so My Documents would also be gone.  Restarting again is the safest first step if you see this problem.  Some reports are that Avira antivirus users are affected.  The profile data is not actually deleted, it sounds, so if it does happen don’t panic.

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woody

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And we thought v1809 deletion bug was serious enough to have Microsoft do more tesing before releasing

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lanceboil, AlexEiffel, woody, PKCano

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abbodi86 wrote:

And we thought v1809 deletion bug was serious enough to have Microsoft do more tesing before releasing

Not all of us.  I ran v1809 with no real issue until Microsoft pulled it.  I restored my drive images and waited for Microsoft to sort it out.  I soon as they reissued it, I was right back one it.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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Likewise, but still, it was scary bug

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Kranium

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[Alex5723]

Susan Bradley wrote:

What they can’t do is test for the myriad of unknown ways that we set up our computers

If Microsoft can’t test all the various hardware/software/settings combinations, they should go Apple’s way and restrict Windows to specified list of hardware/software and don’t break users’ PCs with beta updates.

PS : Even when they do go Apple’s way they **** up like with the Surface tablets/laptops..

• This reply was modified 5 years, 2 months ago by Alex5723.

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rc primak, Zaphyrus

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Please report when and if this problem is fixed by Microsoft.

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If you have a temporary account, consider yourself lucky.  Update on my surface deleted everything.

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woody

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Did you look in the C:\Users folder for .BAK or .000 folders?

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In my years (20+) of doing IT support on Windows, I have seen this issue countless times. And each time it was caused by one of two things. The first reason is the user profile service had a “moment” at logon and couldn’t access the correct profile. With a hard reset (power off / power on) the issue cleared. The second reason is no free space on the the system volume. This prevents the logon process to create the temporary files it needs to load the profile correctly and thus it shows a temp profile instead.

Rgds, Zeus

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doriel, AlbertMcCann623, b, woody

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I hear ya… but the reports I’m seeing are across wide swaths of machines — 80 for one unfortunate admin. I think Susan’s right and it’s a race condition… but I’m surprised an installer has problems with race conditions when restoring temporary settings. Should be relatively easy (and very common) to program around. I think.

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rc primak

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I’ve also seen many times where a user logs in and their profile doesn’t load properly and they receive the temporary profile message. The easy fix that worked every time is to have the user log off and back on. No reboot needed, as a matter of fact a reboot would often result in the same thing. Log off and back on and the profile properly loaded.

That would not resolve this issue with this update since the entire profile has been renamed.

Red Ruffnsore

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rc primak

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abbodi86 wrote:

And we thought v1809 deletion bug was serious enough to have Microsoft do more tesing before releasing

I saw a post of a Microsoft Surface user that claimed he LOST all of his data after the update.

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doriel

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Where? Please provide links / info.

cheers, Paul

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woody

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I’ve seen several – and what’s amazing is that they specifically mention Surface.

Günter tells me he’s looking into it. Expect an update shortly. (He says as he scarfs down his first cup of coffee.)

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rc primak

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Ends up that Mayank Parmar ran an article about completely missing data this morning, in Windows Latest, Windows 10 KB4532693 could delete and hide your data.

He’s very careful to point out that he’s reporting what folks have said. Like him, I’m a bit skeptical – but would welcome more info!

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rc primak

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Paul T wrote:

KB 4532693

This is not the post I saw but probably a reference to similar posts :

“Some users of Surface have no temporary accounts, and no restore points. Their data is gone. Let me be the first to say it’s so.”

https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/windows-10-kb4532693-update-bug-hides-user-data-loads-wrong-profile/

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rc primak

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A minor update in December wiped out all my files, and first I found them in the Users folder but when I turned the computer off, they disappeared completely. When I took my laptop to Geek Squad, they found a few of my folders (incomplete) in the recycle bin — interestingly, that hadn’t been wiped out. So I sent the laptop to Geek Squad’s tech lab, they reported they found some of my docs and photos but when I got it back from them, there was absolutely nothing of my original files or folders. And I paid $450 for that — nothing. Plus, I had to buy a new laptop that I didn’t even need. If there’s a fix, I’d love to hear about it because Geek Squad couldn’t help me.

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woody

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My #1 rule when somebody thinks they’ve lost file(s): Run Recuva first, ask questions later.

Geek Squad won’t be able to do any more than a round of Recuva.

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Morty, rc primak, rontpxz81

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My #1 rule about files is one I heard at least twenty years ago, probably longer than that.

Any file for which you don’t have 3 copies is a file you’re willing to lose.  How many external storage drives would $450 buy?

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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rc primak, Seattle27

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Do you still have the same positive feeling about Recuva, considering the issues with Avast and Ccleaner?

Do you have any experience with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard?

Thanks, Morty

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[Alex5723]

anonymous wrote:

If there’s a fix, I’d love to hear about it because Geek Squad couldn’t help me.

Of course there is a fix. Restore from your ‘last before the update’ image backup.

No one should use any device running any OS (pc, smartphone, smartwatch…) without creating a daily backup.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 2 months ago by Alex5723.

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A little kinder but what he said.  Everyone MUST have backups.  Short of a total crash of a hard drive, updates (with the exception of the lovely feature update a few years back – and even that was an odd set of circumstances that involved onedrive) – updates don’t delete files.  Given that you found some in a recycle bin, it feels more like a botched ransomware or something else afoot.  Patches don’t delete files.  Hard drives do crash, they can wear out and have damaged sectors.  But mere monthly updates don’t touch doc and pictures and everything else we hold dear.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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woody, Alex5723, b

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Susan Bradley wrote:

Everyone MUST have backups.

I completely agree.  Why is this so hard for folks to wrap their heads around?  I haven’t had any problems with updates/upgrades, but obviously some have.  And yet I stay fully prepared with drive images.

And hardware failure is a matter of when, not if.  I have replaced motherboards and hard drives on my machines, always with drive images at the ready to make a smooth transition after replacement.  It is not that hard to do, and pays huge dividends in both time and money.

Why people would rather complain bitterly about Microsoft instead of preparing for an easy resolution to problems is something I simply don’t understand.

Always create a fresh drive image before making system changes/Windows updates; you may need to start over!

We all have our own reasons for doing the things that we do with our systems; we don't need anyone's approval, and we don't all have to do the same things.

We were all once "Average Users".

Computer Specs

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RockE, rc primak

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Because people would rather have patches work correctly the first time rather than be Microsoft’s guinea pigs and having to fend for themselves.

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rontpxz81

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“…without a daily backup.”

My data don’t change that often. So at least for System Images I can get away with once or twice monthly. That’s manageable for most people. My DATA on the other hand, get at least one external round of backup every time I make any change I don’t want to lose — at that moment and without any delay whatsoever. (I also do this in Linux, where I find this practice even more critical.)

-- rc primak

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I’m on Win 10 Home 1909 and down the chute it came yesterday after pause expired. So far no issues.

Win 10 Home 22H2

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I’ve applied KB4532693 on Win10 v1903 education on an old HP computer and found no problems, not even the “disappearing desktop” problem

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After updating windows 8.1 last week I got a temporary profile. I had to remove the last updates to get my normal profile back. I have Avast clean up, driver updater and premium security.

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jburk07, woody

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[EP]

a follow up on my previous comment – I manually downloaded & installed KB4532693 from the Microsoft Update Catalog site rather than thru Windows Update. that could be one big reason why I’m not experiencing the problems with KB4532693; I did not install it thru WU but from MUC

anyone else with Windows 10 v1903 or v1909 brave enough to download & install KB4532693 from MS Catalog (instead of thru windows update) to see if the desktop user profile problems occur?

• This reply was modified 5 years, 2 months ago by EP.
• This reply was modified 5 years, 2 months ago by EP.

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Three machines at home (all 1909 Pro) with 4532693 installed via Windows Update – no issues. No issues at work (primarily 1903 Pro installs with a few 1909s out there for testing purposes).

Work PCs are primarily new/newer Dell machines; machines at home are Dell and HP of considerably older vintage.

Just a data point.

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A few different websites are posting the possible Avira, AVG, Avast connection.

If someone posts their success or failure with updating to 4532693  on 1903 or 1909, could you please state if you have either of those anti-virus packages installed?

Thanks!

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rontpxz81

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From Windows Central site – “Microsoft confirms major Windows data-deletion bug (sort of) and offers an (awkward) fix”

https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-confirms-major-windows-data-deletion-bug-sort-and-offers-awkward-fix

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woody, geekdom

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The awkward fix may be beyond the skills of the average client.

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
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Several problems with the Windows Central post — and the reason why I didn’t mention it on the main blog page.

• It’s based on Mayank Parmar’s reporting. Adds nothing to his report, as best I can tell.
• I’m not convinced, yet, that anybody’s actually lost data after installing KB 4532693. I’ve seen lots of reports of missing data, but none of them pass my sniff test. (May just be my faulty sniffer.)
• The title “Microsoft confirms major Windows data-deletion bug (sort of) and offers an (awkward) fix” stretches way too far. It isn’t supported by the evidence. Same complaint I have with many Forbes posts.

That said, clearly there’s a problem with the patch. Clearly, MS should acknowledge it. They’ve had ten days to clear the air and they’re just twiddling their thumbs.

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Just a thought. If you have not installed the update yet. As a preemptive measure, could you not just back-up all the files and folders from your user folder? Then if the issue occurs, place the backed-up file in the new user folder that it created?

I am not a Windows power user by any means, but would this work?

Personally, my user folder is quite empty as I store all my working documents on an external drive that is backed up every night. App Data would be the only “big” folder.

Just a thought. Could be a bad one.

Or, just pause updates as everyone has suggested and wait for MS to fix the update…

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Now might be a good time to build a spare profile. The instructions below say Windows 7, but work for Windows 10 and are quite explanatory. Especially useful is how to move documents, pictures, and other such information from private profile to Public profile.
https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/creating-and-using-a-standard-user-account-on-windows-7/

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
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online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

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[EP]

Born also reported a similar situation with the KB4537821 update for Win8.1 destroying some user profiles and possibly causing the disappearing desktop problem:
https://borncity.com/win/2020/02/16/windows-8-1-update-kb4537821-kills-also-user-profiles/

I was unable to reproduce nor encounter the problem with the KB4537821 update on a Win8.1 machine, though a few other Win8.1 users seem to have gotten the problem.

so it’s not just Win10 alone that may have the problem

• This reply was modified 5 years, 1 month ago by EP.

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My husband’s disappeared. I do not pause his updates since he doesn’t do much on it. Also, all the themes were gone except for those that come with Windows 10. I added the couple of links I had on his desktop and tried to go out to the MS Store to download the the themes again. It said “You’ll need a new app to open this ms-windows-store link!” So, I uninstalled KB 4532693 and the desktop returned. I have Webroot and Malwarebytes installed on his machine. This machine has older hardware and is home built.

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Win 10 pro x64 1909 OS Build 18363.628
Kaspersky Internet Security 2020

Local Admin account.

I’ve run both WU and the stand alone package for KB 4532693 restarts every time with the temp profile bug, uninstall the patch back to normal.

When the temp profile loads, sign back out to fix the issue as noted by the win 10 message displayed, doesn’t work.

What it does do however is create another temp profile folder under :C/users and every sign out and back in creates another, the loop continues… reboot the machine presented with the temp profile.

Other machines here (also win 10 pro x64) with Microsoft accounts installed KB 4532693 without issue.

All machines running Kaspersky Internet Security 2020

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woody

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Now THAT is a bug.

I haven’t heard of the repeated misfire. Perhaps someone else here can illuminate?

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