KB4532693 – total disaster and no help in sight

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Well, we’ve been waiting for MS to respond for quite some time now.  None of the recommended fixes from MS or others have made any difference.  The profile issues remain.

It almost appears that even though you can un-install KB4532693, your computer is still damaged. I tried installing the SMB3 patch and it came up with the same “can’t log in error” with the lost of my profile/data.

Has anyone tried installing a new copy of the win 10 system software (keeping apps and data)?  This is very frustrating.

Now MS has put out additional updates without fixing any of the previous problems.  Crazy!

win 10 1909 Pro Dell Aurora R8

Suggestions welcome!

GMidd

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Elly, geekdom, woody

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GMidd wrote:

It almost appears that even though you can un-install KB4532693, your computer is still damaged

Have you got a full image backup, restore point, shadow copy.. before KB…693 update in order to restore your system ?

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woody

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Win 10 1909, with  KB4532693 installed and I never had the profile loging issue.

So that’s not the cause of the problem.

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That’s the old “It didn’t happen to me, so it didn’t happen to anybody” argument.

There’s something going on. I have no idea what. But far too many people are reporting problems for this to be a figment.

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GMidd, cmptrgy, Cybertooth, Elly, johnf, geekdom

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woody wrote:

That’s the old “It didn’t happen to me, so it didn’t happen to anybody” argument.

The simple reality is that it didn’t happen to me, nor did it happen to lots of other people, so it didn’t happen to everybody.

And it didn’t happen to enough of the ~one billion installed base to make the main-stream media, which leads one to suspect that it’s not as wide-spread as some might be intimating.

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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[Alex5723]

WSaltamirano wrote:

Win 10 1909, with  KB4532693 installed and I never had the profile loging issue.

So that’s not the cause of the problem.

But many, maybe millions, have.

Microsoft has pulled it for a reason and haven’t added KB4532693 to Match CU.

Microsoft is aware of some customers logging into temporary profile after installing KB4532693, on both versions 1903 and 1909.

Rebooting into Safe Mode* and then starting back in normal Mode should resolve this issue for most customers.

*To boot into Safe mode, Click Shift+Restart button on the login screen, select Advanced options>Startup Settings>Select 1 for the booting to safe mode. Restarting the computer should start the computer in normal mode. For booting into Safe mode, you would be asked for a password instead of a PIN if you have set.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/cumulative-updates-february-11th-2020/548d4ded-39a1-4270-a866-627ea7c25de6

• This reply was modified 4 years, 12 months ago by Alex5723.

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GMidd, Elly

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Millions?

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Alex5723

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jabeattyauditor wrote:

Millions?

Yes, Millions poor Home users.
You don’t pull a security update because 17 users have a problem.

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Alex5723 wrote:

jabeattyauditor wrote:

Millions?

Yes, Millions poor Home users.
You don’t pull a security update because 17 users have a problem.

The update being discussed here was not pulled.

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Pulling unsubstantiated numbers out of thin air and trying to sound authoritative does no one any good. It just makes people nervous and fearful – commonly known as FUD. All we know for sure is there is more than one and less than one billion.

--Joe

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jayinalaska, bbearren, b

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Please check your Users folder. Do you see anything that looks like this?

(Spare is my spare profile. YOUR PROFILE would be your working profile name.)

 

On permanent hiatus {with backup and coffee}
offline▸ Win10Pro 2004.19041.572 x64 i3-3220 RAM8GB HDD Firefox83.0b3 WindowsDefender
offline▸ Acer TravelMate P215-52 RAM8GB Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1265 x64 i5-10210U SSD Firefox106.0 MicrosoftDefender
online▸ Win11Pro 22H2.22621.1992 x64 i5-9400 RAM16GB HDD Firefox116.0b3 MicrosoftDefender

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GMidd, b

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After having the temp profile problem, you booted into safe mode and then normal mode, you already did that without success, yes?

Now you have had the same failure with, and uninstalled KB4551762 (the latest march version of the update) and your computer seems normal, yes or no?  You could wait another month or for replies to other support questions, but if you want to try to fix it now, the account which ends up with a temporary profile is reported to be only the account which was used to install the update.  Create a new administrator account with a good password.  Login to it and use it to install KB4551762.  After restarting, if you are logged into a temporary profile, logout and log into your normal user account.  It should work normally.  Logout and test your normal administrator account.

You should make backups before any update like this, keeping multiple backups in case one has already been damaged.

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GMidd, b

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GMidd wrote:

“can’t log in error”

“can’t log in error”
If you can’t get into your account, that adds to the attempts to solve your problem.

Can you explain that a little further? Exact wording please?
Maybe you never get to the log-in screen?
Maybe your password isn’t accepted?
Something else?

Backups have been mentioned more than once.
I’d like to let you know I create a system image backup on a monthly basis during the week before Patch Tuesday.
— I addition, also save my data separate
— Please consider that

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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GMidd, b

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I just found this article
Windows 10 KB4532693 Update Bug Hides User Data, Loads Wrong Profile
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/windows-10-kb4532693-update-bug-hides-user-data-loads-wrong-profile/

Even though it doesn’t provide a solution for your situation, what I really liked was Woody’s input was included.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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GMidd

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One of the most recent comments there, three weeks ago, is from someone acknowledging that they almost certainly had low disk space when the update caused the switch to a temporary profile.

I wonder if that could be a common factor in some cases? (That one was solved by an in-place upgrade re-installation which apparently re-instated the original profile.)

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cmptrgy

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@GMidd see if you know someone who can create Win10 install media for your PC preferably using USB on another PC.
— Ensure that “Use the recommended options for this PC” is unchecked when that option appears.

If you want to try it yourself, one of us can provide one of the methods to do so.
— It appears to me you have Windows 10 Pro 64-bit: is that true?
— BTW, is there another user as Administrator on your PC

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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GMidd

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I can make the necessary USB drive but hadn’t heard of anyone else trying that or if they were successful.  Mine finally worked, see my other post with detailed steps.

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Thanks  for all the comments/suggestions.  I’ve laid out my testing results below:

I now have win 10 pro 64 bit ver 18363.592.  I have my gmidd normal account as well as a test account, both are admin.  The computer in question is an AW 15 R2 laptop about 4 or 5 years old with no previous update issues (I listed the wrong computer in my earlier post).  Free space on C: is 216 GB.  In my USERS directory I have my gmidd account mentioned above as well as my test account directories.  There were no gmidd.001 or .BAK profiles.  However, there were two TEMP directories but both were empty (so I deleted them).  I also uninstalled NORTON’s.  Win Defender turned itself on (the Core setting was already disabled).  I did NOT uninstall Quicken though some had mentioned banking software was a problem (what’s banking software suppose to mean anyway?).

In my test admin user account:  Turning on Update gave me KB4537572 (.NET for 1909) and KB4532693 (win 10, 1909 for x64 2020-02 Cumulative).  Both updates installed without errors – first KB4532693 then KB4537572.

I hit restart now and signed into my test account.  win 10 pro 64 bit ver 18363.657.   Signed out of test account.  Hit power, then shift-restart and worked my way into selecting safe mode as mentioned above.  No issues and nothing stood out as a problem.  Hit restart into normal mode and signed into my test account, again everything looked good – no errors.

Now, signed out of test account and into my normal gmidd account.  It came up normal/no issues.  Profile is correct and data is available.  Yahoo!!

I’ve tried the update on this laptop multiple times using these same steps (except removing Norton’s) and always had problems.  I don’t understand.

Thanks to all of those who provided comments/suggestions.  Something made it work this time.

gm.

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cmptrgy, Elly

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As a follow-up to my earlier results with an AW 15 R2, I  also was unable to install KB4532693 on an AW Aurora R8 (1 yr old).  Following the same steps outlined above, I continued to the the same profile/data damage every time I attempted the install.  Nothing I tried allowed the installation to be completed without errors.

Thoughts/comments welcome.

gm.

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GMidd, I think this is a good time to mention that when a PC is in “perfect condition” that suits the user, that is the time to create Win10 install media that includes “Use the recommended options for this PC”. Keep that media stored: don’t loose it.

In addition create a USB Recovery drive and include “Use the recommended options for this PC”. Keep that media stored: don’t loose it.

Another thing that’s important to me is to run SFC /SCANNOW & DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth at appropriate times.
— Use Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Prompt (Run as administrator)
An appropriate time can be just before a new Feature update.
Another appropriate time when something doesn’t seem to as it used to be: I know that’s a vague description but intuition pays off sometime.
At one time that was included in a monthly maintenance regimen I do before my system image backups.
— Now I do that only twice a year as I don’t take anything for granted when it comes to keep my PC’s maintained as well as my car, the house etc.

Moving on, we’ll continue to be helpful on what to do in your situation.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Interestingly enough, I actually have the original 1909 USB media upgrade for all my computers.  However, installing the original version will still leave me in the position of having to do all the monthly upgrades since then.  Unfortunately, we’ve seen many of the monthly updates not install correctly.  Thus, I was asking about installing the latest win 10 version via USB media device.

Occasionally in the past, I’ve used the latest version of the installation media  (with a full backup) after confirming that officially Dell says it is supported on my computers.

I’ve stayed away from the SFC & DISM comands due to their complexity as well as the fact that it never worked well in the early days of Win 10.  SFC would run for hours and never fix anything or totally fail.  These commands appear to have been improved so it may be time to give them another try.

As a side note, I never keep my data (photo’s, documents, etc.) on the same physical drive as the operating system.  File history is also on the 2nd drive or another separate physical drive.  I use Libraries to gain direct access to my data.  That may change in the future if they remove the Library capability but its helped so far.

Thanks to all for your comments and suggestions!

Gm.

 

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cmptrgy

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The AW Aurora R8 I guess has lots of free disk space?  Is Norton gone from the Aurora also, using their cleanup tool if necessary?  With details like the amount of free space you have available and any antivirus software installed I would post on the Microsoft forum and Alienware.  And consider delaying patching.  I have seen a report or two where a user did an in-place upgrade.  I don’t know how this is done with a current patch.  This apparently worked for that months patch, but in some cases the next month the new update still failed to install.

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GMidd I rearranged information in your opening post #2190249 along with your post #2190583 to sort out each one of your PC’S and need to know if I’m mixing up some of the information.
— My intent to focus on the problem PC and stay on track with it.
Please review and let me know what needs correction
>>>

Your opening post #2190249
Issues are the profile issues remain, KB4532693 & “can’t log in error” with the lost of my profile/data.
— It appears to me that is for your Alienware Aurora 15 R2 laptop.
>>>

Alienware Aurora R8 desktop is not the problem PC.
Win10 Pro 64-bit v 1909 (18363.592) per post #2190583 March 13, 2020.
You have 2 admin accounts: gmidd and a test account.
According to your post #2190583 it is not the problem PC, it runs fine.
Now, signed out of test account and into my normal gmidd account. It came up normal/no issues. Profile is correct and data is available. Yahoo!!
>>>

Alienware Aurora 15 R2 laptop is the problem PC
Win10 Pro 64-bit v 1909 (18363.657) per post #2190583.
About 4 or 5 years old. Free space on C: is 216 GB.
You have 2 admin accounts: gmidd and a test account.

In my test admin user account: Turning on Update gave me KB4537572 (.NET for 1909) and KB4532693 (win 10, 1909 for x64 2020-02 Cumulative). Both updates installed without errors – first KB4532693 then KB4537572.

I hit restart now and signed into my test account. win 10 pro 64 bit ver 18363.657. Signed out of test account. Hit power, then shift-restart and worked my way into selecting safe mode as mentioned above. No issues and nothing stood out as a problem. Hit restart into normal mode and signed into my test account, again everything looked good – no errors.

There were no gmidd.001 or .BAK profiles.
However, there were two TEMP directories but both were empty (so I deleted them).
I also uninstalled NORTON’s. Win Defender turned itself on (the Core setting was already disabled).
I did NOT uninstall Quicken though some had mentioned banking software was a problem (what’s banking software supposed to mean anyway?).

I’ve tried the update on this laptop multiple times using these same steps (except removing Norton’s) and always had problems. I don’t understand.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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Thanks for your interest.  Below is a summary of my systems and status as well as steps taken on to fix/repair on the PC that has NOT completed the KB4532693 install.

 

See post #2190583.  That is the AW 15 R2 laptop.  This post outlined the steps that I had taken which allowed me to complete the installation of  KB4532693.  Therefore the laptop is complete at this stage.

Alienware Aurora R8 desktop currently has NOT completed the installation of KB4532693.  Its specifics are:  Win10 Pro 64-bit v 1909 (18363.592), 1 year old PC, 463 GB free disk space on C:.  I have 2 admin accounts: gmidd and a test account.  Below are the steps taken so far in attempts to complete the KB4532693 installation.

There were no gmidd.001 or .BAK profiles.  However, there were two TEMP directories but both were empty so I deleted them.  I also uninstalled NORTON’s.  Win Defender turned itself on (the Core setting was already disabled).  I did NOT uninstall Quicken.

In my test admin user account:  Turning on Update gave me KB4532693 (win 10, 1909 for x64 2020-02 Cumulative) and some Windows Defender updates.  All updates installed without errors.

I hit restart now and signed into my test account.  win 10 pro 64 bit ver 18363.657.   Signed out of test account.  Hit power, then shift-restart and worked my way into selecting safe mode.  No issues and nothing stood out as a problem.  Hit restart into normal mode and signed into my test account, again everything looked good – no errors.

Now, I signed out of test account and into my normal gmidd account.  It came up with the profile errors and temp account, etc.

I uninstalled KB4532693 and recovered my account/data.  Back where I started.

Based on your suggestion, I ran the following commands in Powershell under Run as Administrator.

SFC /SCANNOW

Results:  errors were found and fixed.  See results in log……

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Results:  command completed successfully

Next Steps are as follows:

In my test admin user account:  Turn on Updates. Complete updates.  Reboot, check version number.  Log out of test account.  Boot into safe mode test account.  Reboot into normal mode. log into test account.  log out of  test account.  log into gmidd account.  See what happens.

 

 

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As follow up to my previous status/next steps post – here are the results.

Alienware Aurora R8 desktop currently has NOT completed the installation of KB4532693.  Its specifics are:  Win10 Pro 64-bit v 1909 (18363.592), 1 year old PC, 463 GB free disk space on C:.  Win Defender is the only AV.

In my test admin user account:  Turned on Updates which gave me KB4532693 (win 10, 1909 for x64 2020-02 Cumulative).  Update installed without errors.

I hit restart now and signed into my test account.  win 10 pro 64 bit ver 18363.657.   Signed out of test account.  Hit power, then shift-restart and worked my way into selecting safe mode.  No issues and nothing stood out as a problem.  Hit restart into normal mode and signed into my test account, again everything looked good – no errors.

Now, I signed out of test account and into my normal gmidd account.  It came up with preparing windows screen then “we can’t sign into your account” in a temp profile.

I uninstalled KB4532693 and am back to normal.

gm.

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doriel, cmptrgy, Elly

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win10 Pro ver 1909 bld18363.657

KB4532693 installed 29feb- no issues.

No m$ft account log-ins FWIW

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GMidd, thanks for letting us know how you really succeeded on how you solved both of your PC’s, You documented your information and stayed the course. I’d like to suggest you mark your thread as solved if you know how. It’s really an excellent thread.

HP EliteBook 8540w laptop Windows 10 Pro (x64)

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