Windows updates breaking boot partition?

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In the last three months it appears that normal Windows updates have broken the boot partitions on two machines.

A 2022 ASUS PC running Windows 11 22H1 in July and in September a 2013 Dell running Windows 10 22H22.

Both machines had updates deferred until the DEFCON rating was 4 or above.

On both machines, the problem occurred after the first ‘normal’ restart after the updates.  Yes, I have recovered but it is annoying and time consuming.

Does anyone have any advice?

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What do you mean by broke the boot partition? What were the exact symptoms?

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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Sorry for not being clearer.

The first PC in July was (from memory) was a black screen (not BSOD) with a Microsoft message about not being able to boot.  I could not get past this. The Microsoft troubleshoot options came up but in the end I had to completely re-install Windows 11 afresh.

The recent computer was very slow after the POST; after a long wait there was a Microsoft message about not being able to boot.  I used my Macrium recovery USB to recover and then reload a system image.

I suppose it could be a coincidence, that both PCs had a problem with the SSD / HDD  but I have never had this happen before on a PC in 30 years.

 

 

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I vote for coincidence, but you have been unlucky.

Do you run any unusual software / 3rd party anti virus?

cheers, Paul

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I don’t run any unusual software.  I do run MalwareBytes and McAfee on one PC and Malwarebytes and Norton on the other.  Both PCs have basically the same apps and are runnung again.  I forgot to say that on the old Dell, I needed Macrium to create a new Boot partiton.  I’m just going to put it down to another wonder of the Universe (unless it happens again on my next PC!)

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Personally, during last few months, I witnessed several Dell computers have changed their SATA operation mode swithched from AHCI to RAID, thus unable to boot (“No bootable devices found”).
Fix was obvious – switch back to AHCI mode.
not sure about what caused it exactly – I suppose it was BIOS update .
So I check the storage operation mode everytime when I face issue like this.

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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Sueska

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The default setting for Dell PCs seems to be RAID so you probably changed it when setting them up.

cheers, Paul

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Agreed, I changed that. AHCI is completely legit setting, with one SSD configuration.
Also, while RAID selected, Windows installation do not see any hard drive, unless I load Dell RAID drivers during the installation.

My opinion is, that updates should respect the setting I have, not change it arbitrarily.

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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Sueska

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I forgot to say that on the old Dell I had to use Macrium recovery to create a new boot partition.

Both PCs are running again.  They are mainly running the same apps with no unusual software. One PC has MalwareBytes and McAfee; the other has MalwareBytes and Norton. They have run these without problems for at least three years.

I’m just going to put it down to the wonders of the Universe, unless it happens to my next PC as well!

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doriel

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Its ridiculous that you can’t disable the automatic updates without a major headache

What a joke.

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Cole wrote:

Its ridiculous that you can’t disable the automatic updates without a major headache

What a joke.

Yes, you can.

On a Pro version just set notify=2. No need to pause… and than use WUmgr to hide unwanted updates.

https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/2000016-guide-for-windows-update-settings-for-windows-10/

https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/60002-guide-to-using-wumgr-for-windows-10-updates/

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