Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems

Subject: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: Stewart
Date: 01 Oct 16 - 02:31 PM

Yesterday when I booted up my Windows 10 computer a popup appeared telling me that an update was occurring and my computer would re-boot.
That was the major Anniversary Update for Windows 10. There was nothing I could do but wait over an hour for an incredibly slow update with several reboots. Finally the new version of Windows 10 (ver. 1607) appeared. It didn't have web connectivity and the start button was screwed up. Rebooting didn't fix that. I was stuck with a flawed version of Windows 10

After some attempts to figure out the problem and how to get around it, I finally decided to revert to a previous build. That took another 15-20 min, but I was back to my previous version (ver. 1511) and everything was fine.

There is a hidden Microsoft's Wushowhide tool, which is supposed to stop future installs of updates. I installed this on my wife's computer to prevent her computer from updating. But it didn't work and today her computer automatically started the dreaded Anniversary update. Another hour of updating and a faulty new version and another 20 min of reverting back to the previous build!

How have other experienced and dealt with this problem? I am completely annoyed with MS and am ready to switch to Apple but for the many programs I would have to buy and change to Apple.

S. in Seattle

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Oct 16 - 04:07 PM

I voluntarily installed the Anniversary Update on my computer in August, so I could anticipate any problems that might come up with the fleet of computers I maintain at the Women's Center. The update went OK and has some new features I like, but the computer seems to almost stall every few minutes, and then goes back to normal. I shut my computer down and took off on a 10-week driving tour of the US. I hope Microsoft has a repair by the time I get home.
I'm confident that Microsoft will come up with a repair - sooner or later.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 01 Oct 16 - 11:34 PM

No problems here after the update. The Start Menu has changed very slightly, took me...oh, at least twenty seconds...to figure it out. It also changed my lock-screen picture, took another few seconds to reset it to my previous picture. Otherwise, no drama, business as usual.

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 04:34 AM

Despite much coverage to the contrary, it IS possible to stop automatic updates in Windows 10 Home.

Open 'Control Panel' and go to System and Security > Administrative Tools > Services (or just search for 'Services'). Scroll to the bottom of the 'Services' window, right click on 'Windows Update', select 'Properties' and in the 'Startup Type' drop-down choose 'Disabled.' Job done.

Information taken from this article

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 08:13 AM

For me, the problem with disabling automatic updates is that, like many others, I don't have the detailed knowledge and skills to be able to make informed decisions on which updates NEED, for whatever reason(s), to be applied, and which can be ignored.

Therefore, automatic updates work for me - I'm sufficiently intelligent and PC-savvy to be able to work through, and get the hang of, any changes I see in the appearance of the GUI, and they seldom, if ever, cause me any lasting (i.e. more than a few minutes) grief.

And I'm guessing that the majority of PC-users fall into the same category.

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: Bonzo3legs
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 12:48 PM

Currently upgrading my spare PC to Windows 10 for fun from the MS free upgrade page!!

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: GUEST,Phil d'Conch
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 01:17 PM

The wisdom of Microsoft's 'mandatory' updates aside, the latest version of Windows 10 is causing more than a few problems with the machines running it:

thread.cfm?threadid=160688&messages=17

imo: It's the typical compatibility stuff that gets sorted later by the cubiculture minions.

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 02 Oct 16 - 02:00 PM

They don't let you see what was updated as easily as before. And they reset some of the defaults to the way they want them. Go into the settings and set your privacy so Microsoft can't keylog (they say they want to improve your typing - what bullshit!) or recommend you for advertisements.

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: gnu
Date: 03 Dec 16 - 08:07 AM

WIN10 auto-updated my PC last evening. I saw the update went I went to power down and chose restart. Six hours later, when I went to bed, it was it was about half done the installation so I disconnected the internut cable. This AM, the little spinning icon was spinning. Hard reboot and same thing. Powered off. Connected the cable and booted. It auto-recovered. It's working. AGGGGHHHHBHH!

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: gnu
Date: 03 Dec 16 - 08:08 AM

OOPS! Not the PC. The laptop.

PC has worked fine.

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 04 Dec 16 - 05:53 AM

I've said this before.

I took all three of my devices - PC, Laptop & Notebook back to XP as I was having lots of problems with later versions of Windows.

Despite the fact that MS no longer support XP all of my devices are working fine and how I want them to.

I did look at moving to Apple but found them just as unresponsive as MS and almost twice the price.

I use all my appliances as tools utilising tried and tested software which works everytime for me and which I can control.

If it's not broken you don't fix it!

Joe is obviously a supreme optomist as well as a full time saint.

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 04 Dec 16 - 06:56 AM

If it's not broken you don't fix it!

In fairness, a fair portion of the updates consists of bug fixes and security updates. You can ofcourse tell yourself XP isn't in need of fixes but you are likely to make yourself vulnerable by using a no longer supported system.

That said, I kept XP until the machine that ran it died, never really took to 8 that came with the replacing machine but I never had any real problems with 10, updates and all. Mind you, I gave it a thorough tweaking of security and privacy settings and switched off more than a few features.

Interesting about the change of lock screen picture a few posts earlier. I get a new lock screen pic every two or three days and am asked feedback about it. If I don't like it I get a different one. I thought that was standard procedure although my wife's laptiop sticks with one image all the time.

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 04 Dec 16 - 07:31 AM

I'm not that computer literate & the probs I've been reading on here put me off the idea of Windows 10! I'm running an 8yr old Dell desktop on XP which I get updated with an MS recommended website 'Reimage' which costs me £30 odd a yr which will also repair any damage - but, what with my desperately slow Vodafone Mobile Broadband & my pc clogged up with unnecessary files which ones I'm not sure to delete, I think its on its last legs!

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: GUEST,Peter Laban
Date: 04 Dec 16 - 07:54 AM

We hold on to the promise faster broadband will reach us within the year (it's been 'within a year' for some time though) so it might get to your end of the mountain soon-ish as well Jim. For now, if it manages to get to 1Mbps it's a good day but most of the time, it isn't.

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: GUEST,Ed
Date: 04 Dec 16 - 08:58 AM

& my pc clogged up with unnecessary files which ones I'm not sure to delete

Jim,

Whilst it's obviously circumspect to not delete files if unsure, there may well be a lot of system files that you can safely get rid of.

I'd suggest downloading CCleaner (free version), and running it. You may be surprised at how much space you save.

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: Joe Offer
Date: 04 Dec 16 - 05:31 PM

Well, I still have the almost-stalling problem. It's most noticeable when I'm playing MP3 files. Every few minutes, the computer makes a half-second buzzing sound, and seems to slow down. I'm wondering what effect it will have on MP3s I rip, or CDs I burn.
I'm addicted to the game "Bejeweled." I notice the slowdown there, too.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: GUEST,Jim Martin
Date: 05 Dec 16 - 07:59 AM

Peter Laban - I spoke to someone in'Eir' recently & he reckoned they had no plans to extend fibre-optic from Miltown Malbay out on the Connolly road (all other service providers would be dependant on that)- Guest 'Ed' - I'm already running CCleaner!

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Dec 16 - 10:53 AM

I recently realized that Win10 in it's latest iteration knocked Norton Ghost completely out of my system. What's in there now is a Ghost 15 trial for 30 days, probably full-price after that time. I'll look for a new discounted version (many Norton products can be purchased with significant rebates - and you should always keep previous booklets, boxes, discs, etc. to claim those rebates for upgrades. And you can often upgrade from a different brand and still claim a rebate).

Those of you who are interested in getting under the OS hood might want to look at the Windows PowerShell. In Win10 it's easier than ever to get to. Here is a discussion of the history and use of the Windows feature:

http://www.digitalcitizen.life/simple-questions-what-powershell-what-can-you-do-it

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Dec 16 - 03:02 PM

Follow-up: Norton Ghost was discontinued in 2013, so there isn't a replacement. I suspect they stopped putting out this software because Windows has such a robust backup. I had my computer set up to do a monthly backup of data (I'd forgotten about that!) but today I've set up an external drive and am doing an entire image of the computer, all of the drives. That will be updated periodically but won't stay on the desk connected to the computer. It needs to be free of malware access, and it needs to be out of sight in case the computer itself is stolen, so I have the backup.

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: gnu
Date: 05 Dec 16 - 08:50 PM

I use two WD My Passports and I do manual backups. Formatted the suckers. I create a new folder every time I do a backup of my files. WIN10 keeps telling me to reconnect my backup drive (which will not work because of the way I have done things manually in the past but M$ can't tell me how to fix that... the bastards!) and I ignore it but it's a good reminder to do my own manual backups.

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: DaveRo
Date: 06 Dec 16 - 02:27 AM

The Win 10 'File History' (FH) backup works pretty well. It automatically backs up every changed file and, by looking in 'properties' for a file, you can see and restore any previous version.

I use a passport drive too. It assumes you keep it plugged in but, like Acme, I don't do that to stop malware zapping it. That does mean I have to start FH manually when I plug the drive in, at the end of a work session. It ought, IMO, to notice the drive and automatically do any overdue backups.

The old Win 7 backup is also available in Win 10.

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: GUEST,pissedoffgnu
Date: 08 Dec 16 - 01:03 PM

This AM, IE would not launch. So, system restore. Cannot do a system restore... error 0X80070005. I knocked out the anti-virus and still no joy. I can't find a fix... yet. AGGGGHHHHH!

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: gnu
Date: 08 Dec 16 - 02:32 PM

Gave up on the system restore for now. But, I need my IE favourites so I imported them into Chrome and, so far, everything I tried worked better than in IE. As for Edge, man does that riggin suck. Can't resize any panes... what pain! I tried reading my local paper and it displays smaller than it did in IE. In Chrome, I get a whole screen of newspaper if I want it. IE may soon be toast, as in, uninstall and good riddance if I can't download it again and make it work for a backup.

But, sigh, the restore. My patience wears too thin to continue at the moment.

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: GUEST,ripov
Date: 08 Dec 16 - 05:50 PM

Ahh - Microsoft; ever the little child - thrusting its new toys in your face, and never mentioning that it's broken the best tea service; which you only find out when you have guests!

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: GUEST,Guest
Date: 08 Dec 16 - 06:46 PM

Gave up on IE twenty years ago.

And almost everything else to do with MS.

Les Barker used to do a poem called "Re-installing Windows".

He could write a bloody book now!

Subject: RE: Tech: MS Windows Anniversary Update problems
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 08 Dec 16 - 07:25 PM

Gnu, you might be better off with refresh rather than restore. Look it up.