Member Avatar for rproffitt

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So if you have already downloaded the latest ISO from the Media Creation Tool and not installed it, DON'T. Wait for a newer version of the ISO.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

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Good call from to hold off. Microsoft paused the October 2018 feature update after real user data‑loss reports and later validated fixes with Insiders before reissuing the updated bits. Note for anyone landing here much later: Windows 10 reached end of support on Oct 14, 2025 — plan to move to a supported OS or an approved paid support option if you must remain on an unsupported build.

If 1809 was installed and files or .zip handling look wrong, triage quickly and carefully:

  • Stop normal use to avoid overwriting recoverable data. Check C:\Windows.old\Users\<yourname> for staged files and review your OneDrive Recycle Bin/version history.
  • If you suspect upgrade‑time deletions, contact Microsoft Support promptly; recovery was possible in many cases but not guaranteed.
  • Repair system components that often break updates by running these from an elevated command prompt:
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
sfc /scannow

If you are on the Insider channel (as @Dorey noted), opt out to a stable channel via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program; Dev/Canary rings may require a clean install to return to a supported baseline. As demonstrates, keep regular, tested image backups so rollbacks are trivial. Before future feature upgrades, verify any folder redirection or OneDrive Known Folder Move has fully synced and that original source folders are empty to avoid accidental deletions.

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Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

I installed it on Oct 3 but because I automatically take a differential image every morning I was able to roll it back out.

commented: No one I know lost a file. My bet is some edge case. But all cases are now edge cases. +15
Member Avatar for Member #403583

I still cannot update the last big update from last time as it says missing files or errors, this only happened after a update from windows 10, windows are blaming your machine and not them. So gave up. I’m not doing a full new installation just because of their mistakes.
I’m on the windows insider thing and they still broke my updates.

Member Avatar for rproffitt

@dorey, The insider thing is for those that want to be beta testers. I'm encountering folk that don't understand the risks.

Member Avatar for rproffitt

It appears the bug that caused file deletion was related to Windows 10 users who had enabled Known Folder Redirection to redirect folders like desktop, documents, pictures, and screenshots from the default location. Microsoft introduced code in its latest update to delete the empty and duplicate known folders, but it appears they weren’t always empty. Microsoft has developed fixes to address a variety of problems related to these folder moves, and these fixes are now being tested with Windows Insiders.

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

The re-release will start with Insider program before being fully released to normal consumers.

Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

Good to know. I relocated all my user folders to D: so that restoring an image of C wouldn't kill all my files.

Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

Now that Microsoft has "fixed" the problems with the file deletion (oopsie), it seems the there are situations where the new and improved update can . Microsoft reminds me of these guys.

commented: I just learned of that yesterday. Thanks for adding this. +15
Member Avatar for lorein0688

Try running the Windows update Troubleshooter, this is designed to detect and fix update related issues. So else update the device drivers as if the drivers are not compatible this may cause errors, check the Display Driver, Network Adapter, and Audio Sound driver and update them.

Edited by happygeek because: link deleted
Member Avatar for Reverend Jim

I have had three problems with Windows Update over the years. The troubleshooter has been unable to resolve any of them.

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