Microsoft Win 10 updates, nearly cost me £600!

[TinaLes]

Hi everyone.
Like Most using Windows We have our PC geared/set to receive & install any win 10 updates that come through from Microsoft.
Mid June we received a "cumulative " update, a rather large one, with updates to Adobe, and many other Apps & Drivers. The update was completed successfully, so thought all is well.
Tried to print off some docs, and scan some from our network connected Brother Small Office all in one Lazer Printer, but it wouldn't work, although it did indicate it was receiving data from the PC, it just wouldn't print and a print cue started forming of unfulfilled tasks.
I tried uninstalling The Brother Printer software & Drivers, 3 times in fact, but could not get the printer to print or scan.
Waited a few days before throwing the towel in and asking our son, who has an MA in computer science and works all day on cyber security to have a look and see what was occurring.
He took over our computer remotely using Team Viewer, and spent an hour or so going through all the advanced settings on the PC & The Brother Drivers etc, trying different things but it just wouldn't work.
A funster headed me toward a Microsoft web link, that stated that several brands of printer may be experiencing problems since the June Update, mentioned re-installing the printer drivers, checking for the latest versions etc.
We did all of the suggested tasks on the "help" list, but no they didnt help!
After two weeks, I had convinced myself that there must be a problem with the printer data micro presser, as it was receiving data from the PC but could not for some reason print a document or scan one.
I checked with Brother help desk for an answer, and was told there would be a call out charge, plus any further visits plus parts would be billed to me, and subject to VAT. A new replacement would be £600, plus the toner cartridges that we have in stock probably would not fit the new replacement, new toner set costs a lot of money also.
Yesterday, I thought what the hell, I will check for any new Microsoft updates, maybe they have a fix for the printer issue. So I did a manual search and found one stand alone, and some other new "Cumulative" ones. I initiated the downloads, they took longer than usual to download and install, on the update [page is a message saying "Win 10 updates for MAY 2020"...."We are working on these more details later when completed" or words similar.
My OH TinaL was hovering over me as I shook my head and said, I dont think these updates will fix the problem, I still think its the Printers Micro Processor thats at fault.
When all was installed, we turned on the printer, let it go through its start up procedure, and when ready, I sent over a word doc to print, the data light flashed as usual, then all of a sudden it burst into action and started to print off the docs!
Thats the first time I have ever experienced a serious problem like this with Win updates, we were left to hang with no explanation or apology, thank goodness, I didn't need it being retired now, as I had a paperless office with everything being scanned and stored in files ( 4 large 4 draw Bisley Metal filing cabinets worth)
Cant believe Microsoft didnt realise there was a problem and delay the updates that caused the problem.
I know lots of you use Linux and similar, I wish I could at times like this.

LES

 

[Kannon Fodda]

I think Micro$oft have had quite a problem with their latest big windows update - there are usually monthly security patches and fixes, and twice yearly there are larger version updates, or service packs in older language. Those version updates change functionality adding some things thought to be useful taking other stuff away, and potentially even changing how some things look and feel. The last version update, which my home computer tried to install, definitely broke something. I didn't get much further than it would no longer even auto sleep the monitors let alone itself.

Didn't take much time before I recovered the install to the previous version, and I'll await them applying a lot more fixes and patches before I let it try again. If you want to recover look in Settings > Updates & Security and check for the recovery option (it will only work for a few days after a version install).

 

[Nixdorfer]

Wonder if that's what I've been having. Updated to 10 recently, all fine then one day found I couldn't print invoices, or export them as pdf either. Messed about and got one side intermittently working, but couldn't get both, either one or the other depending on settings

Will have a look for new updates tomorrow

 

[sallylillian]

Did an update yesterday and it crashed my Outlook. Took me 24 hours and 3 attempts at reinstalling before it would launch. Then all the hassle of working at getting all our syncs and the backup pst loaded. Lost all my rules though as they have to be imported separately.

 

[TinaLes]

Thanks Kannon Fodda I will do that next time, should it happen.
Whats always confusing to me is that on a cumulative update, it lists those that are important, and those no so important, but it doesn't always say which of typically KB####### update is changing, or in my case which one could affect the printer from working.
I am sure that if I sat with the sometimes long list of KB##### updates and googled each one, or used the Microsoft non help service, then maybe I could find out more on what each one was supposed to change or improve.
Still cannot believe they launch an update before checking its compatibility with external devices.
Cheers for now.
LES

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[Eddystone]

I am waiting until they have fixed the problem issues.
Had a security update pending earlier today but took a look at updates to make sure it was for my version before giving it the go ahead. At the moment I am sticking with the version 1909.

 

[peterc10]

For those that have this problem after a Windows 10 upgrade. Just look at Update history, find one numbered KB4560960 and uninstall it.

 

[PeteH]

I have all mine on dual boot. (Win7Pro and Win10Pro) I can "do" lots more with win7 than I can with win10. IMV it`s a worse O/S than win8!.

Win10 will not recognise computers on the Network. (5 of them) Win 7 sees and will work with them All!.

What is it with Tech`s. Don`t they understand "if it works why fix it?".

 

[Mark and Mindy]

That's nothing

This time last month I awoke one morning to discover that my notebook computer had restarted in the night and failed to start because it had lost its boot sector. Eventually I decided that I would reinstall Windows 10 so I got ready with a USB stick with a bootable operating system but it is always difficult to get a computer to boot off a USB so it tried one last time with the hard disk and lo and behold a Windows repair kicked in saying that a previous update has gone wrong and was going to be removed. After the update was removed my notebook computer rebooted OK. Rebuilding my notebook computer would have been a lot of hassle but no data would be lost because of course ALL my data is stored in the cloud.

I am a big fan and I still like Microsoft and Windows 10 not least because my career as a Microsoft technical specialist has been quite lucrative.

Mark

 

[PeteH]

The latest Win 10 Update stalled at 82% and sat there for over 10hours.!!! In the end I rolled it back and went back to using Win7. I go and try to make it work ocasionally. But IMV the O/S is badly Flawed. I am SO glad I did not just bin 7. but went for a dual Boot!.

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[Dorwyn]

For me the issue has been with Outlook, it will only occasionally work, I have to reboot in order to get it to work. I'm sure it's something to do with the fact that support for Outlook 2007 has just been dropped, and it seems to be hunting for it. Thinking of deleting 2007 Outlook, but wonder if it will cause more problems.

 

[TinaLes]

For me the issue has been with Outlook, it will only occasionally work, I have to reboot in order to get it to work. I'm sure it's something to do with the fact that support for Outlook 2007 has just been dropped, and it seems to be hunting for it. Thinking of deleting 2007 Outlook, but wonder if it will cause more problems.

Its been so long since we used Outlook 2007, which I liked very much. Now we have the latest Office set up, it has changed so many times via win 10 updates, we sometimes lose the top tab keys, as they change the overall viewing pane, or home page. can be a nightmare to find the buttons you were so used to seeing along the top.
I know what you are going through, I just wonder when win 10 will updates will end and wont be supported, and they then introduce win 11 or 12? then the whole new app will need endless patches & repairs to make it work also.
I like many others have gone down the monthly charged Office 356 subscription route, and their support has been useless at times. I dont have any win 10 OS Office disks, as the PC came pre-loaded, and it doesn't have a DVD drive, as even these are referred to as "old Hat" these days it would seem.
I always thought it strange how to fix a PC's software problem sometimes, you needed another PC that worked to do it, especially if it loses its Start Up Bios.
LES

 

[peterc10]

I am still using Outlook 2007 and it still works for me OK

 

[The Green's]

Did an update yesterday and it crashed my Outlook. Took me 24 hours and 3 attempts at reinstalling before it would launch. Then all the hassle of working at getting all our syncs and the backup pst loaded. Lost all my rules though as they have to be imported separately.

sallylillian You may well have encountered this issue - https://www.theregister.com/2020/07/15/outlook_patch_crashes/

The benefits of the auto-updates and cloud connected world is you are kept updated and secured... but it sometimes goes wrong!

I've seen enough hacked/infected systems at work and I'd rather stick with the regular automated updates and the risk of this type of issue. Frustrating though they are, the recovery is a lot better than the alternatives!

 

[63720]

I know lots of you use Linux and similar, I wish I could at times like this.

Our desktop runs Ubuntu 18.04 and I have a love hate relationship with it - our laptop runs W10 and I have similar. I wouldn't choose one above the other.

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[Coolcats]

Buy an Apple Mac you will have far less issues !
Whilst not faultless I have never had the same issues that I have experienced with MIcrosoft and yo just get hours of your life back......

 

[Gellyneck]

If you want you can block Windows 10 updates using Windows Update Blocker (https://www.sordum.org/9470/windows-update-blocker-v1-5/). Simple task of enable \ disable updates.
This allows you time to check online if any issues are being encountered. As an example the printing issue was one that was flagged up very quickly.
Best website (my opinion) for checking update issues is https://www.askwoody.com/
For those with Outlook probles there's a couple of articles in the past couple of days.

 

[PeteH]

In My Opinion. Microsoft dont give a Sh1t!. They have the market cornered, Yes we know that Apple Exists, But at much greater expense!. (My DIL in the USA, wanted a "Mac" for years, she got it and was not impressed, now back with a P-C!) But what alternative(s)?. I use and like Win7, BUT I am aware that it is becoming less secure day by day. I no longer do Banking online via my Computer. I have a good AV/Security package which I pay for annually (Webroot). Beyond that I stay away from as many dodgy sites as I can (apart from this one) and practice good housekeeping. I do go and play with Win 10 from time to time. but it will NOT connect my other devices via the home network. It`s all there, They all show on the router and are configured, but they are not there in W10, but in 7 I can see use and connect to it all?. As for the "Cloud", why would I pay? for the same storage I can get "free" on a couple of decent external hard drives?.

 

[kevenh]

Buy an Apple Mac you will have far less issues !
Whilst not faultless I have never had the same issues that I have experienced with MIcrosoft and yo just get hours of your life back......

Or get different issues with a Mac.
Our workplace Mac users have had to travel to the London HQ to get their update issues sorted. Local IT don’t have the reimage tools
Never had to send aWindows PC ack to base for a SW Issue.

Maybe only a corporate IT a issue but our Mac users also have lots of use access issues when they change the account password & the keychain thing goes random/AWOL

 

[Coolcats]

Or get different issues with a Mac.
Our workplace Mac users have had to travel to the London HQ to get their update issues sorted. Local IT don’t have the reimage tools
Never had to send aWindows PC ack to base for a SW Issue.

Maybe only a corporate IT a issue but our Mac users also have lots of use access issues when they change the account password & the keychain thing goes random/AWOL

You are correct that is a corporate IT issue, Universities use Mac's they have lots of users and accounts and can all be imaged remotely, its actually not hard to do (as well as Microsoft) Mac's rule Using Time Machine you can just re-install everything back to where it was a day a month or year ago.

Mac's really are less problematic, I understand people moan that they cannot 'access' or upgrade bits of hardware as they can with a PC yet often items are not compatible.....they are supposed to be but are not.

A manufacture who makes the hardware and the software and limits people poking about keeps the machines pretty stable.

There is no such thing as fault free software (bare that one in mind when your flying at 35,000 feet)

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[TerryL]

Although I've not encountered these problems they do appear to have been well documented in the technical press, usually with solutions or at least workarounds. In almost every case simply uninstalling the last update resolves it, then make sure you turn automatic updates off (I never allow anything automatic, it has to ask first). Give it a week for the update to be sorted.

But I do agree it can be a nuisance. I " lost" a printer once because a software update prevented me using anything but genuine inks. Reinstalled the original software, no problems but when it was time for replacement that printer company was blown away!

 

[kevenh]

but it will NOT connect my other devices via the home network. It`s all there, They all show on the router and are configured, but they are not there in W10, but in 7 I can see use and connect to it all?.

I don't use Home Network. You do mean the "Home Network" part of Windows' Firewall?
But I do SMB/CIFS mount the NAS storage I want access to manually.
My home usage application could be a lot simpler than yours but I just skip the "Home Network" concern bit. Can't remember if that was because of problems I'd encountered or old habits.

EDIT: apart from SMB/CIFS connection, the router, NAS storage & printers all have a GUI I can access in Edge

 

[Just smiffy]

I haven’t used a laptop or computer for over five years, I never had to worry about virus software, printers or anything really....
I take it with me wherever I go and its instantly ready for when I need it.....

iPad

 

[sallylillian]

sallylillian You may well have encountered this issue - https://www.theregister.com/2020/07/15/outlook_patch_crashes/

The benefits of the auto-updates and cloud connected world is you are kept updated and secured... but it sometimes goes wrong!

I've seen enough hacked/infected systems at work and I'd rather stick with the regular automated updates and the risk of this type of issue. Frustrating though they are, the recovery is a lot better than the alternatives!

Thanks, exactly, but I ended up reinstalling because I assumed a corruption. If only! Glad to know that it was not me!!

 

[PeteH]

I don't use Home Network. You do mean the "Home Network" part of Windows' Firewall?
But I do SMB/CIFS mount the NAS storage I want access to manually.
My home usage application could be a lot simpler than yours but I just skip the "Home Network" concern bit. Can't remember if that was because of problems I'd encountered or old habits.

EDIT: apart from SMB/CIFS connection, the router, NAS storage & printers all have a GUI I can access in Edge

Microsoft have removed "Home Group" from Win 10. there is no Onboard, way of accessing the devices on the network, UNLESS you access it via Edge which relies on the "Cloud", for access. Which is great if you like it. But I am suspicious of anything which takes MY control over MY data. ** I`ve said before. Why should I pay for cloud storage when a couple of decent External Hard drives will do the same Storage job?.

**. They Won`t even allow you to decide which "updates" you want any more, you can delay them, but eventually they upload it anyway.

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[kevenh]

Microsoft have removed "Home Group" from Win 10. there is no Onboard, way of accessing the devices on the network, UNLESS you access it via Edge which relies on the "Cloud", for access. Which is great if you like it. But I am suspicious of anything which takes MY control over MY data. ** I`ve said before. Why should I pay for cloud storage when a couple of decent External Hard drives will do the same Storage job?.

**. They Won`t even allow you to decide which "updates" you want any more, you can delay them, but eventually they upload it anyway.

The Edge is the browser you can use instead of IE
OneDrive is the cloud storage built in to the Win10 OS.
Both are optional.
I’ve some legacy stuff left in OneDrive but I use Google Drive for storing pics taken on gadgets (iPads & iPhones), and docs, etc. I will find useful to read on the road are also in Google Drive.

My DSLR photos, personal docs & accounting are backed up to a NAS drive.
Windows 10 finds my media server, NAS, printer as normal network devices.
It also finds all the SONOS gear but just as simple device icons for IP info & some simple stats.

If we hadn’t before, I think we’re going off topic now.