A new Windows 10 update released last week has been found to have a bug that’s deleting user files. The new buggy Windows 10 security update resembles a similar problem as in the 2018 Windows 10 update, which also deleted user files. Fortunately, this time the files are not actually gone. This new Windows 10 version KB4532693 is actually moving random files to other user account’s folders without permission.
With the increasing number of reports regarding this issue, it is recommended that users uninstall the KB4532693 Windows 10 version and roll back their PC to a previous Windows 10 version.
Here’s how you can uninstall the buggy Windows 10 security update and get your apparently deleted files back:
Where Do The Files Go?
Once you install the newest Windows 10 version KB4532693, it appears that you’ve lost some of the files. Some other changes in the Start Menu and Taskbar settings were also noticed as they were switched to default. However, these changes are not permanent. While the bug makes your files disappear, you can always find them back.
When a user begins to install the new Windows 10 version KB4532693, the operating system signs him/her into a different user profile. However, when the installation is complete, Windows is unable to restore the original profile, leaving some files in the other profile and changing some settings to default. The temporary profile is created for users to continue working while the update is in progress. But, the bug in the new Windows 10 update does not let it complete the restoration, causing this major confusion.
According to a report Microsoft recognized the issue on Feb 12. The engineers have also started working on the bug, but are yet to determine the exact cause of the problem. Until then, we recommend that you uninstall the new update and wait for another Windows 10 update.
How to Uninstall New Windows 10 Updates?
Windows 10 has an easy-going process for uninstalling new updates through an in-built feature. Follow these steps to uninstall the newest Windows 10 version KB4532693:
Step 1: Press Win+I to open up Settings.
Step 2: Head to Update and Security.
Step 3: Proceed to Windows Update>>View Update History.
Step 4: Click on Uninstall Updates.
Alternate: Head to Control Panel>>Programs>>View Installed Updates. You will be redirected to the same window using this path as well.
Step 5: In the search bar, paste, or write the new Windows 10 update’s version, i.e. KB4532693. However, the recent updates would be listed automatically on the screen.
Step 6: In the list, you’ll see an option called – “Update for Microsoft Windows (KB4532693)”. If in case you don’t see such an option, you might not have installed it on your system yet. Click on the option.
Step 7: Click Uninstall.
This would fix the problem for you without hassle. It’s better to roll back to a previous Windows 10 version than to wait for Microsoft to fix the problem. Microsoft may re-release a new update after they fix this issue permanently.
How to Find Your Missing Files in Windows 10 Update?
Though all your files will be automatically restored once you’re done with the uninstallation of the update. However, if you are still unable to locate the missing files, follow these steps:
Step 1: Head to the path C:\Users\ in File Explorer.
Step 2: Here, look for the name of your user folder. If your files are still not restored, you’ll notice that the user folder will be changed.
For e.g. – Here my user folder usually is C:\Users\abhishek.sharma. But if Windows has created a temporary profile, then you’ll find user folder names like C:\Users\abhishek.00 or C:\Users\abhishek.bak.
Step 3: Open these folders, and you’ll find the relocated files in there.
Still, we recommend to first try uninstalling the new Windows 10 Update and only then resort to this option.
Windows 10 has been updated continuously since its launch. And there have been numerous reports of bugs. Microsoft is working on perfecting Windows 10 experience as Windows 7 support has ended, and even the users with extended security updates contract are also suffering from lags, crashes, and shutdowns. This new Windows 10 update may not be malicious, but many reported bugs have caused loopholes in the operating system, inviting attraction of malware. Hence, you must have additional malware protection on your Windows 10 PC to be extra secure.
Use the Advanced System Protector for Windows Malware Protection
Advanced System Protector is a malware scanner and remover designed to extract and eradicate traces of malware from the PC. It performs deep scans for the system and roots out malware traces from both your system files and Windows registries. Here’s how it works:
Step 1: Download and Open Advanced System Protector.
Step 2: You’ll see a Start Scan button on the right-hand side. Just below that, you’ll see an option in blue that says Customize Scan. Click on that.
Download Advanced System Protector
Step 3: From the three scanning options, select Deep Scan. This is recommended if you’re looking for a complete system quarantine.
Step 4: Once you start the Deep Scan, you can leave it for a while to do its job. You can, however, continue your work if you may. Advanced System Protector will keep running in the background.
Step 5: Once the results are out, and the scan is finished, clear out all the always traces the tool has found.
Step 6: After you’ve deleted the traces, go to Quarantine. Here you’ll find all the traces accumulated in a file. Select it and perform a quick quarantine. It would eradicate those traces permanently from your Windows 10 PC.
This way, you can keep your PC off from potential malware or malicious bugs that might harm your system. While Microsoft will do its job to fix its mistake, it’s up to you as a user to keep your system secure and save yourself any blunder that might harm your system and data privacy.
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