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Writer's pictureLacee Skelton

How to Navigate through Windows Updates



Until Android came along Windows has been the most widely used operating system. While Android now sits in first place for most used operating system, you typically only see Android on mobile devices. If you're not running a mobile device, but a computer (not a chromebook, they're not much of a computer), then chances are you are running Windows. Windows, like every other operating system needs continuous updates to fix any issues that may arise with the operating system. While most of the fixes are simple some of them can change a lot about your computer.

Microsoft tries extremely hard to produce updates that promote productivity and stability. Although they try, sometimes they fail. As with any company if at first you fail, try again. That is exactly what Microsoft has been doing for years with each version of Windows and what defines technology at it's core. Every release will eventually have to have an update. Take your apps on your smart phone, or even your smart phone itself (which is running it's own operating system). Tools such as social media or your calculator on your phone could need an update to fix any minor issues that you may or may not notice.

Microsoft will send out a few different types of updates. They have their "feature updates", "security updates", and their "monthly" updates. While feature updates are less frequent, they tend to be larger and more important. They also have the greatest capability to cause problems with your PC. Security updates are released extremely often (sometimes once a day) and don't typically ever cause problems. Monthly updates are released as the title describes - monthly. These updates tend to be medium sized updates with some capabilities for errors. There are some improvements. At the start of 2020 Microsoft revealed that drivers pending approval will no longer be released with Windows 10 updates, but so far this year it seems that updates are just as prone to causing problems.


Here is a list of the most recent Windows 10 update problems and solutions:


May 2020 (2004):



  • GPU temperature monitoring in task manager

  • Disk type now visible in task manager

  • File explorer powered by windows search

  • Tablet mode for 2 in 1 PC's

  • Increased Spacing between taskbar icons

  • search box on taskbar collapsed into icon

  • New "Reset this PC" cloud PC recovery tool

  • New Cortana Features

  • New bluetooth pairing



Fix:

Although this update came with a lot of great fixes, many users that have downloaded this update are well aware of some of the issues. One somewhat odd issue with this update was one of connectivity. Many users, while browsing Google Chrome, would see a "no internet" notification. In the back of their mind I imagine they're asking "How can I be browsing Chrome if I don't have internet?". It's a valid question, and the answer is you can't! While Microsoft puts together another update to solve this issue there is something you can do to fix it yourself!

1. Open the registry editor (Win + R and then type "regedit" and press enter)

2. Back up the registry

3. Go to the following registry address:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NlaSvc\Parameters\ Internet.

It should look like the picture below:



4. Double click on "EnableActiveProbing"

5. Change the "value data" to 1

6. Click okay

7. Restart your PC.


Another issue that came with the 2004 update was a strange one. Many Windows users have now received the option to manually install the Windows 10 May 2020 update. When they click it they get a notification that "This PC can't be upgraded to Windows 10".

Don't worry, this isn't a problem on your PC's end. It's just that there are unspecified "un-supported settings" in this version of Windows 10 that aren't ready to be released to the public. As frustrating as it may be, it's better that Microsoft let you wait it out while Microsoft withholds the update until it's truly ready, preventing many future update issues.


April 2020 Security Update KB4556799

  • Improve Microsoft Edge security

  • Improve Security when using Office

  • Improve security when using Xbox

  • Improve security of mouse

  • Improved security of keyboard

  • Improved security of stylus

  • Updated storage and management of files

As stated above, this update was meant to improve stability for the latest versions of Windows 10 (prior to 2004). While it does that for most users, it causes a whole lot of problems for others. Some issues that may be run into are:

  • Blue Screen of Death

  • White screen flickering

  • Changes to system fonts

  • Audio Problems

Based on the number of problems it caused alone, this update has been officially recorded of one of the worst Windows updates EVER. There is no fixing this one, folks. You can on the other hand, uninstall this update and wait it out for a more reliable update.


Fix (un-install):

  1. Go to Settings

  2. Click Update & Security

  3. Click View Update History

  4. Click Uninstall Updates

  5. Scroll down to "Microsoft Windows" headings

  6. Right click the "KB" update that you want to uninstall

  7. Reboot After removing the update


Mid-April 2020 KB4549951:

  • Cortana Improvements

  • Improved Search

  • More Kaomoji

  • Xbox Game Bar

  • Virtual Desktop Re-Naming

  • Notification improvements


In mid-April yet another troublesome update was released. Users have reported deleted files that were saved on the system drive, deleted apps from the app store, and deleted pictures. If you catch this early enough you should be able to find these files in the recycle bin. So be extra-cautious before emptying your recycle bin during and between updates! Another catastrophic issue associated with this update is the Blue Screen of Death errors. This didn't affect every user but for those that it did, there were reports of occasional to constant crashes. Unfortunately Windows has not addressed this issue yet, so the best solution is to uninstall the update the same way that you would have uninstalled the update above.


Still having issues?

Some users try the steps above with no relief. In this case you will need to roll back your windows 10 build. Here are the steps to accomplish this:

  1. Click on Settings

  2. Click on Update & Security

  3. Click on Recovery

  4. Click "Go back to an earlier build"

  5. Get Started

  6. Follow on-screen prompts

This fix is a time sensitive one, and can only be done within 10 days of installing the new update, so make sure you're staying on top of your updates and their reactions.


Need to know which build you are currently running?

We have a way to check that too! Follow these simple instructions:


  1. Click Windows

  2. Click Settings

  3. Select Update & Security

  4. View Update History

In the window click the arrow next to feature updates to see the version of Windows that you are currently using and click "quality updates" to see all of the smaller "KB" updates that you have recently installed.


Last Resort:

While this isn't recommended, there are some situations where blocking Windows updates may be necessary. Taking control of your PC will keep it running smoothly and avoid the issues listed above. Windows has recently changed your update option, and has even given the option to users to: stop, block, and pause updates.

  1. Click on Windows

  2. Settings

  3. Update & Security

  4. Windows Update

  5. "Choose when updates are installed"

  6. Select your delay time.



If, after reading this brief Windows updates guide, you are still having issues we would like to help! Reach out to us for any questions or help that you may have!



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