lamontcranston

That's my main complaint with Windows 10. The user has no control over Windows Updates. Microsoft downloads them to your computer and installs them with no option for the user to refuse them. And you can wind up with problems like the OP had. I have Win10 on 2 computers and Win7 Pro on the other 2. On a scale of 1-10 I would rate Win7 a 9, and Win 10 a 2. I have no love for the direction Microsoft is going.

DaveC1 Loc: South East US

Just as a suggestion. Making your computer a dual boot machine with one of the Linux operating systems will making removing files and folders from a machine with a trashed operating system a lot easier. Been there, done that.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

If you don't want Windows 10 to automatically update, there are ways to control/disable automatic updates:
https://www.windowscentral.com/how-stop-updates-installing-automatically-windows-10
https://www.cnet.com/how-to/stop-windows-10-from-automatically-updating-your-pc/

lamontcranston

According to the link it will only work "If you run Windows 10 Pro or higher (Professional, Enterprise, or Education )". Or make some modifications to the Registry and I am very hesitant to play around with modifying the Registry.

insaneo Loc: Byram, ms.

I used to use acronis for many years. It became bloatware and at least on my computer very slow. I use macrium reflect now. Both free version and paid. Fast and has never (knock on wood) failed to restore any of my computers, all of them running windows 10. From a single core processor to a quad core. It will compile a win pe boot disk or flash drive for you using what drivers are currently on your computer. A no brainer. I back up to an external drive via usb port. Just my two cents worth. Send a pm if needing anymore info.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I understand your reluctance to modify the registry. I do it regularly, but then again, I've been doing it for a long time, and I always keep a backup copy in the event of issues. Here's a tech note on the subject from Microsoft:
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/322756/how-to-back-up-and-restore-the-registry-in-windows

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

One suggestion I would make is to save yourself time by not bothering to reach out to Microsoft. Their help, while technically accurate, is usually total useless. And I am a long time PC user who finds Apple products completely un-intuitive.

a6k Loc: Detroit & Sanibel

Windows is updated at least monthly and all or nearly all the updates contain important security changes. If you turn off automatic updates you are thus turning off the attempts that Microsoft is making to keep you a little safer (or less at risk). Choose wisely.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

I think the OP is referring to the "creator's update" it is a significantly bigger deal than the monthly's and has given me nothing but headaches. I can't get it to complete.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Completely agree - I have the auto updates enabled on all my machines (without issues so far).

dmagett Loc: Albuquerque NM/Sedona AZ

How do you use Acronis? I use it to make complete system backups before any update. Acronis lets you create a bootable CD. I boot from the CD and backup or restore from external HD. It came in handy when I "upgraded" to Win 10. I do all the updates for Win 10,BUT, I always restore back to Win 7, which I prefer to use. I keep win 7 current as it is supported until 2020. I keep multiple backups so I can go back to any point in time I want.
I will only "downgrade" to Win 10 when absolutely necessary.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

I liked Widows 7 as well, although 10 has proved to be solid and faster, so no regrets here. just be aware that there are levels of Microsoft OS support, and the support for Windows 7 until 2020 is limited (not full support).

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

Thank you Mark for taking the time to respond. Sorry Mark, but I am not technically minded. I took my Laptop to the technician who does my repairs as that is what he does for a living. He told me that it wasn't my Hard Drive and that it could have been windows updating as there have been problems with Windows 10 updates. He told me that I now have the latest version of
Windows 10. He told me, but I was more interested in getting my Laptop back as I use it for everyday use instead of my PC which I use for my photographs.

Thanks for the information regarding being able to contact a Microsoft Technician which will come in helpful.

I am at the present time looking at ways of backing up my Laptop and PC without too much fuss and one of the members on this site is helping me with that. I quite like the StarTech 2 bay eSATA 3.0 Hard Drive Docking Station (the latest version), but being UK and our VAT tax, it is £74.15 on Amazon. It is easy to set up without me having to dismantle anything until I have to replace a corrupt disk after backup.

I am sure you will be successful in recovering your daughter's file and hope that she hasn't lost her programs, as I had to-reinstall mine and still have more to do which is very annoying. Yes, I know I should have been backing up, but the little backup I have doesn't back up programs, only files, so this time I am hoping to get this "whole back up thing" right this time.

Regards,

Heather

Heather Iles Loc: UK, Somerset

What is the point of having a system without updates? Sooner or later you will have to do updates.

markngolf Loc: Bridgewater, NJ

Hi Heather,
Thanks for the response. I do understand that your tech knowledge is limited. Using a technician at a reliable PC shop is a good idea. Computers are not simple. I'm still learning. You can use Acronis to backup everything, entire hard drive (s). I'd be happy to help you configure that. It sounds difficult, but it's no more difficult than backing up files/folders.
I'm always here to assist.
Good luck,
Mark