by Martin Brinkmann on March 12, 2019 in Windows – Last Update: March 12, 2019 – 9 comments
Microsoft implemented a new troubleshooting step recently in Windows 10 that improves the operating system’s handling of startup problems.
Windows 10 may uninstall recently installed operating system updates automatically to address startup issues as a last resort if all other steps to fix the issue fail.
Startup problems are one of the most frustrating issues that Windows users may experience. One of the big issues for users is that they have only a few options at their disposal to fix the issue: using built-in troubleshooting options, recovery disks or tools, or restoring backups of the system if they do exist.
Updates can be the source of startup problems. Updates may cause bluescreens or other startup related issues that prevent the system from booting.
To name just a few recent incidents:
- Microsoft releases AMD-specific Windows 7 and 8.1 updates to fix unbootable state issue
- New Windows 10 version 1809 woes: no audio, bluescreens
- How to fix Boot BCD startup errors on Windows PCs
- Fix Windows 7 BSOD 0x000000c4 after installing KB4056894
We removed some recently installed updates
Windows 10 may remove recently installed updates as part of a troubleshooting process to restore proper startup behavior.
The operating system informs the user about the removal of updates on the next successful start:
We removed some recently installed updates to recover your device from a startup failure.
Microsoft notes on a support page that this is done only if all other attempts to recover the boot process and system start fail.
Updates removed in the process will be blocked for 30 days automatically to avoid the issue from happening again. Blocked updates will be downloaded and installed again after the 30-day period, and that may mean that the issue is experienced again if Microsoft did not resolve it in the time.
Administrators who want to block the update continuously may use Microsoft’s update blocking tool to do so.
Closing Words
Automatic recovery is great if it works and the new update removal option is certainly a welcome addition to the automatic recovery process. The option speeds up the recovery if it works.
The new option may resolve some issues automatically but it certainly is not a catch-all option that recovery any issue that is update related.
Administrators still need to use advanced troubleshooting tools or recovery images to restore a system to a working state if automatic recovery fails.
Now You: Did you run into update related issues recently? (via Bleeping Computer / Windows Latest)