Windows 10 File-Deleting October 2018 Update Re-Released As Microsoft Reaction Wows

Last week, Microsoft put the brakes on its Windows 10 October 2018 version 1809 update after some reports of post-update data loss. In addition to pulling the update, Microsoft kicked off an investigation into the matter, ultimately finding the problem. Now it has re-released the update, fixing the issue while shedding some light on how many people were impacted by the bug.

The company points toward Windows 10's Known Folder Redirection (KFR) feature, which allows Windows folders (like Desktop, etc) to be redirected from their default locations to new locations. Back when it released the April 2018 update, Microsoft found that users with KFR enabled experienced empty copies of their Known Folders on the devices.

Microsoft added code in the October 2018 update that would make sure these empty duplicate folders were removed. This caused a new issue, though — users with KFR previously enabled found that files still in their default location were deleted, the idea being that only the new "active" redirected folders would remain.

According to Microsoft, only one one-hundredth of a single percent of people who manually updated to version 1809 experienced data loss. Anyone impacted by the issue can contact Microsoft Support to get assistance in attempting to recover the lost files– the company's retail stores with support services are also offering help.

For everyone else, the updated October 2018 version has been released to Windows Insiders, who can now install and test it out.

SOURCE: Windows Blog