Microsoft pulls Windows 10 October Update due to major bug

Vaughn Highfield October 8, 2018

Microsoft’s long-awaited Windows 10 October Update has been pulled from distribution following worrying reports from users.

Microsoft pulls Windows 10 October Update due to major bug

The Windows 10 October Update started rolling out during Microsoft’s Surface event last week. It was supposed to bring along a slew of new features, including an update that would kill off Windows’ Disk Cleanup Utility, instead it’s brought headaches after some Windows 10 users reported that their documents were being deleted.

“We have paused the rollout of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) for all users as we investigate isolated reports of users missing some files after updating”, said Microsoft in a statement on its Windows 10 support site.

Users who have been affected by the update deleting content have been instructed to contact Microsoft directly. If you’ve manually downloaded the update, instead of using Microsoft’s automatic update tool, the company is urging you to avoid installing it and instead “wait until new media is available”.

Other Windows 10 issues have occurred since the Windows 10 October Update with some users reporting that the Microsoft Edge browser and other apps can’t connect to the internet post update. Another complaint is that the update has been blocked on certain PCs due to Intel driver incompatibility issues.

Microsoft hasn’t stated just how many users have been affected by these update issues. Even so, to have let something as major as file deletion slip through the cracks when Windows 10 automatically rolls out updates is somewhat major. It’s a surprise that absolutely nobody came across the issue during Microsoft’s rigorous testing period.

Windows 10 updates have had issues in the past, but they’re usually caught during its public testing period – if not before.

The Windows 10 October Update had previously only rolled out to those on Microsoft’s Insider programme. It was intended that the new update would roll out to everyone else come Tuesday 9 October. Microsoft has confirmed that is no longer the case while it works on the issue, no new release date has been given.