In a recent post on the Windows support website, Microsoft pointed out new Windows 10 functionality. If an update fails during installation and the subsequent Windows 10 start fails, the operating system will therefore try to undo the update in the future. If this works and Windows 10 can then start again successfully, the user will be informed of the rollback after logging in again with the message "We have removed some recently installed updates to restore your device after a startup error".
Windows 10: problem updates fly out automatically
To ensure that the affected device can then be started and operated as usual, Windows 10 also prevents the problematic update from being installed automatically within the next 30 days, according to the support post. This should give Microsoft and its partners the opportunity to investigate the error and correct any problems - or to withdraw the problem update. Only after the 30 days have expired will Windows try to reinstall the previously blocked updates (if not withdrawn).
The background: auto updates
Under Windows 10, the majority of users automatically receive updates, which are then installed. The setting options for Windows updates that were possible in the previous operating systems are no longer available in Windows 10. Only in corporate environments with Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise can updates be deferred or download and installation options for updates configured using Group Policy.
However, there are indications that the update installation from the upcoming Windows 10 1903 in all Windows variants can be paused for seven days via the Settings page. This function is already included in the Insider Preview builds since version 18282.
Microsoft may be hoping to successfully intercept problem updates with these new functions and to counter criticism of the existing update function. This assumption seems plausible, especially in view of the increasing number of updates that have caused problems after the fact.
Questions after questions
For outside observers, however, it is unclear how helpful this automatic system really is at the end of the day. This raises the question of how often the new function incorrectly reverses an update. Microsoft has apparently not implemented a request from the user as to whether the problem-related rollback may be carried out.
The actual problem updates, which force Windows 10 machines into boot loops or even damage the boot loader, are unlikely to be intercepted in this way. Systems affected in this way had to be repaired by administrators in the past by importing a backup or re-installing the systems. Here practice will have to show what really works.
The administrator can intervene
After all, if an administrator believes that an update was incorrectly uninstalled and removed by the Windows 10 automatic, he can manually reinstall driver and quality updates. The support article links corresponding instructions to this approach. If the system cannot be started properly after the automatic or manual installation of these updates, the Windows 10 automatic will uninstall it again.
Microsoft only provides partial information
The Microsoft support post leaves more questions unanswered than it answers. It remains unclear whether the new function is already integrated in Windows 10, is currently being upgraded with an update, or is reserved for Windows 10 V1903.
The company also does not reveal whether the new function is only available for Windows 10 Home or also for Windows 10 Pro / Enterprise and its Windows server counterparts. There is also a lack of information for administrators to use Group Policy to configure this mechanism for corporate environments.
Update 3/14/19, 2:30 p.m. (supplemented by the author): In the meantime, Microsoft has expanded the support post to include information that the new function will be introduced in Windows 10 V1903, which is expected in April 2019. It can be assumed that this affects all V1903 variants.
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