Updating your Windows 10 operating system is an important part of keeping your computer secure and running smoothly. However, some updates have been known to cause issues for some users. In this article, we’ll look at some of the potential problems that can occur when updating Windows 10 and how to avoid or fix them.
Why you should keep Windows 10 updated
Before looking at what can go wrong with updates, it’s important to understand why it’s critical to keep your Windows OS version up-to-date:
- Security updates patch vulnerabilities that could be exploited by malware and hackers if left unfixed.
- Updates often include bug fixes, performance improvements, and new features.
- Using outdated software with known security flaws leaves you open to attacks.
- Microsoft only supports the most recent Windows 10 releases, so sticking with an old version leaves you without tech support.
So even though updates can sometimes cause temporary issues, the risks of not updating are generally greater.
Update bugs
One of the most common problems with Windows updates are bugs that cause issues like:
- Crashes or blue screen errors
- Freezing or unresponsiveness
- Trouble shutting down or restarting
- Slow performance
- WiFi connection problems
- Issues with specific apps and programs
- Printing problems
- Other glitches and anomalies
These kinds of issues are usually caused by incompatibilities between your system and the new update. Microsoft extensively tests each update before release, but with so many different PC configurations and customizations no testing process is perfect.
How to fix update bugs
If an update is causing glitches or problems, here are some things to try:
- Rollback the update – You can uninstall recent Windows updates that are causing problems. In Settings go to Update & Security > View update history and uninstall the problematic updates.
- Update your drivers – Outdated drivers can cause conflicts with updates, so make sure yours are all up-to-date.
- Check for app updates – Application conflicts can also cause issues, so install any available app updates.
- Reset your PC – If other fixes don’t resolve the problems, resetting your PC reinstalls Windows and removes apps while keeping your personal files.
- Clean install Windows – A clean install erases everything and reinstalls Windows from scratch, which should fix any update-related issues.
Following a problem update, new patches are usually released quite quickly to address major bugs. So make sure to keep checking for additional Windows updates which may include fixes.
Compatibility problems
Some updates bring new features and changes that require updated hardware drivers or software. Using outdated drivers or apps can cause a variety of problems including:
- Crashes and errors
- Devices or peripherals not working properly
- Glitches with specific software
- Worsened performance
Fixing compatibility issues
You can avoid and solve compatibility problems by:
- Update old drivers – Check device manufacturer websites for updated drivers.
- Update or uninstall software – Update incompatible programs or uninstallunused legacy software.
- Check hardware compatibility – Ensure your hardware meets Windows 10 requirements, and upgrade components if needed.
- Clean install – Doing a clean OS install can wipe out any lingering compatibility issues.
Installation problems
Some updates fail to install properly. You may encounter:
- Update stuck in a loop
- Error messages
- System failing to configure updates
- Updates seemingly installing but not actually completing
Problematic updates usually get stuck either downloading, installing, or finalizing.
Fixing update installation issues
If an update won’t install correctly, try these troubleshooting steps:
- Check for update errors – Open Windows Update in Settings and view the update history for error codes and details.
- Uninstall problem updates – Uninstall stalled or errored updates.
- Restart your PC and router – Reboot your PC and reset your internet connection.
- Clear update cache – Delete temporary Windows Update files.
- Disable antivirus temporarily – Conflicts with antivirus software can prevent installation.
- Reset Windows Update – This resets the Windows Update program to default settings.
For updates that get stuck while configuring, you may need to do a system restore or reset your PC.
Performance slowdowns
Some users report Windows updates causing temporary performance problems like:
- Sluggish boot times
- Apps and games lagging
- Slow file transfers
- Video and audio stuttering
This can happen when background update processes are consuming significant CPU, memory, storage, or network resources.
How to improve post-update performance
To restore normal system performance after updates, try:
- Restart your computer – Rebooting allows update tasks to finish and clears memory.
- Check resource usage – Look for update processes still running in the background using system resources.
- Uninstall problematic updates – Rollback updates that seem to cause slowdowns.
- Close unneeded programs – Free up resources by closing unused apps and browser tabs.
- Run a disk check – Check for and repair disk errors slowing down the system.
- Update drivers – Outdated drivers can negatively impact performance.
Performance typically returns to normal within a day or two as background update tasks wrap up.
Lost settings
Windows updates can sometimes inadvertently revert settings changes you’ve made, like:
- Desktop backgrounds reverting
- Default apps resetting
- Altered permissions and rules changing back
- Disabled features being re-enabled
This tends to happen most often with major Windows 10 updates or upgrades.
Preventing reverted settings
A few things that can help avoid losing your settings when updating Windows include:
- Back up user data and settings – Regular backups let you restore lost settings.
- Delay feature updates – Pushing back major updates gives time for potential issues to surface.
- Review changed settings after updating – Check for any reverted settings and correct them.
- Use a Microsoft account – Store settings on your cloud account to sync them across devices.
For Windows updates that reset a lot of things, doing a clean OS install often prevents further issues.
Data loss
One of the worst potential problems is Windows updates causing data loss or file corruption. Symptoms can include:
- Disappearing files and documents
- Files that suddenly can’t be opened
- Error messages when accessing files and drives
- Missing data or corrupted data
This is often caused by errors during the update installation process.
Recovering lost or corrupted data
If an update results in data loss or corruption, try:
- Restore from backup – Retrieve missing files from a backup created prior to updating.
- Use recovery software – Specialized tools can rescue corrupted data in some cases.
- Uninstall problem updates – Rolling back damaging updates is the first step.
- Reset or clean install Windows – Starting fresh can clear any corrupted system files.
- Send drive for data recovery – For severe corruption issues, professional data recovery may be needed.
Preventing data loss in the future means regularly backing up your system and files before updating Windows.
Boot problems
Updates can sometimes cause boot problems like:
- Failure to boot – Gets stuck on the Windows logo
- Booting to a blue or black screen – Displays error text or crashes
- Boot looping – Restarts repeatedly without booting properly
- BSOD (Blue Screen Of Death)
Boot issues are typically caused by a core system file or driver becoming corrupted during the update installation.
Fixing boot problems
If Windows 10 fails to boot properly after an update, try these steps:
- Startup Repair – Let Windows try to automatically diagnose and repair startup issues.
- System Restore – Revert to an earlier restore point before the problematic update.
- Safe Mode – Boot to Safe Mode and uninstall the bad update.
- Windows recovery image – Advanced recovery tools can fix more serious corruption issues.
- Clean install – Wiping your drive and reinstalling Windows is a last resort.
Conclusion
While Windows updates are critical for security and stability, they can occasionally cause problems. With some care and troubleshooting however, most negative side effects can be avoided or reversed.
To minimize problems from Windows updates:
- Regularly backup your data in case of issues.
- Delay feature updates for a few days to let problems surface in others first.
- Check forums and mailing lists for reports of problematic updates.
- Wait to install updates if your system is currently stable and working well.
- Review changed settings after major updates and correct as needed.
And if an update does cause significant problems, solutions like uninstalling the updates, system restore, or OS resets can usually get you back up and running again.