Microsoft has made the Windows 10 October 2018 Update available again. The software giant decided to withdraw the update last week after users reported they lost files and folders after installing the update. Microsoft now reports it has found and fixed the culprit.
The culprit was the Known Folder Redirection (KFR), and files and folders were only removed on systems where this was previously enabled. This feature allows users to redirect folders like C:\Users\{username}\Documents to D:\Documents, which can be useful in case there is little free space on the C:\ disk. Also, special Windows folders like Desktop, Pictures, Screenshots, Videos and Camera Roll can be moved with the feature. If users kept files in the old folders, then these could be accidentally removed due to the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, Microsoft explains.
Microsoft removed these folders, because users with KFR enabled previously reported there was an extra, empty copy of the special Windows folders on their device. This happened after the Windows 10 April 2018 Update and Microsoft tried to fix that in the October update.
This change, in combination with a change in the update sequence, caused that the old, original folder and its contents were removed during the installation of the October 2018 update.
A new version of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update is now ready and will first be tested by Windows Insiders, which are users who have chosen to receive and test early version of Windows. Depending on their feedback the update will be gradually rolled out to all other Windows 10 devices.
Users who saw their files removed after the Windows 10 October 2018 Update can call Microsoft Support, which should be able to help them to restore their files.
Users who already installed the Windows 10 October 2018 Update will soon also see another update installed. Update KB4464330 fixes the files and folders deletion issue and also patches several security issues in Windows, including an actively exploited vulnerability.
