Automated Windows 10 updates deleted all my documents and files

I'm a computer tech and since sunday I have had 8 of my customers call with this same issue as being described here.  I have tried to reset their computers but am unable to even access the reset computer options when trying to booth on startup. The only way I have been able to fix this is pull their drive out of their laptops and make copies of their important files. I then reinstall  windows 10 using the media creation USB device I made. Once I know everything is back up and running and updated I copy over their previous files and they are some what back in business. Little things are still missing like favorites and such.

Yes I love the money but trying to turn these around so fas has me worn out.. Microsoft needs to do something...

Most of the responses from tech people on this site infer its something you have done. They make no mention of the fact that the introduction of the upgrade caused our machines to be inoperable, when previously operating with no problems. Therefore an automated update from Microsoft had results that now require you to attempt a complex task (with stages I cant even replicate on my dead machine) on a machine that has no operational ability or functioning controls. Alternative is to give over the machine to an IT professional to try to salvage content and incur cost for no other reason than the Microsoft upgrade is not failure proof and introduces faults to an otherwise stable environment.

This site is logo-ed Microsoft, the address is Microsoft.com, but it appears full of Microsoft apologists aiming to treat this as a normal glitch that we all have to shrug our shoulders and get on with.

Spoke with Microsoft technician by phone about this today and they currently do not have a way of fixing this. Only suggestion is to have someone pull the hard drive and download the files and reinstall OS. My son has end of year projects stuck on the hard drive that are due in two days. We don't have time for Microsoft to figure this out, so will have to pay to get this done. Cannot tell you how upset I am with Microsoft about this.

I had this happen! If you can get to the blue screen that allows you to reboot into safemode you will be able to access the options to reset the entire thing while still keeping your files (it’s somewhere under Troubleshoot and Advanced Options, iirc).

It will pretty much uninstall everything and go back to the initial version of the OS, stick a nice little list of everything it uninstalled on your desktop, and leave you with a now-functioning computer and all your files intact.

You will then have to spend a few hours reinstalling everything, but all things considered, I think I got off lightly.

If you cannot find the option to reset, you are not actually ion the right screen, even if it otherwise looks identical. I know because I had to try multiple times before I had those options available to me. Keep trying.

Hello Jelis,

Forgive me, but why should I be constantly on the defensive, or be forced into workarounds when the problems are not being caused by me? This is like allowing a decorator into your home and then they decide where your furniture and possessions should be arranged/stored. Also, one should not have to be concerned about trying to enter your home to discover they have changed the locks or security code to stop you from getting into your own property!!

I did try to use the Microsoft help people, the result was obvious, roll back to the last backup as Windows Old did not work, plus the other 'guaranteed' options he said he would use did not work. The one key questions he could not answer was why the problem occurred and what am I supposed top do when it tries to shove the update onto my machines again.... yes you guessed it... Microsoft Cricket chirping... just like their absolute, and complete lack of response to this community thread...

I greatly appreciate everyone's input of workarounds or fixes, the key fact is that we should not have to use ANY of them, a product should not be forcefully installed onto people personal property that is not 100% capable of not damaging people's data, memories or careers.