Automated Windows 10 updates deleted all my documents and files

Everyone, go to THIS PC, then go to WINDOWS, then go to USERS, then go to the folder under your computer name. All your files are there. Cut everything there and paste it where it originally was. You'll be fine. Once that is done, you might be searching for random files through search and it would say no item found, so go to search then click on run then type in services.msc and enter, once you do that, search for windows search, it would probably show automatic delayed start, so click on windows search and change the automatic delayed start to automatic. Once done exit and right click on windows start and click on refresh. Everything would be searchable again

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.

As one can see from the recent reports, the Windows 10 Update Disaster keeps happening, even as late as Dec. 2018.  And it will keep doing so in future if Microsoft does not remove its damn automated major updates altogether while warning the users to create a system image (clone) of their computers to protect their important data and applications. Obviously, the problem is more serious than a simple glitch.  It is as if one of the Microsoft's angry programmers has implanted a randomly acting virus in the Windows 10 Major Update that even Microsoft cannot trace it!  As I have already reported, in my case, aside from the fact that the Update removed many of my photos, data, and applications (which took me one month to reinstall), my monitor ended up in vertical lines (columns) along the edges of the cursor or window boxes, whenever the display brightness increased. I know some people who thought it was a hardware issue and agreed to change their new laptops with refurbished ones. However, the only (temporary?) remedy for me was to change the monitor driver!-- On the other hand, the only way of preventing the disaster is to upgrade to Windows 10 Professional edition (for $100!) and pause the update for one year in the Update Advance Setting. Of course, the security update can be paused for one month only. Paradoxically, it is like paying the very person who is responsible for the destruction! So, is it any different from ransomware? Surely! because in the case of the latter you'll get your lost data back!. Finally, one has to spend some extra money on some fast backup storage system in order to create a System Image of her/his computer just in case Microsoft imposes another defective update in future!

I believe a major issue is being totally ignored. Every time something goes wrong with an update (or with Windows 10 for that matter) the solution appears to be using a third party tool to recover the data, reinstalling Windows, of resetting Windows. As someone with 35+ years in the industry, my first thought is: Microsoft needs to own the problem and institute relevant changes e.g. broader testing, better testing, determining how these errors get through testing, etc.

I want to comment on these methods to check or retrieve your files.

While I am thankful the Moderator is attempting to help – I also don’t believe Microsoft is aware of how completely trashed this latest so-called upgrade did to some of these computers – including mine!

As I stated in an earlier comment – once the update was complete – the computer was blank.

• Screen – Black
• Recycle Bin (the only Icon on the desktop) – no access right or left click
• Microsoft Logo Start Button – no color – no access.
• Search magnifying glass on tool bar – no access
• Internet icon on toolbar – no access (either wireless or hardwired plugged into router)
• Battery icon on toolbar – seems to be working
• Volume control on tool bar – no access up or down.

Any attempt to access files has resulted in this dialog box:

C:\Windows*system32**config**systemprofile**Desktop* refers to a location that is unavailable. It  could be on a hard drive on this computer, or on a network. Check to make sure that the disk is properly inserted, or that you are connected to the Internet or your network, and then try again.

This disk is the C: drive and has never been removed.

I have no network.

The computer has no internet access - as mentioned above.  (and yes, I have everything else in my place connected to my wireless - so I know it's the computer).

Honestly, for Windows 10 – after perhaps Tens of 1,000 of hours’ worth of testing and application – to completely trash my Acer Notebook Computer like this – is unbelievable and totally unacceptable.

I have already spend hours clicking any and everything on the computer to try and resolve. 

I have also spend hours researching this problem via another computer – hence, the reason I found this specific Microsoft page.

Oh, and one more thing  - - that other computer that I'm typing this message on - - well, I got the exact same UPDATE  NOTICE yesterday.

Needless to say, I cannot afford to fall for that again.

MicroSoft - get this resolved. 

No more updates until this is fixed.