windows 10 (October 2018 update) (version 1809) deleted all my files

Blaming the customer for the failure of the vendor to do their job (install a feature release/do not destroy data) is not acceptable.  If a backup is a key element, then shouldn't said vendor have an install step that ensures that a backup is made before continuing?  Just wondering as well.

Nonsense. Yes, a backup strategy is necessary. But still, less computer savvy people should always be able to trust in a pushed an obligatory update or upgrade. Also, if Microsoft is not capable of giving this guarantee they should implement a backup system of at least the user folders that just works out of the box. The backups could be written on a hidden partition or an external drive. Apple can do it with Time Machine, so where is the Windows equivalent??? A buggy OS should have at least that option run automatically.

Instead, they flood users with unwanted apps, store, adds and other nonsense. Yes, I am angry. The arrogance of Microsoft is incredible. I am also deeply impressed by their silence after this blunder. There should be a big flashing SORRY on their website. It’s not the user that wanted this update in most cases, it was pushed by Microsoft. If they would have asked first if someone wanted to install, the damage would have been less. STOP PUSHING UPDATES THROUGH OUR THROATS.

Yesterday I posted my version of this same sentiment in Feedback Hub.  Here's what I said:

I hope the need to suspend the rollout of the October 2018 Update is a wakeup call for Microsoft

I urge Microsoft to reevaluate the policy of semi-annual feature updates, the rush to get these updates released, the testing of the updates, and most importantly, the quality of Windows 10.  Usually an early-adopter, I steered clear of this update as I felt very uneasy the release build still had known issues with Task Manager.  That was a red flag for me that something was very wrong, and that a flawed update was rushed to release to coincide with a trade show event.  ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTING!  It's about time you stop relying on your customers to do the quality testing for you at their own (and sometimes great) expense!  Give your customers a quality operating system that doesn't have to be replaced every 6 months!  Provide security updates that don’t cause performance issues, and make new features optional, not mandatory.  Put your efforts into making sure Windows is stable, secure and reliable. That's what is most important to your customers, without whom there would be no Microsoft.

In order for Microsoft to get this message loud and clear, it needs as many upvotes as possible.  Therefore, please upvote here.

Thank you.

Not true, JennytheGeek.

I just ran a Windows Update, and allowed everything to proceed as normal.

When I restarted my computer this morning, all of My Documents are GONE. I am VERY UPSET.

I had a recent backup, using a Seagate portable, and Dashboard, so I'm trying to see if I can recover using that, but so far, no luck. I am beyond upset, to put it lightly.

Hello Greg,

Thank you for offering your help.

I only use one account. It has administrative rights.  

I checked all C folder including: old user accounts and windows.old, and othe locations.

The result: all files are deleted.

Files were located at C:/Users/rober/Documents/.

Only pictures located at C:/Users/rober/Picutres/… were preserved.

Please note that on October 2, C:/User folder had 240gb

whereas, On October 3, C:/User folder has 13gb Only, so 227GB of files were deleted in total.

Luckily, I have backup most my of the files about 2 months ago to my removable drive “Passport” and have now restored them on my partion drive, that I had created before. When I was shopping for the hard drive, I could not find anything similar to time capcule where hard drive that works automatically sync with Time Machine as in “Mac”. However, I did not update my files to USB drive this time, as it could take up to 1-2 business days to have it updated. 

In summary, I have lost my work all the files for the last 2 months, due to the upgrade.

So, I have a question. Do you know if files can be restored by rolling back Version 1809?

Please note that the PC works well now with this new upgrade. However, If files can be restored, I will try to roll it back , as you suggested. Please let me know. Robert