Audio devices disappear after failed update

There's no way we are the only ones who have encountered this for Microsoft to not have a fix for this that doesn't require us doing a clean install of windows and having to install all of our programs all over again...

Edit: So I just did a system restore from a restore point 2 days before the problem started and it still doesn't work. I'm wondering if somehow the windows update actually physically fried the onboard sound chip on the motherboard... If so Microsoft owes us new motherboards...

It sounds like a decent plan. But if you have enough space you could even shrink C and do a Clean Install to the shrink space. This will configure a Dual Boot menu so you can go back and forth as necessary while you're setting up the new install and deciding whether to keep it. If it's a keeper, then you only need to remove the old install partition using a bootable partition manager, resize the new install's space into the old one's unallocated space, remove the old install from the Dual Boot menu in msconfig > Boot tab.

Either way make sure to follow the gold standard Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible Install of Windows which will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given, has zero reported problems, and is better than any amount of money could buy: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

The reason I suggest this is that no one who has adopted the install in the above link has ever come back to report further problems I've seen, including another version failure. This is because everything in Windows 10 is dependent upon the quality of the install, especially Version Updates which will choke on lesser quality installs, and there is no possibility of problems if you stick ONLY with the steps, tools and methods in that tutorial.

It is also one of life's great learning experiences that will permanently make you the master of your PC because you will learn everything that works best and how to keep it that way.

Hi James -

I'd confirm the onboard display adapter is disable in BIOS, and that you also don't have Switchable graphics which are handled a different way and can interfere if not set properly in the controlling adapter's settings:

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/opti...

https://www.microcenter.com/tech_center/article...

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support...

Otherwise since everything has been gone over to no avail, if you've also done the Repair Upgrade and it didnt' help, then what is left is the gold standard Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible Install of Windows which will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given, has zero reported problems, and is better than any amount of money could buy: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

I know you were hoping to avoid it but realize this is an investment in the kind of install that never has these problems again. Millions of consumers have done the Clean Install in that link and not one has come back to report further problems that I've seen. This is because it teaches everything that works best with WIndows 10 and how to maintain it. It is one of life's great learning experiences that will permanently make you the master of your PC because you will learn everything that works best and how to keep it that way.

Keep in mind you also have a one year manufacturer's support, repair and replacement warranty that comes with the PC so if problems persist you can call on them to fix or replace it, making sure it gets done soon enough so you can ensure the repairs work in time for the warranty expiration, or extend it. It might also still be under Store return policy.

Are you saying you're experiencing the same problem? When did it start? Was it with the most recent update, and did the update fail (as on my machine) or did it actually succeed in updating, but turned out to have disabled the audio?