Windows 10: Problems reinstalling windows keeping existing data Win10

I attempted to reinstall Windows with the option to keep the existing setup, but that choice didn't really work

Here's what happened:

A problem occurred during a Windows update, and I received an error message. Windows attempted to repair the problem, but was not successful.
I had the option to use an earlier restore point, but that did not work.
The final choice was to reinstall Windows, with or without keeping existing "stuff".
I used the "with" choice, and windows was restored. I assumed I was also keeping existing programs but only one non-Microsoft app seemed to remain - IRFANVIEW. This program allows you make an image of the monitor screen and put the entire image or a portion on a Word document, or.......

For example, Firefox, Norton Security, Eudora (my email client), Internet Explorer, Malwarebytes, and even Office were gone. Edge remained, but started as if I was a new user. C:>Program files, including x86 only contained Microsoft products. Desktop icons and most programs listed on the left side no longer worked.

I thought I had clicked the wrong choice except files in the documents folder and IRFANVIEW remained, plus non-working desktop icons.

Is the above the normal outcome?

I don't need to recover my existing data as this is a backup drive, but need to know what to expect.

Jim

:)

 

[Solved] Windows 10 keeps reinstalling KB3119142

I noticed quite some time ago that KB3119142 (Update for Microsoft Visual C++ 2012 Update 4 Redistributable Package) kept reinstalling itself for some reason. At least once daily. Sometimes up to several times a day. I just ignored it. It didn't seem to be doing any harm. And I figured they'd eventually fix it. Well...days turned into weeks, weeks into months, with no end to the problem in sight. It dragged on unsolved for at least the last few months. Literally reinstalling itself hundreds of(at least a hundred, felt like more) times in that period of time.

So I finally googled it a couple days ago. And just got around to fixing it today. Which appears to have worked. And it couldn't have been easier to do. I feel so stupid to have let it intimidate me for so long.*Oops!

Below are links to the thread that I got the fix idea from, and the official MS support info page for KB3119142(from which I quoted the above).
http://www.tenforums.com/windows-up...-windows-10-keeps-reinstalling-kb3119142.html
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3119142

 

Win10: windows update stuck at never ending loop ?

When in win10:

• Update&security -> Windows update -> Finding update... .... .... ....

Planning to download the latest Win10.ISO (vers.1803) and manually update:
- Then wait that my ordered new SSD arrives and clone the old HDD to it.

 

Autocorrect in Win10... basically non-existent(?)

In this case, we suggest following the steps below to work around the issue:

• On the Cortana search box, type Typing Settings and press
  Enter.
• Turn off Autocorrect misspelled words and Highlight misspelled words.
• Restart your PC.
• Do step 1 and 2 but this time turn on Autocorrect misspelled words
  and Highlight misspelled words.
• Restart your PC.
• Check if the issue still exist.

If you have questions, please let us know.