Windows 10: System Restore in W10 - removes desktop shortcut?!?

Could someone please confirm that W10 shouldn't remove a desktop shortcut following a system restore because it was a user file.

I added a desktop shortcut to a web page a couple of days ago and this morning carried out a system restore to restore my desktop PC configuration to a week previous. The desktop shortcut I added has disappeared during the restore process.

As I understand it, this shouldn't have happened. Maybe I misunderstand something?

I checked the desktop folder (using file explorer) and it's not there. I looked for hidden files too and the desktop shortcut I added two days ago is absent but when I search the desktop folder for this particular desktop shortcut, the search has record of it and presents the correct folder structure - it's just not there though. I noted that the desktop shortcut icon, found when I searched for the shortcut, appears to be greyed out - don't know if that's significant.

I appreciate that loss of one desktop shortcut file isn't a big deal in itself but for me, it's yet another nail in the coffin of W10 and a reason to investigate alternative OS's.

Sorry I can't give W10 version at present as I'm currently running Ubuntu but I can run W10 to check. Thanks in anticipation.

:)

 

System Restore fails: AppxStaging %ProgramFiles%\WindowsApp 0x80070091

Steps taken.
Part 1/
Install W10. User -Test (No additional updates. No OEM drivers)
Create Restore Point -"Pristine"
Make a system alteration. ie; D/L and Install Google Chrome.
System Restore to RP "Pristine". (Note: Chrome should be gone.)
Successful. Chrome is gone and Edge reset. ??? Chromesetup file removed from \downloads??? Why???
New Restore Point - "Undo Restore" created by system.

Step 2/
D/L and install KB3213986. Reboot.
Make a system alteration. ie; D/L and Install Google Chrome.
Create Restore Point - "Update 1 Chrome"
Make a system alteration. Uninstall Chrome.
System Restore. (Note: Chrome should come back but may not work correctly.)
Fail. 0x80070091

To me that represents a conclusive result.

The next obvious thing to do was to roll back the Update, assuming that this will fix System Restore. However, rolling back the Update DID NOT restore the functionality of System Restore. So now my confident claim, above, is a bit shaky. If performing the update does in fact cause the issue, removing it doesn't put it right.

So now, the next obvious thing is to perform the WindowsApps rename or deletion process, to apply the fix, and run a series of testing to see if System Restore becomes stable.

Results.
Performing the WindowsApps rename fix, instead of deleting it this time, once again resulted in System Restore operating correctly. I have been able to install the remaining updates and flip back and forth between Restore Points without issue.

At this point I am done with it. My testing shows that:

• It is update KB3213986 that causes the problem to occur in the first instance.

• Rolling back the update does not correct the problem.

• Performing the known fix returns System Restore functionality.

• For how long, we don't yet know.

Should you wish to rename the WindowsApps directory rather than delete it, the attrib WindowsApps -h command line can only be performed after the icacls command line.

 

System Restore Error 0x81000203

Good day,

We can see here that you are having issues performing system restore on your computer. Having said that, we need to determine the cause of this problem. Before we proceed, may we know the following:

• Any changes made on the computer prior to this concern?
• What troubleshooting steps have you tried so far?
• Are you getting any error messages when trying to perform system restore? If so, can you send us a screenshot?
  Note: Please do not include any personal information.
• Have you performed all the suggested troubleshooting steps found on this thread?

 

Missing icons / buttons after System Restore

Hi Terrie,

To address your concern, we suggest that you try to undo the restore or pick another restore point.

Please follow these steps to access system restore:

• Right-click (or press and hold) the Start button, and then select Control Panel.
  
• Search Control Panel for Recovery.
  
• Select Recovery > Open System Restore > Next.
  

Let us know how it goes.