Windows 10: The latest automatic Windows upgrade has disrupted my computer

Windows update has wiped all of the files from m,y computer - again! Microsoft staff helped me last week when this happened but this morning I discovered it has happened again with on overnight update. Can anyone tell me how to go about recovering all of my Microsoft Office files, and to restore all my Microsoft app functions?

:)

 

Microsoft to push automatic Windows 10 upgrades in 2016

"Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 will be automatically rolled out next year to all users of its older operating systems who have selected to receive updates.

Until now, users of Windows 7 and 8 have needed to register to upgrade to Windows 10. But that's about to change: soon the OS will be listed as an 'Optional Update' and -- from 2016 -- a 'recommended' update that will automatically install itself, if users have opted to receive updates in that way.*Shadedshun :shadedshu:

You can opt out of automatic updates to avoid this, but Microsoftsays that "we strongly discourage this in today’s connected world because of the constant risk of internet threats". You can also change your Windows Update settings to install critical updates but not recommended ones. Although it's still going to be possible to avoid installation, Microsoft seems quite determined for everyone to be using Windows 10 in near future.


The roll-out of reserved updates was initially staggered but, according to Microsoft, now Windows "will automatically kick off the upgrade process once you have made a reservation".

As an intermediate stage, Microsoft says that it will "soon" publish Windows 10 as an optional update, not installed by default, but accessible to all users."

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive...rade-to-be-rolled-out-automatically-next-year

 

[Tip] Automatic Login to Windows and Instantly lock the computer.

Problem: You like to leave XYZ program running 24/7, but XYZ program only starts when you log into the computer(XYZ can be whatever program you want). So when automatic updates hit and auto-restart your computer, the XYZ program doesn't start back up. You could not put a password on your user account, so the computer automatically logs onto your user account when it reboots, but that is insecure, and if you have nosy roommates/children/super intelligent monkeys, if there is no password they might get on your computer and find your huge collection of por...legally obtained songs...



Solution: Set Windows to automatically log into a password protected user account, and then instantly lock the computer.*Rockout :rockout: Here's how:

• I'm going to assume you already have your user account password protected. If not, setup a password for your user account now...I'll wait...ok, moving on.
• In the Run dialog type "control userpasswords2" without quotes. Then press OK.
  
  
  
• In the User Accounts window uncheck the box for "Users must enter a password to use this computer." Press OK.
  
  
  
• In the Automatically Log On window enter your username and password. Press OK.
  
  
  
• Open Notepad and type "rundll32.exe user32.dll, LockWorkstation" without quotes.
  
  
  
• Save the text document as lock.bat. Make sure you change Save as type: from *.txt to *.*!
  
  
  
• Drag lock.bat into your Startup folder.
  
  
  

That is it. Now when the computer is rebooted it will automatically log in to your account, load any programs you want started, and lock the computer so a password is still required to use it.*Toast :toast:

A few notes:

• If you change the password for your user account, it will break the auto login. You will have to go back into control userpasswords2 and re-enter your login information.
• This should work with any recent version of Windows, I've tested it back to at least XP. You shouldn't be using anything older than that anyway.
• I've tested this with Win7 and Vista Home Premium and up. It should work on Home Basic and Starter as well, and it should work on XP Home, but I haven't tested this personally. The lower versions of Windows might not have the Control Userpasswords2 ability.
• This works with Server versions of Windows also.

 

Vista Automatic Updating Error

Automatic Updates isn't currently running.