A new bug in the Windows 10 October 2018 Update could delete your files

By Arif Bacchus Published October 22, 2018

windows 10 october update — Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Windows 10 October 2018 Update has been on a rough path and things aren’t necessarily getting easier for Microsoft. In the latest set of issues, a new bug is impacting native Windows 10 zip file operations, potentially leading to overwritten files in some instances.

This latest bug impacts just the native Windows 10 zip feature and leaves no effect on third-party programs. Reports on the bug first surfaced on Reddit, where many frustrated Windows 10 users complained of not receiving the proper dialog and warning boxes during unzipping operations. At the time of writing, that Reddit posting has received a total of 141 upvotes and more than 51 comments, hinting that this could be a widespread problem.

Recommended Videos

“I noticed that whenever I move something out of a zip, the ‘do you want to replace these files’ dialogue never shows up, it just does it. I’ve reinstalled windows and it still does it, it’s only on the October update. Pretty nasty bug since you can accidentally overwrite a file and have no way of getting it back,” explains a Redditor.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

A thread dedicated to the issue has also been created on the Feedback Hub, where Microsoft employees typically respond to complaints and other bugs. The thread has also been marked as “we’ve got it,” so it is likely Microsoft could soon issue an official response in the coming days.

This is just the latest problem for people who installed the Windows 10 October 2018 Update. Previously, there was an issue where files were being deleted on upgrade, causing Microsoft to pull pack the public release of the update. A conflict in drivers as part of a cumulative update also caused major headaches for those with HP devices. Microsoft has since issued subsequent patches to correct those problems and is still testing the update with Windows Insiders.

Microsoft is also offering some support in its retail stores, free of charge, for anyone who needs assistance and may have lost files after installing the Windows 10 October 2018 Update. There is no word yet on when the update will resume a full public rollout, so it’s best to stay tuned for more in the weeks ahead.

Topics

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Arif Bacchus is a native New Yorker and a fan of all things technology. Arif works as a freelance writer at Digital Trends…

Computing

A forced Windows update is coming next month

Windows 11 version 22H2 will reach its end of servicing next month, and Microsoft has announced a forced update to 23H2 for October 8. This means machines running 22H2 (Home and Pro editions) will stop receiving updates after next month, leaving them vulnerable to security threats. Enterprise, Education, and Internet of Things (IoT) Enterprise editions running version 21H2 will also receive the automatic update.

In a post on the Windows Message Center, Microsoft urges users to update before October 8 or participate in the automatic update to keep themselves "protected and productive" since the monthly Patch Tuesday updates are "critical to security and ecosystem health."

Computing

This optional Windows 11 update is totally worth installing

Windows Update running on a laptop.

Your Windows 11 computer is about to get even better, thanks to the latest KB5041587 update. As Microsoft mentioned in a support page post, this update makes Android file sharing easier, fixes bugs in File Explorer, and adds performance tweaks to Windows Narrator and the voice access feature.

The new update allows you to share files more quickly with your Android device using the Microsoft Phone Link app. You'll need to install the app on your Android device and your Windows 11 computer and go through the setup process, which includes giving quite a few permissions. When sharing from your PC, choose the Phone Link as the destination app, and when sharing from your Android device, select the link for the Windows app as your sharing option.

Computing

There’s a scary new way to undo Windows security patches

Security patches for Windows are essential for keeping your PC safe from developing threats. But downgrade attacks are a way of sidestepping Microsoft's patches, and a security researcher set out to show just how fatal these can be.

SafeBreach security researcher Alon Leviev mentioned in a company blog post that they'd created something called the Windows Downdate tool as a proof-of concept. The tool crafts persistent and irreversible downgrades on Windows Server systems and Windows 10 and 11 components.