By: Logan Smith, Truewater IT Helpdesk and Client Network Support
Microsoft’s latest major update, the Windows 10 October 2018 update, was recently made available for download by Microsoft. Unfortunately, as it was rolled out to the masses, many users reported missing files and folders after the update was completed on their PCs. Microsoft began limiting the release of the update, to isolate and troubleshoot the issue. From this, they discovered that the issue stemmed from folder redirection within user profiles. An official statement from Microsoft described known folder redirection (KFR) like this:
“KFR is the process of redirecting the known folders of Windows including Desktop, Documents, Pictures, Screenshots, Videos, Camera Roll, etc. from the default folder location, c:\users\username\, to a new folder location.”
In previous updates, unnecessary folders were created as a part of this, and the October update attempted to remove those extra folders. Microsoft’s blog on the matter states:
“That change, combined with another change to the update construction sequence, resulted in the deletion of the original “old” folder locations and their content, leaving only the new “active” folder intact.”
This is an excellent example of why it is always a good idea to back up your data, whether it be to network drives available at your place of business, or at home using a reputable backup service. While OS releases are typically reliable regarding file preservation, situations like this are always a possibility.
At Truewater, we always recommend backing up any business data to a network share available on a server, and we have the tools available for ensuring that your data is safe. It may take a few extra clicks or keystrokes to ensure your files are backed up correctly, but at the end of the day, it’s always better to play it safe! Contact us to learn more.
