Windows 10 Finally Screwed Me (Again)

After being forced to update (which took forever itself) some of my cosmetic Windows 10 tweaks appear to have been overwritten just from seeing the login screen. To make matters worse when I put in my fingerprint or password or pin code it acts as if it is logging in, but just reloads the login screen again.

I am about to see what Safe Mode can do for me. Fingers crossed.

A boot into safe mode (mouse tracking works but no clicks being registered nor Windows key working) and CTRL + ALT + DEL later got me shut down. Rebooted and was able to login to Windows normally again.

Of course my custom theme and tweaks are all reset. I'm beyond annoyed right now.

 

That will occur on any particular update as well

 

Required reading for those who want to postpone large feature updates to Windows 10: https://www.computerworld.com/artic...ows-10-april-2018-update-from-installing.html

 

I don't have to deal with this garbage because I leave as much default as possible. Now, my entire Windows Clean-install takes a mere 30 minutes from reboot to final program installation. It's slowed down mostly by my slow internet.

 

Just use Windows 8.1 if your drivers permit or 7, they perform just as good if not better than 10 and are allot easier to work with

 

I run triple boot. Ubuntu / Win 7 / Win10. I still want to use my Windows 10 when I feel like it.

 

This Windows Update screwed up more than I realized... My SmartScreen somehow got turned back on and now I can't find where to disable it again. Edge and other BS Win 10 apps got reinstalled that I had previously uninstalled. I still can't seem to get rid of a Cortana process completely that loves to come back automatically. And it somehow managed to put my sound driver's software front end in a state of limbo: unable to be properly uninstalled, but also unable to access the frontend. The audio did in fact continue to work however. Either way, I am annoyed.

 

The thing that annoys me is having to reset certain things after an update. It's their OS I guess but after a while feels a little redundant.

But since my ranger kicked the bucket I have been back on win7 for the time being.

 

Props for not feeding the trolls, I agree with you. It annoys me mostly because I always feel like I missed setting something back to the way I had things adjusted before and hate that incomplete feeling sitting in the back of my mind. Plus I'd much rather spend my minimal free time enjoying the better parts of computing rather than getting back to where I was already at pre-update, lol.

 

Ill likely just go Linux on my desktop but for my Ranger I have to use Win10 if I want to use the GTX 1070 so they got me there.

 

I have the best success with Microsoft honoring and remembering my settings if I set those settings with Group Policy (GPO).

gpedit.msc
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Search
Double-click on Allow Cortana to open its settings box
Set the settings to Disabled, click Apply and Exit

^It doesn't fully disable Cortana, but it's close. And it always sticks for me!

gpedit.msc
Windows 10, version 1703:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates >Windows Components > Windows Defender SmartScreen > Explorer
Double-click on Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen to open its settings box
Windows 10, Version 1607 and earlier:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer
Double-click on Configure Windows SmartScreen to open its settings box
If you disable this setting, it turns off Windows Defender SmartScreen and your employees are unable to turn it on.

Reference:
Windows IT Pro Center: Available Windows Defender SmartScreen Group Policy settings

For everything else, I re-apply O&O Shutup10 settings after EVERY monthly update, using @Ultra Male's preference file as a starting point.

For managing my visual styles and start menu -- for anything I can't modify using GPO -- I just buy Stardock's Start10 and Windowsblinds programs. It saves time. Not sure if this would help you. But it keeps me sane. (I have no affiliation with Stardock.)

Using Group Policy (GPO) settings would mean that you have access to either Pro or Enterprise.

For me, my Windows use is less and less each day, except on systems like my Alienware 18 (Viking) (Windows 8.1 Pro) that don't support Linux as well. I understand that this is not universal for everyone. I feel your frustration.