Win10 Fall Creators Update’s rapid, rocky rollout

[Karlston]

A week after version 1709 hit the waves, reports of success — and some screams of pain — accompany the latest, greatest, bestest version of Windows

 

Dan Masaoka/IDG

A week ago today, Microsoft rolled out the “RTM” build of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (FCU), version 1709, build 16299.15 – which should’ve been immediately upgraded to 16299.19. At least anecdotally, the initial push brought in far more Win10 machines than any previous rollout. I’ve seen few reports of problems from those who had FCU thrust upon them, but there are plenty of problems among those who installed the upgrade manually.

 

Yesterday, Windows servicing and delivery director John Cable talked about the phased rollout approach on the Windows Blog. Cable said:

 

"By starting with machines which we believe will have the best update experience, we are able to get focused feedback on application compatibility and how Windows works with the rich ecosystem of available peripherals like Bluetooth devices or cameras. Additionally, we closely monitor feedback from fans and early adopters, through programs like

Windows Insiders and Windows Insider for Business, in addition to feedback from our OEM device partners, and customers like you! This helps us determine when to accelerate the release to additional devices."

 

… which sounds to me like every other Win10 rollout. We also have a marketing graph (screenshot below) without x- or y- axis labels that certainly looks convincing but somehow doesn’t communicate anything.

 

Microsoft

If you haven’t yet devoured the information about all of the (New! Improved!) features in Win10 FCU, Preston Gralla’s Review: Windows 10 Fall Creators Update from A to Zzzzzzzz takes you through the highlights. To be sure, there are improvements in security, notably Windows Defender Exploit Guard, which replaces the long-in-the-tooth EMET tool (details posted yesterday on the Windows Security blog), and Controlled Folder Access, an anti-ransomware tool that adds an extra authorization level for folders you specify (more details were posted yesterday). And after a couple of years’ hiatus, Microsoft brought back OneDrive placeholders (“files on-demand”), improving on the Windows 8 feature.

 

After that, the feature list seems to me to stumble off a cliff, bouncing like a Fluent Design glow bubble. But you may find a gem or two in the list.

 

I’ve been keeping a running list of known problems with FCU, and it’s pretty lengthy. Of course there’s the usual failures to install, rollback, freezes, which many people manage to knock loose using Windows 10 install issues -- and what to do about them.

 

Highlights:

 

• Weird audio driver problems: Restart your PC and a seemingly random audio device will become the default.
• Lots of reports of re-assigned default apps, and deleted built-in apps that make a remarkable re-appearance.
• Reports of messed up monitor colours that are fixed by turning off the Night Light app.
• Citrix XenDesktop agent VDA 7.15 doesn’t install. (Thx ch100)
• If your older versions of .NET aren’t working, you have to manually enable them (Thx, Noel Carboni)
• Old Intel network drivers have problems on reboot or awaking from sleep. You should update all of them. (Thx NetDef)
• The sign-in screen may show the Administrator account. Fixing it requires a manual registry change. (Thx MrBrian)
• An older game engine triggers crashes when running full screen. (Thx NetDef)
• And there’s a handful of identified hardware problems: HP print drivers, Beats Audio, Razer laptops.

Several high profile bugs have been fixed: the “Something bad happened” bug in Windows Store was fixed, accompanied by a new Store icon and rebranding to "Microsoft Store." There’s a lengthy manual workaround for the bug that removes references to built-in programs and jumbles tiles on the Start menu.

 

My old advice stands: Wait. There’s nothing in 1709 that you absolutely have to have right now. In the past, Microsoft had businesses wait four months or so before installing a new version of Win10. In the new world of Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) and Semi-Annual Channel (Nailed) releases, business are supposed to figure it out for themselves.

 

But the old four-month wait seems to be just as valid now as it was three months ago, when Microsoft suddenly withdrew the "Current Branch for Business" designation.

 

I continue to recommend that you actively block the 1709 upgrade.

 

When you're ready to throw yourself at Microsoft’s mercy, you can take off the safety belt, remove the block and let Microsoft upgrade your machine on its time schedule.

 

But don’t install 1709 manually before Microsoft figures that you’re ready for it. There’s a reason Microsoft controls the horizontal.

 

Hit a bug that’s bugging you? Post it on the AskWoody Lounge.

 

Source: Win10 Fall Creators Update’s rapid, rocky rollout (Computerworld - Woody Leonhard)

[Airstream_Bill]

Had no problems with the Fall Creators Update.  The hardest thing I had to do was find the Right Windows Media Creation Tool.  Ha.  Upgraded Existing Creators update no problems and then did a Fresh Install no problems.  My laptop is a 4 year old Toshiba Satellite. This Fall Creators Upgrade is by far the Smoothest Running Windows 10 I have used. 

[SPECTRUM]

I had no problems with FCU too.

[Archanus]

Quote

The things that annoy me a lot of the "new" Windows 10 1709 are:

1) The only way to access to Control Panel is the keys: Win+Pause. They don't even finish to implement Control Panel in Settings UWP App.

2) Since 1507 Version, if you create a theme with the option to change background colour with the accent colour of wallpaper, it refreshes the File Explorer  It's really annoying  !!! In Windows 8.1 the transition from wallpaper/accent colour was so smooth and nice, I mean the file explorer doesn't refresh nor the Start Screen flickers (in Windows 10 the Start Menu flickers everytime it changes colour)

3) All UWP Apps (Former Metro Apps) is still buggy since 1507 Version  The Mail UWP Apps is really bad in comparison with Mail Metro App (Windows 8.1), the Photos UWP Apps is buggy too.

4) Sincerely, all the interface and GUI in Windows 10, looks ugly, there are no Width Borders nor Center-Alligned Titlebar Text, so in my opinion, that changes makes the Windows 10 ugly.

5) Fluent Design is the worst aesthetical thing they implemented  I prefer Windows 7/Vista Aero Theme, or even Windows 8.1 Aero Lite Theme

 

This is so disappointing  Very disappointing...

 

http://www.nsaneforums.com/topic/302577-windows-10-1709-rs3-fall-creators-update-1629915-final-rtm-all-languages-links/?page=23&tab=comments#comment-1275034

 

[C.G.B. Spender]

Installed FCU on 2 computers and 1 tablet with no issues apart from some wonkiness with g-sync in fullscreen windowed on my gaming rig, but that's a niche case anyway. Presumably solved in next Nvidia's driver.

[ADN]

7601 here 

 

[Legacy]

No problems for me on the fall up date. I'm using a 9 year old Acer travelmate laptop and it's running mint. 

 

Superb.

[Radpop]

Big M send me 1709 yesterday. First 6 GB was unnecessary because of installation error of what big G didn't know anything useful. After repairing Windows update  I asked Big M to send second one and this one installed well. Only 6 hours for that. Then removed 40 GB old trash from old Windows versions. After all, PC runs now about ten to twenty degrees cooler than before update, and this is very good news. Nothing is missing but something is maybe too much.

 

Evaluation in progress, but I guess that cleaner tests cost was about 3 hours. One of cleaners tested had possibly broken Windows update or update database.  

[Ryrynz]

One would be generally fine, four is playing it overly safe. Best to see what the update offers and make the decision. I've no had issues, but seen MS replace drivers
with ones it thinks fit and mess things up that way.

[leader97]

I updated OK but now I can't see my full update history in Settings. Is this a coincidence unrelated to the Creator's update?:

 

[Airstream_Bill]

22 minutes ago, leader97 said:

I updated OK but now I can't see my full update history in Settings. Is this a coincidence unrelated to the Creator's update?:

 

I can not answer your question definitively but when I let it upgrade my existing system it installed like a Fresh Clean install other than keeping my existing programs and files plus backing up my initial system.  I am sure that there would be no OLD update history to view.

[Picasso]

The FCU created a new user profile with my update. I lost nearly all my program registrations, i.e. most had returned to "trial" or "not activated" status. Fortunately, I kept a record of most. My wife's laptop updated smoothly.

[Radpop]

3 hours ago, Picasso said:

I lost nearly all my program registrations, i.e. most had returned to "trial" or "not activated" status. Fortunately, I kept a record of most.

I lost only PrivaZer donors version registration as I know but luckily I had archived key. Still, looks like best 10 until now. 

[POOTERMAN]

The fall update screwed up both my PC's. Examples of the problems I had were that after the update the PC's would just sit there after rebooting on a black screen until I left them off for a while and rebooted again. When I was able to get back to the desktop none of the PC's start menu's would work, either clicking on the Windows Flag 'Start' menu area or trying to enter any text in the search box resulted in nothing happening, it simply would not respond. I tried uninstalling audio & display drivers and let Windows Update install what it wanted to but the problem still existed. I rolled back to the Creator's update and tried the Fall update another 2 times but had the exact same experience no matter what I changed and after uninstalling all pre-installed drivers before the update. I've read online that thousands of users have experienced problems with the Start Menu no longer working after installing the Fall Update so at least I'm not alone in suffering a bad experience with this new feature update. Apparently Microsoft are working on the problem and until it's released I guess we'll just forever be considered the guinea pigs in Microsoft's eyes of the poor saps that have to test out their buggy software updates when their rolled out on a large scale

[kunjar]

Updated 4 laptops all without issues. Newest machine AMD A10-8700P took the longest time, suppose thats due to the amount of data and programs i have installed. However, after installation, the system is seriously quick, snappy and very responsive. The other 3 machines are from 2010 Intel i3s with 3GB RAM, they updated much quicker since i performed a clean installation. Same results, fast and smooth performance. Kudos to Microsoft!

[mantazzo]

Updated my laptop on release day without any problems, it feels nice, but no HUGE difference to the previous Creators Update, like Anniversary Update or Creators Update had. The only differences from Creators Update (1703) I noticed now are:

• Updated Notification Center layout (needed some time to get used to it);
• People icon in the Taskbar (but, to be fair, I don't really need it, so gonna disable it as I'm writing);
• Slightly updated New Settings app and also some new settings available (Hint: You can still access Control Panel by adding the icon for it on the desktop in Personalization -> Themes -> Desktop Icon Settings);
• Slightly updated layout of "This PC" screen (not sure if I like the change frankly);
• OneDrive placeholders are back, and that's great (saves some space on PC);
• Very similar performance-wise, even after upgrade (not doing full clean install yet);
• Emoji panel, if you need it, but it only works on EN-US language for now AFAIK (might be all EN languages, but I know for sure that it's only EN language support for now);
• Task Manager now gets GPU info, which is, surprisingly, acceptably informative (a.k.a. gives quite good amount of information about GPU work if you need the info - players might enjoy this information);
• Battery panel got a change and plans are gone now (by default it's now a slider and you can adjust what you want more), although it's still possible to create plans if you really want them;
• Some Xbox/Game bar/Game DVR improvements;
• And probably the smallest, but noticeable change - Bluetooth icon color was changed a bit, it's now lighter blue.
• Oh, I almost forgot - you can now change Spatial Sound type directly from the taskbar audio icon (right click the audio icon).

M$ listed way more changes, but these were the ones I noticed mostly. If you have Creators Update, it's your choice whether to upgrade or now. If you have earlier version of W10 - again, your choice, except there will be more changes. If you use W7 or W8.1 - cheers

[Archanus]

Spoiler

1 hour ago, mantazzo said:

Updated my laptop on release day without any problems, it feels nice, but no HUGE difference to the previous Creators Update, like Anniversary Update or Creators Update had. The only differences from Creators Update (1703) I noticed now are:

• Updated Notification Center layout (needed some time to get used to it);
• People icon in the Taskbar (but, to be fair, I don't really need it, so gonna disable it as I'm writing);
• Slightly updated New Settings app and also some new settings available (Hint: You can still access Control Panel by adding the icon for it on the desktop in Personalization -> Themes -> Desktop Icon Settings);
• Slightly updated layout of "This PC" screen (not sure if I like the change frankly);
• OneDrive placeholders are back, and that's great (saves some space on PC);
• Very similar performance-wise, even after upgrade (not doing full clean install yet);
• Emoji panel, if you need it, but it only works on EN-US language for now AFAIK (might be all EN languages, but I know for sure that it's only EN language support for now);
• Task Manager now gets GPU info, which is, surprisingly, acceptably informative (a.k.a. gives quite good amount of information about GPU work if you need the info - players might enjoy this information);
• Battery panel got a change and plans are gone now (by default it's now a slider and you can adjust what you want more), although it's still possible to create plans if you really want them;
• Some Xbox/Game bar/Game DVR improvements;
• And probably the smallest, but noticeable change - Bluetooth icon color was changed a bit, it's now lighter blue.
• Oh, I almost forgot - you can now change Spatial Sound type directly from the taskbar audio icon (right click the audio icon).

M$ listed way more changes, but these were the ones I noticed mostly. If you have Creators Update, it's your choice whether to upgrade or now. If you have earlier version of W10 - again, your choice, except there will be more changes. If you use W7 or W8.1 - cheers

 

 

And what will you say to the people using Windows XP & Windows Vista??? jajajajaja

[Archanus]

2 hours ago, 0bin said:

I  sayn't usenvironment.

 

If they waws Xe nostalgic, VM aravable.

I asked mantazzo, and I was a joke. You took it literally.

 

By the way, I don't imagine a reason to use XP or Vista, even on VM  ... If I would use a VM, it would be Windows 8.1 or Ubuntu  Because Windows 7 is getting older

 

PD: You modified my quote too jaja

[mantazzo]

15 hours ago, Archanus said:

  Reveal hidden contents

 

 

And what will you say to the people using Windows XP & Windows Vista??? jajajajaja

I wanted to include XP and Vista, but just... I just can't really.
Anyway, that was quite off-topic

[shorty6100]

Not to sound repetitive, but I ALWAYS clean install a new OS to avoid many of the above issues. Any important docs I keep on an external hard drive. Hardware requirements keep changing after each Windows 10 update.

[steven36]

On 10/27/2017 at 8:18 PM, 0bin said:

I will say to don't use as main production environment.

 

If they want to use Windows XP, or are nostalgic, VM are always available.

People been saying  that since  2014  and still net market reports   XP has more users than Mac OS  or Linux ...  And I never seen no Zombie virus outbreak  that researchers claimed would happen  ..Recent  outbreaks seemed too had trageted  newer OS more than they did older ones .

 

On 10/27/2017 at 8:21 PM, Archanus said:

Because Windows 7 is getting older

Windows 7 will be the next Windows XP  there are millions  of people  who never cared about windows updates  the only thing  that caused  most too leave is lack of  support for  3rd party software  . Software  vendors created the problem with so many staying behind  by them keep  supporting  a OS  that no longer gets security  updates  for some years  after they stop giving updates.

 

By the time Windows  7 runs  out of  updates  in 2020   end of mainstream support for Windows 10 comes  the same year October 13, 2020  ether they are going make something else  or ether they keep making Windows 10  and all the  millions of  people who got it  for free will  have too buy it  or be stuck on the same version of Windows 10 for 5 years  . Windows 10 is over  2 years old and still  they not dicussed  what happens in 2020  and in 2025.

 

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet

I  got Windows  10  RS 3 on the other partition on this computer  but not even bothered  too really use  it because Ubuntu Budgie 17.10  runs  so much better  on this PC than windows do.  Linux is enough  for me  90% of the time as a home user but i don't speak for everyone else   .  There is some software  if you really   need it and games  that you have use a VM  on  too run on Linux. And as many PCs  as i have I'm not going bother  i'm just going boot into windows if i need  a certain software to do something.

 

 

[Radpop]

1709 isn't Messi but still, I like it more than Ronaldo who isn't playing in my team anymore. Cool, Chrome has lost 20, even 30 degrees on watching HDTV. One mysterious thing and new feature is that Adguard is restoring its service about two minutes on every system startup.

 

 

Edit. Install over old version didn't  change anything but total clean install repaired this new feature off. Boot is now OK, I think, I hope.