Lost all my apps after updates kb5030310 and kb4023057

Once update kb5030310 and kb4023057 got installed, I realized that ALL of my previously self-installed apps,( e.g. Quicken, TurboTax, Adobe photo apps, etc.) have disappeared! The folders with all the application data files are intact. I have tried to uninstall the 2 updates a couple of ways with no success. Using the update history / uninstall updates looks like it works but after reboot, they are still there. I've tried them both in different orders with no change. The WinRE method doesn't work for me because I never see the blue windows symbol to know when to power off. The first thing I see is the LENOVO symbol and I believe it is too late since it never gets to WinRE. Unfortunately, I do not have a recent system backup ( I know ... stupid me ). Can someone please help me with this?

copy all of your data (aforementioned files) to another drive/location, reinstall the app(s), copy and overwrite the newly installed locations with your data. see if it is accessible when you launch it then

GilC said:

I do not have a recent system backup

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But, do you have a System Restore point that you could go back a few day or even a week?
If you attempt one, make sure to Disable the A/V . You do not need to uninstall it.

See if this option of reverting back to previous build is available. If it's not available it will be grayed out.
Settings>System>Recovery>Go Back

If the option above is available, at the root of your C drive do you see a windows.old folder. Open it and check if your programs and their executables are there. Also check your user folder in windows.old to see if your desktop is intact.
Look at the date the windows.old was created. If it coincides with the date & time of the update, going back to previous build should take you back to the build of 11 before the update.

However, if the date of windows.old is earlier than when the updates applied that broke 11, it was created by a different event than the updates.



If you do revert back successfully, immediately go to settings>windows update and pause updates. Otherwise the update will reapply.

Please report back.

Thanks very much for the details you have given me.

System recovery does not show me the "Go Back" option ... not even grayed out.

There is a windows.old folder but there are no executables there, only "user" which only has Documents, downloads, favorites, Links and Searches. Also, there was nothing in desktop after the update. The date of windows.old is the same as when the updates were applied. When you say "going back to the previous build", I've tried undoing the updates but they are still there when I reboot.

Have you seen others with this problem, specifically the losss of Apps? I have paused updates until I get this resolved. Thanks again for your help.

Have you seen others with this problem, specifically the losss of Apps?

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Oh yes... me :-( I am 50% furious and 50% miserable

Windows Update disaster!

It is not normal for this particular problem to happen. If it was the web and this forum would be flooded with reports.
I'm glad you and @martinlest crossed paths. Between the two of you maybe a solution can be worked out. You might want to keep up with his thread here

I'm sorry it happened to both of you and hope it can be worked out. More importantly I hope a reason as to WHY it happened is found. There's got to be a common denominator somewhere. I do know what a mess it is to reinstall everything if recovery is not possible and I can relate to your difficulties. Been there. Done that.

Both regularly and especially before a version update I can not stress enough how important it is to have some kind of backup plan in place. System images can always save you..
I wish I could provide more assistance, but I'm at a disadvantage since I'm not hands-on. I'm searching the web for similar incidents. If I find any more info I will post back.

Thanks for the sympathy at least, glasskuter

GilC said:

There is a windows.old folder

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Never seen a Windows.old folder after a cumulative update.

@Porthos me either. I only suggested the possibility because an upgrade always generates a windows.old and thought maybe because this cumulative changed the version (like an upgrade does) that it might somehow generate a windows.old as well.

I found only one report of this issue happening other than the 2 on this forum. It was in the feedback hub.

There has to be some odd factor these few failed systems have in common. If this was widespread there would be reports everywhere.

im assuming you didnt even try what i said...

Dacrone ...My apologies, but I must admit that I haven't tried that yet. I did reinstall a couple of apps but neglected to do the copy, reinstall then replace. I should learn to do the "brute force" method instead of waiting for the "holy grail". I will take a shot at it. Thanks for your advice.