Windows 10 May 2019 Update Brings Triple Trouble

John Lister's picture

The latest Windows 10 update, which is rolling out now, has thrown up at least three highly reported problems for users. The most significant is that some computers are losing WiFi access.

The Windows 10 May 2019 update affects some computers which have a Qualcomm WiFi adaptor and don't yet have the latest driver for it. A driver is a small piece of software that helps a hardware device or component interact with an operating system.

Some users in this situation have suffered what Microsoft is calling an "intermittent loss of WiFi connectivity." It's responded by blocking the update from installing on machines that also have an outdated Qualcomm driver.

Microsoft says that all users have to do is get the latest driver from Qualcomm and then the automatic Windows update will run as normal. It warns against manually installing the Windows 10 May 2019 update before getting the new driver as this will likely cause the WiFi problems. (Source: betanews.com)

Update Doesn't Always Install

Meanwhile some users whose use AMD processors are finding the Windows 10 May 2019 update doesn't install at all, and instead freezes up before anything happens. Again, Microsoft says it's a driver problem and getting the latest system chipset drivers from AMD should get the update running smoothly.

The third problem isn't with the Windows 10 May 2019 update itself, but rather to a patch designed to fix the update. The patch is currently being tested with the Windows 10 Insider program, which is a select group of users willing to run Windows 10 beta software before it gets released to the general public.

Sandbox Feature Blocked

In this case the patch has caused a particularly embarrassing problem by stopping Windows Sandbox from working. That's a recently added feature in the Windows 10 May 2019 update that lets users run software in a completely isolated way so that any bugs or security problems don't affect the rest of the machine. This could be a very beneficial feature if testing software from an unknown source to see if it contained malware. (Source: theinquirer.net)

Taken individually, none of these are dramatically disastrous problems, but it's building up into a pattern of failings with the updates. In particular, Microsoft seems to be repeatedly thrown by discovering many users don't always have the latest drivers installed. While this would be the case in an ideal world, Microsoft may have to find a way of dealing with this reality.

In some cases, users have opted to block Windows 10 May 2019 update altogether, and wait a while until any major bugs have been dealt with.

What's Your Opinion?

Do you think Microsoft has a fundamental problem with its updates and testing? Do you actively make sure all your hardware drivers are up to date? Should Microsoft scan for drivers and warn users of potential problems before activating a Windows update?

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Comments

DLStoehner's picture

I was trying to update my laptop from v1803 to v1903. I keep getting an error that the install failed. No reason no error code - just "Install failed."

dbrumley3077's picture

Did your system recover? Were you able to reboot back to v1803?

DLStoehner's picture

Yes. all 3 times that I tried to update, it still would boot to v1803. I cleaned out the Software Distribution folder. I did all of the things that I could find on Google. After the third fail, I just left v1803 on there. Will try again at another time - too much to do right now.

If anyone has a work around to try, I am open to suggestion. Thanks,

Aerokats's picture

What bugs me is that Microsoft's explanation of the corrective action (get an updated Qualcomm driver) is fine for users who are tech literate. But for the average user with a Windows 10 computer, this is not an easy fix. Merely figuring out what kind of WiFi adapter and driver are installed may be next to impossible. I have a friend with an older Toshiba laptop with Windows 10 who is having trouble getting on line and barely knows how to turn the computer on. Asking her to go online, download an unknown driver and install it is virtually impossible. So she is asking if she should junk her computer. I told her my solution would be to get a MacBook Pro and avoid the problems of WinDoze.

dan_2160's picture

Microsoft reported this installation issue at least a week ago:

The 1903 update will not install if you have a USB Flash drive attached to the computer. I seem recall there was also a problem with other external memory, but I can't fully recall what it was.

There is a very thorough guide to overcoming installation issues available at:
https://www.windowscentral.com/windows-10-may-2019-update-common-problems-and-fixes

olmanviejo's picture

I updated to the may 2019 update. I could log in then I would get a black screen with cursor. Left computer on overnight, everything working ok. after approx 20 minutes got error windows not responding then went back to dark screen with cursor. left it on overnight again then reinstalled with clean install. up to ver 1809 now.

Jim-in-kansas's picture

Microsoft has been at this game a very long time yet it seems to be "discovering the world anew" on a continuing basis.
Almost makes a person wish for the return of Gates and Bashmer (sp) to the helm....I cough and choke as I say that. :-)

Jim
Kansas

Gurugabe's picture

Microsoft should know better! The users of the Insider Program are mostly more experienced Windows users and IT staff so they are going to be limited on the drivers that get tested. Also, Microsoft releases driver updates as Windows updates. They can detect if you have a certain driver, do not install the update, but not you need this updated driver first and then we can upgrade you. Drivers always appear to be the last of the updates installed.

DLStoehner's picture

OK. I tried to update using 3 different DVD's that I had created from a Volume Licensing ISO. I next tried a different burning software. Then I tried the update again. IT WORKED! Who knew that using a third party burning software might make a difference?

I have used the same third party software for 15 years or so and never had any trouble... until now.

Thanks to all for your comments.

dan_2160's picture

For details on fixes Microsoft has made to version 1903 of Windows 10, see:
https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-10-may-2019-update-1903-gets-first-major-bug-fixes/?ftag=TRE-03-10aaa6b&bhid=21015767339961435167906161837337