Resolved Problems with KB3194798

This particular component of the latest update cycle has been reported as causing issues on some, but not all, computers.

Having updated three computers in the last few days the results are variable.

On one desktop, with Win 10 installed as OEM, the update went smoothly and quickly, probably no more than 15 minutes overall.


However, on two laptops, upgraded from Win 7 to Win 10 it was a different story.

One component of the update appeared to cause various issues.

The regular Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool for Windows 8, 8.1, 10 and Windows Server 2012, 2012 R2 x64 Edition - October 2016 (KB890830), can take time on slower machines but other than that I suspect there are no other issues with it.

However, with Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1607 for x64-based Systems (KB3194798) it seems a different story. Starting the update process seems fine, but very slow. However, if you close the Settings app, (and why not?), it gets lost somewhere and it cannot be found or regained by simply rebooting.

To resolve the issue it is necessary to go to the "old" Control Panel, via WinKey + X. Then use the Troubleshooting app and run the System and Security option.

This runs, in Admin mode, and finds no errors of any description. However, if you then reboot, the Settings app is restored.

Why or how? Haven't a clue!

Returning to the update, opening the Settings app shows Couldn't install some updates because PC was turned off.

Wrong! Neither laptop had been turned off.

Restarting the search for updates the initial downloads took the best part of 2 hours. (?KB890830 doing it's stuff, very very slowly?). Then the installation process took around another 90 minutes.

Phew!

Not wholly convinced what the cause is but on the two laptops the update package included Security Update for Microsoft Silverlight (KB3193713). Could this have caused issues?



One final cautionary note.

Reports in the Technical press suggest that Microsoft may be removing the link to the Control Panel via WinKey + X.

If they do that then there could be issues, such as the above, that are difficult to resolve.

Being a pessimist I have now added a desktop shortcut to the Control Panel, (C:\Windows\System32\control.exe). At least, until Microsoft remove control.exe, it will be easier to resolve similar issues in future.

 

There are many of ways to get to the Control Panel. Yes, you are a pessimist. Here are 5 ways that work just fine.

Where is the Technical press article that "suggests" Microsoft is doing that? I note the "Settings" app in W10 is meant to replace the normal way to access the settings and features found in the old Control Panel, but the old Control Panel is still there.

As far as these recent rounds of Windows Updates, it is difficult to say what happened with your systems. I can only say all my computers have updated consistently with no problems - including my old notebook which was updated from W7.

I note by far, the computers that seem to have the most problems are those that were upgraded from W7. And that makes sense since those computers most likely are based on old hardware and old technologies - considering W7 came out in 2009 and was designed to support Vista era hardware.

And considering notebooks are very proprietary, and it is the hardware makers who are responsible for the development and distribution of W10 compatible drivers, it is hard to put blame on Microsoft when, in the grand scheme of things, the vast majority of computers installed the updates just fine.

You say neither notebook was turned off. But were they asleep?

 

Yes, I was aware of the alternative suggestions made in your link. As it happens I thought, (think) that the shortcut is the most convenient. (Unless and until control.exe becomes something different and so on.)

No, the laptops were not asleep. As they are rarely used in fully portable mode they are mains connected most of the time and sleep mode is effectively disabled via the usual settings option.

As it happens, this is the first Win 10 update issue I have experienced with any computer. Hopefully the last; I begrudge wasted hours.

 

Interestingly my main comp (this one) when I checked Updates about an hour and a half ago, I found it was downloading KB3194798 and was showing 100% downloaded. There was no action so I left it for an hour and carried on doing other things on the comp. When I checked again it was still on 100% so I had a look in Advanced Options > Choose how updates are delivered > the radio button was set on PC's on my local network, and PC's on the internet. I had set this months ago to PC's on my local network. I changed the button back and did a restart of the comp. After it booted I went into Update and Security again and lo and behold the action had started. Install was carried out it Restarted automatically during the process.
I had set all my comps to receive Windows updates only from PC's on my local network and can only assume that Windows update had changed this method to suit itself. I work on the principle that getting part of updates via another comp on the internet may cause problems and it would appear that the delay may have been caused by this button switch.
It might pay to see if using my suggestion helps speed your downloads. This is the first time I have experienced any delays in updates to W10. I looked in update history and found that KB3199209 had been installed before KB3194798 This might have been the gremlin that changed the radio button.

 

The easiest way I've found to get to the Control Panel(after it's opened) is pin it to the taskbar. I have several programs that I constantly use that are pinned to the taskbar.