Fake Windows update notification

Question

This notification appeared the other day. I tried it and it caused problems.

I am back up and running now.

I thought all my Windows update were usually on Tuesday evening at my selected hour and time.

— Restart and update to stay in support Suport for Windows 10 April 2018 Update ends in November 2019. Restart to install a supported version of Windows.

Are you aware if this is legit or some kind of click bate?

Answer 1

Hi Mark. I'm Greg, an installation specialist and 10 year Windows MVP here to help you.

Yes, popups from the System Tray are usually legit. It's popups from Web pages that would be suspect in this case.

It means you have an older version that's about to lose Support. You should always have the latest version of Windows 10 that your PC can run. Let's get that installed now while I'm here to help you smooth out any rough edges.

I would manually upgrade to the latest version 1903 by opening the Media Creation Tool from this link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m..., choose Download Tool Now, then open the tool and choose Upgrade This PC Now. This saves your files, apps and most settings in place, is the most stable method to change versions, brings your Updates current, resolves most problems.

If any problems report back the verbatim error and number, then continue with these steps for overcoming Version Upgrade problems: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

If the Version has problems I will work with you to try to resolve them. If the problems are intractable, you have ten days to roll it back in Recovery settings.

Most problems are resolved by doing this gold standard Clean Install which should get you past all difficulties as it has millions of others who have followed the steps in this link and never come back to report another problem: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki... . So read it over and see if its something you want to learn to do.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

Answer 2

Hi Mark,

         Yes that looks like a legitimate Notification. The newest version of Windows 10 is 1903. Have you tried to install the update with the Media Creation tool?...

See Link :   https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10

I Hope This Helps

If My Reply Answered Your Question, Please Mark It Answered. Thank-You

Answer 3

When I tried the notification update on Monday, It blacked out my screen. Stating in words below a spinning circle that it was trying to update. this went on for an hour. So I took the computer to the Geek Squad at Best Buy,

There it finally booted up. Criticle working issues I have to have a working computer. I went home and back to work afraid to update anything. I think it aborted the install or rolled back to the previous version. 

I am also afraid that my great older computer may not have the updated firm ware to accept the latest version, Just thinking out loud. At best Buy they determined i was on Windows 1810 or something like that.

It may be time for a new computer.

It is a Dell XPS 8300

Mark Roy

Answer 4

I will try when I have non pressing work to get done. I appreciate your attention to my problem. I was so afraid that the click update was fake after it wouldn't work.

Answer 5

Mark, make sure you are fully backed up, both files and a System Image. Then when ready follow the steps I gave to Update to latest version by the most stable method.

Your files should always be backed up because a hard drive can die at any time without notice. Some suggestions to help ease into this habit:

You can sync your Desktop, Documents and Pictures folder in Onedrive using Folder protection, or just drag valuable files into OneDrive folder, offering 5gb free with additional space for cheap: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/116029-turn...

Google Drive has a new Backup that allows you to choose User folders (Documents, Pictures, etc.) to sync up to 15g for free to their cloud in real time so it always has the latest version. https://www.google.com/intl/en-GB_ALL/drive/dow...

In addition I'd have an on-site hard copy backup. You can manually drag or copy them to another hard drive, USB external or flash drive. Here's how to drag, copy or move large groups of files: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2086566/the-man...

Besides your files you should save a System Image back up to use in place of reinstall in 20 minutes. The best free alternative is Macrium: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/7363/macrium-ref... You can even use the Macrium program to mount and extract files from this image so it can serve as both image and file backup too.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and let us know how it goes. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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