Windows 10 May 2020 Update Is Turning into Another Update Disaster

By | June 17, 2020
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Windows 10 May 2020 Update Is Turning into Another Update Disaster

From breaking printers to breaking Chrome to breaking Windows 10’s Fresh Start feature to serious storage issues and more, Windows 10 May 2020 Update AKA Windows 10 version 2004 is turning out to be another nightmare from Redmond for many Windows users.

As more and more Windows 10 users install the May 2020 Update (version 2004) it’s becoming clear that the update is flawed and continues to cause Windows 10 users many problems.

If you’re running Windows 10 version 1903 or version 1909 – if you’re not sure what version you’re running type WINVER in taskbar search and press Enter – we’re recommending that you delay installing the May 2020 update until Microsoft has time to fix all the bugbears being found in it.

So, if you are running Windows 10 version 1903 or 1909, how do you stop Windows 10 May 2020 Update from installing?

1. Don’t ever click Check for updates.

2. REPEAT: DO NOT CLICK “CHECK FOR UPDATES”.

Windows 10 Tips Cloudeight

3. If you’re running Windows 10 version 1903 or version 1909 do not click “Download and install” under the “Feature update to Windows 10, version 2004” notification.

If you’re running Windows 10 version 1903 or 1909, you’ll see (or you soon will see) a Windows Update notification in Start > Settings > Update & Security like the one below.

Cloudeight Windows 10 tips

This notification above will be displayed on Windows 10 version 1903 and 1909 (Home and Pro).

If you want to avoid installing Windows 10 May 2020 Update (version 2004) DO NOT click the Download and install link. It’s that simple. If you don’t click the Download and install link, you can continue to use version 1903 or 1909 until their end-of-service date. Windows 10 version 1903’s end-of-service date is December 8, 2020; Windows 10 versions 1909’s end-of-service date is May 11, 2021… or until Microsoft decides to force the updates on you — whichever comes first.

For now, it’s up to you…

Don’t click “Check for updates” and do not click “Download and install” under the notification that a new version of Windows is available. 

Remember…discretion is the better part of valor.

37 thoughts on “Windows 10 May 2020 Update Is Turning into Another Update Disaster

  1. JOYCE CLARK

    I have turned off my new notifications (lower right) and I have had updates installed when I wasn’t at my computer to allow it or during the night hours. I have 1909 at this time so how do I stop it from downloading the new May one?

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      As long as you don’t click “Check for updates” and/or don’t click “Download and install” in the “New version is available notification as explained here, you will not get the May 2020 Update (Windows 10 Version 2004).

      Reply
  2. Tom

    I did hold off for a while before installing after taking your advice. When I did not hear any serious problems I took a chance and installed it this past weekend. It took roughly 2hrs 15 minutes to finish and up to this point everything has been good. Hoping to have no issues.

    Reply
  3. Maureen

    It does not look good for Windows 10.I was going to install it but now I don’t feel safe to do so.
    Too many bugs.

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      You cannot uninstall Windows 10. And Windows 10, overall, is less buggy than Windows 7.

      Reply
    1. Graham Slaney

      Click Pause Updates for 7 days (just under the Update box)

      after that go to Advanced Options where you can turn Updates off until you are ready

      Reply
      1. infoave Post author

        The Pause Updates works to delay normal updates (cumulative updates, security patches, out-of-band updates). Windows 10 version 2004 will not install unless you click “Check for Updates” or click “Download & install” in the New version notification as explained here.

        Reply
    2. infoave Post author

      As long as you don’t click “Check for updates” and/or don’t click “Download and install” in the “New version is available notification as explained here, you will not get the May 2020 Update (Windows 10 Version 2004).

      Reply
  4. JonInOz

    Hi TC & EB,
    I help seven Seniors with computer advice, maintenance and security, at no cost to them.
    After many, many visits to resolve the regular problems with Windows 10, I believe that Microsoft should put Windows 10 in the garbage bin and revive Windows XP.
    Luckily some departments of the UK Navy, the US Navy, many Australian governments and other organisations still use Windows XP and pay for the maintenance.

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      Just so people don’t get confused… Microsoft does not offer paid support for Windows XP; it does offer paid support for Windows 7. And they don’t offer it at all for Windows 7 Home version or any non-commercial entity.

      Reply
    2. D.

      Look up what they have to pay for that maintenance from Microsoft for XP :=)

      Reply
      1. D.

        I was talking about the navy and banks etc. that Microsoft was doing paid support on XP.

        Reply
        1. infoave Post author

          Microsoft is not providing support for Windows XP for anyone. They are providing Enterprise support for Windows 7. If you have any official Microsoft documentation or Web page that says they’re offering support for Windows XP, please tell me where I can find it. I just checked with Microsoft and they do continue to support Windows 7 (Enterprise customer) but not Windows XP. You can check out the details on Microsoft’s “Paid” support for Windows 7 here.

          Reply
        2. infoave Post author

          This is from Microsoft on ESU (Extended Support & Updates)
          ESU Support

          Also “The software giant on April 9, 2019, ended extended support for its for Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 OS, which was the last OS based on the Windows XP with SP3. Given the name, the operating system was aimed at Point of Service embedded applications and therefore was not intended for client computers. Meanwhile, the continuous support of Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 enabled some users to receive security updates on Windows XP Home and Professional SP3-based machines through the use of a registry hack…” (Source: https://tinyurl.com/y3ow5xuj )

          Reply
      2. infoave Post author

        Please tell me where I can find Microsoft’s Paid Maintenance for Windows XP. Microsoft says they only provide extended (paid) support for Windows 7 business customers. If you have official documentation from Microsoft on extended support for XP, please share it with us.

        Reply
  5. Margaret Crozier

    When you wrote about this a month or so ago, I delayed updates for 35 days. If I don’t do anything else now, will everything be okay? Or…?

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      You will not get version 2004 if you do not click “Check for updates” and you do not click “Download and install” under the “new version notification”. This is explained in the article here.

      Reply
  6. Judy

    I’ve got 2004 and ever since I installed that thing, my computer locks up and won’t let me do anything. The time can vary from 30 seconds to two or three minutes. It’s a pain in the behind. I’ve tried removing it, but no luck. I keep getting a message that I can’t remove it.

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      If it’s been less than 10 days since you installed version 2004 you can bo back to the previous version this way.

      Reply
  7. Luana Grace

    I think mine is set to automatically update. How do I stop that? Maybe mine has been updated already. How do I check for that? I agree with one of the above messages—-get rid of Windows 10 and go back to XP

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      I’m sorry the article was not clear. You will not get version 2004 if you do not click “Check for updates” and you do not click “Download and install” under the “new version notification”. This is explained in the article here.

      Reply
    2. infoave Post author

      You can never go back to Windows XP unless you want to risk serious security risks. You can find what version of Windows 10 you’re using this way.

      Type WINVER in taskbar search & press Enter.

      Reply
    3. infoave Post author

      You don’t need to do anything. As long as you don’t click “Check for updates” and/or don’t click “Download and install” in the “New version is available notification as explained here, you will not get the May 2020 Update (Windows 10 Version 2004).

      Reply
  8. Judy C Yates

    Thanks for the heads up, I NEVER get in a hurry about an update. My momma always told me if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Glad I didn’t, but ALWAYS wait for you to give me the green light. You’ve never led me wrong yet. Thanks so much for your expertise advice.

    Reply
  9. Virginia Borders

    Thank you SO VERY much for his information. I will wait for your o.k. before I update, hope my memory doesn’t get any worse in 2021.

    Reply
  10. Bev Pollock

    My computer says “2020-05 Microsoft Edge Update for Windows 10 Version 1909 for x64-based Systems (KB4559309)” & requires an update. Is this the new update ? It also says my computer isn’t ready for the may update. I don;t use micro edge.
    Do I have to now start computer for something I don’t need or want?

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      No. These are cumulative updates, out-of-band updates, security updates, not version updates. Please review our article. You will only get the May 2020 update if you click on “Check for updates” or click “Download and install” in the “New version of Windows is available” notification.

      Reply
  11. Nora

    So I assume it will not install automatically?? So it only installs if I tell it to? If I go to “review update history” would that cause it to install? I suppose pause updates for 35 days wouldn’t help? Other important updates then would not install? How do I find pause updates? New to Windows 10. Thank you so much for the heads up.

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      Hi Nora, Dang I must have done a really poor job of writing this article. I thought I made it clear that Windows 10 Version 2004 would not install unless you clicked “Check for updates” or clicked “Download & install” in the “New version of Windows is available notification. Until and unless Microsoft decides to force it on users (which would not be until nearer the end of support date of the version you’re using or months from now), delaying updates has no affect on the version update since you have to take action to install it, it won’t install automatically. So many people seemed to have missed this – so I will write an article to clarify.

      This is from the article:

      So, if you are running Windows 10 version 1903 or 1909, how do you stop Windows 10 May 2020 Update from installing?

      1. Don’t ever click Check for updates.
      Cloudeight

      2. REPEAT: DO NOT CLICK “CHECK FOR UPDATES”.

      3. If you’re running Windows 10 version 1903 or version 1909 do not click “Download and install” under the “Feature update to Windows 10, version 2004” notification.

      If you’re running Windows 10 version 1903 or 1909, you’ll see (or you soon will see) a Windows Update notification in Start > Settings > Update & Security like the one below.
      Cloudeight

      This notification above will be displayed on Windows 10 version 1903 and 1909 (Home and Pro).

      If you want to avoid installing Windows 10 May 2020 Update (version 2004) DO NOT click the Download and install link. It’s that simple. If you don’t click the Download and install link, you can continue to use version 1903 or 1909 until their end-of-service date. Windows 10 version 1903’s end-of-service date is December 8, 2020; Windows 10 versions 1909’s end-of-service date is May 11, 2021… or until Microsoft decides to force the updates on you — whichever comes first.

      Reply
  12. Diane Thomason

    I believe you did say awhile ago it was ok to update this version 2004. Now I have it installed and wonder will Microsoft correct any issues that might happen? I haven’t tried any printing yet, but thought I read that is one of the issues. Is there anything I need to do? Will further updates to Windows correct any issues this version is bringing? I’m confused myself on this. I still appreciate all you do for us older folks in explaining computer stuff. Thanks for all you do. I love your Newsletter. Diane

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      Thanks for your support and your nice comments.

      Just for the record, we never said anyone should install the May 2020 update we announce announced it was available… see our post here. We added a caveat that our post was not meant to be an endorsement or recommendation of Windows 10 version 2004.

      As for printing issues, those were not related to Windows 10 May 2020 update (v 2004) they were related to two cumulative updates issued on patch Tueday (see our post here). if you’re having printer problems, Microsoft released a fix or that on Tuesday. See this page for more information and instructions if you’re having printer issue.

      If you’re not having any issues – and many are not – then you don’t have to worry about anything. Over time, I presume, Microsoft will endeavor to fix the bugs in version 2004 of Windows 10.

      Reply
  13. Sue Reiter

    Hi,
    Just FYI… I installed the update that ends with 0960 on my computer with version 1909 before I knew about any problems. This was on the 6-9. I didn’t seem to have any problems including printing ok with my brother. I also stopped all further updates until July. Then today I had mucho problems. Took 5 minutes for every program to launch etc. Couldn’t figure out what was happening. I went through everything I could so decided to take a chance and went in and removed it. My computer seems back to normal now. I did leave another security update from the 9th. I figured one at a time. I don’t know why it took a week to act up but since everything seems fine at the moment I just wanted to warn everyone if you have a similar issues after installing that update ending in 0960.
    Sue Reiter

    Reply
  14. Diane D Thomason

    Thanks for this answer. Hey at 70 maybe not clearly understanding posts. Still love how you do give us the info we need to be safe on our computers.

    Reply
  15. Kathi

    Too late! It already updated my laptop and desktop. What a mess! It totally disabled my Windows Live email. I’ve searched the internet and tried all the supposed fixes and nothing works. I can see who sent me an email but it won’t display my messages. I have hundreds of saved emails. Some people have saved work emails and I feel really sorry for them.

    Reply
    1. infoave Post author

      Windows Live Mail has been unsupported for 3 years and it has not been updated since 2012. We have tried to warn users not to use unsupported software and warned Windows Live Mail users to stop using it. Windows Live Mail users have been losing mail for several years – it has been a problem for quite a while -and it happens even without an update. And it’s another reminder why everyone should have a Gmail or an Outlook.com account. Even if you lose you mail locally (on your computer) you’re mail will still be on the Web server -safe and sound.

      Let this be yet another warning to everyone still using Windows Live Mail – it’s outdated, it’s unsupported, and if you keep using it you risk losing all the mail you have not backed up.

      Reply
  16. J,j.

    It seems to me that the problem is, not the clarity of the article explanation, but peoples’ confusion over the difference between:
    1) Upgrading an operating system or updating a VERSION of that same operating system
    2) a security update and a version update .
    Dunno, just a thought or maybe a suggestion for a future daily newsletter. 😊

    Reply

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