KB4532693 reported issues: PC freezes, update loops, and more

Microsoft just released the second round of major updates for the year 2020. These updates brought together an entire host of fixes and new features for Windows 10, as well as one final free update for Windows 7.

This round of updates was especially notable from a security standpoint, mainly because it brought fixes to over 99 CVEs that were found for both Adobe and Microsoft services.

However, where Microsoft fixed one issue it seems to have spawned another, as many users have been reporting a variety of problems after installing the latest updates.

KB4532693 is the one with the most problems, and it comes for those running Windows 10 version 1903 and 1909. Some of these issues are quite serious, so we will list them below.

Common issues brought by the February Patch Tuesday updates

1. KB4532693 disables CPU TPM and Bitlocker

Windows 10 version 1903 users have reported that after installing KB4532693 and KB4537759 that the TPM of their Intel CPU is no longer working, and this causes their Bitlocker to be disabled on their system drive:

in the device manager i get this error about the tpm device : This device cannot start. (Code 10)
{Operation Failed} The requested operation was unsuccessful.

2. KB4532693 is causing an install loop for Dell XPS 13 7390

Dell XPS 13 7390 users reported that their laptops are now stuck in an install loop when trying to install KB4532693 for Windows 10 version 1909.

3. KB4532693 is causing an install loop for Asus Maximus Hero VII

Some users that have Asus Maximus Hero VII motherboards have reported having issues with installing KB4532693 as it triggers an install loop.

problems with kb4532693,as its is configured to 30 5 an now back to finish,it only has an endless loup

4. KB4532693 terminates background applications

Users have posted on social media that KB4532693 is terminating their background applications out of the blue:

anyone else having weird problems with @microsoft windows 10 update – KB4532693 – seem to have instances when background applications suddenly stop/terminate for now reason, including Skype ?

This doesn’t seem to be a random fluke since later posts revealed that they were able to reproduce the issue on a second device.

Hoping @microsoft KB4532693 update can be removed – two laptops updated and having near identical problems – apps/background tasks suddenly ceasing/terminating for no logged or apparent reason.. including important ones like anti-virus software.

5. KB4524244 locks up PCs and fails to install

KB4524244 is a security update that applies along with the other updates, and it is currently available to all versions of Windows 10, from 1607 to 1909.

However, some users reported that trying to install this security update always fails, and it also leads to a PC freeze.

If you’re in the same boat and you’re looking to fix the issue, Microsoft representatives responded to this issue with a variety of suggestions, ranging from running the Windows Update Troubleshooter to stopping the Windows Update services altogether.

If the Troubleshooter stops before completing the process, fix it with the help of this complete guide.

6. The updates moved all user files in another folder

Probably the most bizarre bug of them all, users reported  that after installing the update they found all of their files moved in another folder:

When I closed doen my PC last night it started doing updates and was taking a long time so I left it and went to bed. This morning I logged on – no problems but I then realised (can’t remember how) that my files had all moved on to another folder in the c drive ending in .000.

7. The update may be hiding or deleting files

Users reported that ever since they installed KB4532693, they are either getting hidden or missing files:

In other words, all their files are gone with no way to restore them unless they had a restore point, which may unfortunately also be one of the files that disappeared.

These are the most important issues regarding KB4532693 reported by users so far. As you can tell, all of them break PC functionality in a severe way. That being the case, we should expect yet another out-of-schedule mini-patch in the near future.

Worst-case scenario is that Microsoft might leave the issues unresolved. If that is the case, users will have to wait until March 10 for the next Patch Tuesday updates.

What’s your opinion of the bugs reported for the February Patch Tuesday updates? Let us know if you encountered any other issues in the comments section below.

READ ALSO:

• Best practices for Microsoft Patch Tuesday
• How does Patch Tuesday work?