Microsoft has been criticised over its Windows 10 software by consumer rights group Which?.
The body said it had received hundreds of complaints about the upgrade, including lost files, emails no longer syncing and broken wi-fi and printing.
In some cases, it said, users had had to pay for their computer to be repaired.
Microsoft defended its software and highlighted that it provided help online and by phone.
"The Windows 10 upgrade is a choice designed to help people take advantage of the most secure and most productive Windows," said a spokesman.
"Customers have distinct options. Should a customer need help with the upgrade experience, we have numerous options including free customer support."
Which? surveyed more than 5,500 of its members in June, and said that 12% of the 2,500 who had upgraded to Windows 10 had later reverted to an earlier version.
It's not a surprise to anyone on Soylent, but this is the sort of thing that causes conventional wisdom to shift.
(Score: 2) by jmoschner on Friday September 23 2016, @12:31PM
That is a windows update issue. There are problems across 7,8, and 10 with windows update. It will often simply not work or break itself for no reason.
The two fixes I've found to work are:
1) clearing out the contents of \windows\softwaredistribution This is supposed to be the cache for windows update. You may need to stop a few services to delete the files. This seems best if you don't have a tone of updates to do.
2) use and outside updater like WSUS Offline Update or Windows Updates Downloader. Of the two I find WSUS easier. This is better when there are years of updates to install.