Windows 10 Update 1809 - Desktop unavailable

[NoelC]

Just encountered a poison update on Windows 10.  I think it was 1809.  It takes forever to install then says C:\windows\system32\config\systemprofile\Desktop unavailable when you reboot (which is very odd, because it's running a 64 bit system).  The desktop comes up with black desktop, a wastebin and nothing else!  Apparently a known problem with this version and completely insoluble without a Phd in Windows.  If you reboot, it goes through the whole dance again (re-applying the update) with the same result.

I think you get one chance to fix it, first time round by using task manager to initiate a cmd window, in which you will have to copy a version of the desktop in another profile - but unfortunately I missed that chance.  Failing that apparently you have to  create a repair disk or bootable system disk or re-install Windows.
One of my Observatory PCs is now lying dead until I can figure this out.
More info here:-
https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-performance/windows-10-desktop-unavailable-after-updates/3e657f22-bfdf-42dd-b307-1fb77018c6d2
The suggestions by Microsoft that this is due to third party AV software are false in my case as I was using Windows Defender.
Anyone else encountered this?

[ApophisAstros]

wWhat system and computer are you using  Noel.
when was this applied as i cant find this anywhere.
Roger

[Carole]

One of the reasons l avoid W10.  Would not be able to cooe with this sort of stuff.
Hope you manage to sort it Noel.
Carole

[ApophisAstros]

One of the reasons l avoid W10.  Would not be able to cooe with this sort of stuff.
Hope you manage to sort it Noel.
Carole

In all the years since Windows 10 i have never had an eroneous update  or any problems with when the update happens as i set when i want updates to be applied.
Roger

[NoelC]

Roger
It's a small media PC (Sumvision Cyclone Mini PC 2).  It was running Windows 10 Home X64.  I use it to run PHD, CdC, APT in my OBO.  It's a nice little unit, boots in 30 seconds and has a SSD all run on 12V.  It's my spare, so hadn't been switched on for a month - hence the update.  I think it was build 1809, because 1803 came out in April (1809 came out recently).  Can't confirm that because nothing is working at present (manufacturer recommends re-install).

[ApophisAstros]

Noel,
can you boot into "safe mode" or not as this can help sometimes,
Roger

[NoelC]

Roger
Finally got it working again (system restore).
Followed up your suggestion of safe booting it. In windows 10 apparently you have to turn it on and off 4 times to get it to go into the rescue screen (which I did), at which point it gave me the option to restore (re-install) the system.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12376/windows-10-start-your-pc-in-safe-mode

Safe mode is supposed to be one of the options there, but suspect the system was so badly messed up it wasn't an option in this case.