Windows 10 November Update: How to Download, Fixes and Bugs

By Mark Rollins
Windows 10
Windows 10 is free, but the November Update is experiencing some problems. Photo: Microsoft

Recently, Microsoft made Window 10 available to users worldwide for free download, and have even more recently released a November Update (also known as Windows 10 Fall Update or Windows 10 Threshold 2) that is free for notebooks, desktops, and 2-in-1s.  Once users learned how to download the software, there were experiencing some bugs that became so much of a problem that Microsoft had to stop the November Update, and it could be a while before fixes come into play. 

According to Ars Technica, downloadable versions of Windows 10 version 1511, the November 2015 update, appear to have been removed after their release earlier in the month.  The issue was that Microsoft allowed users to download full copies of the installer using the Media Creation Tool (MCT), but the 1511 MCT has been removed and replaced with the original July version. 

This still means that systems can be upgraded to the November update, even if direct installation is no longer possible.  The original RTM (Released To Manufacturing) must be installed, and then the upgrade to 1511 performed through Windows update.

Microsoft has not really stated why the 1511 installer has been pulled, only saying that the "the November update was originally available via the MCT, but the company decided that future installs should be through Windows Update.  People can still download Windows 10 [Build 10240] using the MTC tool if they wish.  The November update will be delivered via Windows Update."

This November Update was supposed to allow Windows 7 and 8 product keys to be used even for clean installations, but there were problems found.  Bugs have been reported like machines that instantly wake after sleeping, excessive processor usage by the Mail app, the lock screen failing to hide the full desktop and more. 

Microsoft has stated that "once these customers installed the November update, a few of their settings preferences may have inadvertently not been retained."  The issue is with this type of upgrade is that Windows Setup is supposed to transfer or migrate all user settings to the new installation. 

However, four settings were simply reset to their default values which include: 1) Let apps us my advertising ID for experiences across aps; 2)   Turn on SmartScreen Filter to check web content that Windows Store apps use; 3) Send Microsoft info about how I write to help us improve typping and writing in the future; 4) Let websites provide locally relevant content by accessing my language list. 

For the four settings listed here, all of them are set to "On" in a default installation, which means that any Windows 10 user who had them all set to off for reasons of their own suddenly had a rude awakening.  All of those settings just happen to be in the Privacy heading, so this is not something that an upgrade has right to tamper into. 

ZDNet reports that the current status of the November update is once again being offered via Windows Update to Windows 10 machines running the original July release, also known as build 10240.  A recently released cumulative update will restore the settings for anyone who previously upgraded. 

It's pretty clear that Microsoft is going to have to work hard to take care of this issue, but their statements about it have at least shown that they are addressing this problem. 

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.

Top Stories