Microsoft Releases Fix for Windows 10 Anniversary Update Cumulative Update

Late last week Microsoft released a cumulative update for Windows 10, KB3194496; incrementing the Windows 10 Anniversary Update to version 14393.222. Since its release, users started reporting problems attempting to install the update, which promptly rolls back repeatedly. The company confirmed in a statement the issue primarily affected devices that were part of Microsoft’s Windows Insider Preview program then later switched to the current branch. A couple workarounds were developed that could get the update to install, but the company has released an official script, which unblocks the update from installing.

“We became aware of an issue with the recent Windows 10 cumulative update that impacted a small number of customers in the Windows Insider Program that were running a previous build of the OS. We have created a solution to resolve this issue, which is now live and can be accessed here.”

Via Microsoft

Information about the script is light on details, but as earlier suspected; the issue is related to the bundled XBOX app, which according to the Update History page, KB3194496 includes a fix that addresses:

• Addressed issue causing movies that were ripped using the transport stream (.ts) format to play without sound in Windows Media Player and the Xbox One Media Player app.
• Addressed issue causing the Movies & TV app on the Xbox to stop working when attempting to play content that was just purchased from the Store.

An accompanying KB article, KB3197794, should provide more details, but is currently unavailable at this time. There is no indication of how widespread the issue became, but taking into consideration the 36-page discussion thread on the Microsoft Community; a whole lot of users were affected. A major part of reason for the existence of the Windows Insider Program, is to catch bugs like this early; its effectiveness will certainly come into question. Microsoft launched the Windows Insider Program in late 2014, and the program recently celebrated its second birthday this past week. Microsoft is currently working on its next revision of Windows 10, currently codenamed Redstone, focusing on user education and mobility improvements.