Microsoft documents said...
Microsoft recently issued an important support document that your IT staff needs to be aware of.
In part, their notice reads as follows: "Inappropriate drive reassignment can occur on eligible computers that have an external USB device or SD memory card attached during the installation of the May 2019 update of Windows. For this reason, these computers are currently blocked from receiving the May 2019 update."
If you have one or more machines on your company network with USB-connected drives or SD cards attached, you'll get an error message explaining this as a reminder, and you will not be able to proceed until those devices have been unplugged. The company has also assured users that the inappropriate drive reassignment issue will be addressed in a future build.
By and large, this isn't a major issue because few (if any) machines actually run their OS's from such a drive. So, the workaround is a fairly simple one, but there is an added wrinkle to consider. The blocking mechanism only works if you're running the April 2018 or October 2018 builds (versions 1803 and 1809, respectively). If you're running an older version of Windows 10, even if you have a USB-connected drive, you won't be blocked from receiving the update.
Our perspective
At this time, it is unclear what exactly caused the issue in the first place and the company has not established a firm time frame for when it will be addressed. Again, it's not something that is especially difficult to get around, although it will add slightly to the overhead needed to keep the machines on your company's network completely up to date.
Note that as the name implies, the updated is slated for release in May 2019, and Windows 10 users can delay the company's semi-annual update if they wish to do so.
Meanwhile, check out this report
Free Executive Report: 10 Hidden IT Risks That Might Threaten Your Business
The author
Thanks for reading this short post. For more tips on thriving with small business technology, check out the other blog posts at DWPia Blogs. I am also available at dwpia on LinkedIn, at dwpia on Facebook, and @dwpia on Twitter.
I am Denis Wilson, President and Principal Consultant for DWP Information Architects. We specialize in managed IT support for smaller healthcare practices, financial services firms, and nonprofits in Ventura County and San Fernando Valley. And have created cost-effective IT solutions, for over 20 years, specializing in cybersecurity and regulatory compliance. I am also a published author and speaker, working extensively with a variety of organizations. As well as providing small business technology education programs through business and professional associations.
Contact me if you would like me to speak at your meeting.
