Stranger Things Happening After Installing KB4041994

I have an HP laptop, with an Intel Core i7 processor and 12GB of RAM. On 11/5/2017, I downloaded the Windows 10 Home update version 1709 (OS build 16299.19). My laptop ran without any problems until 11/7/2017, when KB4041994 was installed through Windows Updates. After that, I could not access the Start Menu by clicking the Windows button on the keyboard. Then I noticed that clicking on the apps pinned to the taskbar did nothing. Right-clicking on the apps would make the menu appear and disappear just as quickly. Pressing CTRL + ALT + DEL did nothing, too. I resorted to doing a force shutdown by holding down the power button.

After waiting a few minutes, I turned on my laptop again. I had the same issues, so I did another force shutdown. Before powering up again, I removed the battery from my laptop. This time, my laptop seemed to work just fine. So I thought the issue was resolved. I completed my work, properly shutdown my computer, and went out of town (without my laptop) for a few days.

On 11/10/2017, I returned home and powered up my laptop. Once again, I could not right-click or open apps pinned to the taskbar, nor could I get to the Start Menu. By pressing CTRL + ALT + DEL, I was able to get to the power icon (in the lower right corner of the screen). From there, I chose Restart. After waiting for a while, I received this error:

Too many other files are currently in use by 16-bit programs. Exit one or more 16-bit programs, or increase the value of the FILES command in your Config.sys file.

I know enough about computer hardware, software, and operating systems to know that messing with the Config.sys file is a bad idea. Instead, I clicked OK to dismiss the error, went back to CTRL + ALT + DEL, and chose Shutdown this time. To my surprise, it shutdown properly.

So I tried the battery trick again. However, this time, without the battery, my laptop would not power on. Disappointed, I put the battery back and then tried to power on the laptop. It started! Since then, I have been able to work without errors.

I’m afraid that if I shutdown or reboot again, I’ll end up in the upside down. And I don’t have a pet demadog to save me.

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The GDPR Self-Assessment by Microsoft will help you identify if your organization needs to be GDPR compliant by the May 25, 2018 deadline.

The following are some of the grounds for compliance that might apply to your organization.

• EU citizens/residents who are your employees are subject to GDPR (no matter where in the word they live or work)
• Collecting personal data about employees, customers, and/or consumers are cause for GDPR compliance
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• Just because your organization or a vendor is Privacy Shield certified does not automatically guarantee GDPR compliance

Non-compliance will result in a minimum fine of €20,000,000 or 4% of transactions, whichever is greater. Additionally, failure to pay the fine can result in your organization being banned from conducting business in the EU, asset seizure/forfeiture, and fines from other government agencies (including U.S. government agencies).

If you feel that your organization will need to be GDPR compliant by May 25, 2018, Office 365 has security features and a GDPR portal to help your organization meet GDPR compliance.

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