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.
