Strange issue after Win 10 update - generic USB devices no longer install, audio interface(s) only available via ASIO

[WatchTheGuitar]

Did a Win 10 update on Monday and have regretted it ever since. I don't have a restore point apart from just after the update that I can roll back to so I'm stuck with trying to resolve this or it'll require a full reinstall and tracking down all the VST installers, passwords, sorting out iLok etc would be a real pain so really would rather avoid that (assuming it'd fix the issue).

So anyway, the issue - I can only seem to use USB audio devices that need a non generic driver. This means the only midi input device I managed to get working was a 5-pin DIN MIDI input on the Audio interface. Therein hangs another tale of woe because my Arturia Audiofuse now only works in DAWs via ASIO, but Windows doesn't see it at as an audio device at all - it's all very strange. I have gone nuts trying to uninstall drivers/reinstall etc. Also tried removing all trace of the Audiofuse and plugged in my old Focusrite Scarlett, but that had exactly the same issue - ASIO worked, but no Windows Audio. Event viewer isn't helpful. There are some DCOM errors, but google suggests Windows 10 always has DCOM errors.

I've been on all sorts of support pages and tried doing stuff like uninstalling all the USB ports in device manager so they'd be fixed on reboot, but it's just not worked.

Really mystifying, just wondering if anyone else has had this happen to them and managed to fix it?

Outside of that - I seem to recall there's a way to do some sort of Windows repair which leaves your software installed OK. Anyone know about the best way to do that?

[T-CM11]

I can't help you with your problem; my music production laptop has been frozen in time since 2015 (no updates, no internet).
I have a piece of future advice though: Install/purchase some system imaging software (like Acronis True Image e.g.) and make a snapshot with that before you do a Windows Feature Update.
Other than that, I hope you have a decent backup system in place? (I consider system imaging part of a backup strategy.)

[WatchTheGuitar]

I can't help you with your problem; my music production laptop has been frozen in time since 2015 (no updates, no internet).
I have a piece of future advice though: Install/purchase some system imaging software (like Acronis True Image e.g.) and make a snapshot with that before you do a Windows Feature Update.
Other than that, I hope you have a decent backup system in place? (I consider system imaging part of a backup strategy.)

Yes, unfortunately it's not just a music PC so I do need to update it on occasion. This one obviously shit the bed, but normally I'm in a better position. I have got a backup, but it's about 8 months old and I'd rather not rollback that far.

[T-CM11]

Yes, unfortunately it's not just a music PC so I do need to update it on occasion. This one obviously shit the bed, but normally I'm in a better position. I have got a backup, but it's about 8 months old and I'd rather not rollback that far.

Maybe people could help you better if you mention which Windows Update it was, exactly? Was it 20H2?
Security updates are a good idea if the PC is online... but I'd postpone feature updates for as long as you can (they're rarely 'necessary'). Are you running W10 Pro?

[WatchTheGuitar]

Yes, unfortunately it's not just a music PC so I do need to update it on occasion. This one obviously shit the bed, but normally I'm in a better position. I have got a backup, but it's about 8 months old and I'd rather not rollback that far.

Maybe people could help you better if you mention which Windows Update it was, exactly? Was it 20H2?
Security updates are a good idea if the PC is online... but I'd postpone feature updates for as long as you can (they're rarely 'necessary'). Are you running W10 Pro?

It's the latest update, 21H1. 20H2 was fine, but after update none of the prior restore points were still available. Not seen that before, usually if you manually create a restore point you can rollback to it, but for whatever reason the only restore point available after was to the state just after the 21H1 update.
It's Win 10 Pro x64, on a AMD Ryzen 7 x2700 on a MSI 470x board, all on latest firmware and chipset drivers.

[WatchTheGuitar]

Oh well at least my USB drive works so I can do a reboot from it if needed.

[T-CM11]

It's the latest update, 21H1. 20H2 was fine, but after update none of the prior restore points were still available. Not seen that before, usually if you manually create a restore point you can rollback to it, but for whatever reason the only restore point available after was to the state just after the 21H1 update.
It's Win 10 Pro x64, on a AMD Ryzen 7 x2700 on a MSI 470x board, all on latest firmware and chipset drivers.

It doesn't hurt to ask (here), but I wouldn't have high hopes... 21H1 doesn't (shouldn't?) contain any major system changes.
The most likely solution (as I see it): Roll back your system (from 8 months ago), install all changes since then, make your own "restore point" (with external software, to a non-system drive).

[planetearth]

If I understand correctly, only your USB devices that need drivers that are not from Microsoft will install? Windows doesn't show it's own audio drivers anywhere in use in Device Manager -- even if you set it to "Show hidden devices"? What does it show you using for audio input and output?

Are the drivers that you are able to use signed?

Which specific errors do you get when you try to have Windows use its own drivers?

Steve

[T-CM11]

If I understand correctly, only your USB devices that need drivers that are not from Microsoft will install?

I don't think that you understand correctly. The OP talks about operation, not installation. And I'm pretty sure that the Arturia Audiofuse (see OP) needs non-Microsoft drivers for full functionality.

[WatchTheGuitar]

It’s all the USB audio stuff that is ‘plug and play’ that isn’t working properly like USB MIDI keyboards, my TR-8S, the windows audio driver for my audio interface etc . That’s why it’s so tricky to fix because there’s no driver I can point Windows at to use instead.
There is a driver install for the audio interface, but that’s only needed for the ASIO driver.
Even really basic USB MIDI stuff like a little M Audio Keystation Mini 32 shows up in device manager, says it’s operating fine, but doesn’t show up as an an available input in any DAWs.

[T-CM11]

There is a driver install for the audio interface, but that’s only needed for the ASIO driver.

That's new to me... all audio interfaces that I've had also had their own Windows driver (and ASIO of course).

Even really basic USB MIDI stuff like a little M Audio Keystation Mini 32 shows up in device manager, says it’s operating fine, but doesn’t show up as an an available input in any DAWs.

Try this:
https://medium.com/@stickgrinder/how-to ... a793fa9f0a

[T-CM11]

deleted

[WatchTheGuitar]

There is a driver install for the audio interface, but that’s only needed for the ASIO driver.

That's new to me... all audio interfaces that I've had also had their own Windows driver (and ASIO of course).

I think if I had one that needed a non generic driver for Windows it would probably work ok. It seems there’s some issue only affecting the ‘driverless’ USB audio kit. Which unfortunately is most of my stuff.

[WatchTheGuitar]

The USBDeview app is interesting and does at least show the devices I'm plugging in, but doesn't seem to help much unfortunately. I'll give it all one more go tomorrow and then the weekend will probably bring the pain of a new install.

[PTV]

If you go to Recovery Options on Windows Settings, you'll see an option "Go back to the previous version of Windows 10", since you updated your system on Monday this option should be still available (it's available for 10 days after the update).