I assume it was windows update.
My computer took over an hour this afternoon to go through them and when it was finally finished asked what type of keyboard I used. Eventually I had to say American - International as it is closest to what I use apart from 'standard'
Tried both and each time It asked for a disk to boot up the computer. So I could go back and turn the computer off but was still asked what keyboard I used when I turned it back on. I eventually went the route of running my computer image through the computer as I hadn't set up a restore point yet.
Well It took me back to 20th February. Lost everything from that time - programs, files etc. (Thank God I made a computer image the day I bought my computer). I guess the little loss I have had is not as bad as it could have been. Silly thhing was I thought my computer was backing up automatically on a portable hard drive but apparently it hadn't been.

Now I am wondering if anyone here can advise me before I start turning things off or back on again? I had a few things set up but all that was turned off too.
I even got rolled back to a 2.8.22 gimp and an older GMIC. Maybe I should do a restore point straight away.

Looks like I can restore to just after the update... what should I do?

Very strange behavior. Sounds like you were pushed the latest spring update. Such updates should be reversible. If that, indeed, is your issue, Sallyanne, the search link below should be of help.

https://www.bing.com/search?q=uninstall ... =CT3210127

Was this the Win10 1803 update?

The updates will be downloaded again unless hidden.

Don't know It was It just 'did it's thing' after put my password in and told me not to turn it off while it was updating.

I have all night I guess. I'll restore to just after the update then see if I can uninstall the update.
Computer is going very slow at the moment too. Don't know where all the files on my computer went before because they are not in the recycle bin.

Thank you Wallace. I will try them

I use Linux for anything but gaming but regardless of platform I would recommend never putting your data all in one partition on your drive. That way you can reset/reinstall your OS (in C: for example) without losing the stuff that is unique to you (images, documents etc).

For Windows, I have C:, D: and E: disks - C: for Windows itself, D: and E: for Steam etc. I have a desktop with many disks so those are actually physically different hard drives. On a laptop I instead partition my one disk into separate partitions.

This allows me to flush the OS and reinstall/update without fear of touching anything I can't replace.
.
Griatch

Agreed. For the most important data I have 2 external backup HDDs.
The second one is only switched on for the transfer.
Not sure if it extends the lifespan, but that's what I do.
Using double backup because sometimes corruption happens, especially with NTFS.

Considered going over to Linux this time round but my reasons for not doing so yet - New computer came with Windows OS. I have always used Windows and Linux looks so foreign to me. I have seen a couple of screen shots and also have heard reports that some things are not terribly easy to install. I could be wrong...but I am no IT person and would probably get lost.
My computer has two drives, a C and a D which is supposed to be the back up. Might have the files on it that I think I lost, don't know but I wouldn't have a clue how to check. D drive has more in it than the C. As I said before I also have a portable hard drive which I put an image of my computer on as soon as I bought it.

Have just told the computer to save all new photos, music, documents to it as well. It is a 1 terabyte drive so should hold it all. It is only 1/3 full at the moment.

@Nidhogg, Would you believe I wanted to get two HDD's when I bought this computer but guess who stopped me. I was shopping with my daughter. I needed her to help me get it home.

this is tempting, just right for Gimp, lol.

sallyanne,

Useful video from Wallace. I use Ubuntu, although there are many other varieties. I assume that the others, like Ubuntu, give you the option to install alongside Windows.
I think all you need is about 2GB of free space on your hard drive.
I changed to Linux when I became fed-up with windows "falling over" and chose Ubuntu because it has long term support (5years) with automatic updates and every two years there is an upgrade to the latest version, also with 5 years support.
I am sure something similar is available with other "flavours" of Linux.

david.

Sorry Wallace! I'm going to disagree with you - Ubuntu and its derivatives are now very user-friendly. For the ordinary user, no longer is it necessary to do complicated things in the terminal. Just switch on and go, as with any other operating system.

david.

Been using Xubuntu couple years now alongside with Win7, and I dare to say it's easier to manage than Windows.
Software via "software" is convenient and faster than hunting installation media all over the web.
And for the average user, there is more than enough applications to choose from, without having to use terminal.
18.04-LTS had even java and the firewall front-end (GUFW) pre-installed if I remember right, so you are ready to dive in instantly.
Not to mention Wilber has a wider smile on Linux!

Been using Linux for a few years now. I also got tired of fixing my Wife's Windows PC and switched to Linux for her also. No more problems there and she has no trouble using Linux Mint Cinnamon 18.3.

Ubunto is OK, but I would recommend Linux Mint Cinnamon instead. It is much more like Windows 7, only much more stable and safer. Here is a screen shot: