Upgrade blocks for Windows 10 May 2019 Update

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Microsoft plans to release the May 2019 Update for Windows 10 at the end of May 2019. The update was expected for a end of March 2019 beginning of April 2019 release initially, but the disastrous Windows 10 version 1809 feature update release forced Microsoft's hand on the new release.

Windows 10 version 1809 had to be pulled shortly after release because of major issues that included data loss on systems the update was installed on. It took Microsoft months to address these issues, and the feature update was not ready for broad deployment until last month.

Microsoft made the decision to test the new feature update in the Release Preview ring before its official release. The main idea was to detect and fix any major issue before the actual release of the new version. Microsoft revealed as well that it would give administrators more control over the installation of feature updates by making them optional until a particular version of Windows 10 runs out of support.

Upgrade blocks

Microsoft lists three upgrade blocks right now for the May 2019 Update. Upgrade blocks prevent machines from being updated to the new version. They are:

1.- Devices that have external USB devices attached to the PC or SD memory cards inserted, are blocked from the May 2019 Update. Admins may receive the "what needs your attention" message in that case. The issue is resolved in Windows Insider Builds 18877 and later already; admins who want to install the feature update need to unplug external USB devices and remove SD memory cards to do so.

2.- Devices with "older anti-cheat software" are blocked from updating to the new release as well. Microsoft does not reveal which anti-cheat programs cause the issue, only that older versions of these programs are responsible. The solution in this case would be to either update the anti-cheat software or game in question, or remove it from the system before installing the update.

3.- On systems with redirected System folders, e.g. Desktop, Documents, or Pictures, an empty folder is created in the original user profile location during the update. This may cause confusion, but files are not deleted in the process and Microsoft states that a fix is being worked on. 

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