I sure hope so! I'm in the middle of a Christmas song and would like to get it done before Christmas!

At this point in time, my entire music production is paralyzed. Maybe due to Windows 10 updates, or Sonar updates, or my Saffire Pro 14 audio interface.  I'm devoting today to trying different things on different equipment to eliminate possibilities. Symptoms are:
 
After closing Sonar, all sound from video or games is delayed.
Using Battery 4 in Sonar, all samples are delayed.
Opening 50% of my plugins causes the audio engine to crash.  Sometimes it can be restarted, usually requires restarting Sonar.
Bouncing clips causes the audio engine to crash sometimes. Starting playback can cause the audio engine to stop.
Sonar freezes at random.
 
Trying to use Sonar is very frustrating right now.  I hope I can get this worked out without buying a new interface or DAW.

I’ve never used 2016.11. I was using 2016.09 when this all started about 2 weeks ago. All of a sudden out of the blue, I got a runtime error, which I've not seen as far back as I can remember. I reverted my C drive back to a previous image file from 10/23 and to my surprise, the problem resurfaced again.
 
After much time and testing,  I traced it back to me having an internet connection. When I disconnected the internet and reverted back to an old image, I wouldn't get the runtime error. After reconnecting to the internet, I got the runtime error about 30 min later. Once you get the runtime error it’s like a virus, the only fix is to revert to an old image and stay off the internet.
 
Last Saturday and Sunday I did lots of extensive testing with some old image files and never had any runtime errors, even though I was connected to the internet. Yet on Monday the runtime errors came back. I have Win autoupdates turned off. What is MS doing to our computers?

I just hate the forced update idea. I can understand some part of it, however, it should still be able to choose wether I want to update or not.... Annoying as FXXK! I really don't want to go back to a prevous version of Windows 10, to much hassle

bitflipper
This is exactly the scenario I've feared since Microsoft first instituted forced updates: a bug that cripples millions of users in one fell swoop.
 
It's happened before, but MS has always jumped on the problem and fixed it in short order. Unfortunately, like the power company fixing downed power lines after a storm, MS must prioritize by first addressing whatever issues affect the greatest number of users. Those of us running specialized applications are like the homeowner on a cul-de-sac who's last to get his power restored.
 
 

Thank you! Well finally someone has given an explanation of what's really going on - forced updates. I wonder if there’s a program we can install that prevent it from happening? I wish others would test this out to see if being disconnected from the internet makes a difference.
 
Last night very late about 2am I disconnected from the internet and reverted to my 10/23 image, I booted my computer and Plat 3x with no runtime error. I reconnected to the internet and today around 11:45am,  I booted my computer and Plat 2x with no runtime error, then on the 3rd and 4th time it came back.
 
 I was really surprised why last weekend, Saturday and Sunday, the same test countless times yielded no runtime errors. I suppose MS is working on the problem and stopped it over the weekend. This is so weird.
 
A Google search shows that MS is actually getting lawsuits over forced updates. I have autoupdates turned off and only update right before a new Plat version install. I have tons of image files saved anytime I make a change.
 
Fortunately in my situation I have image files and when the forced update hits me, my workaround is to not close the runtime error window. Then everything works perfectly. I feel bad for those that have no solution and are out of business over this. This certainly makes the case for saving image files and not just using system restore to save our butts. I’m also glad I’m not required to be online to use Plat, like others having plugins that require this.

As I noted earlier, I keep my DAW off line. I am using an earlier version of Windows 10. I keep Platinum updated by going through my Linux system and downloading the updates from the Cakewalk My Products page. I have not had any of the issues that I see the others describing. 
 
If I do run into an issue with Platinum I know for certain that it is a Cakewalk issue. It is the only thing that gets updated on the DAW machine. Further, because I am offline, the virus scan is disabled as well as other items that are no longer needed. The machine actually runs a bit better because of that.
 
Is it a pain? It can be. But I have complete control over what gets updated on my machine, and when it gets updated. I can tell you right now it is not as big a pain as others are having trying to figure out if the problem is Cakewalk or Microsoft. 
 
Forced updates are a poison, waiting to attack your system when you can least afford it. Right now Microsoft is forcing that update. What happens when (not if) hackers break into the forced update system and spread malicious code- or even begin bricking systems. Oh what a fun day that will be!

gmp
So when did the forced updates start? Do you mean that I could revert back to an image file back then and stay connected to the internet without getting a forced update? I doubt if I'd ever need to do that, but I do like to know all the options in case things go haywire.
 
There are some methods on Google to disable forced updates. If there was a safe way of doing this, I'd be interested.
 

If restore a drive image and there is an update already downloaded and "warming up in the bullpen", it will apply itself.

MandolinPicker
What happens when (not if) hackers break into the forced update system and spread malicious code- or even begin bricking systems. Oh what a fun day that will be!

We don't have to wait for the Russians to do it, Microsoft will do it first. At the end of the day, what is the difference between malicious code and plain old garden-variety broken code?
 
Some years ago, shortly after updates became automatic but before they were mandatory, MS started slipping in checks to verify that the Windows installation was legit. They classified it as a priority security update, an intentional lie so as to not tip their hand. The ruse worked on me, defeating my practice of selectively applying only those updates that sounded important.
 
On one of my systems, this piece of official malware decided that my installation of MS SQL Server was not "genuine" and blew away all of my databases. (BTW, the installation was in fact 100% legit. I would never jeopardize my livelihood by using warez in my business.) I wiped the system, re-installed Windows and SQL Server, restored my databases and this time MS was inexplicably satisfied.

Sidroe
There is a turnoff for Windows Update only in Windows 10 Pro. You can, however type in the windows search box on your toolbar Services and that window will open. You scroll down the list of programs to Windows Update. Left click to highlight, then right click for list. Choose Properties and set startup to Manual. That way Windows Update will only be launched when you click on Update & Security in the Settings window. It has worked for me since day one!

I have mine in Services set to disabled and when I want to update, I turn it back on, doesn't require a reboot. It's great I don't' get those nagging update messages. It may be that manual works the same way. If I choose check for updates, it won't check for updates until I turn on auto updates in Services. I have a shortcut to Services on my desktop, so it’s very quick to toggle it. My reasoning is whenever there’s a new Plat update, it been tested with the current crop of updates, so that’s whty I wait until then to update Win 10.

ampfixer
So are we sure that all the recent issues are due to Microsoft? I don't think there's anything conclusive. I was under the impression that a MS update uncovered a flaw in the Sonar code. Code that was very old. At least that's what I recall from a very early post from the bakers.

 I saw that post. I agree we need more info from Cakewalk. It is a fact that MS is doing forced updates. Do an internet search.
 
Right now a few of us, including myself,  are speculating with educated guesses. I'd prefer definite facts also. Hopefully Cakewalk will respond soon.

I think it's more cakewalk just based on my on observations. I mean I have other DAW software I tested with no problem. Just to name one instance. What I want is for cakewalk to give us some kind of feedback. I believe it's over due.

robert@gmwmusic.com
I think it's more cakewalk just based on my on observations. I mean I have other DAW software I tested with no problem. Just to name one instance. What I want is for cakewalk to give us some kind of feedback. I believe it's over due.

agreed

gmp
I’ve never used 2016.11. I was using 2016.09 when this all started about 2 weeks ago. All of a sudden out of the blue, I got a runtime error, which I've not seen as far back as I can remember. I reverted my C drive back to a previous image file from 10/23 and to my surprise, the problem resurfaced again.
 
After much time and testing,  I traced it back to me having an internet connection. When I disconnected the internet and reverted back to an old image, I wouldn't get the runtime error. After reconnecting to the internet, I got the runtime error about 30 min later. Once you get the runtime error it’s like a virus, the only fix is to revert to an old image and stay off the internet.
 
Last Saturday and Sunday I did lots of extensive testing with some old image files and never had any runtime errors, even though I was connected to the internet. Yet on Monday the runtime errors came back. I have Win autoupdates turned off. What is MS doing to our computers?

This is certainly the most interesting clue I've seen so far!
 
Using 2016.09, which appears to be a very stable Platinum release.  That rules out the most recent Sonar updates, at least in this case.
 
He Rolled back to an October image,  which rules out the Microsoft updates from November.
 
Folks started seeing issues two weeks ago.
 
He has updates disabled, but apparently "something" is updating when connected to the net.
 
What is updating?  Is there another application or driver updater or something running under the radar here?
 
For example, some security software silently updates it's program versions in the background, in addition to updating daily virus signature files. 
 
I don't have any other Microsoft programs on-board, but I wonder if MS Office can do silent updates?  ... or browsers???

abacab

gmp
I’ve never used 2016.11. I was using 2016.09 when this all started about 2 weeks ago. All of a sudden out of the blue, I got a runtime error, which I've not seen as far back as I can remember. I reverted my C drive back to a previous image file from 10/23 and to my surprise, the problem resurfaced again.
 
After much time and testing,  I traced it back to me having an internet connection. When I disconnected the internet and reverted back to an old image, I wouldn't get the runtime error. After reconnecting to the internet, I got the runtime error about 30 min later. Once you get the runtime error it’s like a virus, the only fix is to revert to an old image and stay off the internet.
 
Last Saturday and Sunday I did lots of extensive testing with some old image files and never had any runtime errors, even though I was connected to the internet. Yet on Monday the runtime errors came back. I have Win autoupdates turned off. What is MS doing to our computers?

This is certainly the most interesting clue I've seen so far!
 
Using 2016.09, which appears to be a very stable Platinum release.  That rules out the most recent Sonar updates, at least in this case.
 
He Rolled back to an October image,  which rules out the Microsoft updates from November.
 
Folks started seeing issues two weeks ago.
 
He has updates disabled, but apparently "something" is updating when connected to the net.
 
What is updating?  Is there another application or driver updater or something running under the radar here?
 
For example, some security software silently updates it's program versions in the background, in addition to updating daily virus signature files. 
 
I don't have any other Microsoft programs on-board, but I wonder if MS Office can do silent updates?  ... or browsers???

Well the plot thickens. I opened Control Panel Programs and looked at my updates. It shows that the last MS updates were on 10/9 and then it shows an Adobe Reader update on 12/10 - hmmm. I looked in my startup groups and see it doesn't show up, so there must be a setting in the program about autoupdates.
 
I uninstalled Adobe Reader and I still have the runtime error. So I just reverted back to my 10/23 image, opened Plat – no error. I then uninstalled Adobe Reader. Rebooted the computer and opened Plat and to my surprise, I again have the runtime error.
 
So maybe it’s not Adobe after all. I wonder if it’s MS Defender? This my DAW, so I try not to do much internet work, except those related to my DAW. So I dot[‘ have any virus software installed, since I’m careful. So what could be updating without my permission?