I have steam coming out of my ears right now due to Microsoft.
As a CPA doing taxes and rushing to meet the deadline, Microsoft forced an update to my Windows 7 operating system yesterday.
I have two computers and I use them to back each other up.
The Microsoft update changed the drivers for my graphics card and caused an Atipcie64.sys fatal boot error..... on both computers. They are totally frozen, will not boot in safe mode, will not restore, will not diagnostic repair. Talk about stress on top of stress!!!!
Yesterday I purchased another computer, downloaded new software so I could complete and e-file taxes, and used Linux to surgically remove the needed files and transfer them to the new computer. All caused by Windows updates.
Grrrr. But it sounds like you are a problem solver. Well done.