Windows security updates Archives

Winsage

December 28, 2024

Microsoft Warns Millions Of Windows Users—Do Not Install This Update On Your PC

Microsoft has issued a warning for Windows users about the installation process for Windows 11 24H2, indicating that a mistake during installation could prevent devices from receiving future Windows security updates. Users installing Windows 11 24H2 with the October or November 2024 security updates via USB or external drives may disrupt Windows Update functionality, as the version is shipped without these specific patches. The issue occurs only when installation media includes these updates; devices receiving updates through the standard Windows Update process are not affected. Microsoft suggests using the Media Creation Tool to create new installation media if users encounter issues with cumulative updates after installing Windows 11 24H2. The company acknowledges that the situation affects only a small number of PCs, though the number of affected users may be higher than initially thought. Microsoft is working on a permanent solution and advises users to use the December 2024 security update to avoid complications with media-based installations.

Winsage

December 28, 2024

Unable to install security updates after freshly installing Windows 11? You’re not alone

A bug in the recent installation media for Windows 11 prevents users from installing the latest security updates if the media includes the October 2024 or November 2024 security patches. Microsoft has acknowledged that this issue occurs only when using installation media, such as CD and USB flash drives, created in the last few months with these updates. The problem does not affect devices that receive the updates via Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog. Users are advised to avoid installation media with the October or November 2024 patches and instead use media with the September 2024 or December 2024 patches. Some users have found success using the "Fix Windows Update" button in the Recovery section of Windows Settings, and the official Windows 11 ISO tool can create an installation image without the problematic patches.

Winsage

December 27, 2024

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 KB5044284 / KB5046617 can’t install new updates

Microsoft has acknowledged an issue affecting users of Windows 11 version 24H2 who installed the OS using external media like CDs or USB drives. Users may be unable to install security updates released during the October 2024 (KB5044284) and November 2024 (KB5046617) Patch Tuesdays if they used external media for installation. This issue does not affect installations via Windows Update or the Update Catalog. The problem arises when the installation media includes the October or November security updates. Microsoft recommends avoiding installations with these updates and instead using media that includes the December 2024 monthly security update or later. Microsoft is investigating the issue and will provide further updates.

Winsage

December 27, 2024

Microsoft confirms Windows 11 24H2 installation issues, newer updates fail for some PCs

Windows 11 24H2 is a stable update compared to its predecessors, but users may face a significant bug that prevents new cumulative updates from installing if they used an updated ISO during installation. The issue arises when using a USB drive or other media to install Windows 11 24H2 with the October or November 2024 security updates, which can disrupt Windows Update. Problems can occur when using third-party tools to create a custom installation or modifying installation media, leading to conflicts with Windows Update. Microsoft does not provide additional ISO files with integrated newer updates, and users who customize their installation media may be unable to apply future updates. Microsoft has acknowledged that this issue affects a small number of PCs and recommends using the Media Creation Tool to create new installation media and reinstall the operating system as a workaround. A fix is expected to be addressed in January.

Winsage

December 27, 2024

Microsoft Warns Windows Users—Do Not Update Your PC This Way

Microsoft has issued an advisory for Windows users regarding potential issues when updating to Windows 11 version 24H2 using external media. If users create installation media that includes the October or November 2024 security updates, their devices may end up in a state where they cannot accept further Windows security updates. This problem does not affect devices that receive updates through the standard Windows Update process. The issue is reported to impact only a small number of users, and Microsoft recommends using the Media Creation Tool to create new media and reinstall the operating system if users encounter update problems.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

A Windows 11 update bug is leaving devices without security patches: here’s how to dodge it

Several Windows 11 users who installed the 24H2 update via USB or CD are experiencing issues that block future security patches. Microsoft issued a warning on Christmas Eve about a known issue affecting users who installed the October or November updates through external media, indicating that devices using this installation method may be unable to receive subsequent Windows security updates. This problem is specific to installations that included the October 2024 or November 2024 security updates. Users who updated through Windows Update or downloaded the update from the catalog are not affected. Microsoft advises against installing the 24H2 update via USB or CD and suggests affected users either wait for a fix or uninstall the update.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

A weird Windows 11 bug won’t let some people install any security updates

Microsoft has warned users about a bug related to the creation of Windows 11 installer media that may prevent future security updates for new PC installations. The issue affects installations using media created with the October and November 2024 security updates, specifically when the media is made between October 8, 2024, and November 12, 2024. Systems that received these updates via Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog are not impacted. To resolve the issue, users must rebuild their Windows 11 media installers to include the December 2024 patch update and perform a fresh installation. Additionally, the Windows 11 24H2 update has introduced other bugs, including problems with certain audio devices, launching Outlook with outdated Google Workspace Sync, and compatibility issues with some Ubisoft games.

Winsage

December 26, 2024

Windows 11 installation media bug causes security update failures

Microsoft has warned that using media support (CD or USB flash drives) to install Windows 11, version 24H2 may prevent the operating system from accepting security updates released between October 8 and November 12. This issue occurs when the installation media includes security updates from October 2024 or November 2024. It does not affect updates applied through Windows Update or the Microsoft Update Catalog, and installations using the December 2024 security update are not impacted. Microsoft is working on a permanent solution and recommends using the December 2024 security update for media-based installations. Additionally, users have reported various issues with the 24H2 update, including audio problems, application launch failures, game freezes, and performance issues with certain hardware and software configurations.

Winsage

November 21, 2024

An end to rebooting? Microsoft’s latest change means you won’t need to restart your work laptop for every Windows update any more

Microsoft is rolling out hotpatching capabilities to Windows 11 Enterprise and Microsoft 365 users, allowing for rebootless updates. This feature enables users to download and install security updates without interrupting their work. Hotpatch updates activate immediately upon installation, reducing system downtime and improving efficiency by updating in-memory code without needing additional binaries. This process enhances security by allowing quicker installations and minimizing vulnerability time. Hotpatching has been available for Windows Server 2022 Datacenter: Azure Edition since February 2022, but there are no plans to extend this feature to Windows 11 Home and Pro editions at this time.

Winsage

November 9, 2024

Microsoft says recent Windows 11 updates break SSH connections

Microsoft has acknowledged a significant issue with last month's Windows security updates that disrupt SSH connections on select Windows 11 22H2 and 23H2 systems, primarily affecting enterprise, IoT, and education customers. The company is investigating whether Windows 11 Home or Pro editions are also impacted. The October 2024 security update has caused the OpenSSH service to fail to start, preventing SSH connections, and this issue occurs without detailed logging, requiring manual intervention to start the sshd.exe process. A temporary workaround involves adjusting access control list (ACL) permissions on specific directories, with instructions provided for affected users. Microsoft is working on a permanent fix to be included in a future Windows update. Additionally, the October Patch Tuesday updates resolved fingerprint sensor freeze issues on Windows 11 24H2 devices and lifted a safeguard hold on upgrades for impacted systems. Microsoft also addressed issues in previous updates affecting application launches on Windows 10 22H2 and Remote Desktop connections in enterprise networks.