Windows security Archives

Winsage

July 20, 2026

Microsoft rushes out Windows fix for Dell’s hot and bothered PCs

Microsoft has released an out-of-band update, KB5121767, to resolve an incompatibility issue affecting certain Dell models, allowing them to receive the July 2026 Windows security patch. This update targets the Intel Innovation Platform Framework drive, which caused performance, power consumption, and system behavior issues. It is applicable for Windows 11 versions 25H2 and 24H2. A separate hotpatch, KB5121768, is available for eligible Windows 11 Enterprise devices. Microsoft paused the Patch Tuesday rollout for the affected models to facilitate this update. The incompatibility was linked to the Intel driver and the Windows USB-C Connection Manager interface introduced in a June 23 preview update. Users experienced slowdowns, overheating, and unexpected shutdowns.

Winsage

July 18, 2026

Windows 11 Secure Boot certificates have expired, and Microsoft says what to do next

Microsoft held its OEM Secure Boot Office Hours event on July 15, where engineers collaborated with OEM representatives from companies like Acer, Asus, Cisco, Dell, and HP. IT administrators were able to ask live questions about the Secure Boot 2023 rollout. The discussion thread became a detailed technical record, especially following the expiration of the first certificates three weeks prior. Concerns raised by IT admins included BitLocker recovery loops, stuck confidence ratings, and unhelpful Intune error codes. Key facts include: - Devices offline for long periods will still receive the 2023 certificates upon reconnecting to Windows Update. - Devices with existing 2023 certificates in firmware will switch to the new boot manager after the latest Windows patches are installed. - A new script, Detect-SecureBootCertUpdateStatus.ps1, is available in Windows for checking certificate status. - BIOS updates may reset a device’s confidence rating to unrated, which is normal and does not indicate certificate failure. - Admins should edit the AvailableUpdates registry key, not the AvailableUpdatesPolicy, which is managed by Intune and Group Policy. - A licensing bug affecting AvailableUpdatesPolicy on devices upgraded from Pro to Enterprise was resolved by Microsoft in 2026. - BitLocker recovery is not typically linked to the certificate update process but may relate to firmware or PCR issues. - Dell and HP provided guidance on which BIOS versions include the 2023 certificates for their newer models. - Older HP EliteBook 840 G5 units require a manual update package for the new certificates. - Eligible devices can still receive the 2023 certificates in the future, and Surface devices released from 2024 onward come pre-equipped with them. - Microsoft confirmed that devices running 2011 certificates will not lose the ability to receive the 2023 chain. - The Microsoft Corporation KEK CA 2011 and Microsoft UEFI CA 2011 certificates have expired, with the Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011 set to expire on October 19, 2026.

Winsage

July 16, 2026

Microsoft’s July patches fix over 600 flaws, shattering last month’s record

Microsoft has released its July 2026 Patch Tuesday updates, addressing 570 new security vulnerabilities, bringing the total for the month to over 620. The cumulative count of vulnerabilities patched this year has reached 1,380, exceeding the total of 1,250 for the entire year of 2020. Over 400 vulnerabilities are related to various versions of Windows, and the Windows 10 Extended Security Update program has been extended until October 12, 2027. Notable vulnerabilities include CVE-2026-56155 in Active Directory Federation Services, which allows attackers to gain administrator rights, and several critical Remote Code Execution vulnerabilities, including CVE-2026-57092 in Hyper-V and CVE-2026-56190 in Remote Desktop Protocol. Microsoft has also patched 97 vulnerabilities in Office products, with 17 classified as critical RCE vulnerabilities, and four vulnerabilities in Exchange Server, including CVE-2026-55008. The latest Microsoft Edge update addresses 27 vulnerabilities related to Chromium, and a vulnerability in Minecraft Bedrock servers has been patched.

Tech Optimizer

July 16, 2026

Get antivirus, a VPN, and password manager for $30

Panda Dome Complete is a comprehensive Windows security suite that offers protection against various digital threats, including ransomware, phishing scams, and data breaches. A one-year subscription is currently available for .99, reduced from its regular price of .99. Key features include real-time antivirus protection, anti-phishing tools, a dark web scanner, a built-in firewall, Wi-Fi protection, 150MB of daily VPN access, a password manager, PC cleanup tools, file encryption, secure file deletion, gaming and multimedia modes, and parental controls. The product is recognized by industry leaders and has over 23,000 reviews on Trustpilot.

Winsage

July 15, 2026

Microsoft patches record 570 Windows security bugs with two exploited zero days

Microsoft released its July Patch Tuesday updates, addressing 570 security vulnerabilities in Windows, a record number for the company. This update includes three zero-day vulnerabilities, two of which have been exploited in real-world attacks, affecting Microsoft’s Active Directory and SharePoint, while the third concerns BitLocker encryption. The update also enhances Windows features, including changes to the Widgets app, improvements in File Explorer speed, refined Bluetooth connectivity, and a new feature allowing users to pause updates until a specific date. However, the update has been temporarily halted for certain Dell computers due to compatibility issues, with Microsoft working on a fix.

Winsage

July 15, 2026

Dell PCs are shutting down after Windows 11’s July update, Microsoft admits and blocks it

Microsoft has blocked the Windows 11 July 2026 update (KB5101650) on certain Dell PCs due to issues causing unexpected shutdowns, diminished performance, excessive heat, and battery drain. The problems are linked to the Intel Innovation Platform Framework Processor Participant driver, which affects power management. The complications stem from an optional June 2026 update (KB5095093) that introduced changes impacting the performance of some Dell PCs. Microsoft has not provided a list of affected models but is working with Dell to resolve the issue. The July update has been preemptively blocked from installation on incompatible devices, and a resolution is expected soon.

Winsage

July 14, 2026

Secure Boot certificate updates are broken on some PCs, Microsoft confirms

Microsoft has acknowledged that several older Secure Boot certificates have expired, necessitating updates for Windows 10 and 11 users. A temporary halt in the issuance of new Secure Boot certificates affects specific PCs, particularly various HP models. Most PCs will receive updates automatically through Windows Update, but some may require a firmware update from the manufacturer. Users may see messages indicating that Secure Boot certificate updates are paused or blocked due to known issues or hardware/firmware limitations. Until manufacturers like HP release necessary firmware updates, users cannot update their Secure Boot certificates. Although the immediate risk from expired certificates is low, it is expected to increase over time. Devices with un-updated Secure Boot certificates will continue to function normally, but they will not receive new security updates, making them vulnerable to emerging threats. Essential features that rely on updated security measures may cease to function correctly as new security challenges arise.

Winsage

July 13, 2026

Microsoft expands AI-powered Windows security

AI-driven security tools are enhancing Microsoft's ability to detect vulnerabilities earlier, improving the speed of Windows security responses. Microsoft is integrating AI into its Windows security strategy to expedite the discovery, analysis, and remediation of vulnerabilities in its software development process. This integration allows security teams to identify potential issues more quickly across large codebases, reducing the time between vulnerability identification and protective measures implementation. The updated strategy combines AI-powered security analysis tools with advanced multi-model agentic scanning systems to detect, validate, and prioritize high-confidence risks. Microsoft is also incorporating AI into engineering workflows to assist developers in investigating issues, recommending fixes, and enhancing testing, while ensuring human oversight. The company is investing in automated patching, vulnerability management, and deployment tools to facilitate efficient application of security updates. This approach reflects a shift towards continuous, AI-assisted security engineering, moving away from traditional periodic security updates.

Winsage

July 11, 2026

AI Threat Forces Microsoft To Update Windows Patch Guidance

Microsoft is advocating for a reevaluation of Windows patch management practices due to the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) impacting cybersecurity. The company emphasizes that traditional timelines for patch deployment, typically spanning several weeks after the monthly Patch Tuesday, are inadequate against modern cyber threats. Microsoft recommends organizations shorten deployment windows to under three days for quality updates, with immediate installation deadlines and minimal user grace periods. To support these changes, Microsoft is enhancing Windows Autopatch with a new reporting dashboard for patch compliance and security insights. The company is promoting cloud-managed deployment through Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopatch while continuing to support legacy tools. Additionally, Microsoft is introducing Windows Hotpatch technology, allowing security updates to be installed without immediate reboots, and advocating for the use of identity-based access controls to isolate unpatched devices. The guidance reflects a shift from scheduled patching to continuous risk management, encouraging organizations to prioritize high-risk assets and automate update deployments. Microsoft is also investing in AI-assisted vulnerability discovery and automated code analysis to improve defensive capabilities. The overarching message is that enterprises must adapt their update strategies to address the accelerated pace of AI-driven exploitation.

TrendTechie

July 11, 2026

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced залили на торренты до официального релиза

Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced was leaked hours after the PC pre-load opened, with a pirated version appearing on torrent sites. The leak originated from an unencrypted build uploaded during the pre-load phase. Pirates bypassed security measures using a hypervisor, requiring the disabling of several Windows security features. The official launch for PC is scheduled for July 9, with console players also gaining access at midnight on that date in their respective time zones.