Security News

Microsoft has released the optional KB5011543 Preview cumulative update for Windows 10 20H2, Windows 10 21H1, and Windows 10 21H2. This update includes numerous bug fixes and a new "Search highlights" feature for the Windows 10 Start Menu. The KB5011543 cumulative update preview is part of Microsoft's March 2022 monthly "C" update, allowing admins to test upcoming fixes to be released in the April 2022 Patch Tuesday.

A new BitRAT malware distribution campaign is underway, exploiting users looking to activate pirated Windows OS versions for free using unofficial Microsoft license activators. In a new BitRAT malware distribution campaign discovered by researchers at AhnLab, threat actors are distributing the malware as a Windows 10 Pro license activator on webhards.

Microsoft has released Windows 10 KB5011487 and KB5011485 cumulative updates for versions 1909, 21H2, version 21H1, and version 20H2 to fix security vulnerabilities and resolve bugs. This update is not available for May 2020 Update if you use the consumer edition, but the same update will be offered on devices using enterprise or education SKUs.

Microsoft has released the optional KB5010415 Preview cumulative update for Windows 10 20H2, Windows 10 21H1, and Windows 10 21H2. This update includes a wide variety of bug fixes, including those for Microsoft Edge's Internet Explorer mode, printing, memory leaks, and more. The KB5010415 cumulative update preview is part of Microsoft's January 2022 monthly "C" update, allowing admins to test upcoming fixes to be released in the March 2022 Patch Tuesday.

In a support document updated today, Microsoft stated that Windows 10 20H2 will reach EOS on May 10, 2022. "These editions will no longer receive security updates after May 10, 2022. Customers who contact Microsoft Support after this date will be directed to update their device to the latest version of Windows 10 to remain supported," Microsoft explained.

The new update is now available for Windows 10 21H2, version 21H1, and version 20H2 As per the official release notes, Microsoft has published two main cumulative updates for Windows 10 - KB5010342 and KB5010345. Like every Patch Tuesday, you can check for and install new updates by going to Settings, clicking on Windows Update, and selecting 'Check for Updates' to install the updates.

Optional updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11 released in January have fixed performance problems when playing games, using the operating system, or even opening folders in File Explorer. Microsoft later released out-of-band updates to fix these issues, whose fixes were also rolled into the optional preview updates.

Security teams might have skipped January's Patch Tuesday after reports of it breaking servers, but it also included a patch for a privilege-escalation bug in Windows 10 that leaves unpatched systems open to malicious actors looking for administrative access. It's a bug that now has a proof-of-concept exploit available in the wild.

Microsoft has released the optional KB5009596 Preview cumulative update for Windows 10 20H2, Windows 10 21H1, and Windows 10 21H2. This update includes fixes for reboots on domain controllers, L2TP VPN connection issues, and 25 other fixes or improvements. The KB5009596 cumulative update preview is part of Microsoft's January 2022 monthly "C" update, allowing admins to test upcoming fixes being released in the February 2022 Patch Tuesday.

Microsoft has started the forced rollout of Windows 10, version 21H2 to more devices approaching the end of service as part of a first machine learning training phase. Windows 10 21H2 is also rolling out to seekers on Windows 10 2004 or newer through a fast update experience similar to a monthly update.