Newsletter Archives
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MS-DEFCON 2: Slow the rush to Copilot
ISSUE 21.10.1 • 2024-03-07 By Susan Bradley
Because of the ongoing rollout of Copilot enhancements, I recommend deferring or pausing updates.
That’s why I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.
I continue to test and evaluate all updates on my test PCs and will provide my analysis and recommendations as soon possible. Meanwhile, defer. And while you’re doing that, those of you in North America should prepare to lose an hour of sleep this weekend.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.10.1, 2024-03-07).
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MS-DEFCON 2: Microsoft and compliance
ISSUE 21.06.1 • 2024-02-08 By Susan Bradley
An international company must deal with the jurisdictions in which it operates. Microsoft is no different.
February is always marked on my calendar as the month in which Microsoft is back in full force, holidays behind them. That means we’ll see a rash of updates. I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2 as a result.
Some of those updates will deal with the requirements of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) in the European Economic Area (EEA). Microsoft published a post in the Windows blog on this subject. The necessary changes to bring Windows into compliance will be dribbling out until the deadline — March 6, 2024 — and will be seen in updates to Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 23H2.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.06.1, 2024-02-08).
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MS-DEFCON 2: Preparing for the new year
ISSUE 21.01.1 • 2024-01-04 By Susan Bradley
It’s time to prepare for the upcoming patching month, and that means it’s time for MS-DEFCON level 2.
If you’re groggy from holiday reveling, here are my reminders: back up your system, install all the December updates, and confirm that your system is operating smoothly.
Then defer updates, using whichever method you’re comfortable with — Registry keys, Windows Settings, or BlockAPatch.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.01.1, 2024-01-04).
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MS-DEFCON 2: Copilot for Christmas
ISSUE 20.49.1 • 2023-12-07 By Susan Bradley
The upcoming December updates will begin Microsoft’s process of dribbling out Windows Copilot.
No question here — I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.
I’m not sure I understand why Copilot needed to be so deeply embedded in Windows, at least right now. It’s obvious that putting the guts of AI support into the operating system is inevitable, because Microsoft’s apps are rapidly evolving to include Copilot.
However, Microsoft’s icon for Copilot still includes the “PRE” badge, which in effect signals that we’re all still beta testers for a Copilot preview. Besides, with your Microsoft account and Edge, you can play around with Copilot at low risk. Even that generates some uncertainty, because I’ve seen Copilot in Bing deliver wrong answers.
Maybe the bugs should be worked out before Copilot is welded permanently to Windows.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.49.1, 2023-12-07).
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MS-DEFCON 2: Windows 11 23H2 is out
ISSUE 20.45.1 • 2023-11-09 By Susan Bradley
Trick or treat? Microsoft released Windows 11 23H2 on Halloween.
On top of that, November’s Patch Tuesday is just around the corner, and Copilot will continue to dribble out — even on 22H2 — in the November security releases. Therefore, I’ve raised the MS-DEFCON level to 2.
As with many changes Microsoft makes these days, 23H2 and Copilot for Windows will be phased rollouts, so there’s no telling when any individual user will see them offered in Windows Update. So remember that there are many tools to control the Copilot rollout, including a registry key and Group Policies (you can download our ADMX and ADML files).
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.45.1, 2023-11-09).
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MS-DEFCON 2: Windows 11 21H2 nears end of life
ISSUE 20.36.1 • 2023-09-07 By Susan Bradley
On October 10, 2023, the Home and Pro editions of Windows 11 21H2 will no longer be supported by Microsoft.
Anticipating next week’s Patch Tuesday, I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2. When (and if) the dust settles, we’ll enter another period of safe patching toward the end of the month. I’ll say more then, but you should prepare.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.36.1, 2023-09-07).
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MS-DEFCON 2: Batten down the hatches for August
ISSUE 20.31.1 • 2023-08-03 By Susan Bradley
I’ve been tracking some side effects that Microsoft has yet to acknowledge.
With Patch Tuesday just around the corner, it’s a good idea to put your favorite deferral solution in place. Some issues I’ve been following for several months are finally fixed in the August security updates, but we’re learning about this only through hints in preview releases.
Set your phasers on stun: I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.31.1, 2023-08-03).
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MS-DEFCON 2: Last call for 22H2
ISSUE 20.27.1 • 2023-07-06 By Susan Bradley
Starting next week, you will not receive security updates for any version of Windows 10 except 22H2.
If your PC has not received 22H2 via Windows Update, chances are that your PC has a setting keeping Windows on the version you have installed — or corruption in the operating system is preventing the update from being accepted. But Patch Tuesday is just around the corner, so it’s time to become cautious again by raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.27.1, 2023-07-06).
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MS-DEFCON 2: Are you still on Windows 10 21H2?
ISSUE 20.23.1 • 2023-06-08 By Susan Bradley
We’re nearly halfway through the 2023 patching year, almost to the end of the road for Windows 10 21H2.
But before we delve into that: Patch Tuesday is just around the corner, so it’s time to get conservative and defer patches. Accordingly, I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.
Microsoft is indicating that it will “force” 21H2 machines to 22H2, but I have news for them — if you don’t have 22H2 and you are not using one of the methods to hold off on feature releases (Group Policy, registry key, etc.), chances are you have some sort of issue that is blocking the install. Some of the blocks may be driver-related, and some may be the result of underlying corruption in the code that handles patching.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.23.1, 2023-06-08).
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MS-DEFCON 2: Settling down for a stable Windows 10
ISSUE 20.18.1 • 2023-05-04 By Susan Bradley
The order of the day is Windows 10 22H2.
With Patch Tuesday just around the corner, it’s time to defer updates. Therefore, I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.
However, there is one exception. If you are running Windows 10, update to release 22H2 as soon as possible. If you can’t get to it by Tuesday, defer — but be sure to get it done before the end of May.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.18.1, 2023-05-04).
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MS-DEFCON 2: Prepare for April showers
ISSUE 20.14.1 • 2023-04-06 By Susan Bradley
The next round of updates is coming soon and may be confusing.
For one thing, it now appears that Windows 10 and Windows 11 updates will diverge. That is reason enough for me to raise the MS-DEFCON level to 2.
Any confusion instantly causes me to recommend deferring updates.
It does not appear that the forthcoming updates for Windows 10 will introduce any changes. They will include only security patches. Microsoft stated:
After March 2023, there are no more optional, non-security preview releases for the supported editions of Windows 10, version 20H2 and Windows 10, version 21H2. Only monthly security update releases will continue for these versions.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.14.1, 2023-04-06).
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MS-DEFCON 2: March Madness begins
ISSUE 20.10.1 • 2023-03-09 By Susan Bradley
Ready for Windows 11 dribbles?
In addition to waiting for side effects of security patches to manifest themselves, sometimes you need to wait to see the impact of changes from the prior month’s preview updates. This month more than ever, you should to delay or defer to see the impact of the March changes for Windows 11 22H2.
Accordingly, I am raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.
Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.10.1, 2023-03-09).