Newsletter Archives

• Microsoft has released October 2020 “C” Week Preview Updates for 1809, 1903 and 1909

  Posted on October 20, 2020 at 13:16 CDT by PKCano • Comment in the Forums

  Microsotf has released October “C” Week Cumulative Update Previews for Win10 versions 1809, 1903 and 1909

  KB4580386 for 1903/1909
  KB4580390 for 1809

  Highlights for versions 1903/1909 include:

  • Introducing Meet Now in the Windows 10 Taskbar

    Earlier this year we introduced Meet Now in Skype. Meet Now makes it easy to connect with anyone in as little as two clicks for free and each call can last up to 24 hours. Today, we’re excited to share that we will be extending this capability in Windows 10 by bringing Meet Now right to the taskbar. In the coming weeks, you will be able to easily set up a video call and reach friends and family in an instant by clicking the Meet Now icon in the taskbar notification area. No sign ups or downloads needed.

  • Updates an issue that might prevent a Microsoft Xbox Game Pass user from playing certain games that are eligible for play.
  • Updates a reliability issue that causes the screen to flash constantly.
  • Updates an issue that causes a USB printer port to disappear after restarting when the printer device is turned power off.

  There is a substantial list of fixes for all versions but no impending need to install any of them.

  .NET updates Previews for 1809, 1903, and 1909 have also been released:
  KB4580980 for .NET 3.5/4.8 for 1903/1909
  KB4580979 for .NET 3.5/4.8 for 1809
  Thx @abbodi86

  Windows Patches/Security KB 4580386, KB 4580390, KB 4580979, KB 4580980, Win10 Preview updates

• I’m almost ready for Windows 10 2004 … almost!

  Posted on September 27, 2020 at 21:10 CDT by Tracey Capen • Comment in the Forums

  PATCH WATCH

  By Susan Bradley

  The fall release of Windows 10 — 20H2 — is rolling into the station. But we’re still waiting to board Version 2004.

  If you’re a prudent patcher like me, you see a new release of Windows as the call to prepare for the most current release — i.e. Version 2004. As we’ve said more than once, even if you’re not ready to catch 2004, download a copy and save it for later. Next, take stock of your system and acquaint yourself with any Win10 2004 issues.

  Read the full story in AskWoody Plus Newsletter 17.38.0 (2020-09-28).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Patch Watch AskWoody Plus Newsletter, Domain-controller threats, Feature updates, Win10 2004, Win10 20H2, Win10 Preview updates, Windows Updates

• Microsoft released Sept. 2020 “C” Week Preview Updates for 1809, 1903, 1909 and .NET

  Posted on September 16, 2020 at 13:49 CDT by PKCano • Comment in the Forums

  Microsotf has released “C” Week Cumulative Update Previews for Win10 versions 1809, 1903 and 1909 as well as a Cumulative Update Previews for .NET for those versions on Wednesday. September 16, 2020

  KB4577062 for 1903/1909
  KB4577069 for 1809:
  KB4576947 for 1903/1909
  KB4577324 for 1809 + .NET 3.5/4.72/4.8
  KB4576946 for 1809 + .NET 3.5/4.8

  Highlights for versions 1903/1909 include:

  • Adds a notification to Internet Explorer 11 that informs users about the end of support for Adobe Flash in December 2020. For more information, see KB4581051.
  • Updates an issue that causes certain apps to go into an unwanted repair cycle. As a result, a user cannot use that app during that time.
  • Updates an issue that might display 4K high dynamic range (HDR) content darker than expected when you configure certain non-HDR systems for HDR Streaming.
  • Updates an issue to reduce the likelihood of missing fonts.
  • Updates an issue that causes a device to stop responding after you have been using a pen for several hours.
  • Reduces distortions and aberrations in Windows Mixed Reality head-mounted displays (HMD).

  There is a substantial list of fixes for all versions but no impending need to install any of them.

  Windows Patches/Security KB 4576946, KB 4576947, KB 4577062, KB 4577069, KB 4577324, Win10 Preview updates

• On name changes in the Insider program, optional updates, and Windows in general

  Posted on June 18, 2020 at 12:10 CDT by woody • Comment in the Forums

  Rant:

  The hallmark of a good product numbering scheme is that you set it once and forget it. Internal code names can run all over the Iron Pyrite map. But version numbers are version numbers. It’s insane that the XP-era Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2004 arrived seventeen years – and a half dozen versions – apart. (Thx, @b – Let’s do the time warp again…)

  Rant:

  The hallmark of a good beta testing program is that you set the framework/nomenclature, and tweak the product until it works. Microsoft has changed and abused its “Insider Ring” bafflegab for years (remember how the Release Preview Ring was supposed to have, uh, previews of releases? That didn’t last long.) We now have Insider Channels:

  

  Let’s see how long this distinction lasts.

  Rant:

  Speaking of Preview Channels, MS is bringing back the “optional, non-security” patches for Win10. ‘Softie Chris Morrisey trips all over himself trying to reconcile reality with terminology:

  Based on feedback and the ongoing stabilization of business continuity, we will resume optional releases in July of 2020 for Windows 10 and Windows Server, version 1809 and later, to once again provide you with the ability to test planned non-security fixes targeted for the next month’s Update Tuesday (or “B”) release… to simplify update management for IT, these “Preview” releases will be delivered in the “C” week only. There is no change to the cumulative monthly security updates (also referred to as the “B” release or Update Tuesday release).

  Puh-lease. I know lots of people who deal with Microsoft’s bad patches – and I don’t know a single one who’s provided MS with feedback that they want the old “optional, non-security, C/D Week” patches back. Morrisey promises that the new version of the Preview releases (not to be confused with the Preview Channel, see above) will require a click on a “Download and install” link.

  If you’re confused by the terminology, think of it this way. Patch Tuesday will still be on the second Tuesday of the month. These Preview (not Preview Channel) patches are supposed to arrive during the week containing the third Tuesday of the month. In the past, they’ve appeared in the weeks containing the third, fourth and fifth Tuesdays, but this time MS will do better. Promise.

  Rant:

  I have a theory. I bet that MS is bringing back the “optional, non-security, C/D Week” patches specifically to handle the kind of bug we saw last week, where the Patch Tuesday patch broke networked printers with PCL 5 and PCL 6 type 3 drivers. In the future, MS will be able to recover from its Patch Tuesday blunders by telling punters to install the optional update.

  Wanna bet?

  Don’t get me started about “non-security” patches fixing bugs in security patches.

  Windows Patches/Security Win10 Preview updates, Windows insider channels, Windows Insider rings