Windows 10: Windows 10 January 2021 updates: What’s new and improved

Windows 10 January 2021 update has now started rolling out to PCs running version 20H2, version 2004, and version 1909. January Patch Tuesday release comes with important security fixes for more than 83 vulnerabilities in the Windows operating system and other products.

Windows 10 January 2021 update fixes a zero-day vulnerability in the Microsoft Defender antivirus. The critical security issue, which has now been patched, allowed attackers to run malicious code on vulnerable devices.

The vulnerability could be exploited on unpatched systems only when users open a malicious file and Microsoft Defender is enabled. As part of January 2021 Patch Tuesday update, Microsoft has also fixed bugs hitting Windows Storage Service and Peripherals.

As always, you can apply the January 2021 cumulative updates by following these steps:

1. Open Settings and click on Update & Security.
2. On the left pane, select ‘Windows Update’.
3. Check for updates and click on ‘Download and install’ button.

If you’re using Windows 10 version 20H2, you’ll get Build 19042.746 with fixes for security issues. Version 20H2 is based on version 2004, which means Windows 10 version 2004 is also getting the same update. For those still on version 2004, they’ll get Build 19041.746.

Windows 10 January 2021 cumulative updates:

1. KB4598243 (Build 14393.4169) for version 1607.
2. KB4599208 (Build 15063.2614) for version 1703.
3. KB4598245 (Build 17134.1967) for version 1803.
4. KB4598230 (Build 17763.1697) for version 1809.
5. KB4598229 (Build 18363.1316) for version 1909.
6. KB4598242 (Build 19041.746 and Build 19042.746) for v2004 and 20H2.

You can also download and these updates without connecting to Windows Update. To install the Patch Tuesday update manually, copy the KB package number from the above list and paste it in the search box of Microsoft Update Catalog. Once done, select the ‘Download’ button and double click on the update package.

Windows 10 January 2021 cumulative updates overview


In addition to Defender bug, Microsoft has also fixed 83 security bugs across its Windows, developer and enterprise tools. For example, the tech giant says it has patched an issue that could be exploited to gain access to affected systems.

This month’s cumulative update also aims to improve the security of the external devices that you use, such as your keyboard, controller and even your camera.

Build 19042.746 for Windows 10 version 20H2


The January 2021 cumulative update for both Windows 10 version 20H2 and version 2004 is focused solely on security fixes. It doesn’t come with any additional bug fixes because Microsoft had paused the rollout of the optional updates in December.



As we mentioned above, Windows 10 20H2 (October 2020 Update) is being advanced to Build 19042.746 (KB4598242) with the following changes:

• Improvements to basic operations of the OS.
• Fixes dark mode gremlins in File Explorer.
• Fixes a security vulnerability issue with intranet configurations.

Microsoft hasn’t fixed any user-centric critical bugs, but there are plans to deliver important fixes later this month via optional preview update.

Windows 10 20H2 rollout status as of January 2021


Back in October, Microsoft released version 20H2 as a small “enablement package” that can be installed in a matter of minutes on systems running version 2004.

It has been released as an optional update and users have to explicitly choose to download and install the updates. However, some users have encountered compatibility issues during the installation.

The most obvious reason, of course, is the upgrade blocks deployed by Microsoft.

Previously, devices with outdated audio drivers would receive Blue Screen of Death error and a warning message when users tried to install the update.



In a new support doc, Microsoft has confirmed that issues have now been resolved and upgrade block is being removed. As a result, more users can now download Windows 10 version 20H2 and the upcoming Spring 2021 (version 21H1) update.

Later this year, Microsoft is also planning to fix a critical bug damaging Windows 10’s Credential Manager and authentication process. For those unfamiliar, Windows 10 password bug is hitting a number of applications, including Chrome, Edge, Acrobat, Lastpass, etc.

Build 18363.1316 for Windows 10 version 1909


If you’ve got a device that still uses Windows 10 version 1909, Microsoft has published KB4598229 with fixes highlighted above.

Starting January 2021, no new updates will be released to devices on Windows 10 version 1903.

The post Windows 10 January 2021 updates: What’s new and improved appeared first on Windows Latest

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Microsoft January 2021 Security Updates

January 2021 Security Updates




The January 2021 security release consists of security updates for the following software:

• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Edge (EdgeHTML-based)
• Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office Services and Web Apps
• Microsoft Windows Codecs Library
• Visual Studio
• SQL Server
• Microsoft Malware Protection Engine
• .NET Core
• .NET Repository
• ASP .NET
• Azure

Please note the following information regarding the security updates:

• CVE-2020-0689 has been re-released. For further information see Security update for Secure Boot DBX: January 12, 2021.
• For information regarding enabling Windows 10, version 1909 features, please see Windows 10, version 1909 delivery options. Note that Windows 10, versions 1903 and 1909 share a common core operating system with an identical set of system files. They will also share the same security update KBs.
• Windows 10 updates are cumulative. The monthly security release includes all security fixes for vulnerabilities that affect Windows 10, in addition to non-security updates. The updates are available via the Microsoft Update Catalog.
• For information on lifecycle and support dates for Windows 10 operating systems, please see Windows Lifecycle Facts Sheet.
• A list of the latest servicing stack updates for each operating system can be found in ADV990001. This list will be updated whenever a new servicing stack update is released. It is important to install the latest servicing stack update.
• Updates for Windows RT 8.1 and Microsoft Office RT software are only available via Windows Update.
• In addition to security changes for the vulnerabilities, updates include defense-in-depth updates to help improve security-related features.
• Customers running Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, or Windows Server 2008 need to purchase the Extended Security Update to continue receiving security updates. See 4522133 for more information.

The following CVEs have FAQs with additional information. Please note that this is not a complete list of CVEs for this release.

• CVE-2020-26870
• CVE-2021-1636
• CVE-2021-1637
• CVE-2021-1643
• CVE-2021-1644
• CVE-2021-1645
• CVE-2021-1647
• CVE-2021-1648
• CVE-2021-1656
• CVE-2021-1663
• CVE-2021-1669
• CVE-2021-1670
• CVE-2021-1672
• CVE-2021-1676
• CVE-2021-1677
• CVE-2021-1694
• CVE-2021-1696
• CVE-2021-1699
• CVE-2021-1707
• CVE-2021-1708
• CVE-2021-1711
• CVE-2021-1713
• CVE-2021-1714
• CVE-2021-1715
• CVE-2021-1716
• CVE-2021-1725

Known Issues


The following KBs contain information about known issues with the security updates. For a complete list of security update KBs, please see 20210112. For more information about Windows Known Issues, please see Windows message center (links to currently-supported versions of Windows are in the left pane).


KB Article Applies To
4598229 Windows 10, Version 1903, Windows Server, Version 1903, Windows 10, Version 1909, Windows Server, Version 1909
4598230 Windows 10, Version 1809, Windows Server 2019
4598242 Windows 10, Version 2004, Windows Server, Version 2004, Windows 10, Version 20H2, Windows Server, Version 20H2
4598275 Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2 (Security-only update)
4598278 Windows Server 2012 (Monthly Rollup)
4598279 Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 (Monthly Rollup)
4598285 Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2 (Monthly Rollup)
4598287 Windows Server 2008 (Security-only update)
4598288 Windows Server 2008 (Monthly Rollup)
4598289 Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 (Security-only update)
4598297 Windows Server 2012 (Security-only update)


January 2021 Security Updates - Release Notes - Security Update Guide - Microsoft

 

January 2021 Xbox OS Update for Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One

Source: Xbox Support

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.