Windows 10: Windows security updates released Jan 3, 2018, and AV software

zbook · Jan 8, 2018

Important: Windows security updates released January 3, 2018, and antivirus software

Overview

Microsoft has identified a compatibility issue with a small number of antivirus software products.

The compatibility issue arises when antivirus applications make unsupported calls into Windows kernel memory. These calls may cause stop errors (also known as blue screen errors) that make the device unable to boot. To help prevent stop errors that are caused by incompatible antivirus applications, Microsoft is only offering the Windows security updates that were released on January 3, 2018, to devices that are running antivirus software that is from partners who have confirmed that their software is compatible with the January 2018 Windows operating system security update.

If you have not been offered the security update, you may be running incompatible antivirus software, and you should consult the software vendor.

Microsoft is working closely with antivirus software partners to ensure that all customers receive the January Windows security updates as soon as possible.

More information

Windows Defender Antivirus, System Center Endpoint Protection, and Microsoft Security Essentials are compatible with the January 2018 security updates and have set the required registry key.

Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2016 Customers
Microsoft recommends all customers protect their devices by running a compatible and supported antivirus program. Customers can take advantage of built-in antivirus protection, Windows Defender Antivirus, for Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 devices or a compatible third-party antivirus application. The antivirus software must set a registry key as described below in order to receive the January 2018 security updates.

Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 Customers
In a default installation of Windows 7 SP1 or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, customers will not have an antivirus application installed by default. In these situations, Microsoft recommends installing a compatible and supported antivirus application such as Microsoft Security Essentials or a third-party anti-virus application. The anti-virus software must set a registry key as described below in order to receive the January 2018 security updates.

Customers without Antivirus
In cases where customers can’t install or run antivirus software, Microsoft recommends manually setting the registry key as described below in order to receive the January 2018 security updates.

Setting the Registry Key
Caution Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk. For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing keys and values" help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or view the "Add and delete information in the registry" and "Edit registry data" help topics in Regedt32.exe.

Note: Customers will not receive the January 2018 security updates (or any subsequent security updates) and will not be protected from security vulnerabilities unless their antivirus software vendor sets the following registry key:

Key="HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" Subkey="SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\QualityCompat" Value="cadca5fe-87d3-4b96-b7fb-a231484277cc" Type="REG_DWORD”
Data="0x00000000”

Frequently asked questions

Q1: Why are some antivirus solutions incompatible with the January 3, 2018, security updates?
A1: During testing, we discovered that some third-party applications have been making unsupported calls into Windows kernel memory that cause stop errors (also known as bluescreen errors) to occur.

Microsoft has assembled the following resources to help potentially impacted customers:

Troubleshoot blue screen errors in Windows 10

Resolving Blue Screen errors in Windows 8.1

Resolving stop (blue screen) errors in Windows 7

Q2: What is Microsoft doing to help mitigate issues caused by these unsupported applications?
A2: To help protect our customers from "blue screen" errors and unknown scenarios, Microsoft is requiring all antivirus software vendors to attest to the compatibility of their applications by setting a Windows registry key.

Q3: How long will Microsoft require setting a registry key to receive the January 3, 2018, security updates?
A3: Microsoft added this requirement to ensure customers can successfully install the January 2018 security updates. Microsoft will continue to enforce this requirement until there is high confidence that the majority of customers will not encounter device crashes after installing the security updates.

Q4: I have a compatible antivirus application but I’m not being offered the January 3, 2018, security updates. What do I do?
A4: In some cases, it may take time for security updates to be delivered to systems, particularly for devices that have been turned off or not connected to the Internet (offline). After they are turned on again, these systems should receive updates from their antivirus software providers. Customers who still experience problems 24 hours after ensuring that their devices have proper Internet connectivity should contact their antivirus software vendor for additional troubleshooting steps.

Q5: My antivirus software is not compatible. What should I do?
A5: Microsoft has been working closely with antivirus software partners to help all customers receive the January 2018 Windows security updates as soon as possible. If you are not being offered this month’s security update, Microsoft recommends that you contact your antivirus software provider.

Q6: I have a compatible antivirus software application, but I still experienced a bluescreen. What should I do?
QA: Microsoft has assembled the following resources to help potentially impacted customers:

Troubleshoot blue screen errors in Windows 10

Resolving Blue Screen errors in Windows 8.1

Resolving stop (blue screen) errors in Windows 7

Click to expand...

Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...virus-software

:)

Shenan Stanley · Jan 8, 2018

Meltdown and Spectre

AV software installed DOES make a difference...

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...ndows-security-updates-and-antivirus-software

lacrumb · Jan 8, 2018

Feature update to Windows 10, version 1709 Error 0x80240034

The Cumulative Update on Jan 3. 2018 resulted in build 16299.192. This is the latest public release update. There have been 3 Cumulative Updates since the post you have referred to.

Go Settings, Update & Security, View update history and check there for the updates.

Windows 10: Windows security updates released Jan 3, 2018, and AV software

Windows security updates released Jan 3, 2018, and AV software

Windows security updates released Jan 3, 2018, and AV software

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