Fixing flaws, Cortana crisis, and Windows watching — Microsoft Weekly

Microsoft's patch is created to address two serious design flaws in computer chips that can be used to steal sensitive data from your PC. However, the fix is also dependent on the antivirus software.

Warning: Microsoft Fix Freezes Some PCs With AMD ChipsMeltdown and Spectre Security Update Bricks Some PCs With Athlon CPUsMathew J. Schwartz (euroinfosec) • January 8, 2018 The view for users of some Windows PCs based on AMD chips after Microsoft's emergency Meltdown and Spectre security update gets installed. Microsoft's Windows fix for the flaws arrived Wednesday in the form of the KB4056892 security update for Windows 10.

After ensuring Windows 10 is updated, users should also install the latest BIOS and firmware updates from the company that made the device (Dell, HP, Lenovo, and others). The "frustrated" user, for example, reports that beyond that laptop, one desktop with a different AMD chip and three laptops with Intel chips have successfully updated. Microsoft and antivirus vendors have published instructions on how to do it, but modifying the Windows Registry incorrectly can cause serious problems, so proceed with caution.

Security updates to Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Scripting Engine, Windows Kernel, and Windows Graphics.

On the support page, Microsoft explains that the update includes quality improvements.

"The updates will be available for the above devices running Windows 10 Creators Update (OS version 15063) and Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (OS version 16299)".

Although Microsoft officially ended the free Windows 10 upgrade offer past year, it is still possible to get the new operating system completely free of charge by using a simple trick.

Unless the antivirus vendor has set a Windows registry key that provides compatibility with the update, users of the affected Windows platform will not be protected by the security updates. The result will be a more secure, but - as Linux creator Linus Torvalds says - slower operating system.