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Monthly quality updates are cumulative and provide security fixes to help protect devices before unpatched vulnerabilities can potentially be exploited. There are different types of monthly quality updates, referred to as B, C, and out-of-band (OOB) releases, which help devices stay protected and productive. Effective monthly patching can be achieved by following a "cloud cadence" process and transforming the approach to monthly servicing.

 

To learn more about the role of monthly quality updates for individual end-users and enterprises alike, see the updated Windows quality updates primer and review the new technical documentation for Monthly quality updates. Additionally, visit Microsoft's guide to achieving world-class Windows monthly patching efficiency for details on the key transformations you can make to increase the efficiency of update management in your organization.

Today, we announced exciting plans that bring together the management capabilities of Microsoft Endpoint Manager, the new Microsoft Store, and the flexibility of Windows Package Manager. These plans enhance the new Microsoft Store experience that is coming soon to both Windows 11 and Windows 10. Find frequently asked questions and tips on how to prepare for these experiences in the Windows IT Pro Blog.

Microsoft's new Update Health Tools enable the Windows Update for Business deployment service feature for expediting Windows 10 security updates using Microsoft Endpoint Manager. Update Health Tools are automatically deployed to devices connected to Windows Update, but you can also manually deploy them. For more information about what you need to do before and during the manual deployment of Update Health Tools, visit this post Announcing Update Health Tools.

The July 2021 monthly "C" release preview update is now available for Windows 10, version 1809. The preview update for Windows 10, version 21H1, Windows 10, version 20H2, Windows 10, version 2004, and Windows 10, version 1909 will be available in the near term. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. Follow @WindowsUpdate for the latest on the availability of this release.

Join the upcoming Tech Community Live: Windows edition, July 21, 2021, from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (PDT). This full-day session is your chance to connect with our product teams and engineers for valuable insights and best practices, as well as get answers to your questions during our Ask Microsoft Anything (AMA) segment.

Add this event to your calendar and see the event page for more details Tech Community Live: Windows edition.

Today, we introduced the next feature update to Windows 10: Windows 10, version 21H2. While we are excited for Windows 11, we are also focused on supporting devices on Windows 10 and providing new features and functionality via a fast and reliable update experience. Version 21H2 will continue the recent feature update trend of being delivered in an optimized way using servicing technology. Our launch approach for version 21H2 also continues to fully leverage the Windows Insider Program to obtain user feedback and data insights on quality. To learn more about new features focused on productivity and security, how we plan to service the release, and next steps, see Introducing the next feature update to Windows 10: 21H2.

Based on one of the top request from last year's feedback survey, we are happy to share that Windows release health on docs.microsoft.com is now available in 10 languages. You can access information about the status of issues, safeguard holds, lifecycle, and feature rollouts in French (France), German, Spanish (Spain), Japanese, Chinese Traditional, Chinese Simplified, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Italian, and Korean. For more information about this announcement, see Windows release health now localized in 10 languages.

We continue to make investments in Windows release health on docs.microsoft.com so please take a moment and participate in this year's survey. It will take 2 to 3 minutes and you can get started here.

The July 2021 security update release, referred to as our “B” release, is now available for Windows 10, version 21H1 and all supported versions of Windows. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. We recommend that you install these updates promptly. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. To be informed about the latest updates and releases, follow us on Twitter @WindowsUpdate.

After announcing Windows 11 to the world, we’d like to share practical tips that will set you up for success as you plan for updates in your organization. Windows 11 includes great new capabilities for end users and commercial organizations that were directly developed in response to user feedback and to meet the needs of hybrid work. For a full outline of the best practices you can employ today to pave the way for a smooth integration of Windows 11 into your device estate, visit this post Planning for Windows 11: best practices for organizations.

To help customers understand and implement guidance related to CVE-2021-34527 – Windows Print Spooler Remote Code Execution Vulnerability, we have:

As announced in July of 2019, Skype for Business Online will be retired on July 31, 2021. After that date, the service will no longer be accessible. If your organization has not yet completed the transition to Teams, please read Skype for Business Online retires July 31, 2021 – here’s what to expect for guidance and details on the Microsoft-assisted upgrade process. (Note: The retirement of Skype for Business Online does not affect the Skype consumer service or Skype for Business Server products.)

Microsoft identified a security issue that affects all versions of Windows and have expedited a resolution for supported versions of Windows that will automatically be applied to most devices. For more information on the security issue, see CVE-2021-34527.

We recommend you update your devices as soon as possible. The update is available on all release channels including Windows Update, Microsoft Update Catalog and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). For instructions on how to Check for updates on consumer devices and non-managed business devices, please see Update Windows 10. 

For instructions on how to install this update for your operating system, see the KB for your OS listed below:

Note Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. 

Important An update has now been released for all affected versions of Windows that are still in support.

Microsoft is aware of and investigating a remote code execution vulnerability that affects Windows Print Spooler and has assigned CVE-2021-34527 to this vulnerability. This is an evolving situation and we will update the CVE as more information is available. For more information, see CVE-2021-34527.

Updated July 2, 2021: CVE-2021-34527 has been updated with additional information.

Updated July 6, 2021: CVE-2021-34527 has been updated with additional information and out-of-band updates have been released to address this CVE. For more information, see CVE-2021-34527 or the announcement above.

Along with the user experience and security improvements Windows 11 will offer, we are introducing enhancements to our servicing approach based on your feedback.

 

Windows 11 will have an annual feature update cadence, a change from the semi-annual cadence of Windows 10. We will continue to provide choices that empower all users with control and transparency related to device updates. For end users, this includes the ability to schedule a restart, pause an update, and have control over which optional updates to install. For organizations, this includes ensuring you can use familiar management and deployment tools and processes to control when and how you upgrade your device estate.

Investments in Azure and Microsoft 365 can streamline your transition to the cloud and make it easier to manage endpoints across your organization. An endpoint management framework can accommodate the needs to update, extend, standardize, revitalize, secure, and simplify. This modern "north star" approach is a holistic end-to-end solution that helps simplify operations, optimize user experiences, and increase security. To see more details, read the blog A framework for Windows endpoint management transformation.

An out-of-band optional update is now available on the Microsoft Update Catalog to address an issue in which Internet Explorer 11 and apps using the WebBrowser control might fail to open PDF files. We recommend you only install this optional update on your device if you are affected by this issue.

For more information, see the known issues section for your version of Windows 10 or see the article for the resolving update, KB5004760.

Today we announced Windows 11, the next generation of Windows. Windows 11 will offer new flexible, intuitive, intelligent experiences that support the way you want to work, teach, and learn. Windows 11 is also the operating system for hybrid work. Secure by design, with added protections from the chip to the cloud, it builds on the best from Windows 10, ensuring that the investments organizations have made in update and device management are carried forward. To learn more, watch What’s next for Windows. For more details for commercial organizations, including answers to common questions, see the Windows 11 overview.

The June 2021 non-security preview release, referred to as our "C" release, is now available for Windows 10, version 21H1 and all supported versions of Windows. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. To be informed about the latest updates and releases, follow us on Twitter @WindowsUpdate.

PowerShell can now be employed in tandem with Microsoft Graph APIs to better utilize the Windows Update for Business deployment service. The Microsoft Graph PowerShell SDK allows users and IT administrators to explore the latest deployment service functionality, in addition to easily scripting and automating common update actions. To see the details, check the blog PowerShell for the Windows Update for Business deployment service. 

Please take a moment and participate in this quick survey we’ve prepared as part of our continued effort to evolve the design and utility of the Windows release health dashboard. We want to hear from you so we can focus on what matters most! The Windows release health dashboard includes pages for all supported versions of Windows 10 with known issues and rollout updates, in addition to the Windows message center, and Windows release information page. Our 5-question survey can take as little as two minutes. Get started!

Join the upcoming Windows office hours session, taking place on the Windows servicing community, Thursday June 17, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time. This session will focus on managing Windows updates for remote and onsite devices and will feature members of the Windows and Microsoft Endpoint Manager product and engineering teams. Get help with specific issues, and learn tips to increase update velocity.

Save the date and see the Windows IT Pro Blog for full details.

The June 2021 monthly "C" release preview updates are now available for Windows 10, version 1909 and Windows 10, version 1809. The preview update for Windows 10, version 20H2, Windows 10, version 21H1, and Windows 10, version 2004 will be available in the near term. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. Follow @WindowsUpdate for the latest on the availability of this release.

Curious to learn all there is to know about how to manage updates for your devices? In this comprehensive module, you’ll be able to:

This set of modules cover best practices and the options you have available to keep your devices up to date with Windows updates, helping you manage employee productivity, cost, and critical business activities, and ensuring the security of devices in your organization. To start learning, see Manage Windows updates in the cloud.

Microsoft has identified an issue that affects a small number of devices with Windows 10, version 20H1, Windows 10, version 20H2, and Windows 10, version 21H1 and have expedited a resolution which is now available as an out-of-band update. This update address an issue in which attempting to install or open an Xbox Game Pass game on your Windows 10 device, you might be redirected to the Microsoft Store page for Gaming Services. For more information on the issue, see KB5004327: Error 0x80073D26 or 0x8007139F occurs when you install or start Gaming Services on a Windows 10 device. You do not need to install this update if you are not experiencing this issue.

It is a cumulative update, so you do not need to apply any previous update before installing it. To install KB5004476, you will need to Check for updates, then select View optional updates, then select the update from the list and select Download and install. For instructions on how to Check for updates, please see Update Windows 10. The update is available on Windows Update and Microsoft Update Catalog. You can import this update into Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) manually. See the Microsoft Update Catalog for instructions. Note Release notes associated with this update might publish with a delay after the update is available for download.

The June 2021 security update release, referred to as our “B” release, is now available for Windows 10, version 21H1 and all supported versions of Windows. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. We recommend that you install these updates promptly. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. To be informed about the latest updates and releases, follow us on Twitter @WindowsUpdate.

Note: An Important Security Feature Bypass vulnerability has been included in this release but is disabled by default. We recommended that you verify if client/server applications in your environment using RPC or DCOMM work as expected with the hardening changes enabled and enable it in your environment as soon as possible. For more information, see CVE-2021-26414 and KB5004442.

The May 2021 monthly "C" release preview updates are now available for all supported versions of Windows 10, including Windows 10, version 21H1, Windows 10, version 20H2, and Windows 10, version 2004. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. Follow @WindowsUpdate for the latest on the availability of this release.

The May 2021 monthly "C" release preview updates are now available for Windows 10, version 1909 and Windows 10, version 1809. The preview update for Windows 10, version 20H2, Windows 10, version 21H1, and Windows 10, version 2004 will be available in the near term. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. Follow @WindowsUpdate for the latest on the availability of this release.

Today we announced that the future of Internet Explorer on Windows 10 is in Microsoft Edge. Internet Explorer mode (IE mode) provides legacy browser support within Microsoft Edge. Because of this, the IE11 desktop application will be retired on June 15, 2022. This means that the IE11 desktop application will no longer be supported and afterwards will redirect to Microsoft Edge if a user tries to access it. To continue using a supported browser, please transition to Microsoft Edge. Note that Windows 10 LTSC and Server will not be affected, and you can check out our FAQ for a full list of what is in scope for retirement. For more information, see the announcement blog.

The latest Windows 10 feature update is scoped to deliver important features that improve security, remote access, and quality—and engineered to provide a fast update experience for those currently running Windows 10, version 2004 or 20H2. For information on our rollout strategy, see How to get Windows 10, version 21H1, then explore the latest IT tools and resources available to support deployment of this update across your organization. 

The May 2021 security update release, referred to as our “B” release, is now available for Windows 10, version 20H2 and all supported versions of Windows. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. We recommend that you install these updates promptly. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. To be informed about the latest updates and releases, follow us on Twitter @WindowsUpdate.

The following versions and editions of Windows 10 have reached end of servicing.

Windows Update will automatically initiate a feature update for Windows 10 consumer devices and non-managed business devices that are at, or within several months of reaching end of servicing. For these devices, you can choose a convenient time for your device to reboot and complete the update. This keeps your device supported and receiving the monthly updates that are critical to security and ecosystem health. For more information on end of servicing dates for currently supported versions of Windows 10, see the Windows 10 Home and Pro Lifecycle page, Windows 10 Enterprise and Education Lifecycle page, and Microsoft Lifecycle Policy search tool. 

The public preview of the new Microsoft Graph APIs to manage Windows updates is now available! IT pros and app developers can now access Microsoft Graph APIs powered by the Windows Update for Business deployment service, helping users easily build rich update management tools and extend those experiences with contextual user data. Use the Windows Update for Business deployment service directly through the Microsoft Graph API and associated SDKs, as well as Azure PowerShell. For more details, see Public preview of Microsoft Graph APIs to manage Windows updates.

The April 2021 monthly “C” release preview update for Windows 10, version 20H2 and Windows 10, version 2004 is available. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. Follow @WindowsUpdate for the latest on the availability of this release.

On April 26, 2022, the .NET Framework 4.5.2, 4.6, and 4.6.1 will reach end of support, and after this date, Microsoft will no longer provide updates including security fixes and technical support for these versions. There is no change to the support timelines for any other .NET Framework version. The small set of users using .NET Framework 4.5.2, 4.6, or 4.6.1 will need to upgrade to a later version to stay supported. Microsoft is making this change because the .NET Framework was previously digitally signed using certificates that use the Secure Hash Algorithm 1 (SHA-1), which is no longer deemed secure, and we are prioritizing support to newer digital certificates. To learn more, see the blog post .NET Framework 4.5.2, 4.6, 4.6.1 will reach end of support on April 26, 2022.

The April 2021 monthly "C" release preview updates are now available for Windows 10, version 1909 and Windows 10, version 1809. The preview update for Windows 10, version 20H2 and Windows 10, version 2004 will be available in the near term. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. Follow @WindowsUpdate for the latest on the availability of this release.

News and interests on the taskbar will begin rolling out today to devices running Windows 10, version 1909 and later as part of a Windows monthly quality update. Designed to help you quickly stay up to date on a customized collection of weather, news, and more, this experience can be managed by Windows and Microsoft 365 IT admins via Group Policy and Microsoft Endpoint Manager. For complete guidance, see Group configuration: news and interests on the Windows taskbar.

Looking to learn more about the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and all it has to offer? Head to the Windows Recovery Environment explained post for a tell-all on how this companion operating system installed along Windows 10 can help IT pros with troubleshooting, recovery, or booting from external media, like a USB stick. WinRE helps your devices get back to a good state if you have issues starting or applying the latest updates, and there are multiple entry points to access WinRE, making it easy for IT pros to access recovery tools and resources.

Beginning May 9, 2021, all major Microsoft processes and services - including TLS certificates, code signing and file hashing - will use the SHA-2 algorithm exclusively. This is the final step in our move to the more secure SHA-2 algorithm, allowing the Secure Hash Algorithm 1 (SHA-1) Trusted Root Certificate Authority to expire. We changed the signing of Windows updates to use the more secure SHA-2 algorithm exclusively in 2019 and subsequently retired all Windows-signed SHA-1 content from the Microsoft Download Center on August 3, 2020. Manually installed enterprise or self-signed SHA-1 certificates will not be impacted, however we strongly encourage your organization to move to SHA-2 if you have not done so already. For more information, see Microsoft to use SHA-2 exclusively starting May 9, 2021.

The April 2021 security update release, referred to as our “B” release, is now available for Windows 10, version 20H2 and all supported versions of Windows. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. We recommend that you install these updates promptly. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. To be informed about the latest updates and releases, follow us on Twitter @WindowsUpdate.

On May 11, 2021, the following versions and editions of Windows 10 will reach end of service: 

After that date, devices running these editions will no longer receive monthly security and quality updates. As always, we recommend that you update your devices to the latest version of Windows 10 as soon as possible to ensure that you can take advantage of the latest features and advanced protections from the latest security threats. For more information on end of service dates for currently supported versions of Windows 10, see the Windows 10 Home and Pro Lifecycle page, Windows 10 Enterprise and Education Lifecycle page, and Microsoft Lifecycle Policy search tool.

The March 2021 monthly “C” release preview update for Windows 10, version 20H2 and Windows 10, version 2004 is available. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. Follow @WindowsUpdate for the latest on the availability of this release.

Today marks the start of the rollout of Windows release health to the Microsoft 365 admin center. In the coming weeks, those with an eligible licensing subscription who are a Service support admin for their tenants will find Windows release health in the Health menu. Windows-related notifications will also be integrated into the Message center. To learn more about this integrated information experience for Microsoft 365 IT admins, see Windows release health now available in the Microsoft 365 admin center.

The March 2021 monthly "C" release preview updates are now available for Windows 10, version 1909 and Windows 10, version 1809. The preview update for Windows 10, version 20H2 and Windows 10, version 2004 will be available in the near term. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. Follow @WindowsUpdate for the latest on the availability of this release.

Microsoft identified an issue that affects Windows 10 devices which applied the March 2021 security update released March 9, 2021 and the out-of-band updates released March 15, 2021, and a resolution has been expedited. Affected devices might receive unexpected results when printing from some apps or to some printers. Issues might include missing or solid color graphics, misalignment/formatting issues, or printing of blank pages/labels. An out-of-band optional update is now available on the Microsoft Update Catalog for all versions of Windows and on Windows Update for some versions.

We recommend you only install this update if you are affected by this issue. For more information, see the known issues section for your version of Windows 10 or see the links below:

Note An update has been released for all affected versions of Windows that are still in support.

Microsoft identified an issue that affects Windows 10 devices which applied the March 2021 security update released March 9, 2021, and a resolution has been expedited. This known issue affects printing operations for devices using certain Type 3 printer drivers, which might receive an error with a blue screen when attempting to print. An out-of-band optional update is now available on the Microsoft Update Catalog and on Windows Update.

We recommend you only install this update if you are affected by this issue. For more information, see the known issues section for your version of Windows 10 or see the links below:

The March 2021 security update release, referred to as our “B” release, is now available for Windows 10, version 20H2 and all supported versions of Windows. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. We recommend that you install these updates promptly. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. To be informed about the latest updates and releases, follow us on Twitter @WindowsUpdate.

Check out the sessions and experiences at Microsoft Ignite 2021 that will bring you up to speed on all the latest Windows, Surface, and Microsoft Edge capabilities – and give you a look at where Microsoft is heading. Among many exciting announcements, we are happy to share that Windows release health is now part of the admin center. To learn more about what is new for Windows 10 resources, management, optimization, and more, check this week’s blog posts on Windows IT Pro Blog.

The February 2021 monthly “C” release preview update for Windows 10, version 20H2 and Windows 10, version 2004 is available. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. Follow @WindowsUpdate for the latest on the availability of this release.

Find out what you need to know about the recent changes to the online experience for Windows release notes and related documentation. From URL structure and KB identifiers to share and feedback options, the Windows IT Pro Blog walks you through the changes step by step.

The next version of Windows 10 Enterprise Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC will be released in the second half of 2021. On the client side, Windows 10 LTSC will change to a five-year lifecycle, aligning with the changes to the next perpetual version of Office. Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC and LTSC releases of Windows Server will maintain their 10-year support lifecycle. To learn more about these changes, see The next Windows 10 Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release. 

Available to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel starting today, Windows 10, version 21H1 will offer a scoped set of features that enhance security, remote access, and quality, prioritizing users most pressing needs. Version 21H1 will utilize the same servicing technology used for the monthly update process, offering fast installation for devices running Windows 10, version 2004 and above. To learn more about this upcoming release, including details on our development and launch approach, see Introducing the next feature update to Windows 10, version 21H1.

The February 2021 monthly "C" release preview updates are now available for Windows 10, version 1909 and Windows 10, version 1809. The preview update for Windows 10, version 20H2 and Windows 10, version 2004 will be available in the near term. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. Follow @WindowsUpdate for the latest on the availability of this release.

Microsoft has identified an issue that affects a small number of devices with Windows 10, version 1909 and Windows Server, version 1909 and have expedited a resolution that will automatically be applied to most devices. This known issue affects devices with Wi-Fi connections using WPA3 (Wi-Fi Protected Access 3) which have installed KB4598298, released on January 21, 2021 or KB4601315, released on February 9, 2021. An out-of-band security update for Windows 10, version 1909 and Windows Server, version 1909 is now available to address this issue.

If you have automatic updates enabled for Windows Update, you will receive this update automatically and do not need to take any further action. It is a cumulative update, so you do not need to apply any previous update before installing it and it supersedes all previous updates for Windows 10, version 1909. The update is available on all release channels including Windows Update, Microsoft Update Catalog and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). For more information and instructions on how to install this update on your device, see KB5001028. Note Release notes associated with this update might publish with a delay after the update is available for download.

The February 2021 security update release, referred to as our “B” release, is now available for Windows 10, version 20H2 and all supported versions of Windows. Release notes associated with these updates might publish with a delay of up to an hour after the updates are available for download. We recommend that you install these updates promptly. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. To be informed about the latest updates and releases, follow us on Twitter @WindowsUpdate.

Today Microsoft released a set of fixes affecting Windows TCP/IP implementation that include two Critical Remote Code Execution (RCE) vulnerabilities (CVE-2021-24074, CVE-2021-24094) and an Important Denial of Service (DoS) vulnerability (CVE-2021-24086). The two RCE vulnerabilities are complex which make it difficult to create functional exploits, so they are not likely in the short term. We believe attackers will be able to create DoS exploits much more quickly and expect all three issues might be exploited with a DoS attack shortly after release. The DoS exploits for these CVEs would allow a remote attacker to cause a stop error. Customers might receive a blue screen on any Windows system that is directly exposed to the internet with minimal network traffic.

We recommend that you apply the updates released February 9, 2021 with priority to all of your Windows devices, as they address CVE-2021-24074, CVE-2021-24094 and CVE-2021-24086. Here is what you need to know:

If you are running an unsupported version of Windows, we recommend that you upgrade to the current version of Windows to benefit from the latest security protections. 

For more information about this set of vulnerabilities, see the blog post Multiple Security Updates Affecting TCP/IP: CVE-2021-24074, CVE-2021-24094, and CVE-2021-24086.

Are you interested in easily exploring resources to help keep your Windows devices and environments healthy? If so, take a look at the new hub and improved navigation experience for Windows release health! The single-page view is designed to make it easy for IT pros to find and quickly navigate information about Windows updates, known issues, safeguards, lifecycle updates, news, and key announcements. To learn more, see The quickest way to learn about Windows release health.

 

Note: With this new hub experience, the URL for the Windows 10 release information page has changed. Moving forward, please bookmark https://aka.ms/windows/releaseinfo for current information about Windows 10 versions, editions, servicing options, and more. 

In August 2020, we announced that support for the Microsoft Edge Legacy desktop application ends on March 9, 2021. After this date, Microsoft Edge Legacy will no longer receive security updates. To replace this out of support application, we are announcing that the new Microsoft Edge will be available as part of the Windows 10 cumulative monthly security update - otherwise referred to as the Update Tuesday (or “B”) release - on April 13, 2021. When you apply this update to your devices, the out of support Microsoft Edge Legacy desktop application will be removed and the new Microsoft Edge will be installed. The new Microsoft Edge offers built-in security and our best interoperability with the Microsoft security ecosystem, all while being more secure than Chrome for businesses on Windows 10. To learn more, see The new Microsoft Edge to replace Microsoft Edge Legacy with April’s Windows 10 cumulative monthly security update.

The January 2021 monthly “C” release preview update for Windows 10, version 20H2 and Windows 10, version 2004 is now available. For more information on the different types of monthly quality updates, see our Windows 10 update servicing cadence primer. Follow @WindowsUpdate for the latest on the availability of this release.

If your device utilizes Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) to acquire new updates, you'll benefit from the improved security added to our January 2021 cumulative update deployment. Distribution for this update is designed to help protect against man-in-the-middle attacks through the use of new scanning behavior changes for HTTPS-configured WSUS servers, which now prioritize system proxy connections. Learn more by reading: Scan changes and certificates add security for Windows devices using WSUS for updates

Microsoft Defender Antivirus tamper protection is turned on by default for all consumer Windows 10 devices. This feature protects devices from cyber attacks that try to disable built-security solutions, such as antivirus protection, in an attempt to gain access to your data, to install malware, or to otherwise exploit your data, identity, and devices. As Microsoft Defender antivirus automatically turns itself off when it detects another antivirus program, we are removing a legacy registry setting called DisableAntiSpyware. Intended to be used by OEMs and IT admins to disable Microsoft Defender Antivirus for the purpose of deploying another antivirus product during deployment, DisableAntiSpyware is not applicable to consumer devices and will be removed beginning with Microsoft Defender Antimalware platform versions 4.18.2007.8 and higher (see KB4052623 for details). This update will be rolled out to devices running Windows Enterprise E3 and E5 at a future date.