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Patch Tuesday

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Windows Updates

Windows 10
Provides protections against a new subclass of speculative execution side-channel vulnerabilities.
Addresses an issue that causes high CPU usage from SearchUI.exe for a small number of users. This issue only occurs on devices that have disabled searching the web using Windows Desktop Search. (1903 only)
Security updates galore.

1903 – September 10, 2019—KB4515384 (OS Build 18362.356) ***This fixes the Bad Win10 1903 Update aka Search UI issue. I checked it myself and the issue is now gone.
1809 – September 10, 2019—KB4512578 (OS Build 17763.737)
1803 – September 10, 2019—KB4516058 (OS Build 17134.1006)
1709 – EOL, time to update to 1809 or 1903

Windows 8.1
Provides protections against a new subclass of speculative execution side-channel vulnerabilities… and a host of Security updates.
September 10, 2019—KB4516064 (Security-only update)
September 10, 2019—KB4516067 (Monthly Rollup)

Windows 7
Provides protections against a new subclass of speculative execution side-channel vulnerabilities… and a host of Security updates.
September 10, 2019—KB4516033 (Security-only update)
September 10, 2019—KB4516065 (Monthly Rollup)

Software Updates:

O&O ShutUp10 1.6.1403
NEW: Chinese (simplified) language integrated
NEW: Search field in task bar can be deactivated (from Windows 10 1903)
FIX***: Deactivating the Bing search is only recommended reservedly, as there are currently problems with Windows search under Windows 10 1903
FIX: The wording in the English version was changed from passive to active to make it clearer
Available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian and Chinese (simplified)
***The fix about Bing is the Bad Win10 1903 Update that was fixed today with today’s Win10 1903 update (see above). So, kinda pointless?
Download | Home Page | Changelog

Nvidia Geforce Game Ready WHQL Driver 436.30
“Provides increased performance and the optimal gaming experience for the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare PC Open Beta, Gears 5, and Borderlands 3”
Download | Release Notes

Bad Win10 1903 Update

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There are reports around the web that the latest update for Win10 1903 is causing Cortana to have abnormally high CPU usage:
August 30, 2019—KB4512941 (OS Build 18362.329) is the update in question.
Solutions and “workarounds” include registry editing and deleting of files. IMHO this is utter folly. The solution is this:
1 – Uninstall KB4512941.
2 – Pause updates for a month or so.
(Settings > Windows Update > Advanced Options > Pause Updates > Pause until > max time)
3 – Wait for Microsoft to fix it.
If you’ve not installed KB4512941 yet then just do steps 2 & 3.
If you are using Windows 10 Home. I’ve repeatedly said to upgrade to Pro. IT IS CHEAP

Patch Tuesday

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Patch Tuesday
Windows 7
July 9, 2019—KB4507456 (Security-only update)
Security updates to Windows Server, Microsoft Graphics Component, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Windows Shell, Windows Input and Composition, and Windows Kernel.
July 9, 2019—KB4507449 (Monthly Rollup)
Security updates to Windows Server, Microsoft Graphics Component, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Windows Shell, Windows Input and Composition, and Windows Kernel.

Windows 8.1
July 9, 2019—KB4507457 (Security-only update)
Security updates to Windows Wireless Networking, Windows Server, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Microsoft Graphics Component, Windows Input and Composition, Windows Kernel, and Windows App Platform and Frameworks.
July 9, 2019—KB4507448 (Monthly Rollup)
This security update includes improvements and fixes that were a part of update KB4503283 (released June 20, 2019) and addresses the following issues:
– Addresses an issue that may cause BitLocker to go into recovery mode if BitLocker is being provisioned at the same time as updates are being installed.
– Security updates to Windows Wireless Networking, Windows Server, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Microsoft Graphics Component, Windows Input and Composition, Windows Kernel, and Windows App Platform and Frameworks.

Windows 10
1903 – July 9, 2019—KB4507453 (OS Build 18362.239)
This update includes quality improvements. Key changes include:
– Addresses an issue that may cause BitLocker to go into recovery mode if BitLocker is being provisioned at the same time as updates are being installed.
– Addresses an issue that may cause Mixed Reality users to see a tilted world after connecting their headsets.
– Addresses visual quality issues some users may have seen with Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) headsets and Steam®VR content.
– Security updates to Windows Wireless Networking, Microsoft Scripting Engine, Windows Server, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Windows Kernel, Microsoft HoloLens, Internet Explorer, Windows Input and Composition, Windows Virtualization, Windows App Platform and Frameworks, Microsoft Graphics Component, Microsoft Edge, and Windows Cryptography.

1809 – July 9, 2019—KB4507469 (OS Build 17763.615)
This update includes quality improvements. Key changes include:
– Addresses an issue that may cause the system to become unresponsive when an application uses the CameraCaptureUI API.
– Addresses an issue that may cause BitLocker to go into recovery mode if BitLocker is being provisioned at the same time as updates are being installed.
– Security updates to Windows Server, Microsoft Scripting Engine, Microsoft Graphics Component, Internet Explorer, Windows Input and Composition, Windows Virtualization, Windows App Platform and Frameworks, Windows Kernel, Microsoft Edge, Windows Cryptography, and Windows Fundamentals.

1803 – July 9, 2019—KB4507435 (OS Build 17134.885)
This update includes quality improvements. Key changes include:
– Addresses an issue that may cause BitLocker to go into recovery mode if BitLocker is being provisioned at the same time as updates are being installed.
– Security updates to Windows Wireless Networking, Windows Server, Microsoft Scripting Engine, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Microsoft Graphics Component, Windows Kernel, Internet Explorer, Windows Input and Composition, Windows Virtualization, Windows App Platform and Frameworks, Microsoft Edge, Windows Cryptography, and Windows Fundamentals.

– – – – – – – – – –

Firefox 68
Download | Release Notes
This means Tails has been updated and Tor Browser will be.

Nvidia Geforce Game Ready WHQL Driver 431.36
“Provides the optimal gaming experience for Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, Strange Brigade, and Metro Exodus”
Download | Release Notes

Win10 1903 Stuff

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Win10 1903 Stuff
I rarely re-post Windows changes and known issues. Microsoft posts this and we’re all most of us are literate adults. As such you don’t need me or anyone else regurgitating this for you.
Windows 10 release information: has “Known issues and notifications” and “Resolved issues” of every Win10 version.

Features removed or planned for replacement starting with Windows 10, version 1903

How to get the Windows 10 May 2019 Update
Get the Windows 10 May 2019 Update

What’s new in Windows 10, version 1903 IT Pro content

Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019 update history

What’s new in recent Windows 10 updates

Windows lifecycle fact sheet – “The lifecycle begins when a product is released and ends when it’s no longer supported.”

Windows 10 and reserved storage
“Starting with the next major update we’re making a few changes to how Windows 10 manages disk space. Through reserved storage, some disk space will be set aside to be used by updates, apps, temporary files, and system caches. Our goal is to improve the day-to-day function of your PC by ensuring critical OS functions always have access to disk space. Without reserved storage, if a user almost fills up her or his storage, several Windows and application scenarios become unreliable.”

Improving the Windows 10 update experience with control, quality and transparency

Patch Tuesday

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Windows 7-10 updated.
This may or may not be the last update before the May 2018 feature update.

Windows 7
May 14, 2019—KB4499175 (Security-only update)
May 14, 2019—KB4499164 (Monthly Rollup)

Windows 8.1
May 14, 2019—KB4499165 (Security-only update)
May 14, 2019—KB4499151 (Monthly Rollup)

Windows 10
1809 – May 14, 2019—KB4494441 (OS Build 17763.503)
1803 – May 14, 2019—KB4499167 (OS Build 17134.765)
1709 – May 14, 2019—KB4499179 (OS Build 16299.1146)

Other Software:

Audacity 2.3.2
Download | Release Notes | Home Page

CCleaner 5.57
A whole lotta ‘meh’. I’d skip it.
Download (I use portable) | Release Announcement
See also: Blocking A Programs Internet Access Via The Windows Firewall

Adobe Reader Updated
Download en-US | All Downloads | Security Bulletin | Release Notes

Win10 1903, Are You Ready?

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Windows 10 May 2019 Update
Win10 1903 brings several changes, most of which the average user won’t care about. Two changes of note are supposed increased performance and improved control of Windows Update. The best breakdown I’ve seen to date is:
Neowin – The Windows 10 May 2019 Update is coming – here’s what’s new

Release Date
– “Official” date unknown at this time. “End of May” often quoted. Expect it somewhere between tomorrow and hell freezing over.
– ISOs are floating around now

Blocking 1903
– Easy way: Use O&O ShutUp10
See also: Windows Update section of the Tweak Guide.
(1903 will bring major changes to this.)

Preparing for 1903
– Update all your apps and drivers.
– Backup everything. Make a system image. I use the free Macrium Reflect. This is also a good time to backup everything else.
See also: Windows 10 Backup And Recovery Options

My Recommendation
– Put off installing 1903 at least one month.
– Better safe than sorry. Microsoft will, at some point, state that 1903 is “safe for business”. The October 2018 Update was declared safe on March 28th, 2019.

Tweaking Windows 10
It will be at least a month after release before the Win10 Tweak Guide is updated.