mood Posted January 26, 2021 Share Posted January 26, 2021 Microsoft releases new Windows 10 Intel CPU microcode updates Microsoft has released a new set of Intel microcode updates for Windows 10 20H2, 2004, 1909, and older versions to fix bugs impacting multiple Intel CPU families. Microcode updates are released by Intel after discovering bugs in their CPUs to allow OS vendors to patch the CPU behavior to address or at least partially mitigate the issues. Intel microcode patches have been regularly used to fix hardware security vulnerabilities such as Spectre, Meltdown, Microarchitectural Data Sampling (MDS), and Platypus vulnerabilities. Windows 10 Intel microcode updates Today, Microsoft released six optional updates to fix issues impacting current and previously released Windows 10 versions. The Intel microcode release adds seven CPU families that will receive the latest fixes from Intel: 10th Generation Intel Core Processor Family Comet Lake S (6+2) Comet Lake S (10+2) Comet Lake U62 Comet Lake U6+2 Ice Lake Y42/U42 ES2 SUP Lakefield For devices using one of the above processor families, the associated Intel Microcode update will be automatically offered via Windows Update. The standalone update can also be directly downloaded from the Microsoft Catalog using the following links: KB4589212: Intel microcode updates for Windows 10, version 2004 and 20H2, and Windows Server, version 2004 and 20H2 KB4589211: Intel microcode updates for Windows 10, version 1903 and 1909, and Windows Server, version 1903 and 1909 KB4589208: Intel microcode updates for Windows 10, version 1809 and Windows Server 2019 KB4589206: Intel microcode updates for Windows 10, version 1803 KB4589210: Intel microcode updates for Windows 10, version 1607 and Windows Server 2016 KB4589198: Intel microcode updates for Windows 10, version 1507 While users are advised to install new microcode updates, it's important to note that previous updates have caused performance issues on devices with older CPUs or system hangs due to how the bugs and vulnerabilities were mitigated. "Consult with your device manufacturer and Intel through their websites regarding their microcode recommendation for your device before you apply this update to your device," Microsoft adds. How to check if your Intel CPU is supported If you want to install one of the microcode updates, you should check the above bulletins to make sure that your CPU is supported. If you are unsure what CPU you have, you can look in Device Manager or download the CPU-Z program to view your processor's Family and Model numbers. To use Device Manager, open the Windows 10 Start Menu, search for 'Device Manager,' and launch it. Then scroll through the list until you get to 'Processors' and expand it, as shown below. You can find even more about your computer's CPU, including information about the processor family, stepping info, revision, and model numbers, using CPU-Z. After installing the Intel microcode updates, you will be required to reboot your computer for the patches to be correctly and fully deployed. Before installing these updates and restarting your computer, make sure to save open documents and close all programs Source: Microsoft releases new Windows 10 Intel CPU microcode updates Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mood Posted January 28, 2021 Author Share Posted January 28, 2021 Microsoft releases microcode updates for Windows 10 version 1809 and newer Microsoft released microcode updates, designed to protect Windows 10 systems against Spectre-based attacks, for Windows 10 version 1809, Windows 10 version 1903 and 1909, Windows 10 version 2004, 20H2 and 21H1 this week. The microcode updates for all other Windows 10 versions have not been updated and remain on the November 2020 state. Microcode updates come in two forms: as firmware updates or as updates for the operating system. The updates address flaws or issues in processors, and are loaded when the system is started. Windows updates come with patches for Intel, mcupdate_GenuineIntel.dll, and AMD processors, mcupdate_AuthenticAMD.dll. Important: Microsoft recommends that users/administrators verify that a particular update is designed for system hardware, in this case the processor, before installing it. The company lists supported processors on the support pages. Microsoft will release the updated microcode patches for the listed Windows 10 versions via Windows Updates eventually. It may take a while before these are made available; administrators may download updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog already to install them manually on systems. Here are the links to the Knowledgebase articles: Windows 10 version 2004, 20H2 and 21H1: KB4589212 Windows 10 version 1903 and 1909: KB4589211 Windows 10 version 1809: KB4589208 Intel CPU products mentioned on the support page of the latest update: 10th Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Family Comet Lake S (6+2) Comet Lake S (10+2) Comet Lake U62 Comet Lake U6+2 Ice Lake Y42/U42 ES2 SUP Lakefield The Microsoft Update Catalog links are listed below: Windows 10 version 2004, 20H2 and 21H1: KB4589212 Windows 10 version 1903 and 1909: KB4589211 Windows 10 version 1809: KB4589208 Identify the right Windows 10 version and edition on the Microsoft Update Catalog website, e.g. Windows 10 version 20H2 with a 64-bit architecture, and the download button next to it afterwards. The site opens a popup window with the download link. The msu files have a size between 2 and 3 Megabytes. All that is left to do after the download completes is to execute the downloaded file to install the update on the system. The system needs to be restarted to complete the process. Now You: do you install the microcode updates directly or wait for them to become available via Windows Update? (via Deskmodder) Source: Microsoft releases microcode updates for Windows 10 version 1809 and newer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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