April 11, 2017 - KB4015546 (Security-only update)

[Brink]

Improvements and fixes
This security update resolves security vulnerabilities in scripting engine, Hyper-V, libjpeg image-processing library, Adobe Type Manager Font Driver, Win32K, Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer, Graphics Component, Windows kernel-mode drivers and Lightweight Directory Access Protocol. This update also enables detection of processor generation and hardware support status when PC tries to scan or download updates through Windows Update.For more information about the security vulnerabilities resolved, please refer to the Security Update Guide.

Known issues in this update

Symptom
If the PC uses an AMD Carrizo DDR4 processor, installing this update will block downloading and installing future Windows updates.

Workaround / Resolution
Microsoft is working on a resolution and will provide an update in an upcoming release.

How to get this update

To get the stand-alone package for this update, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

• File information
  For a list of the files that are provided in this update, download the file information for 4015546.

More Information

• The security fixes that are listed in this Security Only Quality Update KB4015546 are also included in April 2017 Security Monthly Quality Rollup KB4015549. Installing either update KB4015546 or KB4015549 installs the security fixes that are listed here.
• This Security Only Quality Update does not include security fixes for Internet Explorer. To obtain the security fixes for Internet Explorer, Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer KB4014661 should also be installed. Note that the Security Monthly Quality Rollup does contain security updates for Internet Explorer.
• If you use update management processes other than Windows Update and you automatically approve all Security updates classifications for deployment, this April 2017 Security Only Quality Update, KB4015546, the April 2017 Security Monthly Quality Rollup, KB4015549, and Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer KB4014661 are deployed. We recommend that you review your update deployment rules to make sure the desired updates are deployed.
• This Security-only Quality Update is not applicable for installation on a computer where the Security Monthly Quality Rollup or Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup from April 2017 (or a later month) is already installed, because those updates contain all of the security fixes that are included in this Security-only Quality Update.

Source: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4015546

 

[lehnerus2000]

This Security-Only Rollup contains the MS CPU Blocker (just like the Monthly Rollup).

Don't install it, if you have a new AMD or Intel CPU!

Given that MS is now including garbage in the Security-Only Rollups, it seems that it is no longer safe to manually update W7 using these updates.

 

[michael diemer]

Yeah, I've stopped updating completely since the pause in February. got my wife on Malwarebytes Paid Version, so I think she's safe. and I'm on Linux most of the time, so I'm safe. My own W7 install is becoming just a legacy at this point, since I only used it to test updating so my wife's computer would be safe, or to demo music software. I find myself strangely dreaming of vista, sp2...used to have an image of it somewhere but can't find it anymore. Since it accounts for only .7 of windows installs at this point, I figure it must be pretty safe. Who in their right mind would go after vista?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Anyone willing to buy these newer "not necessarily better" processors.. I doubt would be wanting to install 7 anyway.
Nice of MS to make that decision for them though and Intel and amd to follow maybe they get subsidized for following MS's call for restrictions and possible loss of sells

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Hi,
Anyone willing to buy these newer "not necessarily better" processors.. I doubt would be wanting to install 7 anyway.
Nice of MS to make that decision for them though and Intel and amd to follow maybe they get subsidized for following MS's call for restrictions and possible loss of sells

I, for one, resent that MS restricted the newer processors from using Win 7. I was looking forward to Skylake-e, hoping that it would have more PCI-e lanes and SATA ports. But, after MS announced that Skylake would no longer support Win 7 after a certain date, after many Win 7 users had already started using it (MS was later forced to delay, then rescind that retroactive policy change after enough people and businesses raised a ruction), I decided to stay with Haswell-e (the only significant changes between Haswell-e and Broadwell-e were more cores and a higher price tag, neither of which I needed). I'm just praying that Intel will not restrict future processors from using Linux since that is where I will be going by 01/14/2020.

 

[Jody Thornton]

I, for one, resent that MS restricted the newer processors from using Win 7. I was looking forward to Skylake-e, hoping that it would have more PCI-e lanes and SATA ports. But, after MS announced that Skylake would no longer support Win 7 after a certain date, after many Win 7 users had already started using it (MS was later forced to delay, then rescind that retroactive policy change after enough people and businesses raised a ruction), I decided to stay with Haswell-e (the only significant changes between Haswell-e and Broadwell-e were more cores and a higher price tag, neither of which I needed). I'm just praying that Intel will not restrict future processors from using Linux since that is where I will be going by 01/14/2020.

Go Windows 8. I tell ya, once you tweak it, rid of Metro apps, and install Classic Shell, and a Windows 7-like skin, you won't look back. No CPU blocking, no telemetry, etc ...

 

[Frogpond51]

Wow, isn't it amazing, M$ can use the [$] club to use these kind of tactics? I can see Intel following but I did not think AMD would. What's a person to do that wants to build even a basic computer to do with this corporate manipulation? Guess there is no freedom or choice anymore because the mega-bucks decided they need more? Sad indeed.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Go Windows 8. I tell ya, once you tweak it, rid of Metro apps, and install Classic Shell, and a Windows 7-like skin, you won't look back. No CPU blocking, no telemetry, etc ...

No thanks! I'm fed up with MS.

 

[Brds7t7]

Go Windows 8. I tell ya, once you tweak it, rid of Metro apps, and install Classic Shell, and a Windows 7-like skin, you won't look back. No CPU blocking, no telemetry, etc ...

The 7th gen CPU blocking also applies to Windows 8.1, not just Windows 7. They won't be supported on any past Windows version, only Windows 10. And there has been telemetry updates pushed out to 8/8.1 too. The latest 8.1 ISO even has some integrated.

I do still prefer 8.1 over 10 though. I know I'm probably in the minority on that!

 

[michael diemer]

Wow, isn't it amazing, M$ can use the [$] club to use these kind of tactics? I can see Intel following but I did not think AMD would. What's a person to do that wants to build even a basic computer to do with this corporate manipulation? Guess there is no freedom or choice anymore because the mega-bucks decided they need more? Sad indeed.

Of course there is choice. It's called Linux. A whole new world of computing, waiting for you to discover. And it's free. What are you waiting for? Stop being a microsoft serf. the rebellion is well under way, join us and love your computer again.

 

[Jody Thornton]

The 7th gen CPU blocking also applies to Windows 8.1, not just Windows 7. They won't be supported on any past Windows version, only Windows 10. And there has been telemetry updates pushed out to 8/8.1 too. The latest 8.1 ISO even has some integrated.

I do still prefer 8.1 over 10 though. I know I'm probably in the minority on that!

No no no - I knew this misunderstanding would come up - Windows 8 RTM. I use Server 2012 updates (and have for the last year to update it successfully). Everyone seems to poo poo on this idea, and I can't for the life of me understand why.



Server 2012 Updates on Windows 8 - Page 15 - Windows 8 - MSFN

The last post on the page says it all.

 

[Brds7t7]

Hmmm... Not a bad idea there Jody! Think I'll look into that thread a bit more. Although, the way things are going, I'm beginning to completely give up on updating Windows altogether. MS track record with updates hasn't been that impressive lately, and I'm still not interested in Windows 10.

 

[Seffrid]

Of course there is choice. It's called Linux. A whole new world of computing, waiting for you to discover. And it's free. What are you waiting for? Stop being a microsoft serf. the rebellion is well under way, join us and love your computer again.

Linux simply isn't an option for a lot of users who are not experts or who are gamers.

 

[michael diemer]

Linux simply isn't an option for a lot of users who are not experts or who are gamers.

Of course it's an option. Windows users had a learning curve too at first. to say that anyone of approximately normal intelligence is incapable of learning to use Linux is insulting.

The difficulties with some apps, such as gaming and music creation software, are being solved. for example, Reaper, my DAW, is working on a Linux Native version. It's close to being in Beta. A year from now it will probably be fully functional.

Also, virtual systems are a great way to use windows apps without having to play ms's games regarding updates, telemetry, etc.

As Microsoft being more and more contemptful of users, Linux will users continue to improve the product. Eventually there will be parity, and microsoft's monopoly days will be over.

but there's no need to wait. plenty of fun to be had now.

 

[Carmano]

Seffrid is right about Linux.

And let me add that Microsoft does not have a monopoly.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Seffrid is right about Linux.

And let me add that Microsoft does not have a monopoly.

Technically, that is true but MS' market share is such a huge percentage, they essentially do have one.

 

[lehnerus2000]

Good news for those with the latest AMD and Intel CPUs, someone has posted a method for thwarting MS' plans.
Bypass for Windows Update lock for next-gen processors found