June 2015 microcode update for Intel processors in Windows

[NoN]

Today i did received through Windows Update, two optional updates.

One is for Intel processors.

-Article ID: 3064209 - Last Review: June 16, 2015 - Revision: 1.0
June 2015 microcode update for Intel processors in Windows

About this update:
This article describes a microcode update for Intel processors that are running Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8, Windows Server 2012, Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1), or Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1.
This update improves the reliability of systems that use certain Intel processors. This update also fixes some issues that could cause the operating system to function incorrectly.
https://support.microsoft.com/fr-fr/kb/3064209/en-us


Did the Intel Microcode Update Revision number for Ivy bridge was "17" before?

I can't recall properly as now it shows: Microcode Update Revision "1B"...



The other one for language pack: https://support.microsoft.com/fr-fr/kb/3040272/en-us

 

[fireberd]

I just checked updates and nothing for my i7 3770.

 

[NoN]

I just checked updates and nothing for my i7 3770.

Since its coming with Windows Update, those optional updates should be there sooner or later that day.
I do not think MS gives them to one part of the world only!

You could always have them as stand-alone installer.

 

[DavidE]

I have KB3064209 offered as optional on 2 PC's that have AMD CPU's.

I am also offered optional updates KB3040272 and KB3065979.

 

[Callender]

I'm offered KB3064209 and KB3065979 - both optional. I have not installed them yet as I don't know what they are for.

Edit:

KB3064209 - a microcode update for Intel processors? My processor is AMD so don't know why this is offered.

KB3065979 - This issue occurs after you install security update 3045171. You experience a crash when you use Windows GDI+ to create text outline-based path objects on a computer that is running Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or an earlier version of Windows.

See: Microsoft updates KB 3057110, KB 3045171 cause Windows 7 PCs to crash | InfoWorld

 

[DavidE]

KB3064209 - a microcode update for Intel processors? My processor is AMD so don't know why this is offered.

I agree, I don't understand why I'm offered this update on PC's with an AMD CPU and AMD GPU.
At least now i know I'm not the only one offered this update for an AMD PC.

I haven't installed any of these, I'll wait a few days to see how things play out.

I think i also understand why i'm offered KB3040272, that no one else has mentioned.
This OS is W7 Ultimate, and the update is for a language packs issue.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3040272

 

[NoN]

KB3064209 - a microcode update for Intel processors? My processor is AMD so don't know why this is offered.

I agree, I don't understand why I'm offered this update on PC's with an AMD CPU and AMD GPU.
At least now i know I'm not the only one offered this update for an AMD PC.

I haven't installed any of these, I'll wait a few days to see how things play out.

I think i also understand why i'm offered KB3040272, that no one else has mentioned.
This OS is W7 Ultimate, and the update is for a language packs issue.
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3040272

I think MS did also offered for Intel Processor based back in AMD Bulldozer module architecture one or two updates. It became obvious with time that MS have worked between term of "Optional" & "Recommended". Since some .dll files are native to Windows 7 they might not do difference between AMD or Intel.

KB3040272 could impact most of Pro, Ultimate and Enterprise editions that usually use such pack.

 

[rawshark]

I'm using an intel i5 but it's an old generation so i'd like to know what exactly this microcode update does, is it just a revision number change? I don't recall ever having one of these before, i checked the dll that it modifies and it's dated 2010 version 6.1.7601.17514

Isn't it the case that nobody really knows what microcode updates are other than the cpu manufacturers?

 

[NoN]

I'm using an intel i5 but it's an old generation so i'd like to know what exactly this microcode update does, is it just a revision number change? I don't recall ever having one of these before, i checked the dll that it modifies and it's dated 2010 version 6.1.7601.17514

Isn't it the case that nobody really knows what microcode updates are other than the cpu manufacturers?

Its up to the processor brands to update their CPU microcode ID by a revision of it after retail to market, to correct bugs, errors or system lock-up, this is known by the manufacturer.

Motherboard brands can also update their CPU microcode within a bios update to improve the functioning of the CPU.

CPU Microcode

Processor microcode is akin to processor firmware. The kernel is able to update the processor's firmware without the need to update it via a BIOS update.
Processors from Intel and AMD may need updates to their microcode to operate correctly. These updates fix bugs/errata that can cause anything from incorrect processing, to code and data corruption, and system lockups.
It is very difficult to know for sure whether you need a microcode update or not, but it is not safe at all to just ignore them. You might not notice their effect and have precious data silently corrupted, or an important program silently misbehave. Or you could experience one of those unexplainable and infrequent software issues (such as kernel oops, application segfaults) or hardware issues (including sudden reboots and hangs).
Releases of new microcode updates are more frequent on young processors, but the release of new microcode updates for older processors do happen. The BIOS (or EFI) updates the CPU microcode during boot, however most of the time either the motherboard vendor won't issue frequent BIOS/EFI updates, or the user won't install such updates. For these reasons, the system processor is likely to be running with outdated microcode on a vast number of systems. SOURCE

You can find tips to update the Cpu microcode over the Net with some proper Bios tools and proper CPU Microcode modules for your processor ID.
Its always risky to update on the fly with Bios tools if you don't really need it, but when the manufacturer doesn't provide anymore any newer Bios for your motherboard you might stay stuck with an old Cpu microcode.



This is the second MS release update for Intel Cpu...

The previous Hotfix (not optional) provided by MS was: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2493989/en-us

Mcupdate_genuineintel.dll 6.1.7601.17558
Mcupdate_genuineintel.dll 6.1.7601.21658

This article describes a microcode update for Intel processors. This update improves the reliability of x64-based versions of Windows that uses certain Intel processors. This update fixes an issue in which the operating system might function incorrectly. These issues are not common. These issues might affect processors that meet all the following conditions:

• Designated as a Intel Xeon or Intel Core family processor that is based on the "Penryn" or "Merom" codenamed processors.
• Has the Family, Model, and Stepping of family designations of 6, or a Model designation of 15, of 22, of 23, or of 29.

As for example i can also update manually the CPU Microcode ID for my Ivy Bridge with those two modules and a Bios Tool:

Intel CPU MicroCode Patch:
LGA1155over.ffs - SandBridgey 28 06A7/IvyBridge 19 06A9 (for Overclockers)
LGA1155.ffs - SandBridgey 29 06A7/IvyBridge 1B 06A9

Now, looks MS did the job for me and updated it from retail Microcode version 17 to version 1B.

 

[rawshark]

Thanks for that.

I'm not sure i want to update this when i haven't been having any issues i can perceive but then it could be silently corrupting everything in the background! It's been going fine for several years now though with nothing but the very occasional windows hissy fit. But then do i install and find it causes problems requiring a bios update as well which i really do not want to do unless i have to... god, such an innocuous looking update and an optional one at that.

It doesn't look like that second update applies to mine if i'm reading the intel processor id utility correctly though.

 

[NoN]

Thanks for that.

I'm not sure i want to update this when i haven't been having any issues i can perceive but then it could be silently corrupting everything in the background! It's been going fine for several years now though with nothing but the very occasional windows hissy fit. But then do i install and find it causes problems requiring a bios update as well which i really do not want to do unless i have to... god, such an innocuous looking update and an optional one at that.

It doesn't look like that second update applies to mine if i'm reading the intel processor id utility correctly though.

That's entirely up to you, you can hide kb3064209 and decide not to download the 2011 Hotfix Kb2493989 too, if you think your Bios is up to date and have the latest one.

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it"

 

[rawshark]

Oh my bios is far from being up to date but i am of the school of thought which says to leave it alone unless you have very good reason to update it.

 

[fireberd]

The update finally showed up today for my system. I wasn't having any problems that I know of and it seems to be working OK with the update.

 

[rawshark]

Was your bios already up to date, fireberd or did you just install the update as is?

 

[fireberd]

I have the latest BIOS. The motherboard I have, an ASRock Z77 Professional Fatal1ty is 3 years old and there hasn't been any BIOS update since 2013. I wouldn't expect to ever have another BIOS update.

I just installed the update, along with two other optional updates.

 

[rawshark]

Ok, thanks. I'm not sure my ageing gigabyte p55 has anything newer either actually but i can't swear by that. I'm so dubious about these optional updates from microsoft now though that if they don't address any specific issue i am having then i just hide them. Not to mention the whole reclassification nonsense where some were classed as important.

 

[NoN]

Was your bios already up to date, fireberd or did you just install the update as is?

Before going in an adventure way, i suggest you to check if your motherboard manufacturer have the latest Bios for you because it may have the proper CPU microcode inside. If not, then try to see the actual Cpu microcode you have.

Bios update is always risky as you might know but is the condition too. Double check manual instruction if not sure of yourself.

You can retrieve infos of your CPU ID with HWiNFO (x32 or x64) portable version or installer, launch Summary only will give the CPU µCU within the codename line.

The Kb3064209 might contain your Intel processor in the list too if not already in their latest Bios. A shame MS did not this time gives the conditions of this update and what particular Intel's Processors are inside. Finally i updated with a guess, i recon and my latest Bios is from May 07, 2014 (CPU Microcode was not updated inside)!!

 

[rawshark]

You can retrieve infos of your CPU ID with HWiNFO (x32 or x64) portable version or installer, launch Summary only will give the CPU µCU within the codename line.

I was gonna ask about that, was the screenshot in your first post from this? I'm finding it difficult to locate any software which shows the microcode update revision.

But yes, microsoft fails in its lack of info yet again, there really should be conditions listed with this update.

 

[NoN]

You can retrieve infos of your CPU ID with HWiNFO (x32 or x64) portable version or installer, launch Summary only will give the CPU µCU within the codename line.

I was gonna ask about that, was the screenshot in your first post from this? I'm finding it difficult to locate any software which shows the microcode update revision.

But yes, microsoft fails in its lack of info yet again, there really should be conditions listed with this update.

Yes, the screenshot is coming from HWiNFO when full Run. At start you can select with two boxes to check or uncheck if you want selected to display.

 

[newpgm]

You can retrieve infos of your CPU ID with HWiNFO (x32 or x64) portable version or installer, launch Summary only will give the CPU µCU within the codename line.

Hi NoN,
is this what you used to get all the processor info displayed in your first post?

thank you