June 2015 microcode update for Intel processors in Windows

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

I just checked updates and nothing for my i7 3770.

fireberd said:

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.

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 said:

Callender said:

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 said:

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.