Newsletter Archives

• MS-DEFCON 2 – Deferring the April Updates

  Posted on April 11th, 2021 at 01:00 Susan Bradley Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  ISSUE 18.12.1 • 2021-04-11

  

  By Susan Bradley

  Brace yourself for April updates

  It’s the time of the month to pause for updates. You will recall that the March updates were very disruptive and many of you decided to not install that round. The April releases are cumulative so you won’t have to go back and install the March updates. Instead, we’ll take a long pause to see what April brings.

  If you are a home/consumer user, I recommend two actions to ensure you do not get inadvertent updates. First, select Start, Settings, Network & Internet, and then Wi-Fi or Ethernet (whichever connection you are using). Next click Manage known networks, click on the network that you use, click Properties and turn on Set as metered connection. This “tricks” the computer into thinking that your Internet connection is not unlimited (i.e., you might incur charges) and thus will only download patches once you approve the process.

  The second action is picking a deferral date after April 13, when the next Patch Tuesday security releases will be pushed out by Microsoft. Click on Start, Settings, Update & Security, then click on Advanced Options. Pick a date far enough in the future to give you comfort. I always wait at least a week, usually more. I’ll be reevaluating the update situation closer to the end of the month, but for now choosing April 30 should be safe enough.

  Remember: For those of you running Windows 10 1909, support is coming to an end. After May 11, 2021, 1909 will not receive security updates. In accordance with prior advice, update to 20H2; 21H1 is just around the corner.

  Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Alert 18.12.1 (2021-04-11).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON AskWoody Plus Alerts, MS-DEFCON 2, Patch Lady Posts

• MS-DEFCON 3: Patching is unclear

  Posted on March 26th, 2021 at 01:00 Susan Bradley Comment on the AskWoody Lounge

  ISSUE 18.11.1 • 2021-03-26

  

  By Susan Bradley

  Proceed with caution.

  I’m separating my patching guidance into two categories: one for business users and one for consumer or home users. And I’m lowering our MS-DEFCON level to 3. We’re not out of the March woods yet, but things are a bit better.

  Read the full story in the AskWoody Plus Alert 18.11.1 (2021-03-26).

  AskWoody Plus Newsletter, MS-DEFCON AskWoody Plus Newsletter, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 3, Patch Lady Posts