How to use MS-DEFCON System ?

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Am not sure what the MS-DEFCON system is about.
Is there a way to find the MS-DEFCON rating for a specific update, like view (or search for) in a list of updates which includes the MS-DEFCON rating for each update ?
Or is it just a terminology to be used in the forums when evaluating an update ?
Or other ?
Please advise.
Thank you.

Thanks again for your help, akm (Dell Inspiron 15 (forced from W7 to W10), Ofc2003. FireFox, Privatefirewall 7, Avast, SuperAntiSpyware, MBAM)!

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@akm there’s a link at the top of the page: https://www.askwoody.com/ms-defcon-system/
Its more of a General indicator as to what’s happening in “Patch Land” from M$, right now its “1” as this month we have a ton of Patches for all different Versions that, shall we say, are problematic therefore avoid using Windows update if you possibly can. A Green “5” no real bad patches out there so its generally safe to use Windows update to Patch, However these are not definitive guides you still need to see if there are OS specific problems out there for individual Updates. You’ll see the “howls of angst or Nods of approval” while reading these pages if a particular patch is good to go or best avoided That’s about it really.

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Kirsty, akm

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Thank you for the info !
So its a general indicator shown by which ever number is highlighted in the upper left 1-5 MS-DEFCON image, but specific questions about updates should probably be searched for with the KB number in the forums search box ?

BobbyB wrote:

@akm there’s a link at the top of the page: https://www.askwoody.com/ms-defcon-system/ Its more of a General indicator as to what’s happening in “Patch Land” from M$, right now its “1” as this month we have a ton of Patches for all different Versions that, shall we say, are problematic therefore avoid using Windows update if you possibly can.

Thanks again for your help, akm (Dell Inspiron 15 (forced from W7 to W10), Ofc2003. FireFox, Privatefirewall 7, Avast, SuperAntiSpyware, MBAM)!

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PKCano wrote:

One good source of information is Susan Bradley’s (Patch Lady) Master Patch List (button at top of blog page). . .

Also, Woody’s once-a-month DEFCON articles (linked to his ComputerWorld articles) are a source of information on individual patches/problems

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akm

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Welcome, @akm!

First look at MS DEFCON System in the title bar… as it gives definitions…

Then, sometime before Patch Tuesday, Woody will usually change the DEFCON number, posting in the Home blog to inform us, and including a link to to a ComputerWorld article with complete instructions (may have links to specific steps) for that month, specific for your operating system.See the last post, when updating was recommended. It was for June. It is okay to update up to that time, even if the DEFCON level is changed again, because that is just for the most current patches. Then look for Woody’s post on his July recommendations, sometime between now and next Patch Tuesday…

Susan Bradley, the Patch Lady, maintains the Master Patch List, with notes on specific patches and their known problems. Check it out at the top of each page… but this is different from using the DEFCON system, usually useful if there is a pressing need for a particular patch, or if you are adventurous and want to see what you might be getting into as a beta-tester for the rest of us.

Happy Updating!

Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter

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akm

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You might also check out Knowledge Base Article 2000011- Group A, Group B and Group W – what’s the difference?

Non-techy Win 10 Pro and Linux Mint experimenter

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akm

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