Newsletter Archives

• A serving of zero days

  Posted on November 20, 2023 at 02:43 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  PATCH WATCH

  

  By Susan Bradley

  In a lighter-than-usual November release, Microsoft is patching 63 vulnerabilities, including three already under targeted and limited attacks and three deemed critical.

  Even though you and I will see the same number of patch installs, the number of underlying vulnerabilities for the month is down compared to past years. But that doesn’t mean you should change how you install updates — wait to see what side effects may occur, my usual recommended practice.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.47.0, 2023-11-20).

  Patch Watch CVE-2023-23583, CVE-2023-36025, CVE-2023-36033, CVE-2023-36036, CVE-2023-38545, Exchange, Newsletters, Patch Lady Posts, Remote Desktop Connection, VMWare, Windows 10 22H2, Windows 11 23H2

• Windows 11 23H2 is around the corner

  Posted on October 23, 2023 at 02:42 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  PATCH WATCH

  

  By Susan Bradley

  The 23H2 release of Windows 11 is coming soon. Don’t panic — you can defer. But before its release, you should be prepared.

  First, make sure you are on Windows 11 22H2 if you are using the Home or Professional Windows 11 editions. Second, I recommend downloading and keeping a copy of the Windows 11 22H2 ISO from Microsoft’s download site.

  You can also use the Rufus tool to download past versions of Windows 11. However, I feel that Microsoft download is the easiest way to ensure you have all the necessary media should you need to do a repair install at a later date.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (20.43.0, 2023-10-23).

  Patch Watch Backup, Newsletters, Passkeys, Patch Lady Posts, Windows 11, Windows 11 23H2, Windows backup

• MS-DEFCON 1: Pushing off Copilot

  Posted on October 5, 2023 at 02:45 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 20.40.1 • 2023-10-05

  

  By Susan Bradley

  This week offers a perfect example of why I don’t rush to update.

  Ultimately, I want to understand the changes coming to my desktop and ensure that I know exactly what they do.

  A little over a week ago, Microsoft announced Copilot for Windows. What that means is complicated, and we don’t really know all the details; it seems we will learn more, based upon what Microsoft dribbles out.

  That’s reason enough to elevate MS-DEFCON to 1, its highest level.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.40.1, 2023-10-05).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, Copilot, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 1, Patch Lady Posts, Windows 11 23H2, Windows Copilot

• MS-DEFCON 4: Is Windows 11 really a disaster?

  Posted on September 26, 2023 at 02:45 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 20.39.1 • 2023-09-26

  

  By Susan Bradley

  Every month, I read headlines claiming that the latest patches for Windows 11 22H2 are causing major issues and impacting gazillions of users.

  Every month, I also note that the deployments of Windows 11 in my home and office are well behaved. Some of that is surely the result of my tender ministrations, such as using an alternate menu system. But for the rest, Windows 11 is not some sort of monster stomping through neighborhoods and ruining lives.

  I consider the current updates safe, so I’m lowering the MS-DEFCON level to 4.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.39.1, 2023-09-26).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, Copilot, iOS 17, KB5002457, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 4, Patch Lady Posts, Windows 11, Windows 11 22H2, Windows 11 23H2, Windows Explorer