windows update

Microsoft to put a halt on non-essential Windows Update

Microsoft has taken a step to help the companies whose employees are working from home by putting a halt on the non-security update of windows.

Companies are opting the work from the home strategy because of the new virus – Covid-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, so to maintain a smoother workflow for the people who are working from home Microsoft has stopped every non-security related Windows update. The policy will take effect in May.

On Twitter, Microsoft Announced, “Starting in May 2020, we are pausing all optional non-security releases (C and D updates) for all supported versions of Windows client and server products to prioritize security and keep customers protected and productive.”

The updates that Microsoft puts out in the third or fourth week of the month are the not so essential updates as they are the non-security update, they are not important for the security of your PC. These updates are referenced as C and D updates by some technology enthusiasts. 

The “B” updates will be scheduled as per usual. The “B” updates are also known as Patch Tuesday and they are the security patch updates that users receive every second Tuesday of the month. The next update will be received on the 14th of April.

“We have been evaluating the public health situation, and we understand this is impacting our customers,” says Microsoft in a related support document. “In response to these challenges we are prioritizing our focus on security updates … There is no change to the monthly security updates (B release—Update Tuesday); these will continue as planned to ensure business continuity and to keep our customers protected and productive.”

Microsoft did not just come out and made this decision, there are facts behind it. Due to the viral outbreak, the IT department of Microsoft will not be available and these updates can create issues in some systems, so for the people who are working from home, it will ensure a smooth workflow. Windows updates are delivered to solve problems but with so many possible hardware configuration they can cause issues.

Users will receive the security updates as per usual, and they are truly important. According to Trend Micro, bad actors have been taking advantage of Coronavirus outbreak with “multiple kinds of malicious campaigns”.

“As the number of those afflicted continue to surge by thousands, campaigns that use the disease as a lure likewise increase,” the security outfit said.

The campaigns have known to cause a variety of issues from phishing attempts to introducing malicious lines of codes in live tracking maps. 

Share this information to make sure everyone keeps an eye out on malicious emails and links sent to them.

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