• 14 January, 2021
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Windows 10 Cumulative Updates KB4598229 & KB4598242 Released

Today is first Patch Tuesday of 2021 and Microsoft is rolling out a new cumulative update for all supported version of Windows. The cumulative update with security fixes is rolling out to PCs with October 2020 Update, May 2020 Update, November 2019 Update, and May 2019 Update.

In January 2021 cumulative update for Windows 10, there are only security enhancements for the system, browsers, core components and other basic functions.

Like every Windows Update, you can open the Settings app and click on the Windows Update option to install the patches. If you own multiple PCs or if you would like to patch the PCs manually, you can learn more about it here.

Below is the list of all new updates for Windows 10:

• Windows 10 version 1507 — KB4598231 (OS Build 10240.18818)
• Windows 10 version 1607 — KB4598243 (OS Build 14393.4169)
• Windows 10 version 1703 — KB4599208 (OS Build 15063.2614)
• Windows 10 version 1709 — EOS
• Windows 10 version 1803 — KB4598245 (OS Build 17134.1967)
• Windows 10 version 1809 — KB4598230 (OS Build 17763.1697)
• Windows 10 version 1909 — KB4598229 (OS Build 18363.1316) (see note in KB about v1903)
• Windows 10 version 2004 and 20H2 — KB4598242 (OS Builds 19041.746 and 19042.746)

What’s new in OS Builds 19041.746 and 19042.746

The cumulative update for Windows 10, version 2004 and 20H2 is KB 4598242 and it comes with these fixes:

• Addresses a security vulnerability issue with HTTPS-based intranet servers. After installing this update, HTTPS-based intranet servers cannot, by default, use a user proxy to detect updates. Scans using these servers will fail if you have not configured a system proxy on the clients. If you must use a user proxy, you must configure the behavior using the policy “Allow user proxy to be used as a fallback if detection using system proxy fails.” To ensure the highest levels of security, also use Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificate pinning on all devices. This change does not affect customers who are using HTTP WSUS servers. For more information, see Changes to scans, improved security for Windows devices.
• Addresses a security bypass vulnerability that exists in the way the Printer Remote Procedure Call (RPC) binding handles authentication for the remote Winspool interface. For more information, see KB4599464.
• Security updates to Windows App Platform and Frameworks, Windows Media, Windows Fundamentals, Windows Kernel, Windows Cryptography, Windows Virtualization, Windows Peripherals, and Windows Hybrid Storage Services. 

Also Read: The PDPA Data Breach August 2020: A Recap of 8 Alarming Cases

Known issues in this update

Symptom	Workaround
System and user certificates might be lost when updating a device from Windows 10, version 1809 or later to a later version of Windows 10. Devices will only be impacted if they have already installed any Latest cumulative update (LCU) released September 16, 2020 or later and then proceed to update to a later version of Windows 10 from media or an installation source which does not have an LCU released October 13, 2020 or later integrated. This primarily happens when managed devices are updated using outdated bundles or media through an update management tool such as Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager. This might also happen when using outdated physical media or ISO images that do not have the latest updates integrated.Note Devices using Windows Update for Business or that connect directly to Windows Update are not impacted. Any device connecting to Windows Update should always receive the latest versions of the feature update, including the latest LCU, without any extra steps.	If you have already encountered this issue on your device, you can mitigate it within the uninstall window by going back to your previous version of Windows using the instructions here. The uninstall window might be 10 or 30 days depending on the configuration of your environment and the version you’re updating to. You will then need to update to the later version of Windows 10 after the issue is resolved in your environment. Note Within the uninstall window, you can increase the number of days you have to go back to your previous version of Windows 10 by using the DISM command /Set-OSUninstallWindow. You must make this change before the default uninstall window has lapsed. For more information, see DISM operating system uninstall command-line options.We are working on a resolution and will provide updated bundles and refreshed media in the coming weeks.
When using the Microsoft Japanese Input Method Editor (IME) to enter Kanji characters in an app that automatically allows the input of Furigana characters, you might not get the correct Furigana characters. You might need to enter the Furigana characters manually.Note The affected apps are using the ImmGetCompositionString() function.	We are working on a resolution and will provide an update in an upcoming release

What’s new in Build 18363.1256 for version 1909

For those still using Windows 10 version 1909, they’ll be getting KB4598229 with the following security fixes:

• Updates to improve security when using external devices, such as game controllers, printers, and web cameras.
• Updates to improve security when using Microsoft Office products.
• Updates to improve security when Windows performs basic operations.
• Addresses a security vulnerability issue with HTTPS-based intranet servers. After installing this update, HTTPS-based intranet servers cannot, by default, use a user proxy to detect updates. Scans using these servers will fail if you have not configured a system proxy on the clients. If you must use a user proxy, you must configure the behavior using the policy “Allow user proxy to be used as a fallback if detection using system proxy fails.” To ensure the highest levels of security, also use Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) Transport Layer Security (TLS) certificate pinning on all devices. This change does not affect customers who are using HTTP WSUS servers. For more information, see Changes to scans, improved security for Windows devices.
• Addresses a security bypass vulnerability that exists in the way the Printer Remote Procedure Call (RPC) binding handles authentication for the remote Winspool interface. For more information, see KB4599464.
• Addresses an issue that might damage the file system of some devices and prevent them from starting up after running chkdsk /f.
• Security updates to Windows App Platform and Frameworks, Microsoft Graphics Component, Windows Media, Windows Fundamentals, Windows Kernel, Windows Cryptography, Windows Virtualization, Windows Peripherals, and Windows Hybrid Storage Services.

Also Read: What Legislation Exists in Singapore Regarding Data Protection and Security?

Windows 10 version 1903 end of life

Microsoft has confirmed that Windows 10 version 1903 reached the end of servicing on December 8, 2020, and no new updates will be released for the operating system. If you want to receive security and quality updates, you need to update to the latest version of Windows 10. Or you can also update to Windows 10, version 1909, which can be installed using the Enablement Package KB4517245 (EKB).

Servicing stack and dynamic updates

Microsoft is also rolling out the servicing stack updates to version 1903 and version 1909. The servicing stack update includes quality improvements for the servicing stack, which is the component that installs Windows updates. This patch will make sure that you have a robust and reliable servicing stack so that your devices can receive monthly updates or upgrade to Windows 10 version 2004 and newer.

For some configurations using Windows 10 Dynamic Update for version 20H2 and version 20H2, a new dynamic update is also rolling out with improvements to ease the installation experience.