Microsoft has withdrawn a minor Windows 10 security patch after users complained of a litany of issues that severely hampered OS functionality.
After the KB4524244 patch was released on 11 February, users complained of a string of problems. These included freezing and presenting users with the default Windows 10 setup without any customised options or desktop files and icons.
The update was supposed to address “an issue in which a third-party Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) boot manager might expose UEFI-enabled computers to a security vulnerability”.
The minor patch, however, has now been withdrawn after Microsoft acknowledged the various complaints made on social media sites like Reddit, as well as Microsoft’s Windows support platform after users updated their systems.
“This standalone security update has been removed due to an issue affecting a sub-set of devices,” Microsoft said. “It will not be re-offered from Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or Microsoft Update Catalog.
“Removal of this standalone security update does not affect successful installation or any changes within any other February 11, 2020 security updates, including Latest Cumulative Update (LCU), Monthly Rollup or Security Only update.”
A significant portion of the complaints was from users running HP machines, with devices freezing when attempting to boot, before becoming unresponsive when users attempt to access their BIOS screens.
Similarly, users have begun complaining about another Windows 10 update, dubbed KB4532693, which was released to improve the installation experience when updating to Windows 10.
The patch was also designed to improve security in Internet Explorer and Microsoft Edge, as well as Microsoft Office products.
Microsoft has acknowledged that users may encounter issues when updating their systems with the patch, although it’s still available to download at the time of writing.
For example, users have reported that their Start menu and desktop return to the default state after installing the patch, according to Windows Latest.
Others have warned that KB4532693 won’t allow users’ devices to boot properly, while also generating the blue screen of death on other machines. Removing the patch seems to be the only way to restore the system.
The latest issues with Windows 10 follows a string of reports of buggy updates over the last couple of years, which have arisen in updates ranging from minor security patches to major feature upgrades.
An emergency patch released in September 2019, for example, aimed to fix Cortana’s high CPU usage, but broke Start Menu and Search functionality.
-
RSAC Conference 2025: The front line of cyber innovationITPro Podcast Ransomware, quantum computing, and an unsurprising focus on AI were highlights of this year's event
-
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei thinks we're burying our heads in the sand on AI job lossesNews With AI set to hit entry-level jobs especially, some industry execs say clear warning signs are being ignored
-
Dragging your feet on Windows 11 migration? Rising infostealer threats might change thatNews With the clock ticking down to the Windows 10 end of life deadline in October, organizations are dragging their feet on Windows 11 migration – and leaving their devices vulnerable as a result.
-
Recall arrives for Intel and AMD devices after months of controversyNews Microsoft's Recall feature is now available in preview for customers using AMD and Intel devices.
-
With one year to go until Windows 10 end of life, here’s what businesses should do to prepareNews IT teams need to migrate soon or risk a plethora of security and sustainability issues
-
Microsoft is doubling down on Widows Recall, adding new security and privacy features – will this help woo hesitant enterprise users?
News The controversial AI-powered snapshotting tool can be uninstalled, Microsoft says
-
Microsoft patches rollback flaw in Windows 10News Patch Tuesday includes protection for a Windows 10 "downgrade" style attack after first being spotted in August
-
Companies “wary” of Windows 11 migration challenges as Windows 10 EOL draws closer
News A recent study shows that only a fraction are running Windows 11, despite a rapidly-approaching end of life deadline
-
New Windows vulnerability could repeatedly trigger the blue screen of death on millions of devicesNews Attackers could exploit the Windows vulnerability to repeatedly crash machines and trigger a blue screen of death, according to researchers at Fortra
-
Here’s how much Windows 10 could cost if you don’t upgrade this yearNews Windows 10 extended security updates will cost users dearly, with prices rising incrementally each year.
