Microsoft expands availability of Windows security updates to fix Spectre and Meltdown issues

Microsoft today announced that they are expanding the availability of Windows security updates to fix Spectre and Meltdown hardware-based vulnerabilities. Microsoft also mentioned that they have removed the anti-virus compatibility check for Windows 10 devices, expanding the availability of Intel microcode updates in the Microsoft Catalog, and adding software coverage for the Meltdown vulnerability for x86 editions of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1.

Due to issues with old AV software, Microsoft previously blocked these security updates for some users. After working with AV partners on compatibility with these updates, Microsoft has now decided to release the update for everyone. “We continue to require that AV software is compatible and in cases where there are known issues of AV driver compatibility, we will block those devices from receiving Windows updates to avoid any issues,” wrote John Cable, Director of Program Management, Windows Servicing and Delivery at Microsoft.

Microsoft is also expanding the availability of Intel microcode updates to the latest generation Intel platforms including Skylake, Kaby Lake, and Coffee Lake devices. Microsoft also mentioned that they will further the expand the availability as Intel shares the updated microcode with them. You can find the full list of available Intel microcode updates by Windows 10 version here (KB4093836).

Learn more about this announcement here.