Microsoft Patchday October 2023: Security and improvements for Windows 10 and Windows 11

• Windows 10 and Windows 11 will receive security-relevant updates on Microsoft Patchday.
• The October patch fixes bugs and closes vulnerabilities.
• We provide you with a list of all cumulative updates.

Once again, Microsoft is providing you with Patch Tuesday updates for the Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems. You should urgently take advantage of these, because they not only ensure that your system runs smoothly, but also protect you from possible hacker attacks.

1. Attack on Microsoft applications

2. Improvements for Windows

3. This is how you install the updates

4. Windows Patch Day: Which versions of 8.1, 10 and 11 receive updates?

5. The next dates for Microsoft Patchday 2023

6. Cancel or undo Windows updates

Attack on Microsoft applications

Security in particular is the top priority with the October patch. 13 critical gaps were closed. Three of them are already being actively used by hackers. The vulnerabilities affect, among others, WordPad, Azure and the HTTP/2 protocol. If you open an infected file, the attackers can use the programs to gain access to your computer and execute malicious code that infects other software.

Skype for Business also has a serious security flaw. Here the cybercriminals can trigger an HTTP request via a call and thus obtain sensitive data. What is striking is that this is the third month in a row in which Microsoft has closed serious vulnerabilities with Patch Day. The number of cyberattacks is clearly increasing and at the same time many applications are not secured well enough.

Since all security gaps will be closed with the new update, it is extremely important that you install it as quickly as possible. This is the only way to guarantee that your computer is secure and you are protected from cyber threats. If you want to protect yourself additionally, we recommend installing an antivirus program.

Improvements for Windows

In addition to security updates, the patch contains some improvements for Windows 10 and Windows 11. Small bugs have been fixed and some maintenance has been carried out. The quality of the service stack has been improved so that updates can be received and installed better. There are no new user interface features this month.

Also interesting…

With the October patch, Windows 11 version 21H2 says goodbye. In the future, it will no longer be provided with OS updates. If you use Windows 11 21H2 on your computer, we recommend a free upgrade to version 22H2. Otherwise, your operating system will become a target for cyber attacks due to the lack of security.

If you are not sure which version of Windows you are using, you can easily determine the Windows version and build number.

This is how you install the updates

If you use Windows 10 or Windows 11, you will usually receive the updates automatically. If available, they will be downloaded and installed the next time the system is started – provided you have not deactivated or paused the automated update in Windows.

If you want to check the Microsoft servers yourself for available updates, you can find out how you can install Windows updates manually in the following linked instructions.

Windows Patch Day: Which versions of 8.1, 10 and 11 receive updates?

Windows 10 Home and Pro receive 18 months of support for this version from the release of a new major version. Users of the Enterprise and Education versions, however, 30 months. This means that these systems still receive all important security updates. However, it is recommended to switch to Windows 10 in time. An update to Windows 11 is also possible from here.

Windows 8.1 no longer receives extended support as of January 10, 2023. Patch Tuesday ended for Windows 7 in January 2020. Microsoft no longer provides updates to the operating system for private users. The same fate befell Windows 10 in system version 2004 with the December 2021 patch day. The system version Windows 11 21H2 reached the end of its term with the patch on October 10, 2023.

The easiest way to install a new system update is directly using the Windows Update function. Follow the path “Start” > “Settings” > “Update and Security” > “Windows Update” > “Check for updates”. Since Microsoft rolls out updates in waves, you may not receive a system update until a later date.

The next dates for Microsoft Patchday 2023

Every second Tuesday of the month, Microsoft rolls out these security updates for Windows and its programs. Below you will find all the dates for 2023:

• November 14, 2023
• December 12, 2023

Please note, however, that due to the time difference in Germany, updates are usually only distributed late in the evening. The time frame can also be deviated from for very urgent updates. If not already installed, these patches also contain updates from the latest updates.

Cancel or undo Windows updates

If installing a Windows update is inconvenient, the system offers you the option to pause or cancel an update. You can find out how to cancel an ongoing update in the linked instructions. If the update has already been installed and there are problems, it helps to undo this update.

You should also be careful if the package is downloaded in the background. This download or upload quickly becomes disruptive when gaming or streaming. However, with a few clicks you can limit the download speed. If you are looking for more tips and tricks, you will find all the instructions for Windows 10 linked.