- If you're eager to get the latest Windows 10 updates, Patch Tuesday is the best way to start.
- The February Patch Tuesday updates are here, and we've covered all the changes they bring.
- Additionally, we've included all the direct download links so you can get the KB that you need.
- Continue reading below to see whether this month's updates are worth applying or not.
The second round of the monthly Patch Tuesday updates of 2022 have arrived, and they bring an entire array of changes for both Windows 10 and Windows 11, regardless of whether it is a newer or an older version.
As we announced earlier today, the February Patch Tuesday updates are expected to fix some of the issues that were still pending, and in the article below we will be looking to see exactly what we get.
We’ve included detailed changelogs for each cumulative update, and we will also be providing you with direct download links from Microsoft’s Windows Update Catalog, so you know that they are secure.
Alternatively, you can always use other methods to get the latest updates, including:
- The Windows Update menu on your OS
- The WSUS (Windows Server Update Service)
- Group Policies set up by your admins if you’re part of a larger network.
Changes included in the February Patch Tuesday Updates
Windows 10 versions 21H2, 21H1, and 20H2
Windows 10 v21H2 is the latest major version of Windows 10, and as such has the most experimental features on it.
Fortunately, most bugs that were first present when it was first made available have been weeded out, and this version of Windows 10 is far more stable.
Cumulative update name
Improvements and fixes
- Addresses an issue that causes a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) modify operation to fail if the operation contains the SamAccountName and UserAccountControl attributes. The error message is, “Error: 0x20EF. The directory service encountered an unknown failure”.
Known issues
- Devices with Windows installations created from custom offline media or custom ISO image might have Microsoft Edge Legacy removed by this update, but not automatically replaced by the new Microsoft Edge. This issue is only encountered when custom offline media or ISO images are created by slipstreaming this update into the image without having first installed the standalone servicing stack update (SSU) released March 29, 2021 or later.
NOTE
Devices that connect directly to Windows Update to receive updates are not affected. This includes devices using Windows Update for Business. Any device connecting to Windows Update should always receive the latest versions of the SSU and latest cumulative update (LCU) without any extra steps.
- After installing the June 21, 2021 (KB5003690) update, some devices cannot install new updates, such as the July 6, 2021 (KB5004945) or later updates. You will receive the error message, “PSFX_E_MATCHING_BINARY_MISSING”.
- After installing this update, when connecting to devices in an untrusted domain using Remote Desktop, connections might fail to authenticate when using smart card authentication. You might receive the prompt, “Your credentials did not work. The credentials that were used to connect to [device name] did not work. Please enter new credentials.” and “The login attempt failed” in red.
Windows 10, version 1909
As the Redmond-based tech company said not long ago, Windows 10, version 1909 reached the end of service on May 11, 2021, for devices running the Home, Pro, Pro for Workstation, Nano Container, and Server SAC editions.
Devices still running this version of the OS will no longer receive monthly security and quality updates that contain protection from the latest security threats.
So, if you still want to receive security and quality updates, Microsoft recommends updating to the latest version of Windows 10.
Cumulative update name
Improvements and fixes:
- Updates daylight savings time to start in February 2022 instead of March 2022 in Jordan.
- Addresses an issue that causes a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) modify operation to fail if the operation contains the SamAccountName and UserAccountControl attributes. The error message is, “Error: 0x20EF. The directory service encountered an unknown failure”.
Windows 10, version 1809
This version of the OS is outdated and will no longer receive any updates from the tech company. Users that are still running this old version on their devices are strongly advised to choose a more recent one to update to.
If you still want to use Windows 10 and are not willing to upgrade to 11, you don’t have to do so right away. After all, Microsoft announced that the support for Windows 10 will go on until 2025.
Cumulative update name
Improvements and fixes:
- Addresses an issue that causes a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) modify operation to fail if the operation contains the SamAccountName and UserAccountControl attributes. The error message is, “Error: 0x20EF. The directory service encountered an unknown failure”.
Known Issues:
- After installing KB4493509, devices with some Asian language packs installed may receive the error, “0x800f0982 – PSFX_E_MATCHING_COMPONENT_NOT_FOUND.”
- After installing KB5001342 or later, the Cluster Service might fail to start because a Cluster Network Driver is not found.
- After installing updates released January 11, 2022 or later, apps that use the Microsoft .NET Framework to acquire or set Active Directory Forest Trust Information might have issues. The apps might fail or close or you might receive an error from the app or Windows. You might also receive an access violation (0xc0000005) error.
Windows 10, version 1607
Note: Windows 10, version 1607 has reached the end of service for all of its available editions. Update to the latest version of Windows 10 in order to keep your system protected.
Cumulative update name
Improvements and fixes:
- Updates daylight savings time to start in February 2022 instead of March 2022 in Jordan.
- Updates the phone number for Windows Activation for locales that have the wrong phone number.
- Addresses an issue that causes Windows to stop working and generates the error, “IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL”.
- Addresses an issue that causes the improper cleanup of Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) objects. This prevents session teardown and causes a session to stop responding.
- Addresses an access violation in IKEEXT.dll that occurs on Always On VPN (AOVPN) and DirectAccess servers. The exception code is 0xC000005.
- Addresses an issue that affects Administrative Template settings you configure using a Group Policy Object (GPO). When you change the value of the policy setting to NOT CONFIGURED, the system fails to remove the previous setting. This issue is most noticeable for roaming user profiles.
- Addresses a memory leak that occurs when you call WinVerifyTrust(). This issue occurs if verification fails for the first signature of a file that has multiple signatures.
- Addresses a known issue that affects versions of Windows Server that are in use as a Key Management Services (KMS) host. Client devices running Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2016 might not activate. This issue only occurs when using a new Customer Support Volume License Key (CSVLK) and after installing updates released April 22, 2021 or later.
- Adds an audit event to Active Directory domain controllers that identifies clients that are not compliant with RFC 4456. For more information, see KB5005408: Smart card authentication might cause print and scan failures.
- Addresses an issue that might cause Kerberos.dll to stop working within the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS). This occurs when LSASS processes simultaneous Service for User (S4U) user-to-user (U2U) requests for the same client user.
- Addresses an issue that causes a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) modify operation to fail if the operation contains the SamAccountName and UserAccountControl attributes. The error message is, “Error: 0x20EF. The directory service encountered an unknown failure”.
Known Issues:
- After installing updates released January 11, 2022 or later, apps that use the Microsoft .NET Framework to acquire or set Active Directory Forest Trust Information might have issues. The apps might fail or close or you might receive an error from the app or Windows. You might also receive an access violation (0xc0000005) error.
This wraps up our brief overview of this month’s Patch Tuesday updates, and we hope that by reading the changelogs above, you will make a more informed decision regarding whether to update or not.
However, keep in mind that if you choose not to update for too long, you will risk exposing yourself to subsequent malware attacks that usually follow the Patch Tuesday updates, called Exploit Wednesday.
However, if you do prefer to wait out until Microsoft fixes the issues detected in this month’s updates, know that you can always choose to delay the Update notification that you get for up to 35 days.
All in all, it is important to remember that the Patch Tuesday updates are released for a reason, so installing them, eventually, is something that you should do.
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