Skip to main content

Microsoft cautions against installing the latest Windows 10 update

Installing the KB4520062 cumulative update for Windows 10 – released on October 15 – could break the Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) service. That’s the warning provided in Microsoft’s release notes, stating that certain customers should not install this update.

“After installing this update, the Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) service might stop running and might fail to send reporting data,” the warning reads. “You might also receive a 0xc0000409 error in Event Viewer in MsSense.exe.”

Before going on a red alert, this issue pertains to Microsoft’s enterprise-based customers. Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection is a paid service for detecting, investigating, and responding to “advanced threats.” It’s built into Windows 10 but unrelated to the Windows Security platform found in Windows 10 Home and Pro.

Microsoft notes that it’s currently “working on a resolution” but doesn’t expect an official fix until the middle of November. That means businesses and corporations should not install this update until then. If the update is already installed, issues with the Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection platform may already be in effect. Uninstall the update and wait for a fix.

While the issue doesn’t target mainstream customers, it’s notable because the update follows a series of problems with updating Windows 10 over the last month. Microsoft released an update on September 16 that broke Windows Defender. The update that was distributed on October 3 caused problems with the Start Menu and broke the print spooler. Five days later, many users complained about the still-broken Start Menu with the October 8 update.

Microsoft released a servicing stack update on October 8. The company warns that all customers should install this update before any other update(s). The company explains that the servicing stack is “the component that installs Windows updates.” The latest patch improves the reliability of the update process, meaning Windows 10 devices can’t properly update unless they keep the service stack current.

Despite the issue with Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection, the KB4520062 cumulative update brings a large list of fixes and improvements. It addresses an issue that causes high CPU usage when Background Application Manager runs a scan while multiple windows remain open. It fixes a Bluetooth issue tied to audio profiles and a problem that involves naming Microsoft SharePoint files incorrectly.

Here are a few other interesting fixes:

  • Addresses an issue that causes the Settings app to stop working when you change a Theme.
  • Prevents the appearance of blank tiles in the Start menu when you upgrade to Windows 10, version 1809 from any previous version of Windows 10.
  • Addresses an issue that causes the power consumption for a device in Connected Standby mode to be high.
  • Addresses an issue with the Windows Mixed Reality Portal that might intermittently generate a “15-5” error.

Editors' Recommendations

Kevin Parrish
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Kevin started taking PCs apart in the 90s when Quake was on the way and his PC lacked the required components. Since then…
Surface Pro 10 and Surface Laptop 6 have arrived — with a catch
A top down view of the Surface Laptop 6, highlighting the Copilot button.

Microsoft has taken the wraps off some new Surface devices today. Though the latest Surface Pro 10 for Buisness and Surface Laptop 6 for Buisness are only for commercial users, the new products preview consumer versions that are expected to be coming later this year.

While not majorly redesigned, the devices pack a promising jump in performance under the hood thanks to the Intel Core Ultra CPU, as well as some features enterprise users will surely appreciate. AI is also a big focus in the form of Copilot.
Surface Laptop 6 for Business

Read more
Windows 11 24H2 or Windows 12? Here’s what’s coming soon
A laptop running Windows 11.

Windows 11 is more than a few years old and it is getting feature drops called "moments" every so often, as well as yearly updates. But what about the whole new Windows release that will come after Windows 11?

Earlier leaks from Intel and Qualcomm made mention of Windows 12, leading some to believe that Windows 12 might be in development at Microsoft and could come in 2024.

Read more
Beware! The latest Windows 11 update might crash your PC
A laptop running Windows 11.

Microsoft releases routine updates for Windows every month, and while the intent is to fix issues and occasionally add new features, the latest one is doing more harm than good. Some Windows 11 users have taken to social media to report that the latest KB5035853 update could be crashing their PCs, with the feared Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) appearing on startup.

Although Microsoft hasn't appeared to document any known issues with this update for Windows 11 22H2 and Windows 11 23H3, there's a Reddit thread on the matter. Frustrated Windows 11 users mention the problems they are experiencing after installing the update. One mentions that Explorer.exe shows an error during shutdown and another reports that the ribbon of the File Explorer is slow to load. Audio-related issues and PCs feeling laggy when gaming are among some of the other problems being reported.

Read more