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.”

Recommended Videos

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.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

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.
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…
Latest Windows 11 update slows Intel’s newest desktop processors
Windows 11 logo on a laptop.

Microsoft's latest Windows 11 24H2 (KB5050094 and KB5051987) updates are causing some serious performance issues, especially for Intel Core Ultra 9 285K users, as Neowin reports. The updates interfere with CPU speeds when a user minimizes a program or the app is out of focus. However, older Intel processors remain unaffected.

It's reported that apps are "massively throttled," causing the CPU's clock rate to drop significantly and deteriorating overall performance. Some users have resorted to using beta BIOS or changing power settings to preserve CPU performance during background processes. The Intel Core Ultra 9 285K slowdown is causing some major headaches as the issues occur across various apps, including Prime95 and 7Zip. This suggests that the 24H2 performance issues are not limited to one app but are linked to KB 5050094 and KB5051987 updates.

Read more
Microsoft prepares for major GPT-5 updates from OpenAI
OpenAI's Mira Murati introduces GPT-4o.

Microsoft is set to get a major AI update and is preparing its server capacity to support the next iteration of OpenAI’s models. As OpenAI CEO, Sam Altman has previously indicated the brand will soon release the GPT-4.5 large language model in the coming weeks, the Verge has reported that the new model could be available “as early as next week.”

As with other technology advancements, OpenAI has made claims of GPT-4.5 being significantly more powerful than its prior version, GPT-4. The model, codenamed Orion, is set to be OpenAI’s last “non-chain-of-thought model.” Also indicating the coming launch of GPT-5 flagship model with major updates to its functionality, will also affect how partners, such as Microsoft incorporate the technology as well.

Read more
Updated macOS malware variant uncovered by Microsoft
A person using a laptop with a set of code seen on the display.

Microsoft has observed a previously dormant macOS malware that has become active once again in a new variant that is targeting Apple devices of all kinds.

Microsoft Threat Intelligence shared information about the malware in a post on X, indicating that it is a new version of XCSSET that originated in 2022. The security experts explained that the updated malware has “enhanced obfuscation methods, updated persistence mechanisms, and new infection strategies.”

Read more