Watchtower · IT Alerts & Updates
Live security alerts, Windows known issues and Microsoft updates that matter to Australian pharmacies and businesses, checked automatically every hour.
(/en-us/windows/configuration/quick-machine-recovery/?tabs=csp)With the October 2026 security update, quick machine recovery extends to Windows Server 2025. Quick machine recovery is designed to help restore devices experiencing widespread boot issues by using the Windows…
Beginning with the October 2026 security update, Windows 11, versions 26H2, 25H2, and 24H2, along with Windows Server 2025, enforce restrictions on generating NTLMv1-derived credentials for Single Sign-On by default. This planned security-hardening change is part of the boarder…
(/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2022)As of October 13, 2026, Windows Server 2022 has reached end of mainstream support and transitioned to extended support. The October 2026 security update is the last mainstream support update available for this version. Extended…
(/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-server-2016)On January 12, 2027, Windows Server 2016 will reach end of updates. The January 2027 Windows security update will be the last update available for this version. After this date, devices running Windows Server 2016 will no longer…
(/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-10-enterprise-ltsc-2021)On January 12, 2027, Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2021 will reach end of updates. The January 2027 Windows security update will be the last update available for this version. After this date, devices running Windows 10…
(Updated 10-13-2026 11:30 AM PT: Message updated to reflect availability of Windows 10, versions 22H2 and 21H2.)The October 2026 Windows security update is now available for all supported versions of Windows. We recommend that you install these updates promptly. Information…
Microsoft is making hardening changes to the Resilient File System (ReFS). The changes improve the security posture of Windows by adding visibility into unsupported external ReFS configurations and by providing controls to block affected volumes. The changes apply to all…
Today, October 13, 2026, Windows 11, version 24H2 Home and Pro, and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB 2016 have reached end of updates. The October 2026 monthly security update is the last update available for these editions. Devices running these editions will no longer receive…
(/en-us/windows/security/application-security/application-control/administrator-protection/?tabs=intune)If your organization uses Windows security baselines, Administrator protection becomes enabled by default with the October 2026 Windows security update. The security baselines…
The October 2026 Windows security update moves AD FS Distributed Key Manager (DKM) container ACL hardening into Enforcement mode. These protections address the elevation of privilege vulnerability described in CVE-2026-56155. If your organization uses AD FS, verify that you have…
Microsoft has released its October 2026 security updates for Windows, Office and other products. Actively exploited: CVE-2026-105007 Windows NDIS Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability; CVE-2026-70162 .NET Denial of Service Vulnerability. Apply updates as soon as practical.
(/en-us/lifecycle/products/windows-11-enterprise-and-education)On November 10, 2026, Windows 11, version 23H2 Enterprise and Education editions will reach end of updates. The November 2026 Windows security update will be the last update available for these editions. After this…
If you’re an IT admin using the RD Web Access experience included with Windows Server, take action to prepare for an upcoming browser compatibility change. RD Web Access relies on XSLT functionality that is being disabled in Chromium-based browsers. When this functionality is…
Certificates used to establish trusted connections to Windows Update will expire on May 17, 2027 and June 19, 2027. Devices must contain the replacement certificates to continue receiving updates after the applicable expiration date.Most devices running an in-support version of…
If you are an IT admin with questions about managing and updating Windows, we want to help. Every third Thursday of the month, we host a live chat-based event on the Tech Community called Windows Office Hours. Members of the Windows, Microsoft Intune, Windows Autopilot, Windows…
In this month’s edition of Windows news you can use, we’re highlighting the general availability of Windows 11, version 26H2, with new and updated resources to help you evaluate and deploy it at scale. Prepare for October lifecycle milestones affecting Windows 11, version 24H2…
Microsoft has released its September 2026 security updates for Windows, Office and other products. Apply updates as soon as practical.
Microsoft has released its August 2026 security updates for Windows, Office and other products. Actively exploited: CVE-2026-69836 Microsoft Entra ID Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. Apply updates as soon as practical.
