Update KB3197873 improves security in Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2

Another month, another Patch Tuesday. As usual, Microsoft released many updates for every supported version of Windows. Windows 10 updates perhaps drew the biggest attention, but some older versions of the system received interesting patches as well.

Users who are still on Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2 received the new security update KB3197873. The update resolves various vulnerabilities in the mentioned operating systems, and improve the overall security.

Here’s the complete list of resolved vulnerabilities in Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2:

• MS16-142 Cumulative security update for Internet Explorer: November 8, 2016

• MS16-140 Security update for boot manager: November 8, 2016

• MS16-138 Security update to Microsoft virtual hard drive: November 8, 2016

• MS16-137 Security update for Windows authentication methods: November 8, 2016

• MS16-135 Security update for Windows kernel-mode drivers: November 8, 2016

• MS16-134 Security update for common log file system driver: November 8, 2016

• MS16-132 Security update for Microsoft graphics component: November 8, 2016

• MS16-131 Security update for Microsoft Video Control: November 8, 2016

• MS16-130 Security update for Microsoft Windows: November 8, 2016

As you can see from the changelog, the update improves the security of many Windows features, including Internet Explorer, Microsoft virtual hard drive, Microsoft graphics component, and more. Although Microsoft hasn’t said if this update removes the recently found vulnerability in win32.sys, we certainly hope that’s the case.

To install this update, just head over to Windows Update and check for updates. Or you can download it manually from Microsoft’s Update Catalog.

For more information about security update KB3197873 for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2, check Microsoft’s official knowledge base article.

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