The Windows 7 and 8.1 October 2022 Patch Tuesday updates are live

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Key notes

  • Windows 11 and Windows 10 aren't the only operating systems receiving security updates.
  • Microsoft has just provided availability for brand-new Windows 7 and 8.1 fixing software.
  • Remember that Windows 8.1 is about to reach end of service, so consider upgrading now.
windows 8.1

Even though the main focus right now is on Windows 11 and Windows 10, we never miss an occasion to revisit the older versions of the Windows OS.

And, as you surely know by now, the Redmond-based tech colossus also releases security updates for some of the obsolete operating systems, during Patch Tuesday.

That means that not only Windows 10 and 11 users will receive updates during this time. We’re also looking at Windows 7, Windows 8, and various Server versions as well.

We’ve already presented the 85 new updates that became available, along with the official download links, so all that remains is going a bit more in-depth.

Also, we’ve provided download links to the security updates that Adobe released for its suite of products during the same event.

However, now, let’s take a closer look at what Windows 7 and Windows 8 users were given to work with on the October 2022 Patch Tuesday.

What is going to change with the October Patch Tuesday?

The Redmond-based tech colossus has just released Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 8.1, in the form of KB5018474, and Windows 7, in the form of KB5018454.

It should go without saying, but they each come with a whole host of improvements and known issues with some pretty neat workarounds.

All official support for Windows 8.1 will end in January, so Microsoft keeps urging users to upgrade to a later edition of the Windows OS.

And, the Patch Tuesday update for Windows 7 requires you to have purchased the Extended Security Update (ESU) support.

Windows 7

KB5018454

  • Addresses an issue that leads to User Datagram Protocol (UDP) packet drops from Linux virtual machines (VMs).
  • Updates daylight saving time (DST) in Chile to start on September 11, 2022 instead of September 4, 2022.

Known issues

  • After installing this update and restarting your device, you might receive the error, “Failure to configure Windows updates. Reverting Changes. Do not turn off your computer”, and the update might show as Failed in Update History.
  • After installing this update, file copies which use Group Policy Preferences might fail or might create empty shortcuts or files that have 0 (zero) bytes. Known affected Group Policy Objects are related to files and shortcuts in User Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings in Group Policy Editor.

Windows 8.1

KB5018474

  • Addresses an issue that leads to User Datagram Protocol (UDP) packet drops from Linux virtual machines (VMs).
  • Updates daylight saving time (DST) in Chile to start on September 11, 2022 instead of September 4, 2022.

Known issues

  • After installing this update, file copies which use Group Policy Preferences might fail or might create empty shortcuts or files that have 0 (zero) bytes. Known affected Group Policy Objects are related to files and shortcuts in User Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings in Group Policy Editor.

If you are still using Windows 8.1 as an operating system, remember what we said not very long ago about the impending change.

To be more specific, Microsoft said that it was going to pester users with notifications until they upgrade to a supported version of the OS.

Have you encountered any issues after downloading and installing these new security updates for Windows 7 and 8.1?

Share your experience with us in the dedicated comments section located below.

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