The same day as the beloved Hallmark Holiday that we know as Valentine's Day, Microsoft plans to release seven patches for several of its software products, including at least two critical updates for known vulnerabilities, according to the company's monthly security update. The patch will include issues that users have shown concern over. The planned patches include one critical fix for Microsoft Windows Media Player; four patches for Windows, at least one of which is critical; one security update rated as important for both Windows and Microsoft Office and another important update for Office.

Microsoft releases security updates for its software products on the second Tuesday of every month, a day that has become known as "Patch Tuesday" among security experts. This is also known as "Black Tuesday" since most network administrators waste hours trying to update all the necessities.

On 14 February 2006 Microsoft is planning to release:

Security Updates

- One Microsoft Security Bulletin affecting Microsoft Windows Media Player. The highest Maximum Severity rating for this is Critical. These updates will not require a restart. These updates will be detectable using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer and the Enterprise Scanning Tool.

- Four Microsoft Security Bulletins affecting Microsoft Windows. The highest Maximum Severity rating for these is Critical. Some of these updates will require a restart. These updates will be detectable using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer.

- One Microsoft Security Bulletin affecting Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office. The highest Maximum Severity rating for these is Important. These updates will require a restart. These updates will be detectable using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer.

- One Microsoft Security Bulletin affecting Microsoft Office. The highest Maximum Severity rating for this is Important. These updates may require a restart. These updates will be detectable using the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer.

Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool

- Microsoft will release an updated version of the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool on Windows Update, Microsoft Update, Windows Server Update Services and the Download Center. (Note that this tool will NOT be distributed using Software Update Services (SUS))

Microsoft of also planning to release some non-security High Priority updates on MU, WU, WSUS and SUS.