14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft rolled out Windows 10 cumulative update KB3200970 as part of this month’s Patch Tuesday, and as we reported shortly after that, several users reported installation problems due to what seemed to be the typical issue that CUs experienced in the past as well.
The company has remained tight-lipped since then, but in a November 24 update of the KB page, Microsoft explains that it’s indeed aware of some installation issues on Lenovo systems that could cause devices to no longer boot.
Microsoft explains that a UEFI update was released by Lenovo in order to address these problems caused by the cumulative update and says that users of the affected devices need to install it before anything else.
“Some Lenovo servers do not start after this update is installed. Lenovo is aware of this problem and has released a UEFI update to address it. In the interim, Microsoft has changed the detection logic in the update to prevent additional customers from being affected,” Microsoft says.
Only Windows Server devices affected
Lenovo indeed confirms that there’s a problem with some of its devices, but says that only models running Windows Server 2016, 2012R2, or 2012 November update are affected, including Lenovo System X M5 and X6.
“Only Lenovo Systems running Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012R2 and configured with secure boot are exposed. Lenovo Systems running Windows Server 2016 are exposed regardless of the secure boot configuration. The system will not complete POST and hangs at the Lenovo splash screen,” the firm explains.
The workaround involves disabling automatic Windows updates and then updating the UEFI firmware before eventually installing the cumulative update once again. Lenovo says that replacing the system board will not fix the issue because this is a software issue caused by the cumulative update.
As for the other problems experienced by consumers on non-Lenovo systems, Microsoft hasn’t yet issued a statement, but a new CU should be released very soon for all Windows 10 devices.