Update blocked on PCs running some Trend Micro products

Nov 16, 2018 08:34 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has acknowledged a new problem with Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) after it officially re-released it earlier this week.

This time, the software giant says there’s a compatibility issue with some Trend Micro security products that could break down the update. Microsoft explains it worked together with Trend Micro and found the problem in OfficeScan and Worry-Free Business Security software.

Windows 10 version 1809, Windows Server 2019, and Windows Server version 1809 are all affected, and Microsoft says the update has been blocked on systems running the said products until Trend Micro published a patch.

Fix on its way

In a technical advisory on its page, Trend Micro reveals that it requested Microsoft to issue a Windows Update Offer Block and a Setup Block that would prevent users from installing Windows 10 version 1808 if the affected products are running on their systems. Trend Micro explains:

“Offer Block - if a customer tries to retrieve and apply the Windows 10 October 2018 Update via Windows Update before applying the required Trend Micro Critical Patch (CP) - validated by certain driver versions - it will not be able to obtain the update for a period of 60 days from the official release of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update. Please note there will be no warning message.

Setup Block - if a customer tries to apply the Windows 10 October 2018 Update via an installation package before applying the required Trend Micro Critical Patch (CP) - again validated by certain driver versions - a warning message will appear notifying the customer to first upgrade the Trend Micro product.”

Trend Micro says it is already working on fixes, but an ETA isn’t available just yet. However, expect patches to land in the coming weeks, and in the meantime, you should avoid updating to version 1809 if you’re running the affected software by any means.