14 DAY TRIAL // In addition to cumulative updates for Windows 10, Microsoft has also shipped new monthly rollups for Windows 7 and 8.1, providing users with a batch of security and non-security improvements.
First and foremost, it’s Windows 7 the one getting updates. The full release is labeled as KB4338818 and it includes fixes for the Lazy FP State Restore flaw that Microsoft confirmed last month, as well as security fixes for Internet Explorer, Windows apps, graphics, the Windows Shell, and Windows virtualization.
There are also other improvements not related to security, like updates for Internet Explorer, though for some reason Microsoft also lists Microsoft Edge browser as an application getting patched with this update. Microsoft Edge is a Windows 10-exclusive browser, so whoever is in charge of changelogs at Microsoft most likely copied the release notes from the Windows 10 cumulative updates released this month.
In addition to this full update, Microsoft has also released a security-only patch available as KB4338823 and containing only the security touches mentioned above.
Windows 8.1 goodies
For Windows 8.1 users, Microsoft has a longer changelog as part of update KB4338815. This time, there are security improvements for Meltdown and Spectre hardware vulnerabilities disclosed in early January, as well as mitigations for the Lazy FP State Restore bug discovered last month.
There are also security fixes for Internet Explorer plus other Windows components, and non-security refinements targeting Internet Explorer and mouse behavior in Windows 8.1.
A security-only update for Windows 8.1 is available as well and it is called KB4338824, though keep in mind that non-security fixes aren’t included here.
Only the Windows 7 monthly rollup comes with a known issue, and Microsoft already offers a workaround detailed on the update page.
“There is an issue with Windows and third-party software related to a missing file (oem.inf). Because of this issue, after you apply this update, the network interface controller will stop working,” the company says.
We’re not aware of any reports of failed installs or bugs caused by the these updates at the time of publishing this article.