Microsoft have temporarily stopped distributing certain security updates for the Spectre class of exploits targeting CPU hardware. Citing reports from some Windows users that their AMD hardware is having issues with these patches, Microsoft has paused a variety of individual updates and Rollups until they fix the underlying problems.
Microsoft issued a statement to clarify exactly what’s been happening following reports from AMD users about crash loops.
Microsoft has received reports of some AMD devices getting into an unbootable state after installation of recent Windows operating system security updates. After investigating, Microsoft determined that some AMD chipsets do not conform to the documentation previously provided to Microsoft to develop the Windows operating system mitigations to protect against the chipset vulnerabilities known as Spectre and Meltdown.
To prevent AMD customers from getting into an unbootable state, Microsoft has temporarily paused sending the following Windows operating system updates to devices that have impacted AMD processors:
January 3, 2018—KB4056897 (Security-only update)
January 9, 2018—KB4056894 (Monthly Rollup)
January 3, 2018—KB4056888 (OS Build 10586.1356)
January 3, 2018—KB4056892 (OS Build 16299.192)
January 3, 2018—KB4056891 (OS Build 15063.850)
January 3, 2018—KB4056890 (OS Build 14393.2007)
January 3, 2018—KB4056898 (Security-only update)
January 3, 2018—KB4056893 (OS Build 10240.17735)
January 9, 2018—KB4056895 (Monthly Rollup)
Microsoft is now working with AMD to resolve the problem and it really sucks if one was unlucky enough to be affected. Microsoft points anyone affected in the direction of these guides:
- Troubleshoot blue screen errors in Windows 10
- Resolving blue screen errors in Windows 8.1
- Resolving stop (blue screen) errors in Windows 7
