On March 10, 2021, Microsoft started rolling out Windows 10
KB4589212 (Intel Microcode) update to some devices again. While
the update designed is for select Intel processors, it will
also show up for download on AMD PCs and it cannot be skipped.
If you pause the updates today, the download will automatically
start when updates are resumed.
Last year, Microsoft said
that Windows 10 KB4589212 is for Windows 10 version 2004,
version 20H2 (consumer editions) and Windows Servier only. The
update also includes all Intel microcode fixes that were
already released for the operating system.
The update package seems to have been refreshed and there’s a
chance that the patch will show up for download even if it’s
already installed.
As we mentioned at the outset, it is an Intel CPU Microcode
update, but Microsoft is also pushing it to AMD CPUs. The
update doesn’t have any effect on non-Intel CPUs, which means
nothing will happen even if it gets downloaded and installed on
unsupported Intel and AMD processors.
These Intel Microcode updates are supposed to patch hardware
vulnerabilities that also require software and firmware level
changes. Microcode updates were first released for
Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities that required numerous
security updates from Microsoft, Intel and OEMs.
Users can head to the Windows Update page and check for updates
to download the updates manually. You can also visit Microsoft
Update Catalog here and search for the relevant KB articles.
Other updates for Windows 10
In addition to the Intel microcode update, Microsoft has also
published a
new cumulative update (KB5000802) for Windows 10 version
20H2 and NET Framework. While the Patch Tuesday update
includes general bug fixes and gaming optimization, the latest
update for NET Framework has addressed an issue where slowdowns
could occur.
Another bug has been fixed where users might notice lag
when typing in TextBox with spell-checking enabled. For
developers, Microsoft says it has fixed Visual Studio crashes
when docking a window within Visual Studio.
