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Windows update patches a whopping 1,400 security bugs – including 2 zero days
This month’s update also marks the first official one for Windows 11 26H2 and the end of support for Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro.
Microsoft continues to break bug-squashing records, with October’s Windows update patching more than 1,400 security vulnerabilities. As usual, the actual number of bug fixes varies based on which ones are counted, but hovers around 1,410.
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Released Tuesday, the latest update is also the first official one for Windows 11 26H2 and the last one for Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions. Plus, it resolves specific issues with built-in features like File Explorer and Bluetooth, and even lets you remap the Copilot keyboard key to trigger a different action.
As usual, the updates are aimed at all supported versions of Windows 11. These include all editions of Windows 11 26H2, 26H1, 25H2, and 24H2, as well as 23H2 Enterprise and Education. Windows 10 PCs enrolled in Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program also receive the latest security patches.
With such a large collection of bug fixes, you’ll want to install this one. In Windows 11, head to Settings and select Windows Update. You may find the update already installed and just waiting for a reboot. If not, click the button to check for updates to download and install it. In Windows 10, go to Settings, select Windows Update, and install the latest one.
Each new annual version of Windows, such as 24H2 or 23H2, loses support after 24 months, which means no more security updates or bug fixes. With Windows 11 24H2 hitting this milestone, you’ll need to jump to the latest version to keep your PC updated. For that, head to Windows Update and check for updates. You should see a notice telling you that Windows 11, version 26H2 is available. Click the link to download and install it.
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The same deadline looms for Windows 11 23H2 Enterprise and Education editions, which reach end of support next month on November 10. Here, you or your organization will also need to update Windows to the latest version to stay protected.
Surpassing the almost 1,000 security flaws patched in September, the October update marks yet another record. For that, the company can thank AI. Microsoft uses its own internal “multi-model agentic scanning harness,” codenamed MDASH. This AI-powered tool identifies real Windows vulnerabilities, reduces false positives, and sends the results to engineers more quickly.