Windows 7 problems: Microsoft blocks April updates to systems at risk of freezing

[silversurfer]

Microsoft has blocked this week's monthly and security-only Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 updates for Sophos antivirus users after widespread reports that computers failed to boot after installing them. 
 
The updates caused dire problems for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 systems running Sophos Endpoint Security and Control and Sophos Central Endpoint Standard/Advanced. The same issues affect their corresponding Server versions, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012.
 
The problems are caused by Microsoft's Tuesday Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 monthly rollup and security-only updates KB4493467, KB4493446, KB4493448, KB4493472, KB4493450 and KB4493451. 
 
"Microsoft and Sophos have identified an issue on devices with Sophos Endpoint Protection installed and managed by either Sophos Central or Sophos Enterprise Console (SEC) that may cause the system to freeze or hang upon restart after installing this update," Microsoft said in an update on Thursday morning, European time. 

Sophos has warned customers against installing these updates if they have not done so already. Customers this week report that computers have been failing to boot after installing them. 

SOURCE: https://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-7-...-freezing/

[harlan4096]

Additional info: https://www.ghacks.net/2019/04/11/oh-loo...ng-issues/

[silversurfer]

Avast Confirms Issues Caused by Windows Updates KB4493472 and KB4493448 (Some devices might freeze at boot due to this bug)

Avast has recently confirmed that its customers are impacted too.

“Avast has received reports of an issue affecting our customers running Avast for Business and Avast CloudCare on Windows machines, particularly those with Windows 7 operating systems. While this problem is currently being researched, we have discovered some temporary solutions to restore functionality to our users,” the security vendor explains.
 
However, the bug freezing devices isn’t only caused by Windows monthly rollups, but also by a series of other updates, including Office patches. Avast says the following updates could make the system hang on boot: KB4462223, KB4493472, KB4493448, KB4464520, KB4462230 and KB4493435.
 
While a full fix is currently being developed, Avast recommends its customers to completely uninstall the updates. You can also reach out to customer support if you can’t apply this fix.

SOURCE: https://news.softpedia.com/news/avast-co...5652.shtml