Windows update patches a whopping 1,400 security bugs –  including 2 zero days

ZDNET’s cardinal takeaways

• The October Windows update squashes much than 1,400 information flaws.
• This marks Microsoft’s last supported update for Windows 24H2.
• The update besides fixes issues with File Explorer and Bluetooth.

Microsoft continues to interruption bug-squashing records, with October’s Windows update patching much than 1,400 information vulnerabilities. As usual, the existent fig of bug fixes varies based connected which ones are counted, but hovers astir 1,410.

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Released Tuesday, the latest update is besides the archetypal authoritative 1 for Windows 11 26H2 and the past 1 for Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro editions. Plus, it resolves circumstantial issues with built-in features similar File Explorer and Bluetooth, and adjacent lets you remap the Copilot keyboard cardinal to trigger a antithetic action.

As usual, the updates are aimed astatine each supported versions of Windows 11. These see each editions of Windows 11 26H2, 26H1, 25H2, and 24H2, arsenic good arsenic 23H2 Enterprise and Education. Windows 10 PCs enrolled successful Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) program besides person the latest information patches.

With specified a ample postulation of bug fixes, you’ll privation to instal this one. In Windows 11, caput to Settings and prime Windows Update. You whitethorn find the update already installed and conscionable waiting for a reboot. If not, click the fastener to cheque for updates to download and instal it. In Windows 10, spell to Settings, prime Windows Update, and instal the latest one.

Each caller yearly mentation of Windows, specified arsenic 24H2 oregon 23H2, loses enactment aft 24 months, which means nary much information updates oregon bug fixes. With Windows 11 24H2 hitting this milestone, you’ll request to leap to the latest mentation to support your PC updated. For that, caput to Windows Update and cheque for updates. You should spot a announcement telling you that Windows 11, mentation 26H2 is available. Click the nexus to download and instal it.

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The aforesaid deadline looms for Windows 11 23H2 Enterprise and Education editions, which scope extremity of enactment adjacent period connected November 10. Here, you oregon your enactment volition besides request to update Windows to the latest mentation to enactment protected.

Critical vulnerabilities and zero days

Specifically, the October update fixes 80 captious vulnerabilities and 2 zero-days, according to spot absorption supplier Action1 successful a caller advisory.

One of the zero-days has already been exploited successful the wild. Designated arsenic CVE-2026-96951, this 1 could let a distant attacker to bypass information extortion by exploiting a flaw successful Windows Shell.

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“This vulnerability presents a superior information menace due to the fact that it allows attackers to bypass an important Windows information defence designed to support users from perchance unsafe files,” Action1 said successful its advisory. “Attackers tin exploit this weakness remotely by convincing users to unfastened specially crafted files oregon interact with malicious content. Successful exploitation could weaken Windows information protections and summation the hazard of malicious contented reaching users without the expected information warnings.”

Labeled CVE-2026-108398, the different zero-day was publically disclosed earlier the hole was rolled retired and could fto an attacker skirt past information measures by exploiting a flaw successful Microsoft’s .net Framework.

Aside from the information patches, the October update fixes immoderate glitches successful File Explorer. You tin present much easy preview downloaded files utilizing the Preview pane. File Explorer besides present retains the authorities of sections (expanded oregon collapsed), truthful you tin much rapidly prime up wherever you near off. Plus, thumbnail previews for cloud-based files successful the Details pane volition render much reliably.

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For those of you who grapple with Bluetooth issues, the update besides improves the accuracy and stableness of connected Bluetooth devices and accessories.

And past but not least, the update adds a caller mounting successful Windows 11 that lets you remap the Copilot key. Instead of triggering Microsoft’s AI, the cardinal tin relation arsenic the close Ctrl cardinal oregon the right-click discourse paper connected the desktop and successful File Explorer.

Lance Whitney is simply a exertion writer with an IT background. He's written for TechRepublic, PCMag, Macworld, and Time, among others, He besides teaches classes successful AI, cybersecurity, and societal media. See afloat bio