The security updates for Windows 7 and 8.1 rolling out this week have been stopped because of some issues observed by the team at Microsoft. As mentioned in a ZDNet report, many users with Sophos antivirus were complaining that their systems were not switching on after rebooting with the new update.
As highlighted in the report, the issue has been found in these versions Microsoft's Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 monthly roll out and security-only updates: KB4493467, KB4493446, KB4493448, KB4493472, KB4493450 and KB4493451. (You can access the update number from the Windows settings tab.)
Both Microsoft and Sophos had warned users about updating to these Windows versions, because it could freeze their systems once the reboot installs the new version on it. But Sophos users aren’t the only ones suffering because of the issue with new Windows updates.
The report goes on to quote Avast antivirus users who are also facing similar issues with their laptops, which refuse to startup after updating to the aforementioned Windows 7 and 8.1 updates.
It must be noted that Microsoft is only releasing security updates for Windows 7 and 8.1 users, no major features will be be available on these platforms.
So, what’s the way out of this mess? Sophos, quoted in the story, has asked its users to start the system in safe mode and disable the antivirus, boot into normal mode and uninstall the Windows update causing all sorts of problems.
The issues faced by Avast users are similar to that of Sophos, and we’re hoping that no other antivirus is going to face issues because of systems updates. Issues with Windows 7 and 8.1 are showing up, and as we get closer to these versions being discontinued entirely, such incidents are likely to be a common sight.
The best solution to fix the mess, just upgrade to Windows 10, which we’re sure can be availed at special discounts from Microsoft.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)