Windows 10 and 11 urge users to install final security updates of the year to prevent AMD processor issue
Users of the Windows systems are advised to install the patch package without delay. The updates are already available in Windows Update and typically, should automatically get to the computers and be applied on the next Windows restart. Thus, it is not advisable to postpone this action, especially for those who typically "put their laptops to sleep" and seldom choose to restart them.
Dec 13, 2023 | updated: 9:13 AM EST, December 14, 2023
For Windows 11 23H2 and 22H2, the latest security patches are the KB503337 package. Users of the older 21H2 version will find the KB5033369 update in Windows Update. The aforesaid issue, CVE-2023-20588, connected with AMD processors is of low risk and involves incorrect results when dividing by zero. The defect is linked with certain models of AMD processors, including the EPYC series and Athlon and Ryzen from the 3000 series, a detail which the manufacturer itself elaborated on.
The released Windows updates are strictly security-related. Issues such as incorrect printer naming — which, in extreme cases, can result in limited use of advanced device functions — remain unresolved. Therefore, Windows users may still have to wait for an update to rectify this defect. Given the holiday season, this likely won't happen until January of the upcoming year.