Microsoft has just released preview patches for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 which interested users and administrators can download for preview testing before they are pushed out via Windows Update on the second Tuesday of December.
The company changed how updates are made available for Windows 7 and 8.1 systems recently; it switched from releasing individual updates for issues to so-called rollups which include all patches released for a given month.
A complete rollup image, called Security Monthly Quality Rollup, is made available via Windows Update. This update includes security and non-security updates for Windows 7 or Windows 8.1. A security-only rollup image, called Security Only Quality Rollup, is not made available on Windows Update but only via direct downloads, for instance from the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
Previews are released on every third Tuesday of the month. The preview images are only available for the Security Monthly Quality Rollup patches, and available on Microsoft's Update Catalog and on Windows Update. The patches are tagged as optional on Windows Update though which means that they won't be installed automatically.
Note that only the non-security part of the update is provided as a preview.
KB3197869 -- November 2016 Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
This update includes improvements and fixes that were a part of Monthly Rollup KB3197868 (released November 8, 2016). This update also includes these new quality improvements and is a preview of the next Monthly Rollup update. Key changes include:
Direct Download links: Microsoft Update Catalog
Kb3197875 -- November 2016 Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2
This update includes improvements and fixes that were a part of Monthly Rollup KB3197874 (released November 8, 2016). This update also includes these new quality improvements and is a preview of the next Monthly Rollup update. Key changes include:
Direct Download Links: Microsoft Update Catalog
Microsoft has released the following patch previews for its Microsoft .NET Framework:
KB3195382 -- November 2016 Preview of Quality Rollup for the .NET Framework 2.0 SP2, 4.5.2, 4.6 on Windows Vista SP2 and Windows Server 2008 SP2 (KB3195382): November 15, 2016
Direct Download Links: Microsoft Update Catalog
KB3195383 -- November 2016 Preview of Quality Rollup for the .NET Framework 3.5, 4.5.2, 4.6, 4.6.1 on Windows Server 2012 (KB3195383)
Direct Download Links: Microsoft Update Catalog
KB3196684 -- November 2016 Preview of Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 3.5, 4.5.2, 4.6, 4.6.1 on Windows 8.1 and Server 2012 R2 (KB3196684): November 15, 2016
Direct Download Links: Microsoft Update Catalog
KB3196686 -- November 2016 Preview of Quality Rollup for .NET Framework 3.5.1, 4.5.2, 4.6, 4.6.1 on Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 (KB3196686)
Direct Download Links: Microsoft Update Catalog
Now You: How do you handle these update previews?
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Ghacks is a technology news blog that was founded in 2005 by Martin Brinkmann. It has since then become one of the most popular tech news sites on the Internet with five authors and regular contributions from freelance writers.
Both the security-only and monthly quality rollup updates have “Security” in the name because extended support for Windows is strictly related to security.
Well, this is interesting: Microsoft has joined the Linux Foundation.
http://www.geekwire.com/2016/microsoft-joins-linux-foundation-another-step-toward-greater-openness
I think this needs an article.
Martin, in your third paragraph you reference the “Security Monthly Quality Rollup” twice as separate rollups, yet with the same name. I’m still a bit confused on the new nomenclature.
Did I miss something?
Sorry I messed it up, corrected.
I see that … thanks.
But I still get confused with the new nomenclature. I keep seeing them toss out variations. But I don’t see the Security Only updates.
Security only updates are only available via Microsoft Update Catalog, not Windows Update.