Microsoft releases AMD-specific Windows 7 and 8.1 updates to fix unbootable state issue

Microsoft released updates for AMD devices running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 designed to fix the unbootable state issue that some AMD devices ran into after installing the out-of-band security updates that Microsoft released in early January 2018 to address the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities.

We have to look back to the beginning of the month to understand better what transpired. Microsoft released an out-of-band security update for all supported versions of Windows in early January that addressed security issues in modern processors.

First thought to be an Intel-specific issue, it turned out soon after that that processors by AMD and other companies were also affected (albeit not as much as Intel processors).

AMD users began to report issues with the update shortly after Microsoft released it and Microsoft halted the delivery as a consequence.

Users and administrators who installed the update noticed that the system would not boot anymore, not even into safe boot. Recovery was the only option to restore the operating system. This led to a vicious cycle of the update being offered to the system, bricking it after installation, and recovery. Admins had to hide the update to break the loop.

KB4073576 and KB4073578 to fix the issue

The two security updates  KB4073576 and KB4073578 fix the issue according to Microsoft's description:

KB4073578 for Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 offers the following information:

An update is available to fix the following issue that occurs after you install January 3, 2018—KB4056897 (Security-only update) or January 4, 2018—KB4056894 (Monthly Rollup):

AMD devices fall into an unbootable state.

KB4073576 for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 share the summary but reference the Windows 8.1 updates KB4056898 and KB4056895 instead.

Microsoft fails to provide relevant information as Woody points out over at Computerworld:

• Which AMD systems are targeted by the patches? All systems, or only specific processors that were affected by the previously released patches? If the latter, can you install them on other AMD machines as well?
• Do you need to install the old updates first and risk bricking your system before installing the updates? Or is it sufficient to install only the updates?

Woody noticed that the patches install fine on Intel PCs running Windows as well. It is suggested however not to install the updates on non-AMD systems.

One thing that is puzzling is that Microsoft notes under "update replacement information" on both support articles that "this update does not replace a previously released update."

Does that mean that AMD devices still need the January updates that Microsoft pulled earlier?

I have two explanations for you that could both be valid:

1. AMD devices need the newly released patches before the previously released security updates are installed on the devices.
2. AMD devices need only the newly released updates and not the old update.

I don't have access to AMD devices affected by the issue and can't test it, therefore.

Let's not forget about Windows 10 AMD devices. Microsoft released no update for these machines that address the issue. Does that mean that AMD users have to wait until the February patch day to receive the update? Doesn't this issue warrant a separate update for affected machines as well?

Closing Words

I'm still amazed at how lackluster Microsoft handles releases, news articles, blog posts and other sources of information. It would not hurt if the company would start investing a bit more in getting this right for consumers as well as Enterprise customers as it would reduce support requests significantly in my opinion.

Why not add another paragraph to the support articles to inform users about the installation procedure and for which devices the patch is designed?

Now You: Are you affected by this issue?

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