Windows 10 Latest Patch KB4528760 And KB4534273 To Fix Security Bug Reported By NSA Failing To Install With Generic Error Message

Alap Naik DesaiJanuary 17, 2020
2 minutes read
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An important Security Patch for Windows 10 operating system is failing to install on quite a few computers. The patch addresses a flaw tagged as ‘Important’. Incidentally, the security vulnerability was discovered and reported by the United States’ National Security Agency (NSA). Apparently, the KB4528760 is meant for the latest Windows 10 version, while KB4534273 is meant for Windows 10 OS version 1809.

Microsoft released a Windows 10 updates on Tuesday to fix a security bug reported that was first reported by the NSA. Although the patch is fairly standard and straightforward, many Windows 10 OS users have complained that KB4534273, as well as KB4534273, fail to download or install. The patch, however, doesn’t seem to break anything.

Microsoft Releases KB4528760 And KB4534273 For Different Windows 10 OS Versions

Microsoft released two separate security updates to address the security vulnerability tagged ‘Important’. However, the two updates are meant for separate Windows 10 OS versions. Windows 10 users currently on the latest feature update, the May 2019 Update and November 2019 Update, are getting KB4528760. Meanwhile, those on the older Windows 10 version 1809 are getting KB4534273. The updates are part of the much larger Patch Tuesday Update Program, and according to Microsoft, these updates resolve several security bugs.

The security flaw that Microsoft urgently addressed, affects the way Windows CryptoAPI (Crypt32.dll) validates Elliptic Curve Cryptography certificates on Windows 10. Perhaps the security flaw could be exploited in the wild, and hence Microsoft hasn’t offered more details about the flaw. However, given the fact that it was the NSA that first discovered and reported the flaw, it can be safely assumed that installing the security patches is critical for the safe operation of Windows 10 OS.

KB4528760 And KB4534273 Both Are Reportedly Failing To Install:

There is a growing list on Reddit which contains complaints from several Windows 10 OS users who claim the security patches are failing to install on their computers. Incidentally, there are multiple reports for all the Windows 10 OS versions. In other words, the security updates are failing irrespective of the version of Windows 10 OS currently installed.

The installation of the security patches abruptly ends with a generic error message. While attempting to install KB4528760 or KB4534273, a user on Reddit reported, “There were problems installing some updates, but we’ll try again later. 2020-01 Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1909 for x64-based Systems (KB4528760) – Error 0x800f0988. Troubleshooter, sfc, dism don’t fix the error.”

Interestingly a few reports also claim the updates fail with the Windows 10’s January 2020 update package on their PC. Multiple users have also documented Windows 10’s January 2020 update installation issues on Microsoft’s Community forum. One of them even writes, “The disturbing part of all of this is that it exists in the first place. MS’s patching and updating system is fundamentally broken and has been for 30+ years. It is extremely poorly designed and way too fragile.”

While there are reports about the KB4528760 And KB4534273 failing to install, several Windows 10 OS users have also come forth assuring that they successfully installed the same. Furthermore, the users have added that the updates do not break anything.

Windows 10 OS users who are concerned about safety, should attempt to manually install the Windows 10 Cumulative Update on their computers. The January 2020 Patch Tuesday update focus was on fixing the important security issues in Windows 10. Hence, it is quite important that end-users and administrators patch the Windows 10 devices as early as possible.

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Alap Naik DesaiJanuary 17, 2020
2 minutes read
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Alap Naik Desai


A B.Tech Plastics (UDCT) and a Windows enthusiast. Optimizing the OS, exploring software, searching and deploying solutions to strange and weird issues is Alap's main interest.
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