Patch Tuesday for October 2017: Sorting Through This Month's 55 Patches And Updates

We looked through all 149 entries posted in September's security updates and for each entry, asked four questions:

Skipping the server-based stuff — that's more the purview of IT professionals — here are the remaining patches you'll probably be looking at.

All of these updates will be installed automatically on your system unless the software is not installed or if you have deferred or blocked Windows Update.

We are very pro-update: This prevents you from getting hit with exploits that rely on weaknesses in older iterations of an operating system or piece of software. But it never hurts to see what these patches do, and highlight which ones might have any related issues that you should be watching out for when you update your system.

Microsoft Edge Patches

What is this patch named? Security Update for Microsoft Edge

What versions of Windows is it for?

KB4042895 - Windows 10 (Initial Release)
KB4041689 - Windows 10 (Version 1511)
KB4041691 - Windows 10 (Version 1607)
KB4041676 - Windows 10 Version 1703)

What does it fix? Security issues in the Microsoft Edge web browser.

Any known issues?

For KB4042895: After installing KB4042895, package users may see an error dialog that indicates that an application exception has occurred when closing some applications. This can affect applications that use mshtml.dll to load web content. The failure only occurs when a process is already shutting down and will not impact application functionality. Microsoft is working on a resolution for this issue.

For KB4041691: After installing this update, downloading updates using express installation files may fail. See KB4041691 for the work around.

Internet Explorer Patches

What is this patch named? Monthly Rollup, IE Cumulative, or Security Update

What versions of Windows is it for?

KB4041681 Monthly Rollup - Windows 7 (Service Pack 1)
KB4040685 IE Cumulative - Windows 7 (Service Pack 1)

KB4041693 Monthly Rollup - Windows 8.1
KB4040685 IE Cumulative - Windows 8.1
KB4041693 Monthly Rollup - Windows RT 8.1

KB4042895 Security Update - Windows 10
KB4041689 Security Update - Windows 10 (Version 1511)
KB4041691 Security Update - Windows 10 (Version 1607)
KB4041676 Security Update - Windows 10 (Version 1703)

What does it fix? Security issues in the Internet Explorer web browser

Any known issues?

KB4041681: After installing KB4041681, package users may see an error dialog that indicates that an application exception has occurred when closing some applications. This can affect applications that use mshtml.dll to load web content. The failure only occurs when a process is already shutting down and will not impact application functionality. Microsoft is working on a solution.

KB4041693: After installing KB4041693, package users may see an error dialog that indicates that an application exception has occurred when closing some applications. This can affect applications that use mshtml.dll to load web content. The failure only occurs when a process is already shutting down and will not impact application functionality. Microsoft is working on a solution.

KB4042895: After installing KB4042895, package users may see an error dialog that indicates that an application exception has occurred when closing some applications. This can affect applications that use mshtml.dll to load web content. The failure only occurs when a process is already shutting down and will not impact application functionality. Microsoft is working on a solution.

KB4041691: After installing this update, downloading updates using express installation files may fail. See KB4041691 for work around.

KB4041676: Installing KB4034674 may change Czech and Arabic languages to English for Microsoft Edge and other applications. Systems with support enabled for USB Type-C Connector System Software Interface (UCSI) may experience a blue screen or stop responding with a black screen when a system shutdown is initiated. Microsoft is working on solutions for both issues.

Windows Patches

What is this patch named? Security Update, Monthly Rollup, or Security Only

What versions of Windows is it for?

KB4041681 Monthly Rollup - Windows 7 (Service Pack 1)
KB4041678 Security Only - Windows 7 (Service Pack 1)

KB4041693 Monthly Rollup - Windows 8.1
KB4041687 Security Only - Windows 8.1
KB4038793 Security Only - Windows 8.1
KB4041693 Monthly Rollup - Windows RT 8.1

KB4042895 Monthly Rollup - Windows 10
KB4041689 Monthly Rollup - Windows 10 (Version 1511)
KB4041691 Monthly Rollup - Windows 10 (Version 1607)
KB4041676 Monthly Rollup - Windows 10 (Version 1703)

What does it fix? Addresses various security updates, system performance/fixes, and quality improvements.

Any known issues?

KB4041681: After installing KB4041681, package users may see an error dialog that indicates that an application exception has occurred when closing some applications. This can affect applications that use mshtml.dll to load web content. The failure only occurs when a process is already shutting down and will not impact application functionality. Microsoft is working on a solution.

KB4041693: After installing KB4041693, package users may see an error dialog that indicates that an application exception has occurred when closing some applications. This can affect applications that use mshtml.dll to load web content. The failure only occurs when a process is already shutting down and will not impact application functionality. Microsoft is working on a solution.

KB4042895: After installing KB4042895, package users may see an error dialog that indicates that an application exception has occurred when closing some applications. This can affect applications that use mshtml.dll to load web content. The failure only occurs when a process is already shutting down and will not impact application functionality. Microsoft is working on a solution.

KB4041691: After installing this update, downloading updates using express installation files may fail. See KB4041691 for work around.

KB4041676: Installing KB4034674 may change Czech and Arabic languages to English for Microsoft Edge and other applications. Systems with support enabled for USB Type-C Connector System Software Interface (UCSI) may experience a blue screen or stop responding with a black screen when a system shutdown is initiated. Microsoft is working on solutions for both issues.

Office Updates

What is this patch named? Security Update or Release Notes

What versions of Office is it for?

KB3213648 Security Updates - Office 2007 (Service Pack 3)

KB3213630, KB3213627, KB4011196 Security Updates - Office 2010 (Service Pack 2)

KB3172524, KB3172531 Security Updates - Office 2013 (Service Pack 1)

KB3172524, KB3172531 Security Update - Office 2013 RT (Service Pack 1)

KB4011185, KB2920723 Security Updates - Office 2016

Release Notes - Office 2016 for Mac

What does it fix? 

Remote Code execution vulnerability with a specially crafted Office file.

Any known issues? None noted.