WINDOWS RELEASE HEALTH DASHBOARD
Contains all links below, except for old OSes, Azure Stack HCI, Microcode Updates, Flight hub, Servicing Stack Updates
https://docs.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/
RESOLVED AND KNOWN ISSUES
All OS, except Azure Stack HCI OS
Expand categories on the drop-down menu left hand side
https://docs.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/windows-message-center
RELEASE INFORMATION + SUPPORT LIFECYCLE
Gives an overview about Windows 10 release dates and end of support / supported OS versions and recommended versions.
Azure Stack HCI OS
https://docs.microsoft.com/azure-stack/hci/release-information
Windows Server 2016 - 2022 LTSC, Windows Version version xxxx SAC https://docs.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/windows-server-release-info
Windows 11 GAC (+ former SAC)
https://docs.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/windows11-release-information
Windows 10 GAC (+ former SAC)
https://docs.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/release-information
Windows 10 2015 - 2021 LTSC
https://docs.microsoft.com/windows/whats-new/ltsc/
INSIDER FLIGHT HUB
Announces changes for Windows 10 / 11 Insider builds Dev, Beta and release preview builds and patches as well as Windows Feature Pack Updates descriptions
(excluding Windows Server Insider and ADK)
https://docs.microsoft.com/windows-insider/flight-hub/
INTEL MICROCODE UPDATES
Tables top to bottom contains the higher level of security / number of mitigations. Means the bottom table has the highest level of protection / mitigation.
These are partly part of the OS depending on the version; therefore, some Windows versions are not listed. If you use WSUS consider importing these updates. Unfortunately they are not part of any product category, even though they are security releated.
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/summary-of-intel-microcode-updates-08c99af2-075a-4e16-1ef1-5f6e4...
Microsoft is making available Intel-validated microcode updates that are related to Spectre Variant 2 (CVE 2017-5715 [“Branch Target Injection”]).
Spectre Variant 3a (CVE-2018-3640: "Rogue System Register Read (RSRE)")
Spectre Variant 4 (CVE-2018-3639: "Speculative Store Bypass (SSB)"), and L1TF (CVE-2018-3620, CVE-2018-3646: "L1 Terminal Fault").
The following table lists specific Microsoft Knowledge Base articles by Windows version. The article contains links to the available Intel microcode updates by CPU.
KB number and description | Windows version | Source |
KB4589212: Intel microcode updates | Windows 10, version 2004 and 20H2, and Windows Server, version 2004 and 20H2 | Microsoft Update Catalog |
KB4497165 Intel microcode updates | Windows 10, version 1903 and 1909, Windows Server, version 1903 and 1909 | Microsoft Update Catalog |
KB4494174 Intel microcode updates | Windows 10, version 1809, Windows Server 2019 | Microsoft Update Catalog |
KB4494451 Intel microcode updates | Windows 10, version 1803, and Windows Server, version 1803 | Microsoft Update Catalog |
KB4494452 Intel microcode updates | Windows 10, version 1709, and Windows Server 2016, version 1709 | Microsoft Update Catalog |
KB4494453 Intel microcode updates | Windows 10, version 1703 | Microsoft Update Catalog |
KB4494175 Intel microcode updates | Windows 10, version 1607, and Windows Server 2016 | Microsoft Update Catalog |
KB4494454 Intel microcode updates | Windows 10 (RTM) | Microsoft Update Catalog |
SERVICING STACK UPDATES
These special updates for maintain the servicing stack of Windows (which is responsible for updates, dism, adding and removing features etc) have to be installed before any regular update.
Currently Windows 10 1909, Windows Server 2019 and Azure Stack HCI OS have combined CUs, means the SSU is already integrated and will care for the correct installation order.
Windows Client OS, Windows Server, Azure Stack HCI OS 21H2 and later version have integrated SSU into the CU. Possibly this will be backported to earlier versions. For
https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/ADV990001
WINDOWS UPDATE HISTORY aka Release Notes
Check the KBs, release date, changes, known issues and remediations of Windows Updates per Windows Version
AZURE STACK HCI OS
Azure Stack HCI OS 21H2 (release + public preview)
Build 20348
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/release-notes-for-azure-stack-hci-version-21h2-5c5e6adf-e0...
Azure Stack HCI OS 20H2
Build 17784
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/release-notes-for-azure-stack-hci-64c79b7f-d536-015d-b8dd-575f01...
WINDOWS SERVER LTSC
Windows Server 2022 LTSC
build 20348, internal 21H2
http://support.microsoft.com/help/5005454
Windows Server 2019 LTSC
build 17763, internal 1809
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-and-windows-server-2019-update-history-725fc2e1-4443-...
Windows Server 2016 LTSC
build 14393, internal 1607
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-and-windows-server-2016-update-history-4acfbc84-a290-...
Windows Server 2012 R2 / 2012 R2 Update 1 KB2919355 / ESU (soon)
build 6.3.9200 / build 6.3.9600
Mind that you cannot install updates after KB2919355 if this update and prerequisites are not installed
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-8-1-and-windows-server-2012-r2-update-history-47d81dd2-6...
Windows Server 2012 + ESU (soon)
build 6.2.9200
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-server-2012-update-history-abfb9afd-2ebf-1c19-4224-ad86f...
Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) + ESU
build 6.1.7601
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-7-sp1-and-windows-server-2008-r2-sp1-update-history-720c...
Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 (SP2)
build 6.0.6002
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/updateverlauf-f%C3%BCr-windows-server-2008-sp2-9197740a-7430-f69...
WINDOWS SERVER VERSION, GAC (+ former SAC)
This special core version of Windows Server, eligble to use with active Software Assurance for Windows Server started with 1709 ends with 20H2.
For Update history check the Windows 10 release notes. I have not listed them specifically due to their very specific usecase and probably low installation count.
WINDOWS OS LTSC (Long-Term Support Channel)
Windows 10 21H2 LTSC
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-update-history-857b8ccb-71e4-49e5-b3f6-7073197d98fb
(link unconfirmed to apply for LTSC as of 13.01.2022)
Windows 10 1809 LTSC
Build 17763
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-and-windows-server-2019-update-history-725fc2e1-4443-...
Windows 10 1607 LTSC
Build 14393
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-and-windows-server-2016-update-history-4acfbc84-a290-...
Windows 10 1507 LTSC
Build 10240
Note that this build has no sub build numbers yet so you cannot recognize in the version which update / CU is installed
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-update-history-93345c32-4ae1-6d1c-f885-6c0b718adf3b
WINDOWS OS, SAC (naming till 21H1), GAC (General Availability Channel, naming for 21H2 and later)
Windows 11 version 21H2
Build 22000
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-11-update-history-a19cd327-b57f-44b9-84e0-26ced7109ba9
Windows 10 version 21H2
Build 19044
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-update-history-857b8ccb-71e4-49e5-b3f6-7073197d98fb
Windows 10 version 21H1
Build 19043
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-update-history-1b6aac92-bf01-42b5-b158-f80c6d93eb11
Windows 10 version 20H2
Build 19042
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-update-history-7dd3071a-3906-fa2c-c342-f7f86728a6e3
Windows 10 version 2004
Build 19041
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-update-history-24ea91f4-36e7-d8fd-0ddb-d79d9d0cdbda
Windows 10 version 1909
Build 18363
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-update-history-53c270dc-954f-41f7-7ced-488578904dfe
Windows 10 version 1903
Build 18362
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-update-history-e6058e7c-4116-38f1-b984-4fcacfba5e5d
Windows 10 version 1809
Build 17763
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-and-windows-server-2019-update-history-725fc2e1-4443-...
Windows 10 version 1803
Build 17134
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-update-history-0d8c2da6-3dba-66e4-2ef2-059192bf7869
Windows 10 version 1709
Build 16299
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-and-windows-server-update-history-8e779ac1-e840-d3b8-...
Windows 10 version 1703
Build 15063
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-update-history-83aa43c0-82e0-92d8-1580-10642c9ed612
Windows 10 version 1607
Build 14393
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-and-windows-server-2016-update-history-4acfbc84-a290-...
Windows 10 version 1511
Build 10586
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-update-history-2ad7900f-882c-1dfc-f9d7-82b7ca162010
Windows 10 version 1507
Build 10240
Note that this build has no sub build numbers yet so you cannot recognize in the version which update / CU is installed
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-10-update-history-93345c32-4ae1-6d1c-f885-6c0b718adf3b
Windows 8.1 + 8.1 Update 1 KB2919355
build 6.3.9200 / 6.3.9600
Mind that you cannot install updates after KB2919355 if this update and prerequisites are not installed
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-8-1-and-windows-server-2012-r2-update-history-47d81dd2-6...
Windows 8.0
build 6.2
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-server-2012-update-history-abfb9afd-2ebf-1c19-4224-ad86f...
Windows 7.0 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
build 6.1.7601
https://support.microsoft.com/topic/windows-7-sp1-and-windows-server-2008-r2-sp1-update-history-720c...
Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)
build 6.0.6002
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/windows-server-2008-sp2-update-history-9197740a-7430-f69f-...
HISTORY:
13.01.2022 - added release information for Azure Stack HCI, Windows 10 LTSC, corrections on naming conventions of SAC, GAC, LTSC
13.12.2021
- corrected some links that directly linked to en-us instead of the generic page which would redirect to localized pages,
- added Windows 10 21H2 SAC link.
- honoured naming convention branch > channel.
- added General availability channel which is the successor of the SAC (Semi Annual Channel starting with 21H2 releases.
03.11.2021 - Added information for Windows 11 21H1
13.10.2021 - Added information to Azure Stack HCI 21H2 release, other docs still not mention it except update history
07.10.2021 - Added Intel Microcode updates for all available threats and versions
07.10.2021 - Updated one available link for Windows 11. Update histories for 21H2 version W10/W11 are still missing
17.09.2021 - fixed some links pointing to a specific language
17.09.2021 - formatting, seperating LTSC from SAC for Windows 10, added SSUs
17.09.2021 - initial version
