Following the massive Wana Decrypt0r ransomware outbreak from yesterday afternoon, Microsoft has released an out-of-bound patch for older operating systems to protect them against Wana Decrypt0r's self-spreading mechanism.

The operating systems are Windows XP, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2003. These are old operating systems that Microsoft stopped supporting years before and did not receive a fix for the SMBv1 exploit that the Wana Decrypt0r ransomware used yesterday as a self-spreading mechanism.

That mechanism is a modified version of the ETERNALBLUE exploit, an alleged NSA hacking tool leaked last month by a group known as The Shadow Brokers.

Original MS17-010 patch didn't include XP/Win8 fixes

This is the 'redist' version of DirectX - all files are downloaded in one package (rather than an active download). Windows XP, XP 64-bit, Vista (all versions), Vista 64-bit, Windows 7 Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008.

Microsoft had released a fix for that exploit a month before, in March, in security bulletin MS17-010. That security bulletin only included fixes for Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012, and Windows Server 2016.

• Run the Windows 8.1 Update troubleshooter to fix the problem. Install the Windows 8.1 Update or Windows RT 8.1 Update. If you're running Windows 8.1, go to the Microsoft Download Center: Windows 8.1 Update (32-bit version) Windows 8.1 Update (64-bit version).
• I downloaded the new Microsoft security patch for Windows XP SP3, ran it, and got the error, “Failed. This computer has a different. You have now been able to download Microsoft’s patch.

As the SMBv1 is a protocol that comes built-in with all Windows versions, the computers which did not receive MS17-010 remained vulnerable to exploitation via Wana Decrypt0r's self-spreading package.

'Given the potential impact to customers and their businesses, we made the decision to make the Security Update for platforms in custom support only, Windows XP, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2003, broadly available for download,' Microsoft said in a statement. 'This decision was made based on an assessment of this situation, with the principle of protecting our customer ecosystem overall, firmly in mind.'

Researchers believe that Wana Decrypt0r — also referenced online as WCry, WannaCry, WannaCrypt, and WanaCrypt0r — infected over 141,000 computers.

While unconfirmed, many believe older Windows XP and Windows Server versions were the bulk of the infections pool, as they had no way to protect themselves.

Patch systems and disable SMBv1 where possible

Besides installing these out-of-band updates — available for download from here — Microsoft also advises companies and users to disable the SMBv1 protocol, as it's an old and outdated protocol, already superseded by newer versions, such as SMBv2 and SMBv3.

The current Wana Decrypt0r outbreak has been stopped last night after a security researcher found a kill switch. This is only temporary, as the attackers could release a new version of this threat. This is why patching the SMBv1 exploit is a better solution.

For those affected, you can discuss this ransomware and receive support in the dedicated WanaCrypt0r & Wana Decrypt0r Help & Support Topic. Bleeping Computer also published a technical analysis of the Wana Decrypt0r ransomware.

Microsoft regularly releases major updates to their Windows operating systems.

Traditionally those updates are service packs, but more often these days, they're semi-regular and significant updates via Windows Update.

In fact, in Windows 10 and Windows 8, the service pack, as we know it from previous versions of Windows, is essentially a dead idea. Much like updates on your smartphone, Microsoft is continually adding major features via automatic patching.

Below you'll find all the latest information on both service packs and these other major updates that Microsoft is regularly pushing to its users.

Latest Major Updates to Windows 10

As of August 2019, the last major update to Windows 10 is Windows 10 Version 1903, referred to as the May 2019 Update and code-named 19H1. This update began rolling out on May 21, 2019.

Updating is completely automatic via Windows Update.

You can read more about the individual fixes and improvements on Microsoft's What's New in Windows 10 Version 1903.

Latest Major Updates to Windows 8

As of August 2019, the latest major update for Windows 8 is Windows 8.1 Update.¹

If you've already updated to Windows 8.1, the easiest way to update to Windows 8.1 Update is via Windows Update. See instructions for manually installing Windows 8.1 Update in the Download Windows 8.1 Update section of our Windows 8.1 Update Facts piece.

Microsoft Windows Xp Download Center

If you are not already running Windows 8.1, see How to Update to Windows 8.1 for detailed instructions on applying the Windows 8.1 update. When that's done, update to Windows 8.1 Update via Windows Update.

Microsoft Xp Patch Ransomware

Microsoft is not planning another big update to Windows 8, like a Windows 8.2 or Windows 8.1 Update 2. New features, if available, will instead be pushed via updates on Patch Tuesday.

Latest Microsoft Windows Service Packs (Windows 7, Vista, XP)

The most recent Windows 7 service pack is SP1, but a Convenience Rollup for Windows 7 SP1 (basically an otherwise-named Windows 7 SP2) is also available which installs all patches between the release of SP1 (February 22, 2011) through April 12, 2016.

The latest service packs for other versions of Microsoft Windows include Windows Vista SP2, Windows XP SP3, and Windows 2000 SP4.

In the table below are links that take you directly to the latest Microsoft Windows service packs and major updates for each operating system. These updates are free.

Please note that for most of you, the easiest way to install the latest Windows service pack or update is to run Windows Update.

_{[1] Beginning in Windows 8, Microsoft began releasing regular, major updates to Windows 8. Service packs will not be released.
[2] Windows 7 SP1 and the April 2015 Servicing Stack Update both must be installed prior to installing the Convenience Rollup.
[3] Windows Vista SP2 can only be installed if you already have Windows Vista SP1 installed, which you can download here for 32-bit versions, and here for 64-bit ones.
[4] Windows XP SP3 can only be installed if you already have Windows XP SP1a or Windows XP SP2 installed. If you do not have one or the other of those service packs installed, install SP1, available here, before trying to install Windows XP SP3.
[5] Windows XP Professional is the only 64-bit version of Windows XP and the latest service pack released for the operating system is SP2.}