Windows · Microsoft · released October 13, 2026
Windows security updates, October 2026: every vulnerability, rated
Microsoft published 1,165 Windows vulnerabilities in October 2026, most of them on Patch Tuesday, October 13, 2026. 42 are rated Critical. 2 were already being exploited, so they go to the top of the list. 158 more deserve attention this week; 1,005 can follow the normal monthly rollout. 51 were fixed by an earlier update and only disclosed this month, so a PC that is already current is covered. The updates that carry these fixes need a restart.
- CVEs
- 1,165
- Patch now
- 2
- This week
- 158
- Normal cycle
- 972
- Low
- 33
Fixed in: October 2026 Windows security update restart requiredMicrosoft release notes
Page 13 of 20 · sorted by risk, then score
Normal cycle60 on this page · tap one for its risk review
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70160Windows Kernel
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Kernel, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70164Windows TCP/IP
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows TCP/IP, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70168Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70169Windows Connected Devices Platform Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Connected Devices Platform Service, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70198Windows Push Notifications
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Push Notifications, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70205Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70209Windows Win32k
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Win32k, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70212Windows Security Center
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Security Center, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126651, KB5126653, KB5126657) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70230Windows Audio Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Audio Service, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70243Windows Kernel
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Kernel, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653) for 4 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70252Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) Miniport Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulernability
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) Miniport Driver Elevation of Privilege Vulernability, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-70272Windows Installer
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Installer, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-72934Windows Program Compatibility Assistant Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Program Compatibility Assistant Service, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5127646) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-72968Windows Program Compatibility Assistant Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Program Compatibility Assistant Service, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 28 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-72969Windows Program Compatibility Assistant Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Program Compatibility Assistant Service, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5126655) for 14 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83564Windows Search Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Search Service, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83566Windows Win32k
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Win32k, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5127646, KB5127648) for 10 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83574Windows Search Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Search Service, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83575Windows Search Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Search Service, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83584Windows Smart Card
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Smart Card, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83644Windows Audio Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Audio Service, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 28 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83666Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS)
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS), an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126655) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83675Windows Kernel
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Kernel, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5127646, KB5127648) for 10 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83676Windows Installer
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Installer, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5126655) for 20 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83680Windows Installer
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Installer, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83682Windows TCP/IP
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows TCP/IP, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83687Windows Connected User Experiences and Telemetry
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Connected User Experiences and Telemetry, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5127646) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83689Windows Error Reporting
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Error Reporting, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83694Windows Volume Manager Extension Driver
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Volume Manager Extension Driver, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83696Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83701Windows Now Playing Session Manager
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Now Playing Session Manager, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 28 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83702Windows Installer
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Installer, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83707Windows Event Tracing
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Event Tracing, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 28 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83708Windows Installer
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Installer, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83710Windows Device Association Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Device Association Service, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 28 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83718Windows Installer
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Installer, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83720Windows Kerberos
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Kerberos, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5127646) for 2 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83722Microsoft Local Security Authority (LSA) Server
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Microsoft Local Security Authority (LSA) Server, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83740Windows Hello
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Hello, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83749Windows Overlay Filter
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Overlay Filter, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 28 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83751Windows MIDI Service Module Elevation of Privileges Vulnerability
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows MIDI Service Module Elevation of Privileges Vulnerability, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5127646, KB5127648) for 8 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83752Windows Installer
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Installer, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83775Windows Installer
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Installer, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83790Windows Hello
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Hello, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126653, KB5126657, KB5127646) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83827Windows Bluetooth Port Driver
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Bluetooth Port Driver, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 28 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83839Windows Hyper-V
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Hyper-V, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83841Windows Win32k
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Win32k, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83846Connected Devices Platform Service (Cdpsvc)
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Connected Devices Platform Service (Cdpsvc), an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83852Windows Bind Filter Driver
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Bind Filter Driver, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5127646, KB5127648) for 10 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83853Windows Hello
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Hello, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126653, KB5126657, KB5127646) for 16 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83866Windows Win32k
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Win32k, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 28 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83868Microsoft Bluetooth Driver
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Microsoft Bluetooth Driver, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83871Microsoft OpenSSH for Windows
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Microsoft OpenSSH for Windows, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83879Windows Overlay Filter
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Overlay Filter, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 30 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83900Windows Bind Filter Driver
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Bind Filter Driver, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126653, KB5127646) for 12 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83901Windows Win32 Kernel Subsystem
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Win32 Kernel Subsystem, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation unlikely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83908RPC Runtime
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In RPC Runtime, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83911Windows Storage
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Storage, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83915Windows Diagnostic Policy Service
Elevation of Privilege · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Diagnostic Policy Service, an attacker with an ordinary user account could take higher privileges once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 24 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
- Normal cycleWindowsOctober 13, 2026
CVE-2026-83916Windows Error Reporting
Remote Code Execution · Severity Important · CVSS 7
In Windows Error Reporting, an attacker with an ordinary user account could run their own code once they can run code on the PC. Microsoft severity Important, CVSS 7.0. Microsoft rates it "exploitation less likely". Fixed in the October 2026 Windows security update (KB5126646, KB5126651, KB5126653) for 32 supported Windows versions; a restart is required.
Why an MSP manages this
Reading the list is the easy part
Nobody running a business reads all of them, and nobody should have to. The work is deciding which ones matter today, testing the fixes, getting them onto every PC and Mac without breaking the workday, and proving it was done.
- 01
Triage that starts with the exploited ones
Most of these fixes can ride the normal monthly rollout. A handful need action the same day. Telling them apart, every month, on every machine, is the core of the work, and it is the part an office manager rarely has time for.
- 02
Testing before everyone gets it
Updates go to a test ring and a pilot group first, so a broken accounting package or design tool shows up on two machines instead of forty, and the rollout pauses until it is sorted.
- 03
Restarts that don't wreck the workday
Windows updates usually need a restart and macOS updates often do. Deadlines, maintenance windows and grace periods get the fix installed without forcing a reboot in the middle of a client call.
- 04
Macs managed as seriously as PCs
Windows patching tools don't patch Macs. macOS updates need their own install-by deadlines through device management, and major upgrades need the same compatibility testing a Windows feature update gets.
- 05
A plan for machines that can't update
Hardware that ages out and versions past end of support stop getting every fix. They need a decision, isolate, upgrade or replace, before they become the easiest way in.
- 06
Proof when someone asks
Cyber insurance applications, customer security questionnaires and frameworks such as the FTC Safeguards Rule all ask how you keep systems patched. A managed service keeps the inventory and the reports that answer them.
The ins and outs
What keeping Windows and Mac patched actually involves
Windows
Patch Tuesday, and the exceptions
Microsoft ships security updates on the second Tuesday of each month, and out of band when something can't wait. This log marks the out-of-band ones.
Cumulative updates
Each month's Windows update carries the earlier months' fixes, so a PC that missed one catches up with the next, as long as it actually installs.
Fixed first, announced later
Some fixes ship before the vulnerability is disclosed. This log flags them, because a PC that is already current is already covered.
Rings, deferrals and deadlines
Windows Update for Business and Intune let you delay updates for a test group, set an install-by deadline and give a grace period before a forced restart.
Known Issue Rollback and safeguard holds
Microsoft can quietly roll back a change that breaks something, and holds back feature updates from PCs it knows will have trouble. Both explain why two PCs on the same network can be on different builds.
Feature updates and end of support
Each Windows version is serviced for a fixed period. Windows 10 PCs past end of support only get security fixes through the paid Extended Security Updates program.
Mac
No fixed release day
Apple publishes security updates when they are ready, often several times a month around a major release, so Mac patching runs on alerts, not a calendar.
Updates versus upgrades
A point update (26.7 to 26.7.1) fixes problems. A major upgrade (Tahoe to Golden Gate) changes the system and needs the same app testing as a Windows feature update.
Older versions get some fixes, not all
Apple's deployment guide says not every security issue is fixed in previous major versions. Staying a version behind is a choice with a cost, not a safe default.
Install-by deadlines through device management
Without enforcement, a macOS update prompt can be put off again and again. Device management can set a deadline so the update installs on schedule.
Macs that age out
When a Mac can no longer run a current macOS version, it stops getting the full set of fixes. Inventory by model and macOS version shows which ones are next.
Apple Business for zero-touch setup
New Macs enrolled through Apple Business arrive already managed, so update policy applies from the first login instead of after someone remembers to enroll them.
Both platforms
Third-party apps aren't on these lists
Browsers, PDF readers, accounting software, VPN clients and plug-ins patch on their own schedules. A machine can be current on Windows or macOS and still exposed through an app.
Firmware and drivers
BIOS and UEFI firmware, docks and network gear get security fixes too, and they rarely update themselves.
Recovery keys before big changes
Before a feature update or a major macOS upgrade, confirm BitLocker and FileVault recovery keys are escrowed somewhere you can reach.
Laptops that are rarely in the office
Remote and travelling staff need updates delivered over the internet with the same deadlines as office machines, or they drift months behind.
You can't patch what you can't see
An up-to-date inventory of every PC and Mac, with its version and last update, is what turns a list like this one into a finished job.