Microsoft has withdrawn the most recent Windows 7 patch as it was discovered to be blocking the installation of digitally signed software. This happened to also include other Windows patches and drivers from NVIDIA and AMD.
The patch had originally changed how Windows polls for certificates to authenticate SSL and TLS connections. What was once done once a week was altered to poll once a day, which for some reason caused a large amount of software to not install properly. The issue mainly affects those using Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1; with the error code 0x8004FF91 being extremely common.
Microsoft has stepped up the frequency of its patches in recent years, and has made it a point to issue a new fix every Tuesday. However, the speed at which new patches roll out might allow for a few errors to slip through the cracks. While the Windows team has done an admirable job in adapting to the new paradigm, this is not the first patch that has had to be revoked.
Windows has not had an easy time since the release of Windows 8, and adding potential issues to Windows 7 doesn’t help the situation. With any luck, the upcoming Windows 10 will be able to revive user confidence; and would fit the unintended cycle of alternating between good and bad operating system releases.
[Source: Ars Technica]
