Microsoft has issued new security fixes and general improvements to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 following the release of cumulative updates for several Windows 10 versions. Among other security fixes, Microsoft has also addressed the issue that caused high CPU usage after the Spectre Variant 2 fixes were installed.

Windows 8.1 has receivedKB4467697 andKB4467703 (security-only update) bringing the following changes and fixes:

Addresses an issue that causes high CPU usage that results in performance degradation on some systems with Family 15h and 16h AMD processors. This issue occurs after installing the July 2018 Windows updates from Microsoft and the AMD microcode updates that address Spectre Variant 2 (CVE-2017-5715 – Branch Target Injection).Security updates to Windows App Platform and Frameworks, Windows Graphics, Internet Explorer, Windows Wireless Networking, Windows Kernel, and Windows Server.

As for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1, the user-favorite operating system receivesKB4467107 (Monthly Rollup) andKB4467106 (security-only) updates, bringing security improvements and bug fixesto Windows App Platform and Frameworks, Windows Graphics, Windows Wireless Networking, Windows Kernel, and Windows Server.

While there are no known issues for Windows 8.1, for Windows 7 Microsoft has mentioned the following issue:

You can install the latest security updates from Control Panel or download and install them manually through the Microsoft Update Catalog website.

- Earlier: Download Windows 10 October 2018 Update ISO Files