As part of July 2014 Patch Tuesday, Microsoft rolled out a number of security fixes. On top of those fixes, Microsoft also rolled out an optional update rollup (KB2967917) for Windows 8.1, Windows 8.1 RT, as well as Windows Server 2012 R2. If you head over to Windows Update, you will likely notice this update sitting in the Optional category.
“The July 2014 Windows RT 8.1, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2 update rollup package resolves issues, and includes performance and reliability improvements. We recommend that you apply this update rollup as part of your regular maintenance routines,” Microsoft stated (which I spotted via Neowin). This update weighs in at 21.4MB.
So why was this particular update rollup unchecked in Windows Update? Typically, Microsoft will roll out these types of updates as optional, giving you the choice of installing it or not, and even allowing you to take the time necessary to ensure systems are ready. Sometimes updates like these can cause issues and Microsoft understands this by making it optional, giving you time to prepare. However, it is also common for Microsoft to push these types of updates during Patch Tuesday, without giving users the option, after some time has elapsed.
So what exactly does this update rollup feature? Take a look at what it contains below.
- 2974318 Translation issue on a German language computer that is running Windows RT 8.1 or Windows 8.1
- 2973456 USB 2.1 device cannot be recognized when the BOS descriptor validation fails in Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2
- 2973071 “HTTP 403” or “0x80040001” error when a DirectAccess server requires OTP authentication in Windows RT 8.1 or Windows 8.1
- 2972090 Incorrect candidate selected in Japanese IME when you convert a Kana in the Search pane in Windows RT 8.1 or Windows 8.1
- 2970746 “Profile Installation Failed” error when iOS device is Workplace Joined by using DRS on a Windows Server 2012 R2-based server
- 2970237 Computer goes back to sleep mode quickly in Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2
- 2969040 Toggle button does not respond in landscape mode for a right-to-left language in Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2
- 2967165 PowerShell 3.0 fails to import signed localized data file on Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2
- 2937429 Group Policy Preferences items take a long time to apply because of full DFS namespace sync
- 2923238 Microsoft Online Responder can’t service an OCSP request that contains multiple certificates
- 2973445 “0x0000009F” Stop error when you restart a Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2-based computer
- 2972624 Date and time is incorrect when a computer running Windows 8.1 or Windows Server 2012 R2 resumes from hibernate mode
- 2971677 IP addresses become APIPA when DHCP failover server running Windows Server 2012 or Windows Server 2012 R2 is unavailable
- 2967567 Cannot access DFS root when the DFS path is offline and you log on to a Windows-based computer for the first time
- 2966729 0x8e5e043e error when you try to use the Tiering Engine Service in Windows Server 2012 R2
- 2960124 The Online Responder service does not return a deterministic GOOD for all certificates not included in the CRL
- 2954978 DNS query fails if you use BIND DNS together with Windows DNS in Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
- 2458125 The Value field under the Attribute item for event ID 5136 is empty in Windows Server
If you haven’t already done so, head over to Windows Update and snag this rollup. Let us know if you encounter any issues. You must reboot your computer after applying this update.
Further reading: Microsoft, Windows 8.1
