Microsoft's First Windows 10 ESU Patch Tuesday Release Fails for Some
On the eve of its Ignite conference, Microsoft has encountered an unexpected setback with the initial Extended Security Update (ESU) release for many commercial Windows 10 customers.
The November 11 update, KB5068781, encountered installation issues on devices activated via the Microsoft 365 admin center, resulting in a 0x800f0922 (CBSEINSTALLERS_FAILED) error message. Microsoft acknowledged the problem, stating, "The issue is under investigation, and additional information will be shared as soon as it becomes available." As of now, there is no fix or workaround available.
This marks the second ESU failure in a week. On Thursday, Microsoft issued an out-of-band patch after consumers reported enrollment failures. Interestingly, the latest update included a fix for the October 14 release, which incorrectly displayed a message in the Windows Update Settings page, indicating that the Windows version had reached the end of support.
Microsoft's ESU program enables commercial customers to pay for continued security updates after Windows 10's free support ended on October 14. The company's lack of quality control has been a recurring theme, with users expressing frustration over incorrect ESU and LTSC Windows 10 out-of-support messages.
As Microsoft prepares for Ignite, the focus is likely to be on addressing reliability and stability concerns rather than introducing new AI-enabled features. The company's recent emphasis on the 'evolving agentic OS' has raised questions about the priority of fixing current issues. Users are calling for immediate solutions to the current problems rather than future AI-driven advancements.
The Register's recent article highlighted the need for a new name to describe Microsoft's legendary approach to quality control. For Windows 10 users, the message is clear: expect more 'sloppy updates' in the future. This situation underscores the importance of reliable and stable software updates, especially for commercial customers who rely on Microsoft's ESU program for security.
