[German]Microsoft’s Internet Explorer has an unpatched vulnerability. Security researchers have now discovered that this zero-day vulnerability is being exploited by a APT group to distribute malware.

First I found this Bleeping Computer article as a single source. A few hours ago, The Register also published this article on the subject. This article points out that Microsoft published this document a few days ago, which refers to IE 9 and 10.

The term Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) is used to describe state-supported cyber espionage units.

IE Zero Day Kernel vulnerability

Security researchers from Chinese anti-virus vendor Qihoo 360 Core have recently observed that APT groups use a zero-day vulnerability in Internet Explorer kernel code to infect victims with malware. Qihoo 360 Core has reported the problem to Microsoft, as Bleeping Computer learned from the company.

We uncovered an IE 0day vulnerability has been embedded in malicious MS Office document, targeting limited users by a known APT actor.Details reported to MSRC @msftsecresponse

— 360 Core Security (@360CoreSec) 20. April 2018

The zero-day exploit has been used in live attacks as part of Office documents sent to selected targets. The Qihoo 360 Core Team writes that the Zero Day exploit uses a so-called “double kill” vulnerability. This affects the latest versions of Internet Explorer and all other applications that use the IE kernel.

“After the target opens the document, all exploit codes and malicious payloads are loaded from a remote server,” write researchers in a blog post (Chinese) on the Weibo micro blogging platform. The researchers state that the attack involves the use of a publicly known UAC bypass method, reflective DLL loading, file less execution and steganography.

The Qihoo 360 Core Team has not revealed the exact details of the attacks. Microsoft has neither confirmed nor denied the results of Qihoo 360 Core. The company has issued the following statement.

Windows is committed to investigating reported security issues and proactively updating affected devices as quickly as possible. We recommend our customers to use Windows 10 and the Microsoft Edge Browser for the best protection. Our standard policy is to remedy our current update Tuesday schedule.

That’s more than thin, of course. The Qihoo 360 Core Team is also silent about a request for further information about the APT Group.

[German]Microsoft’s Meltdown security patches released since January 2018 has created a new vulnerability called Total Meltdown in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. Now somebody has released exploit code on GitHub to exploit this vulnerability. Here is an attempt to classify and sort a few things.

What is Total Meltdown?

The updates provided by Microsoft to close the meltdown vulnerability open another security hole called Total Meltdown on Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. I’ve described the problem in late March 2018 in the blog post Windows 7 Jan./Feb. 2018 patches opens Total Meltdown vulnerability.

This allows any process under Windows 7 to read and write to any memory area without exploits. Utilization only requires simple read and write operations on the already mapped virtual memory. Ulf Frisk draws attention to this in his blog entry Total Meltdown. Also the March 2018 patches did not change this vulnerability, as Ulf Frisk added in his blog post.

Microsoft’s attempts to fix this issue

Woody Leonhard has it at askwoody.com, the following list of security updates has been released to fix the Meltdown vulnerarbility.

• KB 4056894 Win7/Server 2008 R2 January Monthly Rollup.
• KB 4056897 Win7/Server 2008 R2 January Security-only patch.
• KB 4073578 Hotfix for “Unbootable state for AMD devices in Windows 7 SP1. and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1” bug installed in the January Monthly Rollup and Security-only patches.
• KB 4057400 Win7/Server 2008 R2 Preview of the February Monthly Rollup.
• KB 4074598 Win7/Server 2008 R2 February Monthly Rollup.
• KB 4074587 Win7/Server 2008 R2 February Security-only patch.
• KB 4075211 Win7/Server 2008 R2 Preview of the March Monthly Rollup.
• KB 4091290 Hotfix for “smart card based operations fail with error with SCARD_E_NO_SERVICE” bug installed in the February Monthly Rollup.
• KB 4088875 Win7/Server 2008 R2 March Monthly Rollup.
• KB 4088878 Win7/Server 2008 R2 March Security-only patch.
• KB 4088881 Win7/Server 2008 R2 Preview of April Monthly Rollup.

These updates are causing the Total Meltdown security issue.

Total Meltdown Exploit released

Hacker and InfoSec Researcher xpn has released the exploit code for CVE-2018-1038.c on Github. A broader discussion has been published here by xpn. All the information needed to attack systems running Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 / R2 is now available, as Woody Leonhard just mentioned on askwoody.com.

What can we do?

Microsoft has released a security update on March 29, 2018 to fix Total Meltdown vulnerability (see Update KB4100480 for Windows 7/Server 2008 R2 (03/29/2018)). But this update is causing issues (see here and here). On April  10, 2018 a Windows-Kernel-Update for CVE-2018-1038 for Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1, to close Total Meltdown, has been released.

But there are issues with these updates …

Update KB4093118 (see blog post Patchday: Updates for Windows 7/8.1/Server April 2018) is causing an install loop on several machines (especially Windows Server 2008 R2). And there is a SMB memory leak. I’ve mentioned that within my blog post Microsoft April 2018 patchday issues.

So many users hides these updates to avoid the issues mentioned above. If you hide update KB4093118, you are not protected against Total Meltdown.

Tip: Within my blog post Microsoft April 2018 patchday issues I’ve mentioned, that uninstalling update KB4093113 (RollUp), which is causing the install loop, may fix the isue. So you are able to install update KB4093118.

Woody Leonhard gives this advices to protect Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

• Download security only update KB4093108  from April 7, 2018 from Microsoft Update Catalog and install it manually.
• Install Monthly Quality Update KB4093118 from April 23, 2017 (if that is possible).

Woody Leonhard advises to make a backup before installing the updates to be able to reset the system in case of problems. Is the installation of the above updates not possible due to known bugs or installation problems? MVP colleague Susan Bradley suggests the last possibility here: Reset the machine so far that no more January 2018 updates are installed. Only people who are running Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 or their server counterparts are not affected.

[German]Microsoft released on April 23, 2018 several update revisions. And cumulative update KB4093105 for Windows 10 Version 1709 (Fall Creators Update) has been published.

Cumulative Update KB4093105 applies to Windows 10 version 1709 and includes quality improvements, but no new new operating system features. The kb article contains a huge list of fixes, where the most important are.

• Addresses an issue that causes modern applications to reappear after upgrading the OS version even though those applications have been deprovisioned using remove-AppXProvisionedPackages-Online.
• Addresses an issue in which running an application as an administrator causes the application to stop working when pasting the user name or password into the user elevation prompt (LUA).
• Addresses an issue that causes Skype and Xbox to stop working.
• Addresses an issue that prevents Autodiscover in Microsoft Outlook 2013 from being used to set up email accounts when UE-V is enabled.
• Addresses an issue with the first launch performance of UWP Desktop Bride apps.
• Addresses an issue with the Search tab of Microsoft Outlook 2016 during the upgrade from Windows 10, version 1703, to Windows 10, version 1709.
• Addresses an issue that causes updates for large game apps to fail.
• Addresses an issue that removes user-pinned folders or tiles from the Start menu in some cases
• Addresses an issue that causes invisible apps to appear in the Start menu.
• Addresses an issue that might cause some users to experience unexpected panning or scrolling in certain apps while using the pen.

All details may be read here. This update is cumulative, it installs missing patches from previous updates and will be distributed automatically via Windows Update. The package is also available in Microsoft Update Catalog.

Know Issue

There is a know issue: Windows Update History reports that KB4054517 failed to install because of error 0x80070643.

Even though the update was successfully installed, Windows Update incorrectly reports that the update failed to install. To verify the installation and that there are no additional updates available, select Check for Updates.

You can also type About your PC in the search box on the taskbar to verify that your device is using the expected OS build, where 16299.402 should be reported.

[German]Besides a cumulative update for Windows 10 V1709 (see Windows 10 Version 1709: Update KB4093105 available) Microsoft has released update revisions for Windows 7 Update KB4093118 and KB4093113 on April 23, 2018.

I already noticed this when I wrote the article Windows 10 Version 1709: Update KB4093105 available. Yesterday blog-reader Markus K. has informed me by mail about some additional revisions (thanks for that).

Here is the list of revised updates for WSUS that Markus sent me for April 23, 2018:

New Update Alert

The following 4 new updates have been synchronized to WSUSSV01 since Tuesday, April 24, 2018 3:03 AM (GMT).

Critical and Security Updates

• 2018-04 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB4093118)
  A security issue has been identified in a Microsoft software product that could affect your system. You can help protect your system by installing this update from Microsoft. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article. After you install this update, you may have to restart your system.
• 2018-04 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 for x86-based Systems (KB4093118)
  A security issue has been identified in a Microsoft software product that could affect your system. You can help protect your system by installing this update from Microsoft. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article. After you install this update, you may have to restart your system.

Other Updates

• 2018-04 Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 for x86-based Systems (KB4093113)
  Install this update to resolve issues in Windows. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.
• 2018-04 Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 for x64-based Systems (KB4093113)
  Install this update to resolve issues in Windows. For a complete listing of the issues that are included in this update, see the associated Microsoft Knowledge Base article for more information. After you install this item, you may have to restart your computer.

Markus wrote that in the corresponding KB articles there are no references to changes or the purpose of the re-release. The only thing that comes to my mind are the events around the article Windows 7/Server 2008 R2: Total Meltdown exploit went public. But there seems no changes within the binary code of these updates. But I got a feedback from German site administrator.de here, that after re-release of Update KB4093118 and KB4093113 for 2008R2 and Win7 the install loop has been gone.

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Microsoft Patchday Summary April 10, 2018
Patchday: Windows 10 Updates April 10, 2018
Patchday: Updates for Windows 7/8.1/Server April 2018
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Windows 10 Version 1709: Update KB4093105 available

[German]Microsoft released the updates KB4090007, KB4091663, KB4091664, KB4091666 and KB078407 on April 24, 2018. These are microcode updates designed to protect Windows 10 against Spectre Variant 2 (and, if necessary, meltdown). Addition: The update  has also been released.

German site deskmodder.de recognized some Microsoft kb articles about microcode updates released on April 24, 2018. Here are the links to the KB articles I found. 

• KB4090007 for Windows 10 Version 1709 uand Windows Server 2016 Version 1709
• KB4091663 for Windows 10 Version 1703
• KB4091664 for Windows 10 Version 1607 and Windows Server 2016
• KB4091666 for Windows 10 Version 1507 (RTM)

Microsoft has now added microcode updates for Broadwell DE A1, Broadwell DE V1, Broadwell DE V2,V3, Broadwell DE Y0, Broadwell H 43e, Broadwell U/Y, Broadwell Xeon E3.

Product Names (CPU)	Public Name	CPUID	Intel Microcode Update Revision	Microsoft Update Standalone Package Version
Skylake H/S	6th Generation Intel Core Processor Family	506E3	0xC2	V1.002
Skylake U/Y & Skylake U23e	6th Generation Intel Core m Processors	406E3	0xC2	V1.002
Skylake Server SP (H0, M0, U0)	Intel® Xeon® Bronze Processor 3104, 3106 Intel® Xeon® Gold Processor 5115, 5118, 5119T, 5120, 5120T, 5122, 6126, 6126F, 6126T, 6128, 6130, 6130F, 6130T, 6132, 6134, 6134M, 6136, 6138, 6138F, 6138T, 6140, 6140M, 6142, 6142F, 6142M, 6144, 6146, 6148, 6148F, 6150, 6152, 6154 Intel® Xeon® Platinum Processor 8153, 8156, 8158, 8160, 8160F, 8160M, 8160T, 8164, 8168, 8170, 8170M, 8176, 8176F, 8176M, 8180, 8180M Intel® Xeon® Silver Processor 4108, 4109T, 4110, 4112, 4114, 4114T, 4116, 4116T	00050654	0x2000043	V1.002
Skylake D (Bakerville)	Intel® Xeon® Processor D-2123IT, D-2141I, D-2142IT, D2143IT, D-2145NT, D-2146NT, D-2161I, D-2163IT, D2166NT, D-2173IT, D-2177NT, D-2183IT, D-2187NT	00050654	0x2000043	V1.002
Skylake X (Basin Falls)	Intel® Core i9 79xxX, 78xxX	00050654	0x2000043	V1.002
Broadwell DE A1	Intel® Xeon® Processor D-1513N, D-1523N, D-1533N, D-1543N, D1553N	50665	0xE000009	V1.002
Broadwell DE V1	Intel® Xeon® Processor D-1520, D-1540	50662	0x15	V1.002
Broadwell DE V2,V3	Intel® Xeon® Processor D-1518, D-1519, D-1521, D-1527, D-1528, D-1531, D-1533, D-1537, D-1541, D-1548 Intel® Pentium® Processor D1507, D1508, D1509, D1517, D1519	50663	0x7000012	V1.002
Broadwell DE Y0	Intel® Xeon® Processor D-1557, D-1559, D-1567, D-1571, D-1577, D-1581, D-1587	50664	0xF000011	V1.002
Broadwell H 43e	Intel® Core Processor i7-5950HQ, i7-5850HQ, i7-5750HQ, i7-5700HQ Intel® Core Processor i5-5575R, i5-5675C, i5-5675R, i7-5775C, i7-5775R Intel® Core Processor i7-5700EQ, i7-5850EQ	40671	0x1D	V1.002
Broadwell U/Y	Intel® Core Processor i7-5650U,i7-5600U, i7-5557U, i7-5550U, i7-5500U Intel® Core Processor i5-5350U, i5-5350,i5-5300U, i5-5287U,i5-5257U, i5-5250U, i5-5200U Intel® Core Processor i3-5157U, i3-5020U, i3-5015U, i3-5010U, i3-5006U, i3-5005U, i3-5010U, i5-5350U, i7-5650U Intel® Core Processor M-5Y71, M-5Y70, M-5Y51, M-5Y3, M-5Y10c, M -5Y10a, M-5Y10 Intel® Pentium® Processor 3805U, 3825U, 3765U, 3755U, 3215U, 3205U Intel® Celeron® 3765U	306D4	0x2A	V1.002
Broadwell Xeon E3	Intel® Xeon® Processor v4 E3-1258L, E3-1265L, E3-1278L, E3-1285, E3-1285	40671	0x1D	V1.002
Haswell (including H, S), Xeon E3	4th Generation Intel® Core Mobile Processor Family, Intel® Pentium® Mobile Processor Family, Intel® Celeron® Mobile Processor Family	306C3	0x24	V1.002
Haswell Perf Halo	Intel® Core Extreme Processor (5960x, 5930x, 5820x)	40661	0x19	V1.002
Haswell Server E, EP, EP4S	Intel® Xeon® Processor v3 E5-1428L, E5-1603, E5-1607, E5-1620, E5-1630, E5-1650, E5-1660, E5-1680, E5-2408L, E5-2418L, E5-2428L, E5-2438L, E5-2603, E5-2608L, E5-2608L, E5-2609, E5-2618L, E5-2620, E5-2623, E5-2628L, E5-2630, E5-2630L, E5-2637, E5-2640, E5-2643, E5-2648L, E5-2650, E5-2650L, E5-2658, E5-2660, E5-2667, E5-2670, E5-2680, E5-2683, E5-2685, E5-2687W,E5-2690, E5-2695, E5-2697, E5-2698, E5-2699, E5-4610, E5-4620, E5-4627, E5-4640, E5-4648, E5-4650, E5-4655, E5-4660, E5-4667, E5-4669	306F2	0x3C	V1.002
Haswell ULT	4th Generation Intel® Core Mobile Processor Family, Intel® Pentium® Mobile Processor Family, Intel® Celeron® Mobile Processor Family	40651	0x23	V1.002

Here are the downloads from the Microsoft Update Catalog:

• KB4090007 for Windows 10 Version 1709
• KB4091663 for Windows 10 1703
• KB4091664 for Windows 10 1607
• KB4091666 for Windows 10 1507

I did not find an update for Windows 10 version 1511. If you have not yet installed the Microcode updates, you can do so for the Windows 10 versions mentioned.

Notes: I gave the status of the microcode updates for Intel CPUs in the blog article Intel Spectre/Meltdown Microcode Updates (March 11, 2018). The difference between BIOS updates and Windows updates for microcodes is described in the article Microsoft Updates KB4091290/KB4090007/KB4052623 (March 1, 2018).

Spectre V2 update KB4078407

Microsoft also released a Spectre V2 update KB4078407 and wrote: Update to enable mitigation against Spectre, Variant 2. Applies to Windows 10 version 1709, Windows Server 2016 Version 1709 and Windows 10 Version 1703. Applying this update will enable the Spectre Variant 2 mitigation CVE-2017-5715 – “Branch target injection vulnerability.”

The update is available via Microsoft Update Catalog. Microsoft write: Consult with your device manufacturer’s and Intel’s websites regarding their microcode recommendation for your device before applying this update to your device.

Microsoft has released Windows Insider die Preview Build 17655 of Windows 10 in Skip Ahead ring for desktop systems. Here are a few details about this new Insider Preview Build.

he Skip Ahead-Ring allows Windows Insiders to test the Redstone 5 development branch, while Redstone 4 is not yet released to the public as a Windows 10 April update. The announcement of the Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17655 in the Skip Ahead-Ring has been made within the Windows Blog.

The new features

The LTE broadband connection has been revised in Preview Build 17655. In this build, Microsoft introduces a new and improved Mobile Broadband (MBB) USB Class driver based on this Net Adapter Framework. If a PC Mobile supports broadband, Microsoft will tell you how to use that feature.

The LTE modem can be integrated into Windows 10 via a driver update. In this build, the brightness switch has been removed from the battery flyout in the notification area of the taskbar to improve usability. Microsoft also fixed a problem in Microsoft Edge where dragging a favorite from one folder in the Favorites bar to another did not work.

However, Microsoft introduces a larger list of known issues of this build in the linked blog post. The interaction between Sets and Office doesn’t work that way either. Further details can be found here.

[German]Adduplex has released a new report detailling the the shares of individual Windows 10 versions on Windows 10 systems with astonishing findings.

Within the AdDuplex report for April 2018 for the Windows 10 distribution you can find the following diagram with the Windows 10 parts.

(Adduplex Windows 10 shares 4.2018, Source: Adduplex)

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709) runs on 92% of all Windows 10 systems. This is the highest percentage ever reached by a Windows 10 version. In the previous month, the share of Windows 10 V1709 was still 90.4 %. Let’s see how the Windows 10 April update expected in May 2018 will prevail.

The remaining Windows 10 versions are all in the low single-digit percentage range. Microsoft has the fragmentation under control with Windows 10 quite well and reaches quasi numbers like Apple with iOS devices.

[German]The recently released Nvidia WHQL graphics driver version 397.31 seems to cause serious issues on some Geforce GTX 1060 graphics cards. The driver does not install on some systems, and fails with error 43.

Nvidia has released a new (game-ready) WHQL graphics driver version 397.31 for Windows. This is optimized for the games Battletech and Frostpunk. I didn’t blogged about that, but at reddit.com is a thread about that update and what’s new. The release notes are available here.

Shortly after the release of the WHQL driver, the first users appeared in the reddit.com thread who reported massive install issues on a Geforce GTX 1060 graphic cards under Windows 10. Here are some messages:

#1: Problems too upgrading on 1060, have to go back. Loop restoring default driver on 1803 only on Desktop with GTX1060, working fine on notebook with 940M, same 1803, 17134.1

#2: Same with 1060 3gb. I’m assuming as they were trying to fix 2 1060 issues at the same time, they inevitably created a 3rd one

#3: Just finished reverting back to 391.35. Installed 397.31 and my monitor would not show up as 2560×1080. 1920×1080 max resolution and Nvidia control panel crashed on launch.

On this reddit page sombody postet a hint to the tool DDU, that allows to clean a bricked installation, so users can install an older driver. But here users reporting, that DDU won’t help to cure the botched driver install.

Also German site gamestar.de has also published an article here that deals with the topic. Besides the fact that 32-bit systems are no longer supported, they have posted a link to the Geforce forum. Users are reporting massive installation issues. There is a note: Nvidia has reproduced Code 43 on 1060 vbios’s in use by subvendors – so it seems to concern only some models with a certain BIOS. Gamestar reports other problems such as extremely low performance of two frames per second.

Microsoft has officially announced the upcoming Windows 10 Feature Update with its name and release Dates. Also the new Windows Server version has been announced.

It’s called Windows 10 April Update

First of all, Microsoft has confirmed the name of this new Windows 10 version (code named Redstone 4), that has been rumored since week. Instead of ‘Windows 10 Spring Creators Update’ Microsoft named it Windows 10 April Update (no year 2018 mentioned within that name).

Available on April 30. and May 8, 2018

The release dates are a bit of surprise. While May 8, 2018 (May patch day) has been rumored since a few day, no one have had End of April in focus. Here are the dates, Microsoft sets for release.

• Windows 10 April 2018 Update will be available for download on Monday, April 30, 2018. This requires a manual download (via Windows Media Creation Tool) and install.
• On Tuesday, May 8, 2018, Microsoft starts with the rollout of Windows 10 April 2018 Update via Windows Update as a feature update.

The rollout via Windows Update for global availability will be made in waves (like it was the used with previous feature updates).

New Features in Windows 10 April Update

Microsoft has published this article in Windows-Blog, and this article, containing additional details what’s new for consumers and IT professionals. There are several videos, introducing the new features.

(Source: Youtube.com)

Windows Server Version 1803

Microsoft will release Windows Server Version 1803 on May 7, 2018, as it has been announced here. Windows Server, version 1803 will be generally available for Software Assurance customers on May 7, 2018. You can access the VLSC portal on that date to download the bits. BTW: This is also the first day of Microsoft’s Build 2018 developer conference.

[German]How to download an ISO install image of Windows 10 April Update before Microsoft release the official download? Here is how to gain access to the official Microsoft files.

On Monday, April 30, 2018, Microsoft is offering Windows 10 April Update for download and on May 8, 2018 the rollout via Windows Update starts. But it’s possible, to download the install image fro Microsoft’s servers today.

Download ESD files

The abbreviation ESD stands for Electronic Software Distribution – the format in which Microsoft distributes the downloads of installation images during updates. The ESD files for Windows 10 April Update (Build 17134) are available for download on the Microsoft servers since a few days.

Products_RS4_04_20_2018.xml https://t.co/eXLLIzcFlA 17134.1.180410-1804

— WalkingCat (@h0x0d) 26. April 2018

Walking Cat (@h0x0d) has tweeted this fact. An XML file containing the direct download links for various .ESD files may be downloaded from the specified download address. This site provides a description, that outlines how to convert the .ESD file to an ISO file for installation. However, this approach is quite complicated.

Use the Media Creation Tool with a trick

Windows 10 April Update will be downloadable via Media Creation Tool from April 30, 2018. You can store it as an ISO file and burn it to a DVD or store it on an USB stick. But it’s possible to use Media Creation Tool today, to download an install image of Windows 10 April Update.

Important: The Windows Media Creation Tool need to be launched from an administrator account. Otherwise the tool will drop an error.

If you download a version of the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft today, you will still be offered the old ISO files from Windows 10 version 1709. The colleagues of deskmodder.de had sketched here (German) however an unofficial solution, in order to get to current installation pictures.

• Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft and save it in a local folder (e.g. Win10MCT).
• Then download the file products.zip, unpack it and copy the products.cab into the folder where the .exe file of the Media Creation Tool is stored.

After these preparations make sure that you are logged in under an administrator account and open a command prompt. Then navigate to the folder with the Media Creation Tool and start it with the following command:

MediaCreationTool.exe /Selfhost

The option Selfhost causes the information to be taken from the products.cab and the download takes the image of build 17134.1. You should be guided through the steps by the wizard and be able to select the language, architecture and edition.

Download with Adguard

The website adguard offers to download the install files from various Microsoft products from the Microsoft servers. When visiting the Adguard site, you can choose the type of download and other options in a form

[German]If you want to install the Windows 10 April Update, you can do that now. Because both the Media Creation Tool and the ISO downloads are available. And Microsoft obviously begun to rollout Windows 10, version 1803, via Windows Update for Windows 10 Fall Creators Update machines.

Here comes the Media Creation Tool

The Windows Media Creation Tool, with which you can download Windows 10 Version 1803 (Build 17134) from Microsoft, is now available for download. After the download a file MediaCreationTool1803.exe should be available in the download folder. If the tool is launched under an administrator account, you should be guided through the steps by the wizard and be able to select the language, architecture and edition.

Use the wizard to download an installation disc in the form of an ISO file for burning to DVD. Or you can upgrade an existing Windows 10 to version 1803. Or you can save the download to a USB stick to install Windows from there. 

Windows 10 ISO downloads from Microsoft

The first ISO image files of Windows 10 version 1803 are also available for download on Microsoft servers. The colleagues of German site deskmodder.de have listed some download links here. Note, however, that these are temporary links that expire after 24 hours.

Within my blog post Windows 10 April Update: download ISO install image I’ve mentioned the website adguard. There you can select the type of download and other options in a form.

Currently the build 17134.1 is offered and the downloads work in the meantime. This should be the same build as in the links above – the adguard download links point to the Microsoft server.

Surprise: Feature update is already offered

Microsoft announced that Windows 10 V 1803 should be rolled out on May 8, 2018 via Windows Update. But there are a lot of systems worldwide (also my Windows 10 test machine with Windows 10 Pro Version 1709) are receiving the feature update. After booting that machine I was greeted by the following popup.

After reboot, some updates are getting installed. Then I checked the Settings – Windows Update page and found another update.

However, Windows has always shown me that it initializes, prepares the update and then downloads or installs it. In the meantime I started the installation from a downloaded ISO file. The install took some time, but was successful. As it’s now confirmed: Machines with Windows 10 Version 1709 receive the Feature update to Windows 10 V1803 during manual update search via Settings – Windows Update. This installs build 17134.1, but on my machine I also received the quality update KB4135051, which was installed and changed the build to 17134.5.

Similar articles:
Windows 10 April Update officially announced
Windows 10 April Update: download ISO install image

[German]Mozilla’s developers released an update for the Firefox browser on April 30, 2018. The new version 59.0.3 is a maintenance update, which should improve the compatibility of the browser with Windows 10 April Update (version 1803).

The background for this maintenance update is a bug in JavaScript, where the eval function returns an invalid value when using RegExp. Here is the description of the bug:

User Agent: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows NT 10.0; Win64; x64; rv:60.0) Gecko/20100101 Firefox/60.0
Build ID: 20180404171943

Steps to reproduce: The CMS we build websites on has an old script which is using `eval` to dynamically create a `RegExp`, using code like `eval(‘/~!~/g’)` (however, the same issue occurs with any `RegExp`, regardless of content or flags).

An isolated version of this issue is at https://jsbin.com/lurazav/1/edit?js,console

That this issue can/should be worked around by using `new RegExp()` instead of `eval`

Actual results: A `SyntaxError` is thrown, with the message “invalid regular expression flag ÿ”

Expected results: A valid `RegExp` object should be returned from the `eval` call

The bug has been observed under Windows 10 Enterprise, version 1803, OS build 17133.1 (but be present in all Win 10 V1803 builds). Here is a screenshot of the error message.

You can use the web site http://www.dnnsoftware.com/wiki to test Firefox. The bug also affects all Firefox ESR versions from version 52 onwareds.

Firefox 59.0.3 for Linux, macOS, Windows

By default, the update is offered automatically in Firefox – here the notification under Windows 10.

But you can use the menu and the command Help – About Firefox to check for upcoming updates. Only the fixed Windows 10 April update bug is mentioned in the release notes. If you are using Firefox under Windows 10, you should always update it. On this Mozilla FTP site you can download Firefox version 59.0.3 for Linux, macOS and Windows for reinstallation. The download of the German installer or the complete setup file for Windows can be found under the following links:

• Windows 32 Bit
• Windows 64 Bit

Here are the direct download addresses.

[German]Microsoft has also released .NET Framework 4.7.2 for several Windows versions April 30, 2018. Here are a few details.

Update for Windows 10

NET Framework 4.7.2 is already integrated in Windows 10 version 1803 (April update). On April 30, 2018 Microsoft has also released NET Framework 4.7.2 also for Windows 10 1709, 1703 and 1607. The offline installer for the.NET Framework 4.7.2 is available under KB4054530 .

Update for Windows 7 und Windows 8.1

.NET Framework 4.7.2 for Windows 7 SP1 (and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1) has been released as KB4054531 (Webinstaller for Windows) or KB4054530 (Offline Installer for Windows).

[German]Since Microsoft released Windows 10 April Update (Version 1803), some features has been removed. Other features has been planned for future replacements.

Microsoft has published the article Features removed or planned for replacement starting with Windows 10, version 1803. Microsoft says:

Each release of Windows 10 adds new features and functionality; we also occasionally remove features and functionality, usually because we’ve added a better option. Here are the details about the features and functionalities that we removed in Windows 10, version 1803 (also called Windows 10 April 2018 Update).

Features removed in Windows 10 V1803

Here are the removed features: 

• Groove Music Pass: Microsoft ended the Groove streaming music service and music track sales through the Microsoft Store in 2017. The Groove app is being updated to reflect this change. You can still use Groove Music to play the music on your PC or to stream music from OneDrive. You can use Spotify or other music services to stream music on Windows 10, or to buy music to own.
• People-App: People – Suggestions will no longer include unsaved contacts for non-Microsoft accounts. Manually save the contact details for people you send mail to or get mail.
• Language control in the Control Panel: Use the Settings app to change your language settings.
• HomeGroup: Microsoft has removed the HomeGroup but not your ability to share printers, files, and folders.
• Connect to suggested open hotspots option in Wi-Fi settings: Microsoft previously disabled the Connect to suggested open hotspots option and are now removing it from the Wi-Fi settings page. You can manually connect to free wireless hotspots with Network & Internet settings, from the taskbar or Control Panel, or by using Wi-Fi Settings (for mobile devices).
• Conversations in the People app when you’re offline or if you’re using a non-Office 365 mail account. In Windows 10, the People app shows mail from Office 365 contacts and contacts from your school or work organization under Conversations. After you update to Windows 10, version 1803, in order to see new mail in the People app from these specific contacts, you need to be online, and you need to have signed in with either an Office 365 account or, for work or school organization accounts, through the Mail, People, or Calendar apps. Please be aware that you’ll only see mail for work and school organization accounts and some Office 365 accounts.
• XPS Viewer: Microsoft is changing the way you get XPS Viewer. In Windows 10, version 1709 and earlier versions, the app is included in the installation image. If you have XPS Viewer and you update to Windows 10, version 1803, there’s no action required. You’ll still have XPS Viewer. If you install Windows 10, version 1803, on a new device (or as a clean installation), you may need to install XPS Viewer from Apps and Features in the Settings app or through Features on Demand. If you had XPS Viewer in Windows 10, version 1709, but manually removed it before updating, you’ll need to manually reinstall it.

The list doesn’t contain really explosive information – only the dropped homegroup will hurt some users. The Microsoft document Features removed or planned for replacement starting with Windows 10, version 1803 contains also a list of features, which will no more developed in future.

[German]Strange: Microsoft’s Meltdown patches for Windows 10 had a fatal flaw. Now it’s patched in Windows 10 Version 1803 – but not in older Windows 10 builds. And there is a critical Windows Host Compute Service Shim-Flaw – affecting container images – a patch is available.

Microsoft’s Meltdown Patches Bypass

After Microsoft issued patches to close the Meltdown vulnerability, a new vulnerability Total Meltdown was caused. I’ve blogged about that within my article Windows 7/Server 2008 R2: Total Meltdown exploit went public. But there is also a Meltdown Bypass vulnerability in Windows 10. Microsoft has patched this in Windows 10 April Update (Version 1803).

Welp, it turns out the #Meltdown patches for Windows 10 had a fatal flaw: calling NtCallEnclave returned back to user space with the full kernel page table directory, completely undermining the mitigation. This is now patched on RS4 but not earlier builds — no backport?? pic.twitter.com/VIit6hmYK0

— Alex Ionescu (@aionescu) May 2, 2018

Security researcher Alex Ionescu mentioned that within the above Tweet. It seems to me, that this is a similar issue, that I’ve covered within Windows 7/Server 2008 R2: Total Meltdown exploit went public.

“We are aware and are working to provide customers with an update,” a Microsoft spokesperson told Bleeping Computer today in an email (see this article at Bleeping Computer).

Windows Host Compute Service Shim-Flaw

A German blog reader mentioned a ‘Windows Host Compute Service Shim Remote Code Execution’ flaw within this comment. The vulnerability CVE-2018-8115 has been mentioned within the NVD database, but hasn’t been analyzed yet. But US CERT reported here, that Microsoft has released a security update to address a vulnerability in the Windows Host Compute Service Shim (hcsshim) library. A remote attacker could exploit this vulnerability to take control of an affected system.

A few hours ago, I received also a security notification from Microsoft with the following message:

**********************************************
Title: Microsoft Security Update Releases
Issued: May 2, 2018
**********************************************

Summary
=======

The following CVE has undergone a major revision increment:

* CVE-2018-8115

Revision Information:
=====================

– CVE-2018-8115 | Windows Host Compute Service Shim Remote Code
   Execution Vulnerability
– https://portal.msrc.microsoft.com/en-us/security-guidance
– Version: 1.0
– Reason for Revision: Information published.
– Originally posted: May 2, 2018
– Aggregate CVE Severity Rating: Critical

This Microsoft page contains a few more details (Bleeping Computer mentioned it also here).

A remote code execution vulnerability exists when the Windows Host Compute Service Shim (hcsshim) library fails to properly validate input while importing a container image. To exploit the vulnerability, an attacker would place malicious code in a specially crafted container image which, if an authenticated administrator imported (pulled), could cause a container management service utilizing the Host Compute Service Shim library to execute malicious code on the Windows host.

An attacker who successfully exploited the vulnerability could execute arbitrary code on the host operating system.

The security update addresses the vulnerability by correcting how Windows Host Compute Service Shim validates input from container images.

Microsoft has not identified any mitigating factors for this vulnerability. But there isn’t a workaround for this vulnerability, related to Container images (Docker etc.). A patched hcsshim file is available for download from GitHub.

Microsoft hasn’t rolled out Windows 10 version 1803 to the broad masses, but releases new insider preview build 17661 for the Redstone 5 development branch. This branch will end as Windows 10 version 1809, espected in autumn 2018.

Microsoft has announced the new build 17661, which is available for Windows 10 Insider in the Fast Ring for the PC, within the Windows Blog. A new snipping tool to take screenshots is one of the ‘highlights’ of this new build. 

(Source: Microsoft)

Microsoft continues to experiment with sets (timeline), the Fluent design and promises an improvement in Windows security. The Windows Defender Security Center has been renamed to Windows Security. You can still run the application in all the usual ways – just ask Cortana if it should open Windows security or interact with the taskbar icon. Windows Security allows the user to manage all security requirements. This includes Windows Defender Antivirus and Windows Defender Firewall. There are many other improvement, fixes, but also know issues. Further details may be read here.

There is a focus wizard for gaming and it is screwed to the settings page for sound settings. Besides improvements to Emojjjs and the Input Mode Editor for Chinese characters, there are further changes to the High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF). Details and a long list of fixes can be found in the Microsoft blog article. The colleagues of deskmodder.de have published the known problems here in German and Martin Geuß deals with some innovations at Dr. Windows in German language. 

[German]Microsoft is distribution Windows 10 Version 1803 (April Update) as a feature update since April 30, 2018. Now it’s time to reflect the issues, people observing after installing this feature update.

Preliminary remarks: Rollout per AI on suitable computers

The upgrade of a test machine (Medion Akoya P2214T) from Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (V1709) to version 1803 worked here without problems. It just took quite a while. However, some people seem to run into minor or major issues with this update.

Many observers were surprised that Microsoft is already rolling out the feature update to Windows 10 version 1803 via Windows Update, contrary to the original announcement (see Windows 10 April Update available (April 30, 2018)), and not to 8 May 2018. Martin Geuß, a German colleague wrote, that Microsoft is using Artificial Intelligence to control the rollout of the Windows 10 April Update. This simplifies the job, to identify incompatible machines with which there could be problems. This probably leads to Surface Books not having been offered an update yet (if my observations are correct).

The OEM partitions bug

Some users are annoyed after the upgrade, that Windows 10 V1803 has suddenly created new OEM/recovery partitions. Because a drive letter has been assigned to them, Windows is constantly annoying with notifications that the drive is full. I had published details and a fix within the blog article Windows 10 V1803 update creates a new OEM Partition.

Faulty battery driver, constant notifications

After publishing my article about the OEM partition problem I got a feedback on Google+:

You think that’s bad? One of the drivers for my laptop’s battery are missing, so the battery icon is no longer on the task bar and the battery has had the same message ever since yesterday whether it’s plugged in or not: ‘51%, plugged in, not charging’.

Lost settings, lost files

It happened to me on the test machine that, for example, color settings for windows on the desktop disappeared and were replaced with default values. I have read similar experiences in the comments to my German article and on the Internet.

Some users mention, that the fast boot has been re-activated (seems to be the case after each upgrade). Others wrote, that all RSAT connections has gone or that Wi-Fi connection settings are lost. One reader has to reactivate Office.

It is normal that the update history is cleared during the upgrade (noted in some comments within my German blog). What Microsoft primarily describes as a ‘function update’ is an upgrade in which almost everything is exchanged. And the settings should be taken over, but this does not always work.

I also read on the Internet about cases where user files had disappeared. But these can be individual cases, with earlier updates there were similar messages – in the stupidest case the people are logged in with a temporary profile.

Explorer bug: file enumerations

Within my German blog I got feeback, that enumerating a folder’s content in explorer just returns wrong data. A 2TB-HD contains e.g. real 43.048 files, 4.123 files and occupies 735 GB. Listing the folder properties in Windows 1803 will display: 4,104 files, 2,113 folders an a size of 98.9 GB. Only if the user go to the folder, select all files (and subfolders) with CTRL+A, then the properties are calculated correctly (in this case). 

Microcode updates are missing

Up to Windows 10 Version 1709 Microsoft has relesed microcode updates to mitigate Spectre/Meltdown for several machines. German blog reader Jürgen Hofmeister mentioned:

After the upgrade to 1803 all old updates were deleted.
Thus also the M$ microcodes of the old 1709.
Now the Spectre vulnerability is open again unprotected with the various display tools such as Ashampoo etc. A single patchwork rug of these microcodes.

Other users have already noticed the whole thing, the update KB4090007 cannot be installed. We have to wait for patchday (May 8, 2018).

Feedback frequency cannot be changed

What is quite unpleasant – obviously a bug: Users cannot change the feedback frequency of the Windows 10 April Update any more. If you go to Settings – Privacy and select Diagnostics and Feedback, the feedback frequency is set to automatic. The options cannot be changed; a red message appears indicating that these functions are managed by the Windows Insider program.

Server Essentials Connector fails

I found on German site administrator.de this post. In a corporate environment (apparently no WSUS), two clients have already been automatically updated to Windows 10 version 1803. Since then, the Server Essentials Connector no longer works. Can anyone else confirm that.

Enable camera and microphone per app

It’s not a bug, it’s a feature. For each app, you now need to decide whether the microphone and camera may be used. Actually a meaningful thing – if one knows the cause. Opens the Settings app and goes to the Privacy icon.

Select the entries for camera and microphone in the left column. The enable the access in the right pane and change the app based settings to allow access to camera/microphone.

Browser issues with Firefox and Google Chrome

Windows 10 April Update is causing serious issues in Firefox and Google Chrome. Firefox requires updating to version 59.0.3 to fix a JavaScript bug in Windows 10 April Update. I had posted details in the blog post Firefox 59.0.3 – Compatibility update for Windows 10 V1803.

Google Chrome browser seems to freeze constantly under Windows 10 April Update. At least I take notice from this Neowin.net article. On reddit.com there is already this thread about chrome freezes. There are also reports about freezes with other software. This article addresses a workaround – Microsoft investigates this bug.

Group policies and Cortana search

Disabling Cortana search on the Internet has been changed in Windows 10 version 1803. Previous registry entries or group policies for Cortana are invalid (see this reddit.com thread). German site heise.de has published an article, naming new registry entries to disable Cortana search again – it’s annoying.

In my blog post Windows 10 V1803: Removed features, planned replacements I mentioned some removed features. Software Restriction Policy will no more developed.

Some more issues

German comment reported, that the network has been interrupted during update install – a 2nd user confirms that. Other users commenting within my German blog post, that their network connections to shares are cyclically lost. Also homegroup has been removed, but some parts are still left in Windows 10 Version 1803.

I read some reports about install erros and blue screens. But it’s single incidents, the blog’s wiki and search contains several articles how to diagnose the cause of such errors.

At reddit.com there is this thread, dealing with a broken PowerShell ISE. Intellisene is broken. It has also been mentioned in comments within my blog. MS Power User reports a a lagging mouse. If you have issues, please leave a comment.

Similar articles:
Windows 10 April Update available (April 30, 2018)
Windows 10 V1803: Removed features, planned replacements
Windows 10 Meltdown Patch Bypass and hcsshim flaw
Windows 10 V1803 update creates a new OEM Partition
Firefox 59.0.3 – Compatibility update for Windows 10 V1803
Windows 10 April Update: download ISO install image

[German]On April 30, 2018 Microsoft surprisingly released Windows 10 April Update (version 1803) not only for download, but also via Windows Update. In a FAQ I would like to answer some questions (how long does the rollout take, how do I get the update directly etc.).

Windows 10 V1803 announce for May 8, 2018?

Microsoft announced Windows 10 April 2018 update for May 8, 2018 for general availability (see my blog post Windows 10 April Update officially announced). 30. April the update is available for download. As of May 8, 2018, the distribution will be general available via Windows Update – that was the message. However, Microsoft allows people who run the update check and have a compatible machine to receive the feature update for Microsoft Windows 10 version 1803 (April update) since April 30, 2018.

What’s new?

There are some new features like to Timeline. At reddit.com there is a mega thread where all changes are listed.

How do I get the update?

The upgrade is distributed as a feature update (an upgrade) via Windows Update. So just open the settings app from the start menu and go to Update and security.

Select the category Windows Update and Search for Updates. After May 8, 2018 the feature update to Windows 10, Version 1803, should be announced automatically.

Windows 10 April Update: enrolled in waves

If the update search does not show a function update, this is not a problem. Microsoft rolls out the update in waves. First Windows computers, which are still quite new and 100% compatible, receive the function update to Windows 10 April Update. 

If there are no problems there, the next device wave will enter the update cycle. If there are problems, Microsoft can stop the rollout and fix the problem first. Which computer receives the function update is determined by the telemetry data. The entire rollout can take up to three months. This was already the case with previous versions of Windows 10.

The only new feature of Windows 10 version 1803 is that Microsoft uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) to identify the compatible or incompatible computers. 

Where to get Windows 10 April update as download?

If you want to update your existing Windows 10 system immediately to Windows 10 April Update, you can download the ISO installation file and start an upgrade installation. Alternatively, you can trigger the upgrade on the existing computer using the Windows Media Creation Tool.

The Windows Media Creation Tool can be downloaded from this Microsoft site. I had mentioned this in the blog entry Windows 10 April Update is here – Downloads and more. Then run the MediaCreationTool.exe file under an administrator account. The tool guides you through the steps to download the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update installation image, save it to a USB stick or an ISO file (for burning to DVD) or install it locally.

Can I download an ISO file directly?

In addition to the Windows Media Creation Tool, Microsoft will also provides ISO installation files on its web servers. MSDN subscribers can download the ISO installation files from the download portal (after general availability). Downloads of ISO files will also be available in the Volume Licensing Center. If you are a normal user and would like to have an ISO installation file, I recommend that you visit the Adguard page. 

How to block the upgrade?

If you want to stay on the previous version of Windows 10, you can block the feature update. Administrators of systems starting with Windows 10 Pro can specify in the update settings that the feature updates are deferred for a certain time even with a direct Internet connection (see the following screenshot from Windows 10 V1703)

Then the update should be deferred. For WSUS systems, the administrator explicitly releases the function updates for the clients.

WSUS administrators, please assure that the dual scan is switched off. Otherwise, the Windows 10 clients receive the feture update directly via Windows Update instead of via the WSUS.

In Windows 10 Home, the feature update must be blocked manually. I had discussed this within the blog article How to block Windows 10 updates. In this case, the feature update to Windows 1803 need to be blocked. You can also set the Internet connection to ‘Metered’ to prevent the download. Woody Leonhard has collected a few hints in this ComputerWorld article.

Similar articles:
Windows 10: Analyze upgrade errors
How to block Windows 10 updates
Windows 10 April Update officially announced
Windows 10 April Update is here – Downloads and more

[German]The general rollout of the Windows 10 April Update (version 1803) to existing Windows 10 systems will begin on May 8, 2018 (since April 30, 2018, version 1803 is available on demand). This FAQ contains some information about what to consider or know before installing the update.

Should I immediately upgrade?

That’s a question that everyone has to answer for themselves. Since April 30, 2018, the function update is already offered via Windows Update, provided the user checks for updates in the settings page (exception: the machine is not compatible). Microsoft has announced global availability on May 8, 2018, but will roll out in waves. This means that individual machines may not receive Windows 10 version 1803 for a few weeks – if the telemetry data shows Microsoft that there are no major problems with the respective constellations.

Within my blog post Windows 10 April Update: Bugs and Issues I have listed some problems known since April 30, 2018 with Windows 10 version 1803 – and the additional comments also report trouble. If you are using notebooks or special hardware, you should also wait until the upgrade is automatically offered via Windows Update. How to reset the function update is described in the blog article Windows 10 April Update (Version 1803): Upgrade FAQ.

What should I do before the installing the feature update?

Since the installation of a function update (it is a complete upgrade, no matter what Microsoft calls it) virtually replaces the complete operating system, the following measures should be taken in advance.

• Perform a system image backup. This can be done with onboard tools (Windows 7 Backup in the Control Panel). Use a third party backup program and make sure that you can read back the backup copy in case of problems. 
• In addition, a system repair disc on DVD or a recovery drive on a USB stick should be created. The media may be used to restore the backup or in case of boot problems.

If you use (according to my recommendation) a backup program from another manufacturer, find out about the rescue media and create a backup with this backup software.

What else should I prepare/note?

Before installing the feature update to Windows 10 version 1803, the following could/should be done (saves a lot of time and trouble if necessary).

• Backup important data from the legacy system to be prepared in the event of data loss. This also includes license keys, download files of installation packages (e.g. Office) etc.
• Uninstall existing third-party virus scanners. This also applies to Internet Security Suites. Check with the manufacturer if there is a clean tool for cleaning the installation residues. Here is a list of clean tools from various manufacturers.
• Uninstall system tools: System tools such as TuneUp, Acronis True Image or other backup tools, all virtual DVD drives, burning programs, video authoring tools, etc. also belong down from the system. With TuneUp, all “system optimizations” must be undone beforehand.
• Uninstall the encryption software: If you have software like VeraCrypt installed, you have to uninstall it. Encrypted partitions must be decrypted. I also take a critical view of systems where Linux is installed on separate partitions. Here it is recommended to take Grub out when booting and to activate the Windows boot manager.
• Ensures that there is enough free capacity on the Windows drive. So 6 – 20 GByte should be free.
• Relocated user folders should be moved back to the Windows partition. Scenarios with moved user folders are not supported by Microsoft and regularly lead to problems.
• Runs a system scan as described in Check and repair Windows system files and component store.

Volume license installations, Windows To Go and VHD installations with native boot cannot be upgraded. You should also remove unneeded hardware and uninstall unneeded software.

Installation fails – a few tips

Occasionally, errors occur during the installation of a function update via Windows Update, so that the process is aborted. This ranges from download errors to errors during the various installation phases.

To avoid tens gigabytes of downloads via Windows Update, I would postpone the function update (see the blog post How to block Windows 10 updates). Then download the installation image for Windows 10 version 1803 using the Media Creation Tool (see Windows 10 April Update (Version 1803): Upgrade FAQ). Then you can start the setup.exe from the running Windows 10 and start the installation. It saves you having to download the installation files a dozen times via Windows Update.

Installation fails due to lack of memory

The system drive should have a good 20 Gbyte free capacity. Above I had listed freeing memory on the Windows drive as a preparatory measure. Just lack of free memory has turned out to be an update killer.

What you can try with lack of memory: Create an installation disc with the Creators Update using the Media Creation Tool, boot Windows 10 and then run the setup.exe. This will create a clean install of Windows 10 Version 1803.

There are installation errors during the upgrade

Are there any error messages and the update is aborted or the old Windows 10 build is rolled back? Then try an error diagnosis. One approach is to determine the error codes and, if necessary, analyze the log file generated during installation. The following linked blog contributions give some suggestions what you can work through.

Error code received or error after upgrade?

If there are problems after upgrading to the Windows 10 April update or if you found an error code, you can search for the error code using the blog search. Maybe I already mentioned the bug in my blog.

Similar articles
Windows 10 April Update (Version 1803): Upgrade FAQ
Windows 10: Analyze upgrade errors
How to block Windows 10 updates
Windows 10 April Update officially announced
Windows 10 April Update is here – Downloads and more

[German]This time it went pretty fast – Microsoft has made the Media Feature Pack for Windows 10 N April Update (version 1803) available for download on its servers. The Media Feature Pack is required to use certain functions.

What is Windows 10 N?

Most of my English language readers are not aware, that there are Windows N versions. Windows N was forced from EU commission several years ago, because Microsoft misused it’s market position. Windows 10 N is an operating system version without Media Player and media features. N stands for no media features. A similar Windows 10 KN variant has been released for Korea.

What if I ‘ve installed Windows N and what’s a Media Feature Pack?

If Windows 10 N is installed, no media features are available. There is no Windows Media Player, but you are able to use VLC-Player for media play back. But without media features, Windows 10 N can’t support:

• Apps with media play back features (Groove Music, Video app etc.) won’t work
• Connecting smartphones, cameras and mobile devices via USB cable fails, because there is no support for media transfer using Picture Transfer Protocol (PTP) and Media Transfer Protocol (MTP). 
• Edge browser can’t display PDF documents, because there is not support for that.

This Microsoft site list more restrictions for Windows 10 N. But it’s easy to fix that: Just install the Media Feature Pack, and the missing features will be added.

Where to obtain the Media Feature Pack?

Microsoft offers the Media Feature Pack for Windows N for free download. The problem: Each Windows build need it’s customized Media Feature Pack and it’s sometimes hard to find the right download address. Microsoft has created the Media Feature Pack list for Windows N editions page linking all Media Feature Packs for supported Windows versions (but at writing this text, the new version hasn’t been linked).

Detailed information about the Media Feature Pack for Windows 10 N version 1803 including download links can be found on the Microsoft page KB4057437.

Similar articles:
Media Feature Pack for Windows 10 N Version 1703
Windows 10 has an MTP problem with Android devices
Media Feature Pack for Windows 10 N Version 1709
Windows 10: iCloud install Media Feature Pack is missing