For the month of August, Microsoft is releasing nine security updates, two of them rated as Critical and the remaining seven are rated as Important. These new patches addresses 37 vulnerabilities in SQL Server, OneNote, Windows, Internet Explorer, .NET, and SharePoint.
As part of Patch Tuesday, Microsoft is also rolling out Windows 8.1 “August Update” (Update 2), which is a minor update for Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2. Users should not expect any significant chances as the software maker is leaving big features for Windows 9, which is due in spring 2015. Below are the changes coming in this update:
- Precision touchpad improvements – three new end-user settings have been added: Leave touch pad on when a mouse is connected; allow right-clicks on the touchpad; double-tap and drag.
- Miracast Receive – exposes a set of Wi-Fi direct APIs for Independent Hardware Vendor (IHV) drivers or OEM drivers to develop Windows 32-bit applications that run on all supported x86-based or x64-based versions of Windows 8.1, enabling the computer as a Miracast receiver.
- Minimizing login prompts for SharePoint Online – reduces the number of prompts with federated use in accessing SharePoint Online sites. If you select the “Keep me signed in” check box when you log on for the first time, you will not see prompts for successive access to that SharePoint Online site.
The new changes are rolling out now via Windows Update, but you can also download and install the update manually.
In August Patch Tuesday the Surface tablet family is getting firmware updates. However this time around Surface Pro 3 is the tablet getting the most updates:
Surface RT:
- Surface RT UEFI (v3.31.500) enhances overall system stability.
Surface Pro:
- Wireless Network Controller and Bluetooth (v14.69.24054.176) improves network connection stability and enables functionality on Wi-Fi networks using a hidden SSID.
Surface 2 and Surface Pro 2 don’t get any updates on August 2014.
Surface Pro 3:
- Surface Pro Embedded Controller Firmware (v38.4.50.0) improved support for Surface Power Cover.
- Surface Pro System Aggregator Firmware (v3.9.250.0) improved support for Surface Power Cover and enhances overall system stability.
- Microsoft LifeCam Front (v5.20.1034.0) significantly improves power consumption during video chat such as Skype, supports Flash camera streaming in Internet Explorer, and improves overall functionality and stability.
- Surface Ethernet Adapter (v8.14.0704.2014) improved support for the gigabit Surface Ethernet Adapter.
Source Microsoft, Surface Update History
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].