Intel has again updated the Microcode Revision Guide (PDF) for the CPUs affected by the Meltdown and Specter vulnerabilities. Since the end of last week, the microcode updates for the processor generations Sandy Bridge and Ivy Bridge have the status "production". They are now available to Intel partners for Xeon server processors and core processors for notebooks and desktops.
For example, Dell is distributing new BIOS updates with Intel's updated microcode for 14G, 13G, and 12G Datacenter servers and PowerEdge servers. The updates for 11G are still in the manufacturer's specifications. In addition, Dell now offers BIOS updates for most client systems of the XPS, Vostro, Venue, Precision, OptiPlex, Latitude and Inspiron product lines, as well as its subsidiary Alienware.
However, Lenovo announced plans to release updates to ThinkCenter, ThinkPad, ThinkStation and Yoga models by the end of March . Until then, the updates for Lenovo's enterprise systems should also be available. According to HP's support website updated BIOS updates for most laptops, desktops and tablets are available.
Unfortunately, not all Intel partners currently ensure that all affected CPU generations are provided with updates. For example, providers of mainboards such as Asus, AsRock and Gigabyte are limited to patching processors from the sixth core generation. Older systems with Broadwell and Haswell are likely to be empty.
Microsoft may jump in here. Earlier this month, the Redmond company announced that it would distribute microcode updates through the Microsoft Update Catalog . However, a first patch is only specifically for Windows 10 version 1709 and certain Skylake processors.
In addition, Computer Base discovered a few days ago that on a computer with a Ryzen CPU from AMD and the Windows protection against Specter Variant 2 is active - although the actually required microcode update is not yet available. The change was triggered by the recent preview of Windows 10 Redstone 5, the pre-release version of the upcoming Windows 10 feature update scheduled for fall. Computerbase now suspects that AMD and Microsoft are testing the update in the Windows Insider Program before using the update catalog or even released via Windows Update.
For example, Dell is distributing new BIOS updates with Intel's updated microcode for 14G, 13G, and 12G Datacenter servers and PowerEdge servers. The updates for 11G are still in the manufacturer's specifications. In addition, Dell now offers BIOS updates for most client systems of the XPS, Vostro, Venue, Precision, OptiPlex, Latitude and Inspiron product lines, as well as its subsidiary Alienware.
However, Lenovo announced plans to release updates to ThinkCenter, ThinkPad, ThinkStation and Yoga models by the end of March . Until then, the updates for Lenovo's enterprise systems should also be available. According to HP's support website updated BIOS updates for most laptops, desktops and tablets are available.
Unfortunately, not all Intel partners currently ensure that all affected CPU generations are provided with updates. For example, providers of mainboards such as Asus, AsRock and Gigabyte are limited to patching processors from the sixth core generation. Older systems with Broadwell and Haswell are likely to be empty.
Microsoft may jump in here. Earlier this month, the Redmond company announced that it would distribute microcode updates through the Microsoft Update Catalog . However, a first patch is only specifically for Windows 10 version 1709 and certain Skylake processors.
In addition, Computer Base discovered a few days ago that on a computer with a Ryzen CPU from AMD and the Windows protection against Specter Variant 2 is active - although the actually required microcode update is not yet available. The change was triggered by the recent preview of Windows 10 Redstone 5, the pre-release version of the upcoming Windows 10 feature update scheduled for fall. Computerbase now suspects that AMD and Microsoft are testing the update in the Windows Insider Program before using the update catalog or even released via Windows Update.