A Windows Emergency Update is an out-of-band patch issued by Microsoft to fix critical issues that cannot wait for the regular monthly update cycle. These updates are rare but necessary when vulnerabilities pose a high risk to user security or system functionality. In June 2025, Microsoft released a Windows Emergency Update to address a zero-day vulnerability that was being actively exploited.

Unlike typical Patch Tuesday updates, an emergency update may be released at any time and focuses on immediate resolution of specific problems. This helps Microsoft protect users before attackers can do further damage.

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Microsoft Issues Emergency Windows Update: Here’s What You Need to Know

Microsoft rolled out this emergency patch on June 10, 2025, in response to a rapidly spreading exploit targeting a vulnerability in Windows kernel-level operations. The company confirmed that the flaw allowed unauthorized access to sensitive files and could lead to full system compromise.

According to Microsoft, the vulnerability affects millions of systems globally. Due to the urgent nature, the update was pushed automatically to many devices, while others need manual intervention.

Key highlights:

Released: June 10, 2025
Affected Systems: Windows 10, 11, and some server editions
Type: Out-of-band security patch

Windows Emergency Security Patch: Critical Vulnerability Fixed

The emergency patch addresses CVE-2025-23567, a high-severity vulnerability that allowed attackers to bypass User Account Control (UAC) and run malicious code with admin privileges.

What the patch does:

Fixes the UAC bypass issue
Blocks the exploit path used by ransomware
Enhances memory protection and kernel security

Why it’s critical:
Without the patch, systems are exposed to malware attacks, data theft, and full remote takeover. Microsoft noted an increasing number of attacks using this flaw before the patch release.

How to Manually Install the Latest Windows Emergency Update

While many systems receive the update automatically, here’s how to manually install it:

For Windows 10/11:

Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update
Click on Check for Updates
If the emergency update is available, click Download and Install

Alternatively:

Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog
Search for the update code (e.g., KB5029835)
Download and install it manually

Tip: Restart your computer after installation to ensure all changes apply.

Which Windows Versions Are Affected by the Emergency Update?

The following versions are impacted:

Windows 10 version 21H2 and 22H2
Windows 11 version 23H2
Windows Server 2019 and 2022

Older versions such as Windows 7 and 8.1 are not officially affected unless extended support is in place.

How to Check If Your PC Received the Windows Emergency Patch

You can verify if your system is patched by checking the update history:

Steps:

Open Settings > Update & Security
Click View update history
Look for the update number (e.g., KB5029835)

Alternatively, run this command in PowerShell:

Get-HotFix | Select-String "KB5029835"

If you see it listed, your PC has received the emergency patch.

Windows Emergency Update June 2025: Full Rollout Schedule & Details

Microsoft started the phased rollout as follows:

June 10, 2025 – Auto-update for enterprise systems
June 11, 2025 – General availability for all Windows 10/11 users
June 12–15, 2025 – Staggered release for different time zones and regions

Microsoft advises all users to update before June 20, 2025 for optimal protection.

Why Microsoft Released an Out-of-Band Windows Emergency Patch

Out-of-band patches are released outside the regular cycle when:

A vulnerability is already being exploited
The issue affects a large number of users
The fix cannot wait for Patch Tuesday

In this case, the vulnerability was being used in live ransomware campaigns. Microsoft acted swiftly to avoid widespread damage.

Troubleshooting Common Issues After Installing Windows Emergency Update

Some users have reported post-update issues:

Common Problems:

Slower boot time
Third-party software incompatibility
Driver conflicts (especially graphics and network)

Fixes:

Run Windows Troubleshooter
Update all drivers using Device Manager
Roll back update temporarily (only if system becomes unstable)

Tip: Always backup your system before applying emergency patches.

Stay updated with official announcements on Microsoft’s Windows Release Health Dashboard.

Conclusion:
The Windows Emergency Update released in June 2025 is critical for system security. All Windows 10/11 users should verify installation, stay informed, and take precautionary steps to ensure system stability.

Regular updates protect not just your PC, but also your data and identity from ever-evolving cyber threats.

What Is Windows Emergency Update and Why It Was Released?