Windows users may be left without software updates, media reports

Windows users may be left without software updates if they do not install new security certificates on their computers, MakeUseOf reported on Monday.

"There's bad news for you if you disable important software updates. Microsoft has announced that a key security feature, the digital keys that your computer uses to communicate with update servers, will be retired on May 17, 2027 and June 19, 2027," it said.

After this, any devices running an unsupported version of the operating system or that have not received the latest updates will not be able to contact these servers. Consequently, they will not be able to receive the necessary updates, and they will become vulnerable to viruses, it notes.

"The good news is that Microsoft has already included these certificates in its monthly updates. If your computer is running a new version of Windows and you regularly install updates, the changes will happen quietly and will not require any action on your part," the text states.

However, if the user is using an outdated operating system or has disabled updates to avoid reboots, the computer may not receive new keys. In this case, after the previous certificates expire in 2027, the device will no longer be able to download the necessary updates.

As indicated, users with Windows 11 versions starting from 25H2 will likely not have to take any additional steps, provided they install all updates on time. However, for older versions, you will have to ensure that all necessary updates are installed before June 19, 2027.

"Most Windows 10 and 11 systems, as well as Windows Server 2022, should receive the July 2026 update or a later update containing a certificate before this date," the message emphasizes.