Microsoft Issues Out-Of-Cycle Time Zone Patch via Windows Updates

Yesterday, in an unusual move, Microsoft issued an out-of-cycle patch through it's automatic Windows Updates service. This update fixes issues caused by the US changes to Daylight Saving Time.

In a very long Microsoft support article titled "August 2007 cumulative time zone update for Microsoft Windows operating systems" (kb933360), the company explains the reason for this re-release of the DST patch originally issued in January 2007.

This update supersedes and replaces update KB931836, released in January 2007. This update also includes additional time zone changes that were signed in to law after update KB931836 was created.

In a deja vu moment the new information includes the following caveat:

Important Before you apply the update that is described by this article, be aware of potential issues that may affect Microsoft Office Outlook.

See this Microsoft article; kb931667, for details about how to address the daylight saving time changes in 2007 by using the Time Zone Data Update Tool for Microsoft Office Outlook.

Kb931667 APPLIES TO:
• Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
• Microsoft Office Outlook 2003
• Microsoft Outlook 2002 Standard Edition
• Microsoft Outlook 2000 Standard Edition

If you want a complete white paper describing these issues just read the new knowledgebase article. Otherwise, just download the patch manually, if you haven't already received it via Automatic Windows Updates.

Interesting note to Limited Users and Power Users
As a Windows XP Professional "Power User" I am not accustomed to seeing Windows Updates unless I have logged into an Administrator level account. But, last night, as I was turning off my computer I saw a notice that an important Windows Update was waiting to be installed and to "Click Turn Off to continue installing it." In a few moments my DST patch was installed and my 'puter shut itself off for the night. This is good news for it provides a means to deliver system level patches to users operating with reduced user privileges, for their own protection. It's actually the second time this year that I have received a Windows Update while signing off for the night.

For those who are curious about why I would run with less than administrator privileges, read my blog article titled "Limited User Privileges Protect Against Malware Infections."

When I booted into Windows this morning I logged into an administrator level account to see what patch I had received the night before. I opened Internet Explorer to Microsoft Updates and clicked on the left link; "Update History." There I learned that this was a new Daylight Saving Time patch. For the heck of it I clicked on Update Home, then on the "Express" (Updates) button. I was surprised again to see a brand new update available for Windows Media Player 11, which I installed. This is something that is normally pushed out over Automatic Windows Updates, to administrator level accounts. While you are grabbing the DST patch check to see if you are offered the Media Player 11 patch also.

There was also a definition update issued today for Microsoft Defender.