- Windows 10 PCs are obtaining a stealthily installed update
- The arrival under the radar of KB5001716 can confuse some people
- This patch is implemented in Windows versions that are about to run out of support, and will push it so that it moves to keep your PC safe
Windows 10 PCs are receiving an update stealthily for them, and some people can be confused in what it is.
The good news is that it is nothing to worry about as such, although the update is a bit rare, and it does announce the end of Windows 10 (I will return to why momentarily).
Neowin noticed the arrival of the patch labeled as KB5001716, and observed that this is an update that Microsoft implements before ‘installing the force’ a new features update.
That is a somewhat dramatic writing so that KB5001716 is pushed to Windows versions that are about to run out of support, therefore, users must be updated soon, or will run out of safety updates (and potentially open to vulnerabilities that could be exploited as a result).
So, technically, the comment on a forced installation is true, but just because the update is a necessary movement to guarantee the security of the Host PC.
This is what Microsoft tells us about this patch: “After installing this update, Windows can periodically show a notification that informs you about problems that can prevent Windows from updating to maintain your updated and protected device against current threats. For example, you can see a notification informing you that your device is running a Windows version that has reached the end of your end of your support cycle.”
In this case, the update is being installed in silence on the PCs that run the latest version of Windows 10, which is 22h2, as well as 21h2, the latter is already out of support, mind. (Like Windows 11 21h2, which Microsoft also lists how to receive this patch currently, quite strangely).
Analysis: The beginning of the end
What this really represents is Microsoft that prepares the land for the end of Windows 10, which occurs in October 2025. With this patch that is now being installed on all Windows 10 PCs, as noted, these machines will receive periodic notifications warning that the operating system is about to run out of support (and security updates).
However, Microsoft keeps something tight in those push -ups (which will undoubtedly mention the update to Windows 11). The company indicates that “it will respect the full screen, the game, the time of silence and the modes of focus assistance”, which means that they will not be too intrusive. And I hope they won’t be also Regular, either.
So, if you have worried the appearance of this update, there is no need to worry. It is not a big problem, although it is said that it is in some aspects, in terms that the fuse is effectively turned on for the final regressive account with Windows 10.
Now there are only three months left before the end of the life of the oldest operating system, so there is some urgency to act. If you cannot update to Windows 11 due to the lack of system requirements, you must think about alternatives (or get an additional support year).
I think it would really help if Microsoft were clearer about what this update is. In fact, KB5001716 is implemented on PC every time a support deadline for a Windows version is imminent. In fact, in the past, we have seen reports of this patch that are not installed because it is already present in the system.
Strictly speaking, that should not happen, because the patch is only pushed to Windows versions that are at the door of death, as noted, but in some way, the solution is simple. Uninstall the existing copy of KB5001716 in Windows Update, and the new one must successfully patch. Otherwise, it will continue to fail repeatedly, which will undoubtedly become exhausting quite quickly.
In general, this is a somewhat strange approach to Microsoft to administer dying Windows versions. It is not surprising that KB5001716 can cause some confusion, in terms of the stealthy and repeated (over the years), the installation of this ‘update for Windows Update’ as the company invoices it.
