KEY POINTS

  • Microsoft released a patch to correct the error during printing
  • The out-of-band security update restores the normal flow while printing
  • Users have to install the Windows 10 emergency patch manually

Microsoft finally put an end to the problem that Windows 10 users encountered during the previous update.

A week ago, Bleeping Computer reported a March update of Windows 10 caused devices to end up in Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) as users executed printing commands.

Following this, Microsoft released an update on March 15 to fix the error and put an end to the problem, The Verge reported. The software giant’s latest band non-security patch allows Windows 10 users to go back to printing without the BSOD risk.

Microsoft confirmed the update addresses "an issue that might cause a blue screen when attempting to print to certain printers using some apps and might generate the error, APC_INDEX_MISMATCH," Bleeping Computer reported.

The tech giant released the emergency update after a wave of complaints flooded the March 10 post on Reddit from users ranting about their crashed Windows 10 devices. Some users specified the error occurred when they tried to print using certain printer brands such as Kyocera, Dymo and Ricoh.

Microsoft acknowledged the error that continued to earn more complaints as the days went on. "We are working to resolve an issue impacting a subset of customers using certain printers," a Microsoft spokesperson said in a statement through Bleeping Computers.

How to install the Windows 10 emergency update

Unlike the Windows 10 March 2021 cumulative update, the emergency patch does not automatically install on computers. Users must install the update manually by heading over to Windows Update.

Selecting the Check for Updates gives users two options. They may choose to click the download and install update link or go over to the list of optional updates available, where they have to pick the update manually from among the list before installing.

Another way to install the Windows 10 emergency update is through the Microsoft Catalog by updating the Windows 10 version 2004 to build 19041.868 and version 20H2 to build 19042.868.

To do so, users may manually download the update using the KB5001567 for Win10 v2004/20H2, KB5001566 for Win10 v1909, KB5001568 for Win10 v1809 enterprise/education/LTSC 2019 and KB5001565 for Win10 v1803 enterprise/education links from the Catalog.

Microsoft says a state-sponsored hacking group based in China has been exploiting previously unknown vulnerabilities in its email services
Microsoft says a state-sponsored hacking group based in China has been exploiting previously unknown vulnerabilities in its email services GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Drew Angerer
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