Windows Security Updates

Microsoft publishes Windows Security Updates on a monthly basis to increase the security of its operating systems. However, the intervention in the operating system associated with the updates can impair the functionality and real-time capability of TwinCAT. Beckhoff therefore regularly tests the general compatibility of Windows Security Updates with the current TwinCAT 3.1 Build. A monthly newsletter informs you of successfully tested updates, allowing you to perform additional tests and assist your customers with patch management. You can subscribe to the newsletter with a free myBeckhoff account here:

• German: https://www.beckhoff.com/de-de/mybeckhoff/newsletter-security-updates/
• English: https://www.beckhoff.com/en-en/mybeckhoff/newsletter-security-updates/

Beckhoff strongly recommends that you create a backup before installing Windows Security Updates.

If you want to install an update, there are several ways to do it. However, Beckhoff does not recommend automatic installation via the Windows Update service, since this also installs untested updates. Alternatively, you can download the Windows updates as an MSU file from Microsoft and install them locally in the operating system:

https://github.com/Beckhoff/windows-tools/tree/main/WindowsUpdates_Sample

There are also several patch management systems, such as Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) from Microsoft. You can use these systems to distribute updates to your devices in a targeted manner.