Why are critical business functions STILL using Windows

The worldwide computer system failure that shut down airports, banks, and more was caused by a faulty patch issued by the security firm CrowdStrike. Of that, there is no argument.

But why was a patch necessary in the first place? I asked ChatGPT 4.0 to tell me how many patches Microsoft has issued since they introduced Windows in 1985. In the nearly 40 years that we have had the Windows OS, you would think that by now, all of the holes in the OS would have been addressed. But you would be wrong!

Here is what ChatGPT 4.0 had to say:

Since the first introduction of Windows OS in 1985, Microsoft has released thousands of patches to maintain and improve their operating systems. These patches address a wide range of issues including security vulnerabilities, system bugs, and performance enhancements. The update strategy has evolved over the years, with significant changes in the way updates are released and managed.

Windows Update Timeline:

- Early Versions (Windows 1.0 to Windows ME): Patches were relatively infrequent and often included in larger service packs or through manual downloads from Microsoft's website.

- Windows XP and Vista: The concept of "Patch Tuesday" was introduced, where Microsoft started releasing updates on the second Tuesday of each month.

- Windows 7 and 8: The frequency and number of updates increased as the OS became more complex and widely used.

- Windows 10: Marked a significant shift with the introduction of "Windows as a Service," where updates are delivered continuously. Windows 10 received cumulative updates, feature updates, and quality updates on a regular schedule.

- Windows 11: Continues the approach of regular monthly updates with additional focus on continuous feature improvements and enhancements.

Cumulative Nature of Updates:

- Monthly updates, often referred to as "Patch Tuesday" updates, are cumulative. This means they include all previously released fixes and ensure that systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches and feature improvements【7?source】【9?source】【10?source】.

Out-of-Band Updates:

- Microsoft also releases out-of-band updates to address urgent issues or vulnerabilities that cannot wait until the next scheduled update【9?source】.

Given this ongoing and cumulative approach, it's difficult to pinpoint an exact number of patches released across all versions of Windows. However, it is clear that the total number is in the thousands, reflecting Microsoft's commitment to maintaining and securing its operating systems over the decades. For more detailed and specific numbers, exploring the individual update histories for each version of Windows through Microsoft's official support pages can provide deeper insights.

Back to me. Instead of believing that Microsoft is committed to maintaining and securing its OS, I want to know why, after 39 years, they are still finding flaws.

If your critical business is still using Windows isn't it time to see if there are more secure systems available?