Microsoft launches emergency patch for RDP bug in Windows Server

Windows Server 2019 System Insights

Windows Server is getting an emergency patch for an annoying bug where it is difficult and sometimes impossible to connect to a server remotely.

Windows Server suffers from an annoying bug where it is difficult and sometimes impossible to connect remotely. Users face slowness in general and during login, or are treated to a blank screen. Those who want to log in to a server via RDP are sometimes unable to do so. The cause is update KB5008218.

Emergency patch available

Microsoft is now launching patches for all affected editions of Windows Server, from Windows Server 2012 R2 through Windows Server 2022. That update is being rolled out as an emergency patch, but takes the form of a separate update package that does not install automatically. You have to go to the Microsoft Update Catalog for that. The patches are given different KB numbers for each Windows Server edition. For each update, Microsoft explains the steps you need to take for installation. Click on the links for more information.

It is far from the first time Microsoft has had to roll out emergency patches after a planned update functionality plummets. Redmond faces the unique challenge that its software must support an unseen diversity of hardware, and that regularly leads to problems. While it is generally smart to roll out updates quickly, in our opinion, in the case of Microsoft patches, it is a good idea to wait a few days after launch to let the cat out of the bag.