Microsoft Pulls Exchange Server Update Due to Transport/DLP Rule Conflicts

Microsoft’s November 2024 Patch Tuesday Update: Key Fixes and Issues

This week, Microsoft unveiled its highly anticipated November 2024 Patch Tuesday update, addressing a variety of issues in both Windows 10 and Windows 11. The updates for Windows 10 include KB5046613, KB5046615, KB5046612, and KB5046665, while Windows 11 users will receive KB5046617 and KB5046633.

Critical Fixes in Windows 11

The latest updates for Windows 11 come with a significant fix aimed at resolving a persistent Task Manager bug. This issue caused the Task Manager to inaccurately display the count of background processes and Windows processes as zero, potentially leading to confusion among users.

Additionally, Windows 10 updates target a frustrating limitation faced by non-administrative users, who were unable to launch essential applications such as Teams and Quick Assist. This fix enhances usability and ensures a smoother experience for all users.

Emerging Issues with Windows 11 Updates

While the updates aim to enhance performance, they inadvertently introduced a new issue in Windows 11 versions 23H2 and 22H2. Users are receiving misleading warnings indicating that their version of Windows has reached the end of service, which can cause unnecessary alarm and confusion.

Exchange Server Security Updates: Challenges and Pauses

In conjunction with the Windows updates, Microsoft also released security updates for Exchange Server 2019 and 2016 in November. However, the rollout was abruptly halted due to widespread complaints from administrators and users experiencing issues linked to custom Transport and Data Loss Prevention (DLP) rules.

Update 11/14/2024: Microsoft has temporarily paused the rollout of this update.

The company is aware of ongoing issues where Transport rules may stop functioning intermittently post-update, especially affecting customers utilizing custom DLP rules. If you encounter this problem, it is advisable to uninstall the November Security Update until a resolution is provided.

Microsoft is currently investigating this situation and is committed to delivering a permanent fix, which will be re-released once it’s ready. Furthermore, the rollout to Windows and Microsoft Update has been paused for the November 2024 Security Update, although users not affected by the rule issues can continue using the update.

Understanding Transport and DLP Rules

For those who might be unfamiliar, Transport rules within Exchange Server are crucial for safeguarding sensitive data. They establish messaging policies that guide appropriate actions such as blocking, filtering, or alerting users when necessary. Similarly, DLP rules play a vital role in detecting and managing sensitive information, reinforcing data loss prevention practices, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

For additional insights regarding the Exchange Server update challenges, visit the source here.