Windows 10 users have been grappling with issues of crashing apps and system memory overloads. Microsoft’s latest preview update aims to resolve these persistent problems, which have been particularly troublesome for devices running version 22H2.
Root Cause: Windows Defender Application Control
Microsoft’s investigation revealed that the root cause of these issues lies within Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC). This software, designed to enhance security by allowing administrators to set restrictions on app launches, inadvertently caused a memory leak. This memory leak would eventually exhaust the system's total memory capacity, leading to significant performance degradation.
Additionally, a second bug was identified, which caused apps to crash when WDAC Application ID policies were applied. The overactive nature of WDAC in enforcing these policies led to instability and frequent app crashes, creating a frustrating user experience.
Part of the August Update
The newly released preview update, KB5040525, is Microsoft’s attempt to test whether these issues have been effectively addressed. If successful, the fixes will be included in the upcoming Patch Tuesday update in August. This update is crucial for ensuring that Windows 10 remains a stable and reliable operating system for its users.
For those eager to resolve these issues immediately, the preview update is available for download. Users can search for the latest updates in their settings to install it right away.
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