On Friday, Microsoft recommended uninstalling a recent security update following reports that it caused Blue Screens of Death.

ComputerWorld reports that the patch—MS 14-045—was first announced on August 12 before it received further attention on Friday. The patch intended to fix three issues including one in the Windows kernel. But soon after it was initially released, a Microsoft support forum thread sprung up with tales of "Stop 0x50 errors," aka blue screens. (ComputerWorld notes the thread has surpassed 50,000 views within the week.)

Microsoft's updated information page for the patch includes an official, relatively detail-free explanation:

Why was this bulletin revised on August 15, 2014?

Microsoft revised this bulletin to address known issues associated with installation of security update 2982791. Microsoft is investigating behavior associated with the installation of this update, and will update this bulletin when more information becomes available. Microsoft recommends that customers uninstall this update. As an added precaution, Microsoft has removed the download links to the 2982791 security update. For instructions on how to uninstall this update, see Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 2982791.

Following the link to the uninstall information, Microsoft identifies the 0x50 error and re-emphasizes that investigations are ongoing. In their view, the issue could also be the result of three prior updates:

Known issue 3

Microsoft is investigating behavior in which systems may crash with a 0x50 Stop error message (bugcheck) after any of the following updates are installed:





2982791 MS14-045: Description of the security update for kernel-mode drivers: August 12, 2014 2970228 Update to support the new currency symbol for the Russian ruble in Windows 2975719 August 2014 update rollup for Windows RT 8.1, Windows 8.1, and Windows Server 2012 R2 2975331 August 2014 update rollup for Windows RT, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2012 This condition may be persistent and may prevent the system from starting correctly.

As of Saturday, ComputerWorld reports that Windows Live Update was still pushing out the outdated patch. The site also notes that not every PC installing MS 14-045 eventually faced a blue screen.

Over at InfoWorld, the site offers potential fixes for afflicted users after writer Woody Leonhard faced this issue himself. ComputerWorld writes that "some customers were able to regain control of their PCs by using System Restore to return the machine to a previous date, but only after they'd booted the computer using original install media." Microsoft's recommendations include fixes like booting to Safe Mode, but the forum thread disputes how effective that method is.

So far, Microsoft Security Response Center hasn't acknowledged the situation on the group's Twitter account (its last post is about Bill Gates completing the ALS Ice Water Challenge).