Microsoft issues first Windows 7 patches

Microsoft patched nine vulnerabilities in Windows 7 last week, five marked "critical," in a move that will require users upgrading to the new operating system to download a security update to keep their PCs secure.

The patches were the first for Windows 7's final build (dubbed RTM for "release to manufacturing"), which has been in some customers' hands -- primarily enterprises with volume licensing agreements -- since August.

Windows 7's patch count was significantly less than either Windows Vista's, its immediate predecessor, or that of Windows XP, the eight-year-old operating system installed on the majority of systems worldwide.

:story: Full story: Computerworld