On 10 February 2026, Microsoft released its monthly Patch Tuesday security update, addressing a wide spectrum of vulnerabilities across Windows platforms and major Microsoft products. As usual for the second Tuesday of the month, this cumulative update delivers security fixes that system administrators and end users alike should prioritise.
Major Takeaways
The February Patch Tuesday release is notable for several reasons:
Zero-Day Vulnerability Fixes: Microsoft patched six zero-day vulnerabilities that had been exploited in the wild before the update was released — a rare but critical event. These flaws span core Windows components like the Windows Shell, MSHTML engine, Word, Remote Desktop Services, and the Desktop Window Manager.
Volume of Fixes: The update resolves around 54–59 CVEs depending on classification, including multiple elevation-of-privilege, remote code execution, information disclosure, spoofing, and security-feature bypass flaws.
Severity Breakdown: Multiple vulnerabilities are rated Important and Critical, with some zero-day flaws carrying high CVSS scores — underlining the urgency of applying patches. Adobe also issued its February updates, addressing 44 vulnerabilities across several creative and productivity products.
What Was Fixed
Security fixes in February span several areas:
Windows Core & Shell Components: Patches that address bypasses of security warnings (e.g., Mark of the Web) and other mechanisms that could allow attackers to execute malicious content with limited interaction.
Remote Access & Desktop Services: Vulnerabilities that potentially allow attackers to elevate privileges or deny service through Remote Desktop and other telephony and access protocols.
Office & Productivity Apps: Several patched flaws affect Microsoft Word and other Office components.
Exchange Server & Azure: Enterprise-oriented products like Exchange and Azure services received fixes for bugs that could impact security posture when exposed to external threats.
Context & Best Practices
This update arrives against a backdrop of heightened attention on Microsoft''s general update quality after earlier 2026 releases experienced issues, including stability problems that prompted out-of-band patches and hotfixes. While February''s Patch Tuesday seems more stable, IT teams are encouraged to:
- Test patches in staging environments before wide rollout to catch compatibility issues — especially in enterprise environments with legacy applications or customised workflows.
- Prioritise zero-day fixes for deployment, particularly where active exploitation is confirmed.
- Monitor vendor advisories and telemetry post-deployment for any new issues emerging in the wild.
Wrap-Up
February 2026''s Patch Tuesday emphasises what many cybersecurity teams already observe: even routine monthly updates can contain fixes for critical, actively exploited vulnerabilities. With six zero-days patched and multiple high-impact CVEs addressed across Microsoft products, this cycle reinforces the need for disciplined patch management and proactive security operations.