KB3013455 (MS15-010) causes font corruption

Question

February 2015 update KB3013455 causes 'Courier New' font corruption on some Windows systems, I can confirm it for Windows Server 2003 and 2008. You can verify it in Notepad. Removing the update fixes the issue.

Windows 7 and 8.1 are not affected by the update.

[removed information that 64bit may not be affected]

Answer 1

Yes Remove/Add Program >> View Installed Windows Updates >> I added the column to display installation date, reverse sorted and found "3013455" ((this update), then Uninstalled it.

This was common in the late 90's/early 2000's, had to remember which updates not to install that would break things. It's been solid for at least a decade, now this.

I don't really care what the fix is for. If I can't read my screen from my chair, I need to resolve it to do my job (own a web design firm).

I share the same opinion as this article "...the bottom line here is that if you want to be able to actually read the screen, you'll want to hold off installing this update until the problem is fixed."

http://windowsitpro.com/msrc/patch-tuesday-font-corruption-kb3013455

Answer 2

The link for all downloads is:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/search/Results.aspx?q=kb3013455&form=DLC

Choose your OS from the half dozen big options at the top and it brings you right to the download page.

Hit the big red download button and it should offer you two updates:

kb3013455   (the original that breaks fonts)

and

KB3037639  (the secondary update to fix fonts)

I installed the original, said do not reboot, and installed the second.

After reboot I appear patched and my fonts are good.

Answer 3

The problem occurs only in certain fonts, so there is a partial workaround if you want to leave KB3013455 installed and can change the font in a particular critical application.  But it would be great if someone could post a true workaround to this thread when one becomes available, since many of us use computers for more than one application, even if they are computers for testing in old operating systems such as Vista.

Answer 4

Trying to uninstall 3013455 in Vista, it shows in the View update history but not in the Installed Updates list.  How can I get it to show to uninstall?

Answer 5

I thought Microsoft pulled this update?  I removed it and auto updates pops up and says "You have updates to install", and you can guess which one :)