Buzz
Microsoft uses this Registry key to prevent users from installing Windows updates on computers using antivirus software incompatible with the company's Meltdown and Spectre bug fixes.
Microsoft Removes Antivirus Registry Key on All Windows Versions
Antivirus software providers will also generate this Registry key on users' computers to notify that they have updated their software and will not interfere with Microsoft's patches. However, this will lead to significant issues as incompatible antivirus software will crash and cause system errors, resulting in the dreaded blue screen of death on users' systems. To access the Registry on your computer, refer to how to access the Registry here.
The mandatory Registry key was removed on Windows 10 last month
In January, Microsoft announced that Windows computers using custom antivirus software without the required Registry key (to be compatible with Meltdown and Spectre bug fixes) would no longer receive any new security updates.
However, because antivirus software providers also update their products concurrently with Microsoft improving their Meltdown and Spectre bug fixes, the company decided to eliminate the mandatory Registry key on Windows versions.
With this move by Microsoft, users, especially those on large enterprise networks using custom antivirus software, can now update their computers without worrying about the dreaded blue screen errors.
Operating system manufacturers removed the Registry key from Windows computers back in March and more recently on other Windows versions, including Windows 7, 8, 8.1, Server 2008, and Windows Server 2012.
Registry key removed in updates KB4093114 and KB4093118
In the KB4093114 and KB4093118 updates, Microsoft states: 'Windows Update and WSUS will provide these updates to clients and Windows server operating systems, regardless of whether the key 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\QualityCompat\cadca5fe-87d3-4b96-b7fb-a231484277cc' exists. This change is implemented to protect user data.'
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