Still stubbornly running an ancient version of Windows, despite the security threats? You're in luck, this time.

The ransomware attack known as WannaCrypt that sent organizations and individual users around the world scrambling for security cover has been addressed by Microsoft, the company behind the most widely used operating system on the planet, with a new software update. And, to the relief of many holding onto old versions of Windows, the update plays nice with some old school systems, too.

Late Friday, the company posted an official notice on its site regarding the update as well as general guidance regarding the WannaCrypt attack. The update covers users on Windows XP, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2003 (the attack didn't target Windows 10, according to Microsoft). Additionally, Microsoft advises users to 'use vigilance when opening documents from untrusted or unknown sources.'

Microsoft Releases XP Patch for WannaCry Ransomware. Broadly available for download,” Microsoft said. Must not be too important because you can't even find a working link for the patch. Windows XP, Windows 8, and Windows Server 2003 users can download the patch from the Microsoft Update Catalog, and the software giant recommends everyone to update their systems as soon as.

Microsoft announced additional security updates alongside the expected security patch bundle that are meant to to stop ransomware and nation-state attacks. All Windows versions will receive them. Download Security Update for Windows XP SP3 (KB4012598) from Official Microsoft Download Center. New Surface Pro 6. Stand out from the ordinary. WCry is so mean Microsoft issues patch for 3 unsupported Windows versions. Broadly available for download here. The possibility that ransomware can spread virally across the Internet.

The patch goes all the way back to Windows XP, a version of Windows Microsoft stopped supporting several years ago.

This update is particularly noteworthy because the patch goes all the way back to Windows XP, a version of Windows Microsoft stopped supporting several years ago. Regarding that unusual move, Microsoft's blog post states, 'This decision was made based on an assessment of this situation, with the principle of protecting our customer ecosystem overall, firmly in mind.'

'Today our engineers added detection and protection against new malicious software known as Ransom:Win32.WannaCrypt,' a spokesperson said in a statement emailed to Mashable. 'In March, we provided a security update which provides additional protections against this potential attack. Those who are running our free antivirus software or have Windows Update enabled, are protected.'

Microsoft Defender Ransomware

The new update is available here and those looking for more detailed information regarding WannaCrypt ransomware and how it may impact Windows can find it listed on the Microsoft security blog.

The rapid response from Microsoft indicates just how worrisome the ransomware attack has been for businesses around the world including vital organizations where computers are central to daily work such as hospitals and utility companies.

On Saturday, a report from Reuters indicated that the impact of the ransomware has been greatly reduced in recent hours due to the work of an unnamed UK-based researcher who worked to limit its spread.

You need to get your Windows computer protected against WannaCry and its ilk. Here are detailed instructions on how to see if you need patching and, if you do, how to get patched.

By far the easiest method is to simply run Windows Update and install all important patches. You may not be able to do that—or may not want to do that—for several important reasons:

• You may not want all of the latest patches, whether for compatibility reasons or because you don’t trust Microsoft’s additional snooping in Windows 7 and 8.1 Monthly Rollups
• If you’re using Windows XP or Windows 8, Windows Update doesn’t work
• If you’re running Windows 7 or 8.1 on a newer computer (Kaby Lake and Ryzen processors, as well as several others), Microsoft may have gratuitously blocked Windows Update
• You may have problems running Windows Update for myriad reasons, and you don’t want to futz around with figuring out the reason or resetting while the threat lingers

Your approach to checking if you need the patches, and then installing them, will vary depending on your operating system.

Windows XP, Windows 8

Microsoft Ransomware Removal Tool

You don’t have the WannaCry patch, unless you downloaded and installed it already. Follow the links under “Further Resources” at the bottom of the Technet page to download and run the installer. Michael Horowitz on Computerworld has detailed instructions for XP.

(Note: I had a question in an earlier post about installing this patch on pirate copies of Windows XP. I’ve seen a lot of pirate copies of WinXP, and I don’t trust any of them. If you install Microsoft’s patch on a pirate XP machine, you may well brick it. On the other hand, if you don’t install the patch, somebody else may come in and brick it for you. If I had to do it, I’d back up everything and roll the dice. But be ready to install Win7 from scratch if the XP pirate doesn’t come back up for air.)

Vista

To see if the patch is already installed, click Start > Control Panel > System and Security. Under Windows Update click the View installed updates link. Look for one marked “Security Update for Windows Vista (KB4012598).” If you don’t have it, download it from the Microsoft Update Catalog, and install it.

Windows 7

If you can’t get Windows Update to work because Microsoft is punishing you for running Win7 on a newer computer, be of good cheer. The fact that you can’t run Windows Update means that you’ve already installed the fix.

For everybody else, if you don’t want to install all of the current patches, you can see if the patch is already installed. Click Start > Control Panel > System and Security. Under Windows Update click the View installed updates link. Scan the list (which can be alphabetized by clicking the box marked Name, or sorted by date) to see if you have any of these patches:

• 2017-05 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 (KB4019264)
• April, 2017 Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 (KB4015552)
• April, 2017 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 (KB4015549)
• March, 2017 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 7 (KB4012215)
• March, 2017 Security Only Quality Update for Windows 7 (KB4012212)

If you have any of those patches already installed, then you are good to go and you can sleep well at night. There’s no reason to download or install anything, unless you have absolutely none of those patches. I’m not recommending that you install something--just look at the list and see if you have any of these patches.

If you have none of the patches, download and install the March 2017 Security Only Quality Update for Windows 7 (KB4012212) for 32-bit or 64-bit.

(Note that the list is quite deliberate and, I think, exact—except for two earlier Rollup Previews, which are unlikely to appear on your computer. In particular, if you’re manually installing security-only patches in the “Group B” style, you must have the March 2017 Security Only Quality Update for Windows 7 (KB4012212). Other security-only patches don’t include the MS17-010 fix.)

Windows 8.1

Again, if Microsoft is blocking Windows Update because your computer is running on a Kaby Lake, Rizen, Carrizo DDR4, AMD RX-480, or any of a handful of similar newer processors, you’re fine. The fix has already been installed.

Otherwise, to see if the patch is already installed, click Start > Control Panel > System and Security. Under Windows Update click the View installed updates link. Scan the list (which can be alphabetized by clicking the box marked Name, or sorted by date) to see if you have ANY of these patches:

Microsoft Vista Ransomware Patch Download Windows 7

• 2017-05 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 8.1 (KB4019215)
• April, 2017 Preview of Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 8.1 (KB4015553)
• April, 2017 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 8.1 (KB4015550)
• March, 2017 Security Monthly Quality Rollup for Windows 8.1 (KB4012216)
• March, 2017 Security Only Quality Update for Windows 7 (KB4012213)

If you have any of those patches, you’re fine. Again, I’m not suggesting that you install anything unless none of those patches are installed. If you have none of those patches, download and install the March 2017 Security Only Quality Update for Windows 8.1 (KB4012213) for 32-bit or 64-bit.

See the note above about security-only patches. Again, I believe this list is complete and accurate.

Windows 10

While it’s true that WannaCry doesn’t attack Win10 computers, that shouldn’t make you complacent. The faulty SMBv1 driver is alive and well on Win10 machines, and it could be used in the future to take over your PC. You need to make sure you’re patched.

Creators Update (version 1703) is fine.

Anniversary Update (version 1607) – Check your build number. If you have Build 14393.953 or later, you’re fine. If you don’t, use Windows Update to install the latest build 14393.1198. Yes, I know that violates the current MS-DEFCON 2 setting, but you need to get up to or beyond 14393.953.

FallUpdate (version 1511) – Use the steps above to check your build number. You have to be at build 10586.839 or later. Abandon the MS-DEFCON rating system if you must to get up to or beyond that build number.

RTM (“version 1507”) – Follow the same procedure to make sure you’re up to or beyond build 10240.17319. And remember that your system’s toast soon.

Nice and easy, huh?

Everybody needs to get their systems updated, at least to the point mentioned here. Yes, that includes your sainted Aunt Martha.