IT Support That Just Works, for Long Island & NYC Businesses

Microsoft’s October 2026 Windows update arrived on Tuesday, October 13, and for businesses it’s more than a routine round of patches. This month brings two things worth your attention: important Windows security fixes, and a firm deadline for organizations still running Windows 11 version 24H2 on Home or Pro editions.

Here’s what the update means for your business, and what you should do next.

What Microsoft Released on October 13

October 13 was Microsoft’s monthly Patch Tuesday, when it releases security and quality updates for Windows, Microsoft 365 and other products. These updates close vulnerabilities that attackers could use to take over a computer, steal data or spread through a network.

Microsoft’s October 2026 security updates address CVE-2026-96951, a Windows Shell security feature bypass vulnerability that Microsoft has confirmed is being actively exploited. The vulnerability can allow an attacker to evade Windows Mark of the Web (MOTW) protections, reinforcing the importance of keeping business Windows devices current with Microsoft security updates.

Why This Windows Security Update Matters

When Microsoft confirms that a vulnerability is being actively exploited, applying the fix promptly becomes especially important. Attackers often look for organizations that haven’t yet installed available security updates, so delays can increase your risk.

For a business, an unpatched computer isn’t just one person’s problem. A single compromised laptop can be the entry point for ransomware, stolen credentials or a breach that affects your clients. That’s why getting security updates installed quickly, on every device, matters so much.

Windows 11 24H2 Home and Pro Have Reached End of Support

October 13, 2026 was also the end of servicing for Windows 11 version 24H2 on Home and Pro editions. Microsoft supports each Windows 11 feature update for a set period, and for Home and Pro editions of 24H2, that period is now over.

In practical terms, computers running Windows 11 24H2 Home or Pro no longer receive monthly security updates. Future vulnerabilities, including ones being actively exploited, won’t be patched on those machines. To keep receiving security updates, they need to move to Windows 11 version 25H2.

Many small and mid-sized businesses run Windows 11 Pro, so this deadline is likely to affect some of your computers, especially any that were set to postpone feature updates or haven’t been checked in a while.

Enterprise and Education Editions Are Different

It’s important to be precise here: Windows 11 24H2 isn’t unsupported everywhere. Microsoft gives Enterprise and Education editions a longer support window, and 24H2 Enterprise and Education remain supported until October 12, 2027.

So the question isn’t just “Are we on 24H2?” It’s “Which edition of 24H2 are we on?” A business with a mix of Pro and Enterprise licenses could have some computers that are covered and others that aren’t.

How to Check Which Windows 11 Version You’re Running

You can check any computer in under a minute:

1. Press the Windows key + R, type winver and press Enter. The window that opens shows your Windows version (for example, 24H2 or 25H2).
2. For the edition, go to Settings → System → About and look under Windows specifications, where you’ll see Home, Pro, Enterprise or Education.

If a computer shows Windows 11 Pro or Home, version 24H2, it should be updated to 25H2 as soon as possible.

Checking one computer is easy. Checking every computer in your organization, and making sure none are missed, is where most businesses run into trouble.

Why Businesses Shouldn’t Ignore Windows Update Management

Leaving updates to individual employees usually means some computers fall behind. Common problems include:

• Updates postponed indefinitely because someone clicked “remind me later”
• Feature updates blocked by old settings or compatibility issues nobody noticed
• Remote and traveling employees whose laptops rarely connect long enough to update
• No central view of which computers are patched and which aren’t
• Older hardware that can’t run the latest version and needs to be replaced

Unmanaged updates also create risk for cyber insurance. Many insurers now ask how quickly you apply security patches, and “we hope employees install them” isn’t a good answer.

How TCI Manages Windows Updates, Security and Lifecycle Planning

At TCI Technologies, Windows updates are part of how we manage our clients’ technology every day, not something left to chance:

• Centralized patch management, so security updates are tested, scheduled and installed across every computer
• Feature update planning to move devices from 24H2 to 25H2 before support deadlines, with minimal disruption to your team
• Device management with Microsoft Intune, including Windows Update rings and compliance policies that flag devices that fall behind
• Reporting that shows which computers are current and which need attention
• Lifecycle planning to identify older computers that need replacing before they become a security risk
• Layered cybersecurity, so patching is backed by endpoint protection, email security and monitoring

Our Quantum Managed IT Plans include this kind of ongoing management, so you don’t have to track Microsoft’s calendar yourself.

Schedule an IT & Cybersecurity Review with TCI

Not sure which versions your computers are running, or whether your updates are actually being installed? TCI can review your environment, identify devices affected by the 24H2 Home and Pro deadline, and help you put a reliable update process in place.

Request a free IT assessment, or take our free Cybersecurity Risk Assessment to get your Security Readiness Score. Prefer to talk? Call us at (516) 484-5151.

A recent Connecticut court case exposed a growing concern in AI security for law firms. A self-represented litigant hid instructions in tiny white text inside an electronic court filing. While invisible to attorneys reviewing the document, the text could still be read by AI systems and was designed to influence how the document was interpreted.

Connecticut Superior Court Judge Walter Spader Jr. identified the tactic as a prompt injection attempt and revoked the litigant's electronic filing privileges in the case.

While the incident may seem unusual, it highlights a broader challenge for law firms increasingly using AI for document review, legal research, and case preparation. Firms need confidence that the information provided to AI systems can be trusted.

Why AI Security Matters as Legal AI Adoption Grows

AI is quickly becoming a practical tool inside law firms. Attorneys are using AI to summarize documents, analyze contracts, review discovery, organize case materials, and accelerate research. Tasks that once required hours of manual review can often be completed in a fraction of the time.

According to Thomson Reuters, 41% of law firms reported using generative AI in 2026, compared with 28% in 2025. Among legal professionals already using AI tools, document review and document summarization remain two of the most common use cases.

As adoption grows, law firms need to consider how AI security fits into their existing risk management and client confidentiality practices. Like any technology, AI delivers the greatest value when it is supported by appropriate controls, oversight, and governance.

How Prompt Injection Attacks Can Impact Legal Workflows

AI systems process the information they receive, so content embedded within a document can influence how a summary, analysis, or recommendation is generated.

In a legal environment, even small inaccuracies can have consequences. A manipulated summary could:

• Omit important facts
• Downplay key arguments
• Prioritize one side's position
• Create misleading conclusions
• Introduce information that was never intended to be part of the review process

The risk is not limited to white text. Security researchers have noted that content designed to influence AI can be hidden in metadata, comments, images, formatting elements, and other document components that may not be visible during a routine review.

As organizations increasingly adopt AI-powered workflows, addressing these risks is becoming an important part of AI governance and risk management.

Seven Ways to Strengthen AI Security for Law Firms

The good news is that securing AI workflows does not require reinventing existing processes. The same disciplines law firms rely on to protect confidential information, manage risk, and maintain trust can provide a strong foundation for responsible AI adoption.

1. Review Documents before AI Processing

External documents should go through a controlled intake process whenever possible. Hidden text, embedded objects, unusual metadata, and other non-visible content should be identified before documents are uploaded into AI platforms.

2. Separate Content from AI System Instructions

Approved AI systems should be configured to treat uploaded files as reference material, not as trusted commands. While this safeguard is not foolproof, it can help reduce the likelihood that embedded content influences the output.

3. Use Clean Copies of Documents

Creating clean copies of external documents before processing them through AI systems can help reduce unnecessary risk. Depending on the workflow, sanitation may involve removing metadata, comments, embedded objects, active content, or other hidden elements that do not contribute to the legal analysis.

4. Maintain Human Oversight

AI can accelerate legal work, but it should not replace professional judgment. Attorneys should validate important findings against the original source material before relying on AI-generated summaries or recommendations.

5. Limit Access and Permissions

Document-review tools should only have access to the information required to perform their intended function. AI-generated content should not automatically send messages, modify records, file documents, or retrieve confidential materials without human review and authorization.

6. Establish Clear AI Usage Policies

Employees need guidance on which AI platforms are approved, what information can be uploaded, and how outputs should be reviewed. Clear governance helps create consistency while supporting confidentiality, compliance, and accountability throughout the organization.

7. Test the Complete Workflow

AI security controls should be tested periodically using realistic examples that contain hidden content, misleading instructions, or other elements designed to influence AI-generated output. Testing can reveal weaknesses and help organizations continuously improve their processes.

Reducing AI Risk Through Governance

AI security for law firms should be viewed as part of a broader risk management strategy, not simply a technology initiative. The firms that gain the most value from AI will be those that implement it with the right security, governance, and oversight.

TCI Technologies helps law firms establish a framework for responsible AI adoption, combining practical technology guidance with cybersecurity expertise to help reduce risk, protect sensitive information, and support confident AI use.