Windows 7 Patch Breaks Connection with VMware View Client

Two entries in Microsoft's February security update, released last week, block Windows 7 users from connecting to VMware's View Connection Servers, according to a VMware security bulletin.

Affecting both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Microsoft's newest OS, the error causes the connection between a user's PC and a VMware-hosted virtual console to fail.

Although VMware didn't provide details on how patches 2482017 (a cumulative security update for all versions of Internet Explorer) and 2467023 (an update that fixes an issue with how Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 loads and unloads system binaries) interrupts the PC and virtual console connection, it provided two options for fixing the situation:

  • Install a VMware View Client patch, build 353760.
  • Uninstall the two Microsoft patches.

The company also recommended downloading and installing the View Client patch before updating Windows 7 machines, if the newest Microsoft security update batch hasn't been installed.

While the incompatibility issue between the two companies' software and updates can be remedied, Gartner Research Vice President Chris Wolf used the incident to point out that flaws do occur between Microsoft updates and a "bring-your-own-device" (BYOD) delivery model.

"For organizations planning BYOD scenarios, this week's Windows 7 patch issue should make you consider the potential for a large-scale break created on Patch Tuesday," wrote Wolf in a Gartner blog post. "If we fast forward a couple of years, it's possible for an IT organization to have to deal with remediating this type of problem for thousands of users."

Wolf argued that as the virtualization model continues to spread through enterprises, it will be harder for IT pros to test new updates and to devise a common solution when an incompatibility issue occurs for multiple users running multiple unique virtualization environments.

While this week's problem looks to be resolved with VMware's patch, Wolf underlined one of the inherent issues of using third-party services and software for virtualization: "Sure, with BYOD, the user is supposed to 'support' their own device in theory. However, if hundreds or thousands of users can't connect to their apps, it becomes IT's support problem, like it or not."

About the Author

Chris Paoli (@ChrisPaoli5) is the associate editor for Converge360.

Featured

  • An elementary school teacher and young students interact with floating holographic screens displaying colorful charts and playful data visualizations in a minimalist classroom setting

    New AI Collaborative to Explore Use of Artificial Intelligence to Improve Teaching and Learning

    Education-focused nonprofits Leading Educators and The Learning Accelerator have partnered to launch the School Teams AI Collaborative, a yearlong pilot initiative that will convene school teams, educators, and thought leaders to explore ways that artificial intelligence can enhance instruction.

  • landscape photo with an AI rubber stamp on top

    California AI Watermarking Bill Supported by OpenAI

    OpenAI, creator of ChatGPT, is backing a California bill that would require tech companies to label AI-generated content in the form of a digital "watermark." The proposed legislation, known as the "California Digital Content Provenance Standards" (AB 3211), aims to ensure transparency in digital media by identifying content created through artificial intelligence. This requirement would apply to a broad range of AI-generated material, from harmless memes to deepfakes that could be used to spread misinformation about political candidates.

  • closeup of laptop and smartphone calendars

    2024 Tech Tactics in Education Conference Agenda Announced

    Registration is free for this fully virtual Sept. 25 event, focused on "Building the Future-Ready Institution" in K-12 and higher education.

  • cloud icon connected to a data network with an alert symbol (a triangle with an exclamation mark) overlaying the cloud

    U.S. Department of Commerce Proposes Reporting Requirements for AI, Cloud Providers

    The United States Department of Commerce is proposing a new reporting requirement for AI developers and cloud providers. This proposed rule from the department's Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) aims to enhance national security by establishing reporting requirements for the development of advanced AI models and computing clusters.