“Microsoft is now using AI like a digital security guard that patrols Windows looking for weak spots. When it finds one, it alerts engineers so they can fix the problem before hackers have a chance to use it.”
Microsoft released one huge security update and one follow-up emergency fix during the past two weeks. Together they patched hundreds of security weaknesses, including some that hackers were already using in real-world attacks.
September Patch Tuesday
- Released security updates for Windows 10, Windows 11, Office, Exchange, SQL Server, and other Microsoft products.
- This was Microsoft’s largest Patch Tuesday ever, fixing roughly 966 to 974 vulnerabilities (different security firms count them slightly differently).
- Included fixes for 2 actively exploited zero-day vulnerabilities.
September 2026 Emergency Windows 11 Update (KB5129195)
- An out-of-band update released one week later to address issues discovered after the September Patch Tuesday rollout.
- Included additional security protections and fixes for several critical Windows 11 problems.
Interesting Connection to AI
Many security researchers believe the unusually large number of fixes is partly due to Microsoft’s new AI-powered bug hunting system, which has been finding vulnerabilities much faster than traditional manual methods. Several reports specifically noted that patch counts have increased since Microsoft began using AI-assisted vulnerability discovery.
In simple terms:
The AI is helping Microsoft find more bugs, which means users may see larger updates than in the past, but Windows should ultimately become more secure because more flaws are being found and fixed before attackers can take advantage of them.
Microsoft Is Using AI to Find Windows Security Problems
Microsoft has started using artificial intelligence (AI) to help find security flaws and software bugs in Windows before hackers can find and use them.
Think of it like this:
- Windows contains millions of lines of computer code.
- Human engineers cannot manually check every line all the time.
- Microsoft now uses AI tools that can scan huge amounts of code much faster than people can.
How Does It Work?
Microsoft created an AI system called MDASH. This system acts like a team of digital security inspectors. It constantly looks through Windows code searching for mistakes that could become security risks.
When the AI finds something suspicious, it:
- Checks whether the flaw is real.
- Determines how dangerous it could be.
- Sends the information to Microsoft engineers.
- Helps suggest possible fixes.
Human engineers still make the final decisions and test the fixes before they are released to customers.
What Does This Mean for Windows Users?
For everyday users, this is mostly good news because AI can find problems faster:
- Security updates may be released more quickly.
- More vulnerabilities can be fixed before criminals discover them.
- Windows can become safer and more secure over time.
Why Is Microsoft Doing This Now?
Hackers are beginning to use AI to look for weaknesses in software. Microsoft realized that if attackers can use AI, defenders need to use AI too. It’s becoming a race to see who finds a flaw first.
Which AI Models?
Microsoft has not publicly disclosed every model used, but they have stated that MDASH uses:
- Multiple Microsoft AI models
- Multiple third-party AI vulnerability-discovery models
- More than 100 specialized AI agents working together in some configurations
Is Copilot Involved?
Yes, but usually on the fixing side rather than the bug-finding side.
Microsoft uses products such as:
- Microsoft Security Copilot
- GitHub Copilot Autofix
These tools can help developers understand vulnerabilities and even generate proposed code fixes that engineers review before deployment.
The Bottom Line
Microsoft is now using AI as an advanced security tool for Windows. The AI searches for bugs and vulnerabilities much faster than humans alone, while Microsoft engineers review, test, and approve the fixes. The goal is simple: find and patch security holes before cybercriminals can exploit them.
Deliver David's Tech Talk to my inbox
We'll send David's weekly Tech Talk to your inbox - including the MP3 of the actual radio spot. You'll never miss a valuable tip again!