On July 19, 2024, a significant IT outage impacted Windows systems globally, disrupting operations across various sectors including health care and emergency services, medical providers, airlines, banks, and media. Aviation industry leader Delta Air Lines is making progress but has yet to fully recover from the outage, continuing to cancel hundreds of flights for the last few days.
The CEO of CrowdStrike has been called upon by members of Congress to testify about the incident, including members of the House Homeland Security committee.
The issue originated from a faulty update in the Falcon Sensor software by CrowdStrike, leading to widespread system crashes and the infamous "blue screen of death" (BSOD). Both CrowdStrike and Microsoft acknowledged the problem and have been working on resolutions.
According to Windows Central:
July 19, 9:38 AM ET: CrowdStrike's engineers claim to have fixed a faulty kernel driver responsible for the outages but say it will be "some time" before worldwide services return to normal. While some infrastructures recovered, thousands of flights were still canceled, and public transport remains disrupted in some areas.
Windows Central also offered a how-to article on fixing BOSD errors on Windows 11 due to the CrowdStrike issue.
Microsoft stated in a post on X that “the update to CrowdStrike’s Falcon software led to “an issue with Windows 365 Cloud PCs.” The post includes a guide on how to fix the issue.
In the meantime, Microsoft has taken action to repair its Azure servers, and also addressed a separate issue for global Windows users. It is unknown at this time whether the Azure problems are related to the faulty CrowdStrike update.
Update 7/25/2024 - CrowdStrike has created a Remediation and Guidance Hub:
Falcon Content Update for Windows Hosts dedicated webpage that is updated daily.
Major Issues with Windows
While the global IT outage was due to a bad update published by CrowdStrike, it does draw attention to issues with Windows OS in general. Major issues with Windows operating systems revolve around high costs, frequent updates that can disrupt workflows, and privacy concerns according to this Windows Central article . Many users face substantial expenses when purchasing Windows licenses, which can financially burden individuals and organizations.
Windows updates are often mandatory and can occur at inconvenient times, causing interruptions in work and potentially leading to data and financial losses.
Windows 10 and Windows 11 employs extensive data collection practices, where telemetry data is continuously sent back to Microsoft. This data can include browsing history, app usage, and event location information, often without users being fully aware of the extent of the data collection (MDPI). According to an article titled “Pervasive User Data Collection from Cyberspace: Privacy Concerns and Countermeasures” published January 31, 2024, by MDPI in the international, scientific, peer-reviewed open access journal, Cryptography:
Microsoft has further expanded LDP’s scope to include telemetry collection, graph data analysis, language data analysis, iterative interactions, and incorporating prior knowledge. These developments illustrate the evolving landscape of LDP, addressing the intricacies of various data types and privacy concerns.
Consider an Open Source Alternative
To avoid similar issues in the future caused by forced updates, consider switching to an open source operating Linux for your operating systems. Open source alternatives offer various benefits, including:
- Cost-effectiveness: These systems are free to use, reducing financial burdens.
- Control Over Updates: Users can manage updates according to their schedules, minimizing disruptions.
- Enhanced Privacy: Open source software is transparent, allowing users to manage their data privacy better.
Explore options like Ubuntu, Debian, and others to enhance your computing experience with more control, security, and cost-efficiency. Further, as these are Open Source platforms, many vendors such as Command Prompt can support you enterprise-wide.
Reach out to us with any questions or for further assistance in installing or implementing a Linux OS, including configuration and best practices for data performance and security.