An update was released today that adds SHA-2 code signing support to Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. If this update is not installed, these Windows operating systems will no longer be able to receive Windows updates starting on July 16th, 2019. Currently, all Windows updates are dual signed with both SHA-1 and SHA-2 code signing certificates. As there are flaws in the SHA-1 algorithm that make it less secure, Microsoft has stated that starting on July 16th, 2019, Windows updates will only be signed using the SHA-2 algorithm going forward. As both Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008, R2 SP1 does not support SHA-2 code-signing certificates, Microsoft has stated that they were going to release an update that would introduce this feature into the operating systems. As part of the March 2019 Patch Tuesday updates, Microsoft released updates KB4490628 and KB4474419 to add SHA-2 support to both Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. These updates will be installed automatically and should not be prevented as doing so will cause Windows Update to no longer work in the future. For users who decide to not install this update, Microsoft will redeliver them again as security updates on April 9, 2019. Learn more by visiting OUR FORUM.