Microsoft issues record patches

BEIJING, Oct. 14 (Xinhuanet) -- Microsoft Corp. issued a record number of updates Tuesday to fix security problems in its operating systems and other software.

The update includes 13 security bulletins that tackle 34 vulnerabilities, the largest number of vulnerabilities it has ever addressed in a single month.

Microsoft said the patches are designed to protect users from hackers or malicious software downloaded from the Internet. Six of them were high priority and should be installed immediately.

The patches target a wide range of Microsoft software, including the operating system Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows 2000 and even Windows 7, which will be officially released on Oct. 22.

The patches will also fix the vulnerabilities in Internet Explorer, Office, Media Player, Outlook, Silverlight and other products.

Windows users can get the updates automatically by turning on the "Automatic Updates" feature. They can also find the links to download the patches on Microsoft's security website.

Previously, Microsoft's biggest ever update tackled 31 vulnerabilities, which was released in June this year.