Icon of program: Intel Microcode Boot Load…

Intel Microcode Boot Loader for Windows

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Editors’ Review

Download.com staff
This tool provides a workaround to update your Intel processor's microcode, patching critical security vulnerabilities like Spectre without BIOS modification.

Top Recommended Alternative

  • Pros

    • Updates processor microcode automatically on boot
    • Protects against Spectre and similar vulnerabilities
    • Avoids BIOS/UEFI ROM modification
    • Based on Intel BIOS Implementation Test Suite

  • Cons

    • Requires a USB flash drive
    • Needs BIOS/UEFI support for USB boot
    • Advanced local installation option exists
Icon of program: Intel Microcode Boot Load…

Intel Microcode Boot Loader for Windows

Download now

Used Intel Microcode Boot Loader for Windows?

Explore More

Full Specifications

GENERAL
Release
Latest update
Version
0.5.4
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Platform
Windows
Operating System
  • Windows 2003
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows 7
  • Windows XP
  • Windows 8
  • Windows 10
  • Windows Server
Additional Requirements
Intel processor
POPULARITY
Total Downloads
238
Downloads Last Week
3
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Last Updated

Developer’s Description

By Regeneration
Update your Intel processor's microcode and protect yourself against security vulnerabilities.
In early 2018, security researchers discovered several security vulnerabilities affecting all processors: Meltdown and Spectre. These vulnerabilities allow speculative execution side-channel attacks (CVE-2017-5715, CVE-2017-5753, CVE-2017-5754). While Meltdown was resolved with an OS patch, Spectre required a microcode update.

Since the microcode is stored and automatically loaded by the BIOS/UEFI, motherboard manufacturers required to issue an update. However, manufacturers normally release firmware updates only for their newest products. Plenty of motherboards still remain vulnerable until this very day.

Intel Microcode Boot Loader is a workaround for the microcode problem on Intel-based motherboards. It updates the microcode every time the system is booted. Based on Intel BIOS Implementation Test Suite (BITS), users no longer need to modify BIOS/UEFI ROMs to stay protected from security vulnerabilities, bugs and erratas.

This solution requires permanently plugged USB flash drive with at least 25MB (or similar device) and BIOS/UEFI supporting boot from USB devices. Alternatively, advanced users can install it to a local drive on top of the System Reserved partition (see localdrive.txt for instructions).

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