The issue focused on technology that Microsoft Windows devices use to update software. Software updates are digital downloads and computers download them over the Internet. Computers then install them into memory. But hackers can infect machines with malware that monitors computer hardware and software for software updates. This malware could cause computers to slow down or shut down.

With Windows 10, Microsoft began requiring PCs running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 to get software updates through Windows Update. Windows 10 devices also got software updates automatically from Microsoft's servers.