Broken Microsoft Update – KB4338818

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Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

You may have installed Microsoft Update KB4338818 during Patch Tuesday and now your Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 is broken right? Maybe even some Windows 7 machines?

Well guess what? You are not the only one!

Yes, Microsoft have done it yet again, released a dirty update that this time hits your Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 machines and Microsoft Windows 7 SP1 machines.

To be exact, KB4338818 causes a problem with your Network Interface Controller (NIC), whereas after applying the update, the card stops working in Windows!

The official information from Microsoft is below.

Known issues in this update (KB4338818)

Symptom Workaround
There is an issue with Windows and third-party software related to a missing file (oem<number>.inf). Because of this issue, after you apply this update, the network interface controller will stop working.
  1. To locate the network device, launch devmgmt.msc; it may appear under Other Devices.
  2. To automatically rediscover the NIC and install drivers, select Scan for Hardware Changes from the Action menu.

a. Alternatively, install the drivers for the network device by right-clicking the device and selecting Update. Then select Search automatically for updated driver software or Browse my computer for driver software.

Microsoft have given their above “Workarounds” but none of these worked for us.

So, if you are still experiencing any weird issues with your machines, take a stab at removing these and see if it helps.

How to Remove Problem Updates

If you need some guidance on what to do to remove these or any other updates, be it on a single machine or mass corporation remove, take a look at this post as we have added some instructions towards the end of the post that you may find helpful.

Who knows, in the future far, far away, we may be able to go a week without Microsoft releasing a dodgy update!

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Founder of TechyGeeksHome and Head Editor for over 15 years! IT expert in multiple areas for over 26 years. Sharing experience and knowledge whenever possible! Making IT Happen.

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18 Comments on “Broken Microsoft Update – KB4338818”

  1. This update breaks on my lap top. I have spent upwards of 40 hours … maybe more using various combinations of sfc /scannow … fsck … and Windows Update Trouble Shooter. Absolutely no luck. I am using a HP Pavilion M6 Notebook PC. The OS is Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium. The version is 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601. Considering never using Windows again changing to Ubuntu.

    1. If you are on Windows 7 then uninstall the update and then check for updates, but don’t install it again. Once it appears ready to install again, right click on the update and select Hide Update. It will not try and install again then.

  2. This update breaks on my lap top. I have spent upwards of 40 hours … maybe more using various combinations of sfc /scannow … fsck … and Windows Update Trouble Shooter. Absolutely no luck. I am using a HP Pavilion M6 Notebook PC. The OS is Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium. The version is 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601. Considering never using Windows again changing to Ubuntu.

    1. If you are on Windows 7 then uninstall the update and then check for updates, but don’t install it again. Once it appears ready to install again, right click on the update and select Hide Update. It will not try and install again then.

  3. This update breaks on my lap top. I have spent upwards of 40 hours … maybe more using various combinations of sfc /scannow … fsck … and Windows Update Trouble Shooter. Absolutely no luck. I am using a HP Pavilion M6 Notebook PC. The OS is Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium. The version is 6.1.7601 Service Pack 1 Build 7601. Considering never using Windows again changing to Ubuntu.

    1. If you are on Windows 7 then uninstall the update and then check for updates, but don’t install it again. Once it appears ready to install again, right click on the update and select Hide Update. It will not try and install again then.

  4. KB4338818 update breaks the torrent engines by causing them to hang in the task manager until rebooting then repeats the same hanging when the utorrent engine is used. Uninstalling the KB4338818 update fixed the utorrent hang problem

  5. KB4338818 update breaks the torrent engines by causing them to hang in the task manager until rebooting then repeats the same hanging when the utorrent engine is used. Uninstalling the KB4338818 update fixed the utorrent hang problem

  6. KB4338818 update breaks the torrent engines by causing them to hang in the task manager until rebooting then repeats the same hanging when the utorrent engine is used. Uninstalling the KB4338818 update fixed the utorrent hang problem

  7. same problem on two windows server 2008r2 with forefront tmg. no network connection, after reboot a few hours and then stops again. removing kb4338818 helps and now runs without problems. strange is that not all 2008r2 with tmg are affected.

  8. same problem on two windows server 2008r2 with forefront tmg. no network connection, after reboot a few hours and then stops again. removing kb4338818 helps and now runs without problems. strange is that not all 2008r2 with tmg are affected.

  9. same problem on two windows server 2008r2 with forefront tmg. no network connection, after reboot a few hours and then stops again. removing kb4338818 helps and now runs without problems. strange is that not all 2008r2 with tmg are affected.

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