Patch Tuesday March 2026: what's exploited and what to install first
Microsoft released fixes for 78 vulnerabilities on Mar 10, 2026. None are known to be exploited yet. 2 were publicly disclosed before the fix came out. 3 are rated Critical.
Publicly disclosed before the fix
Details were public before Microsoft's update, so attacks often follow quickly.
- CVSS 8.8 Microsoft SQL Server Elevation of Privilege Vulnerability
- CVSS 7.5 .NET Denial of Service Vulnerability
Critical fixes
- CVSS 8.4 Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- CVSS 8.4 Microsoft Office Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
- CVSS 7.5 Microsoft Excel Information Disclosure Vulnerability
How to install this month's updates
- Windows PCs: Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates, install, and restart. Restarting is what actually applies the fix.
- Managed fleets: approve this month's updates in Intune, Windows Update for Business or WSUS, and push the exploited fixes first instead of waiting for your normal ring schedule.
- Microsoft 365 Apps / Office: usually updates itself; in any Office app, File → Account → Update Options → Update Now to make sure.
- Servers: Exchange, SharePoint and SQL Server need their own update packages; they don't come through Windows Update alone.
- Check it worked: confirm the build number afterwards (run
winver) or check with our version checker.
By type
| Type | Fixes |
|---|---|
| Elevation of Privilege | 43 |
| Remote Code Execution | 16 |
| Information Disclosure | 9 |
| Spoofing | 4 |
| Denial of Service | 4 |
| Security Feature Bypass | 2 |
Most-patched products
| Product | Fixes |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Office Excel | 5 |
| Azure IoT Explorer | 4 |
| Microsoft Graphics Component | 4 |
| Windows Ancillary Function Driver for WinSock | 4 |
| SQL Server | 3 |
| Windows Kernel | 3 |
| Windows Routing and Remote Access Service (RRAS) | 3 |
| Microsoft Office SharePoint | 3 |
The next Patch Tuesday is Nov 10, 2026 (in 5 days). Microsoft usually publishes around 10 a.m. Pacific; this page updates within the hour.
Questions
What should I patch first from Patch Tuesday March 2026?
Nothing is known to be exploited yet, so follow your normal schedule, starting with the Critical fixes.
When is the next Patch Tuesday?
Nov 10, 2026. Microsoft releases security updates on the second Tuesday of every month.
Source: Microsoft's March 2026 release notes and CISA's exploited-vulnerability catalog. Counts exclude Chromium fixes shipped in Microsoft Edge. Microsoft last revised this release on Nov 1, 2026. General information only; confirm details with Microsoft.