8 Fixes Prepped for MS 'Patch Tuesday'

April 12 is slated to bring more than just a forced download of Windows XP Service Pack 2: Microsoft is preparing eight security updates for its next monthly "Patch Tuesday." 5 of the fixes involved Windows and some are deemed "critical." Critical patches will also be issued for MSN Messenger, Microsoft Office and Exchange.

In order to protect customers, Microsoft does not release specific details of security updates before their release. It's not clear whether the MSN Messenger hole affects version 7.0, which launched early Thursday.

In addition to patches for vulnerabilities, Microsoft also plans to release two non-security related updates to Windows that it considers "high priority." No further details were provided, but Microsoft says the updates are not required to install the eight security fixes.

Also standard fare for Patch Tuesday, Microsoft's Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool will be refreshed and available for download via Windows Update or the Microsoft Download Center.

April's patches follow a break in March, when Microsoft had no security fixes to release. February, however, marked one of Redmond's largest monthly updates with a total of 12 patches.