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MC1217584 — Windows Deployment Services (WDS): Hands-free deployment hardening (Phase 1)

MC1217584WindowsstayInformedUpdated: 13 January 2026

Prepare for a two-phase hardening change related to CVE-2026-0386. The Unattend.xml file that underlies the hands-free deployment feature of Windows Deployment Services (WDS) poses a vulnerability when it’s transmitted over an unauthenticated RPC channel. Starting with the January 2026 security update, you can explicitly disable it with the help of new Event Log alerts and registry key options. In April 2026, hands-free deployment will be disabled by default. After that date, it will no longer w...

Applies to: Windows
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