Microsoft delivers August firmware, driver updates for Surface RT, Pro

As it has done multiple times in previous months, Microsoft is rolling out new firmware and feature updates for its Surface RT and Surface Pro devices as part of its Patch Tuesday bundle.

The August updates for Surface RT are for Windows RT 8.0 devices. In other words, these are not updates for those running the Windows RT 8.1 preview bits. The RT 8.0 updates include:

• A Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware update that optimizes the audio experience at low volumes and removes a perceived pulsing in audio volume for some content
• An update to system drivers that enhance stability and reliability

The August updates for Surface Pro also are for those running Windows 8 (and not 8.1 preview). There's just one update this month:

• A UEFI and System Aggregator (SAM) firmware update that enhances system stability, reliability, reduces power consumption, and improves touch latency with the touchpad on the Surface Type Cover and Surface Touch Cover

By the way, Microsoft did release four updates for the Windows 8.1 preview as part of today's Patch Tuesday, as Pureinfotech.com notes. Even though the Softies didn't mention these in their update history pages for Surface RT and Pro, I see my Surface RT running the 8.1 preview now has five updates to install.

Just a reminder: With ARM-based Surface RTs, automatic updating is always on. With the Intel-based Pros, Windows turns on automatic update during setup unless users decide to turn it off. (If you do so, you won't be notified when firmware updates are available.) Even if automatic updating is turned on, users can opt to proactively grab the firmware updates before they receive notification of their availability using Windows Update on their devices via these steps.

Microsoft officials previously told me that users of non-Surface Windows RT devices also can and should get updates (firmware and otherwise). "OEMs can (and are) providing any needed firmware or driver updates using Windows Update. These updates are targeted to specific Windows RT models. Recommended OS updates are available to all Windows RT devices at the time they are published. End-user settings will determine whether they are installed automatically," a Microsoft spokesperson told me a while back.

Microsoft patched a total of 23 vulnerabilities in Windows, IE and Exchange as part of today's Patch Tuesday.