Microsoft skips March Patch Tuesday

Microsoft will not release any security updates this month

Microsoft will not release any security updates as part of its Patch Tuesday security release cycle this month.

The software vendor usually issues security updates on the second Tuesday of each month.

The last occasion that Microsoft failed to release any patches was back in September 2005, when it originally planned to issue a single 'critical' update, but later pulled the bulletin describing the patch from its website.  

The lack of an update in March does not indicate that there are no security holes in Windows, however. Microsoft said that it continues to investigate potential and existing vulnerabilities in the software.

"There are many factors that affect the length of time between the discovery of a vulnerability and the release of a security update, and every vulnerability presents its own unique challenges," a company spokesperson said.

Microsoft still plans to issue its regular update for the Malicious Software Removal Tool as well as two non-security updates.

• Experts praise Microsoft's Patch Tuesday format