RootsMagic 8, Windows 10, and FamilySearch

Michael Booth Uncategorized

We’ve received reports from some users who have installed the Windows 10, October 2022 updates (version 21H1 or 21H2) and have discovered that RootsMagic 8 can no longer log into FamilySearch.

After some investigation, we have learned of a known issue in Microsoft’s update that can break the TLS internet security protocol. This affects not only RootsMagic 8, but many other products, including some of Microsoft’s own software.

To be clear:

  • This issue only affects RootsMagic 8 (not previous versions) running on Windows 10 with the October 2022 Windows updates.
  • Windows 7, 8, 11, and macOS are not affected.
  • Not everyone who has Windows 10 with the update is affected.
  • This Windows issue is affecting other software and not just RootsMagic 8.

If you have Windows 10 and have not yet installed the October 2022 updates, we recommend you hold off on doing so.

Fixing It (Updated)

If you have Windows 10, have installed the October 2022 updates, and cannot connect to FamilySearch using RootsMagic 8, you have 3 options to resolve the issue:

  • Install Microsoft’s fix. Microsoft has released an emergency fix (KB5020435) for this issue which can be downloaded and installed from these links:
  • Upgrade to Windows 11. If your computer is compatible with Windows 11, you may upgrade by following these instructions. Windows 11 does not have this problem, and RootsMagic 8 is compatible with Windows 11.
  • or Uninstall the October 2022 Update to Windows 10. You may also fix the problem by uninstalling the offending Windows update by following these instructions. You’ll need to uninstall “Security Update for Microsoft Windows (KB5018410).”

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

18 thoughts to “RootsMagic 8, Windows 10, and FamilySearch”

  4. Thanks Bruce and Team
    Which of the 3 options do you recommend we should take.
    I did the uninstall of KB5018410) which resolved problem.
    Would it correct to think that MS will include the emec fix (KB5020435) in the Security Update for Microsoft Windows?
    TIA

    Reply: If upgrading to Windows 11 is not an option, it’s best to apply the Windows 10 update and then apply the fix. That way you have all the needed Windows security updates.
    Renee, RootsMagic, Inc.

  6. I am working on getting the Microsoft emergency fix. but thank you so much for being so prompt with letting users know about the problem. I must admit, I had thought my internet provider was having problems. Thanks again.

  8. Thank you so much. Updated and working just fine! All the way from Paarl, South Africa.

  10. I installed the 64-Bit Windows Fix this morning, and the synch with FS works as before. Thank you for your quick response to my reported problem, for finding a fix, and for keeping our community informed. Perhaps one good thing that came from this issue was I saw how vital synch with FS is for my use of RM. I appreciate even more the functions of RM and its capacity to search/synch with online programs that have information about my family, and to allow me to take my family names to the temple. Thanks for all your great work on this program.

  11. I installed both updates 21H1 and 21H2 on my Windows 10.
    Installed 21H1 on 10/16/21 and 21H2 on 1/23/22.
    I can open Roots 8
    Seems I am unaffected and will take no action unless needed at later date.
    I plan to upgrade to Windows 11 in the future, if any preventive action is needed prior please advise.

  12. So glad to read about this. I was fussing with settings trying to figure it out on my own. I downloaded and installed the Microsoft fix, and it seems to have fixed the problem. Took a LONG time to install, but I’m happy so far with the results

  13. I have just installed the Microsoft fix and I now have the FamilySearch web hints – however I have lost the MyHeritage web hints. I tried changing the permissions and restarting RootsMagic, however that hasn’t worked. Is anyone else experiencing this issue? Any ideas?

  14. Thanks RM Team, The MS fix worked great.
    As I get more familiar with it, I’m enjoying RM8 everyday

  15. Thanks for the update on the windows 10 update for October. I applied the fix for Windows 10 64 bit and works so far. Looks like another way windows is trying to see Windows 11. Jesse

  16. I double-checked RootsMagic v.8 and there was no problem, which is a nice non-problem problem to have.

  17. KB 5018482 released which is a “new” 2022-10 update.
    This one appears to work as far as RootsMagic is concerned.
    Glenn

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