Microsoft to release six Patch Tuesday fixes

Of the scheduled fixes, four are rated critical, one is deemed important and one is labeled moderate.

The critical patches address vulnerabilities in Windows, including two that affect the recently released Vista operating system.

The "important" bulletin fixes flaws in Microsoft Visio, business software used to create technical drawings, and the "moderate" fix addresses bugs solely in Vista.

In addition, Redmond said it intends to distribute an updated version of the Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool and seven non-security updates for Microsoft Update and Windows Server Update Services.

There are no plans to release updates for Windows Update or Software Update Services.

This is the first advance notification to contain enhanced details about the upcoming patches. The new notices now contain maximum severity ratings, vulnerability impact, detection information and affected software for each bulletin.