Microsoft’s Smart Card Authentication Change Forces Registry Workaround
Microsoft has intentionally modified smart card authentication in recent Windows updates, creating certificate operation failures across multiple Windows versions. The temporary solution requires users to implement a registry hack that will only function until April 2026 updates. Administrators face increased workload as they must manually apply the workaround to affected devices.
Authentication Changes Break Smart Card Functionality
Microsoft has confirmed that recent authentication issues affecting smart card users were intentionally implemented rather than accidental, according to reports. The changes were made as part of security improvements addressing CVE-2024-30098, with sources indicating the modification requires RSA-based smart card certificates to utilize KSP (Key Storage Provider) instead of CSP (Cryptographic Service Provider).