Microsoft issued its biggest software patch on record on Tuesday to fix a range of security issues in its programs, including the yet to be released Windows 7 operating system. The company's monthly update for October includes 13 security patches, to address 34 vulnerabilities that affect Windows, Internet Explorer, Silverlight, Office and other products.

Six of the patches were high priority (Critical).

Some of them oaffect Windows 7 and specifically Internet Explorer 8 Windows 7 will be officially unveiled next week.

Tuesday's update included the largest number of patches to be issued on a single day by Microsoft.

For additional information and downloads, visit http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/ms09-oct.mspx.