Microsoft will shut down its email notification service for security warnings next week, asking IT administrators that they should instead subscribe to RSS feeds from the firm. The company has sent messages to anyone who had opted in to a mailing list set up long ago to alert them about new security advisories, new or revised security bulletins.

"As of July 1, 2014, due to changing governmental policies concerning the issuance of automated electronic messaging, Microsoft is suspending the use of email notifications," the company told the mailing list's members.

Since 2003, Microsoft started its "Patch Tuesday" of pre-scheduled security updates, which occur on the second Tuesday of each month.

Microsoft advised IT and security professionals to subscribe to one or more of the available RSS feeds.