Aiming to repair one "critical" security flaw and plug two other "important" security holes, Microsoft is planning to release three security updates for Windows. On Thursday, Microsoft announced that it is planning to release three security patches for Windows, next Tuesday, March 10.

Microsoft designated Windows' one security hole "critical" and the other two "important". Microsoft stated that one security bulletin will be released to address a "critical" Windows flaw that that allows hackers to execute malicious code on users' PCs remotely.

The versions of Windows affected by the "critical" security flaw include Windows Vista, Windows XP, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, and Windows Server 2000.

Microsoft said that the two other security updates designated as "important" will be released to fix the two less severe security holes; one of which does not affect XP or Vista. The two security flaws allow a kind of attack termed as "spoofing," in which attackers redirect victims to a bogus or dangerous site to launch malware or steal victims'' credit cards, login credentials or other personal information.

However, Microsoft didn't say anything about a fix for the Excel security flaw that attackers can exploit to launch malicious code remotely on users' computers via an infected Excel spreadsheet file. Microsoft warned about the Excel security flaw just over a week ago.

Microsoft will release the three security patches around 10 a. m. Pacific time on March 10, Tuesday, the day that is often dubbed as "Patch Tuesday" by Windows IT administrators. On the next day at 11 a. m. Pacific time, the company will host a Webcast to answer customer questions about the security bulletins.