Let’s face it – nobody likes dealing with Windows updates. We’ve all had the frustration of booting up either laptop or PC to come across “Your device is installing updates”, a process that always seems to take seconds or hours.
Fortunately, Microsoft is close to releasing a new service that it says will help users keep a closer grip on Windows updates to ensure that this process goes as smoothly as possible.
Initially targeted at enterprise customers, Windows Autopatch is set to go into public preview this week, which means a general release is approaching.
Windows Auto Fix
First announced in April 2022, Windows Autopatch seeks to help IT administrators manage the distribution of Windows 10 and Windows 11 updates across an enterprise, including updates for Microsoft 365 features, drivers, firmware, and apps.
The service will be able to detect which updates need to be performed using a series of ‘test rings’ and will be able to verify the settings through Microsoft Endpoint Manager, with administrators simply following the instructions to get it up and running.
Customers with at least one Windows 10 or Windows 11 Enterprise E3 license will be eligible for the new service and will need Intune, Azure Active Directory, and Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise to be properly configured.
“The advantage if you’re an IT administrator? You can continue to use the tools and processes you’re used to to manage and deploy updates – or you can take a hands-on approach and let Windows Autopatch do it for you,” said the Microsoft. Lior Bela said (opens in new tab) in the initial reveal of Autopatch in April 2022.
“Changing the way things are done, even when that change makes things easier, gives most people who run large IT organizations a break. By joining the public preview, you’ll be able to familiarize yourself with Windows Autopatch and prepare your organization for service advantage at scale.”
Previously, Microsoft had issued most of its software and security updates on a specific date – Patch Tuesday. However, the company has now announced that Patch Tuesday releases will end in Summer 2022, with Autopatch in its place.
