Windows Autopatch, an enterprise service that launched in public preview in May, is now generally available to customers with Windows Enterprise E3 and E5 licenses. Microsoft’s new managed service enables IT professionals to automate the planning and deployment of Windows and Office updates.
Essentially, Windows Autopatch uses deployment tools like Windows Update for Business to manage updates for Windows 10, Windows 11, Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Teams, and other Microsoft 365 apps. It allows IT administrators to divide users in small groups called test rings, monitor deployment progress and pause/cancel if necessary.
Microsoft says it will continue to roll out updates for all supported versions of Windows on the second Tuesday of every month. With Windows Autopatch, Microsoft aims to “streamline update operations and create new opportunities for IT professionals”.
Windows Autopatch License Requirements
Microsoft explained that Windows Autopatch could be enabled by organizations that meet specific requirements. Windows Autopatch supports all PCs running Windows 10 and Windows 11 Enterprise and Professional editions. Additionally, customers will need Azure Active Directory Premium and Microsoft Intune subscriptions to use the Autopatch service.
Additionally, Windows devices must be either Azure AD joined or hybrid Azure AD joined. The Windows Autopatch service does not support local (on-premises) machines joined to a domain. Currently, Autopatch is not available for Education (A3/A5) and Government Cloud (GCC) customers.
How to get started with Windows Autopatch
Microsoft has detailed a few steps to help IT admins enroll devices in the service.
- First, log into the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center as a global administrator.
- Navigate to the Search for Windows Autopatch entry in the Tenant Administration panel and select Tenant registration option.
- Check the box to agree to Microsoft’s terms and conditions, then click the Accept button.
- Finally, select To register to begin the registration process.
After Windows Autopatch setup is complete, IT pros can start registering their devices to the required Azure AD group. However, it may take up to an hour for Windows systems to appear on the Devices page. You can check out our in-depth guide on setting up Windows Autopatch in your organization.
Microsoft has warned that Windows Autopatch cannot help IT administrators prevent problems caused by buggy software updates. “Because the Autopatch service has such a broad footprint and pushes updates around the clock, we are able to detect potential issues across an incredibly diverse array of hardware and software configurations. “Having an impact on your portfolio could be detected and resolved even before it reaches your estate,” the company explained.
Interestingly, Microsoft claims an app compatibility rate of 99.6%, which should improve over time. Customers who have application compatibility issues are encouraged to contact Microsoft App insure crew.
Microsoft also announced plans to bring Autopatch support to its Windows 365 Cloud PC service. You can find more details about Windows Autopatch eligibility criteria and deployment at Frequently Asked Questions.
Comments are closed.