Update management for enterprise customers has been unified into a single solution, Windows Autopatch. The functionality formerly known as Windows Update for Business deployment service has been woven into Windows Autopatch, offering a more cohesive and streamlined update experience. With this change, you can use Windows Autopatch to simplify all aspects of keeping your Windows devices up to date—automation helps ensure seamless update deployment for the Windows OS, Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Edge.
How Windows Autopatch simplifies update management
In the fast-paced world of IT, efficiency and simplicity are not just goals—they are a necessity. As an IT professional, you're tasked with managing complex systems and ensuring that those systems are up to date and secure. This is where Windows Autopatch comes in, offering a unified approach to update management that streamlines your update processes and enhances system reliability and security.
Windows Autopatch features a new, unified dashboard, designed to make update management easier and more efficient. When you access Windows Autopatch in the Microsoft Intune admin center, you’ll see four main sections:
- Update policies: Create and manage update policies that define when and how updates are installed on your devices. Choose from predefined policies or create your own custom ones. Assign different policies to different update groups, giving you more flexibility and control over your update strategy.
- Update groups: Organize your devices into tailored update rings, or Autopatch groups, based on criteria such as device type, location, department, or function. Apply different update policies and schedules to each group to help ensure updates are delivered in a way that suits your business needs and minimizes disruptions. Monitor and manage the update status of each group from the dashboard.
- Update status: View the update status of all your devices at a glance. See which devices are up to date, which are being updated, which need updates, and which encountered issues. Drill down into the details of each device, such as the update history, current version, and error codes. If needed, take actions such as retrying or pausing updates, or downloading update logs for troubleshooting.
- Update reports: Generate and download update reports for insights and analytics on your update performance and compliance. Choose from various report types, such as update compliance, quality, deployment, and inventory. Filter and customize reports by date, device, group, policy, or update. Use reports to evaluate your update effectiveness, identify issues, and optimize your update processes.
The benefits of a unified update management system
The move to unified update management with Windows Autopatch offers tangible benefits that go beyond simplification:
- Reduced complexity: With Windows Autopatch, the days of juggling multiple update tools and policies are over. A single, streamlined service manages everything, freeing up your IT team to focus on more strategic initiatives. Additionally, Autopatch deployment rings and careful rollout sequences minimize disruptions, allowing for updates to be planned and executed with minimal impact on the organization.
- Enhanced compliance and security: With Autopatch, maintaining compliance with industry standards and regulations becomes more manageable, as updates are consistently applied across the board. Timely updates are also crucial for security. Autopatch's automated system ensures that all devices receive the necessary updates as soon as they're available, closing security gaps more effectively.
- Better resource allocation: By automating update management, IT resources can be reallocated to areas that drive innovation and growth for the business. Automating routine tasks also reduces the need for manual intervention, cutting down on labor costs and the potential for human error.
Embrace the future of update management
Fully integrating the Windows Update for Business deployment service into Windows Autopatch reflects an important evolution in Windows update management. By utilizing a unified dashboard with centralized control, you can more easily manage updates for devices across your organization so they can be kept current and secure.
With Windows Autopatch, you're not just updating your systems; you're upgrading your entire update management strategy with an effortless shift to a unified service. And, you’re able to leverage the benefits of this change without any new licensing. The licensing requirements are unchanged from today. Looking ahead, as our endpoint management systems continue to evolve, you can be confident the familiar, trusted features, including API access, will be preserved.
Come learn about the benefits of unified update management in person at Microsoft Ignite November 19-22, 2024, in Chicago. You can also check out the Windows Autopatch documentation or watch a demo.
Stay tuned for more updates and thank you for being a part of this exciting journey!
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