Microsoft has announced the general availability of Windows Autopatch, a new service from Redmond aimed at enterprise users who are running Windows 11 and Windows 10 on their fleet of computers.
This new service was launched in public preview earlier this year, with the company promising a July launch for everyone.
Well, here we are smack in the middle of July, and Windows Autopatch is in town!
As you can gather from the name, the idea behind Autopatch is simply to help automate the process of keeping critical software updated. In addition to the Windows operating system, Autopatch will keep Edge, Office programs, and other Microsoft 365 services fresh.
This video best illustrates what Windows Autopatch is all about:
Swell.
The big idea behind this latest arrival is to help eliminate—or at the very least, reduce—the risks of bugs and security issues that pop up during patch deployment. The service not only ensures that all the newest patches and updates are installed, but it also simplifies the rollback of changes.
That is, in case a problematic update sneaks through and is rolled out.
In the company’s own words:
“Windows Autopatch automates updating of Windows 10/11, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft 365 software. Essentially, Microsoft engineers use the Windows Update for Business client policies and deployment service tools on your behalf. The service creates testing rings and monitors rollouts-pausing and even rolling back changes where possible.”
The software titan pitched this new service as a way to automate updates for its OS and software while empowering IT admins to ensure that their endpoints are healthy and compliant through ring-based, staggered deployments.
While Windows Autopatch seems like something everyone could benefit from, Microsoft is only making it available for customers with Windows Enterprise E3 and E5 licenses.
In a welcome development, Redmond has also created a dedicated Windows Autopatch community where users can ask questions and get help. Detailed documentation and a regularly updated FAQ are also at hand.
Moving forward, Microsoft confirms that it will work hard to get Windows Autopatch to update Windows 365 and Cloud PCs as well.
