Microsoft has announced some new enhancements for Windows Autopatch. According to a blog post by Microsoft, Windows Autopatch now supports alerts for IT admins to notify them of any issues or actions required during the update process. The alerts can be viewed in the Windows Autopatch portal or sent via email.
Windows Autopatch, which is included in Windows Enterprise licenses, aims to improve security and productivity across organizations by keeping software current and minimizing disruptions. Back in April 2022, Microsoft introduced its new Windows Autopatch updating service for enterprise customers, before rolling it out properly in July the same year.
The new alerts cover various scenarios, such as devices that are not eligible for the service, devices that are not receiving updates, devices that have failed or rolled back updates, and devices that need to be rebooted.
In addition, Windows Autopatch has added some new functionalities to enhance the user experience and provide more flexibility. For example, IT admins can now pause updates for up to 35 days for individual devices or groups of devices. They can also opt out of feature updates for up to 365 days or defer them until the next release.
Moreover, IT admins can now view the update status and history of individual devices in the Windows Autopatch portal.
How Windows Autopatch Works
Windows Autopatch is a service that shifts the planning and operation of the Windows and Microsoft 365 update process from the organization to Microsoft. The service uses ring-based testing, progressive deployment, and proactive service to deliver software updates to registered devices. The service covers updates for Windows quality and feature updates, Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft Teams.
Windows Autopatch is available for devices running Windows 10 or Windows 11 Enterprise E3 or higher. To enroll devices in the service, IT admins need to register their organization in the Windows Autopatch portal and configure their devices with a Group Policy or Mobile Device Management (MDM) policy.
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