Windows Autopatch

Windows Autopatch is a new Microsoft cloud service that is included within your existing Windows and Microsoft E3/E5 subscriptions. Windows Autopatch moves the burden of your IT department managing Windows devices and patches every month after Patch Tuesday to Microsoft. You can think of it as Windows-Updates-as-a-Service. Windows Autopatch is not the same as Windows Update for Business (WUfB). New and enhanced cloud service components are combined with WUfB to deliver Windows Autopatch.

In essence, Windows Autopatch automates the planning and deployment process of Windows updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11 completely, as well as for Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft Teams. Not only does this simplify the management of your Cloud and physical PCs but it also mitigates the risk of having security vulnerabilities entering your environment, which ultimately increases the productivity of your users.

The great thing about this service is that it seamlessly integrates with Windows 365 Enterprise during the provisioning policy process, which we will explain later in the book.

In the following diagram, we can visualize what Windows Autopatch can deliver in terms of benefits to your business, as well as what the requirements are:

Figure 1.9 – Windows Autopatch