Effective April 2025, Microsoft Windows Autopatch, a cloud service to automate updates, is available to Microsoft 365 Business Premium and Microsoft 10/11 Education A3/A5 customers. Initially, it was only available to Windows 10/11 Enterprise E3/E5 or VDA licensed customers. The changes are rolling out over the next several weeks.
What is Windows Autopatch?
Windows Autopatch is a cloud service that automates updates for Windows, Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, Microsoft Edge, and Microsoft Teams. The goal of Windows Autopatch is to deliver software updates to registered devices, freeing up IT resources and minimizing disruptions to end users. Once a device is registered with the service, Windows Autopatch manages several areas, including:
- Windows quality updates: Windows Autopatch aims to keep at least 95% of eligible devices on the latest Windows quality update 21 days after release.
- Windows feature update: Windows Autopatch aims to keep at least 99% of eligible devices on a supported version of Windows so that they can continue receiving Windows feature updates.
- Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise: Windows Autopatch aims to keep at least 90% of eligible devices on a supported version of the Monthly Enterprise Channel (MEC).
- Microsoft Edge: Windows Autopatch configures eligible devices to benefit from Microsoft Edge’s progressive rollouts on the Stable channel.
- Microsoft Teams: Windows Autopatch allows eligible devices to benefit from the standard automatic update channel.
What are the licensing requirements for Windows Autopatch?
- NEW Microsoft 365 Business Premium (for more information on available licenses, see Microsoft 365 licensing)
- NEW Windows 10/11 Education A3 or A5 (included in Microsoft 365 A3 or A5)
- Windows 10/11 Enterprise E3 or E5 (included in Microsoft 365 F3, E3, or E5)
- Windows 10/11 Enterprise E3 or E5 Virtual Desktop Access (VDA)
More information
- Documentation: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/windows-autopatch/overview/windows-autopatch-overview.
- Licensing Requirements: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/windows-autopatch/overview/windows-autopatch-faq#what-are-the-licensing-requirements-for-windows-autopatch.
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