Manage OS updates in Windows 10

The popularity of Windows 10 devices is undeniable. The Windows operating system enjoys a desktop and laptop market share of more than 77%. Even with the proliferation of macOS laptops and desktops or Android and iOS smartphones, it is evident that Windows is indispensable in offices and schools, thanks to the familiarity and ease-of-use.

As schools and enterprises across the globe choose Windows 10 laptops and desktops, introducing a Windows 10 MDM to ensure the security of the device and data, and making resources available on these devices in real-time is the right choice.



Further reading: How to Secure your Workstation with Kiosk Lockdown Software

But there’s more.

Need for Controlling Windows 10 Auto-Updates

Windows 10 OS updates every six months to improve the existing usability and experience. In fact, it is one of the ‘most-frequently’ updating OS² . Your Windows 10 devices check for an update every day and most updates happen in the background, with automatic download and installation.



These updates include several changes and improvements that can help the end-user and add to the security of the PC. In a controlled user environment like enterprises or schools, the PCs also have special usage policies or in-house apps. With auto-updates on Windows 10 devices, the performance of these applications or the entire device can be unpredictable. Or imagine a Windows 10 device used as a digital signage and it automatically runs into updates during peak hours of user-interactions.

And hence, for a consistent and effective user experience of Windows 10 devices in an enterprise setup, it is imperative to control the automatic OS updates.

Here’s how Scalefusion Windows 10 MDM can help!

Control Windows 10 Auto-Updates Step-by Step Guide:

Getting started: Sign up on Scalefusion and log in to the Scalefusion dashboard. You can log in using your Azure AD credentials to effectively manage Windows 10 devices and enable Azure AD-joined features on the said Windows 10 devices. You can now enroll your Windows 10 devices and start managing them. Configure device profile, app and website usage policy.

Learn more: How to Control User Experience via Kiosk Mode on Windows 10 devices

Now, navigate to the Windows Update Settings page in the Device Profile settings. To control auto-updates of Windows 10 OS on managed devices, toggle the Configure Update Policies button to get started. You’ll be offered the following settings option:

1.Auto-update Settings

Set Active Hours start and end time where the auto reboots are not scheduled. The max range for the active hours during which the device is not rebooted is capped at 18 hours and you adjust this range from 1-18 hours. Next, you can set if you want to automate the wake request for daily scheduled maintenance. You can enable or disable the notifications for the same and enable or disable Windows update agent to fill missing download URL.

For controlling the OS update, you can choose from:

Notify the user before downloading the update

Auto-install the update and then notify the user to schedule a device restart

Auto-install and restart

Auto-install and restart at a specified time

Auto-install and restart without end-user control

Turn off automatic updates

2. Deferral Settings

In this set of configurations, you can delay feature update roll-outs up to 1 year. You can also pause updates for 60 days, set a default deadline for feature updates, delay and pause quality updates.

3. Schedule Settings

Once you’ve blocked the auto-update of the OS/ feature update, you can use these settings to set the day, week and time for installation in a month. The device will then check for updates and install them on the said day and time on every scheduled week.

You can find the entire list of settings and configurations here.

Alternatively, you can also check for control OS updates at Device group Level. You can pause the auto-OS updates and scan the entire device group for devices with pending updates and manually push the update at a scheduled time.

With Scalefusion, leveraging capabilities of Windows 10 for work or education is streamlined. Choose Scalefusion MDM for Windows 10 to manage your Windows 10 laptops and desktops.



Sources

1. gs Statcounter.com

2. howtogeek.com