Overview

UW-Milwaukee uses Microsoft Configuration Manager as its systems management solution for Windows 10 that includes many features including patch management for endpoint devices, software packaging and distribution, and hardware and software inventory. 

UW-Milwaukee uses this software to protect University-issued endpoints from exploitation of software vulnerabilities and improve overall network security for campus. Microsoft and other software publishers regularly release updates to their software to address security vulnerabilities, fix bugs, and add new features. CTS deploys updates to managed desktops and laptops beginning on the Wednesday following the second Tuesday of each month. There are other updates that do not follow a set pattern like Microsoft’s scheduled updates. For those updates, CTS deploys them for installation when they are available and forces the installation on the following Wednesday 10 PM. 

Process

The Windows Update process includes several popups and icons that will appear on your system. These deployments could impact your current business practice as “reboots” may be required to ensure a safe and secure computing environment. Please be advised that the systems will have up to 8 days to install the updates and complete the required reboot; if the update is not run manually, it will automatically run at or after 10 PM.  Below are the different pop-ups you will see and their meaning:

When a “software update (required change)” is available, a pop-up will appear stating “Software Changes are required by your IT department,” like so:

Clicking the pop-up will open Software Center’s “software changes” summary.

If you continue working, this pop-up will go away in about 15 seconds - once it’s gone you can access the updates by clicking this icon in your taskbar and selecting “View Required Software”.

The Software Center “software changes” selection will appear. Select the appropriate radio button based on your preference. Descriptions of the choices are listed below.

If you select apply all required changes now: The updates will be installed while you are working. If a restart is necessary, you will be prompted for a restart after the installation has completed. Installing now does not affect any currently running programs.

If you choose to apply all required changes outside your scheduled business hours: (By default the business hours are set from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM Monday through Friday) you can view or “change your configured business hours” if necessary. Configuration Manager will attempt to install all required changes outside of your business hours, should your system be left running.  It is recommended to check the “restart my computer automatically if needed” to avoid being prompted to restart throughout the next day.

Should you choose to do nothing: software updates will be installed automatically once the installation deadline has been reached. 8 days after the second Tuesday at 10 pm.

If a restart is required, your system will prompt you after the updates are installed.

Clicking the “Restart require” pop-up will open the restart menu.

Select the appropriate radio button and click OK.

The notification displayed above is the final notification at the end of the time limit. If a Restart has not been performed and the installation deadline has passed, this notification will permanently appear on your computer screen (with the Hide button grayed out) for the final 12 hour countdown until the computer will restart. You will still be able to work on the computer, but this will show you the countdown to save your work and restart. 

Should you select restart now, a final warning will appear to close and save your work prior to restarting.