Overview

UW-Milwaukee uses Microsoft Configuration Manager and Intune as its systems management solutions for Windows 11 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. Microsoft updates become available to managed desktops and laptops beginning on the second Tuesday of each month and if a restart is needed it will be required within 7 days. Microsoft sometimes releases updates outside of this schedule. These updates will be installed automatically, and you will be notified if a restart is necessary with the same method described below. Other vendors release updates outside of this schedule as well. For those updates, CTS deploys them for installation when they are available and typically forces the installation on the following Wednesday night. 

Process

The Windows Update process includes several new 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 7 days to complete a required reboot after installing updates; if the restart is not initiated manually, it will automatically run outside of automatically calculated or manually set active hours. Below are the different pop-ups you will see and their meaning:

When a restart is required to complete installation of Windows Updates, a pop-up will appear stating “Restart required” including the deadline and estimated time the restart will take, like so:

You may choose to restart immediately, select a specific date/time when you would like your device to restart, or be reminded later to complete the restart. If you do not choose a time to restart from this notification, you can later go to the Windows Update section of the Settings app and select “Schedule the restart” to choose a time that is convenient for you.

If a restart is needed, you will also see this icon in the taskbar notification area:

This icon will remain in the taskbar notification area until a restart is completed. Clicking this icon will take you to the Windows Update section of the Settings app where you can initiate or schedule the pending restart.

When a restart is needed to complete updates, you will also see additional options when you select the power button in the start menu to update and restart or shutdown.

Additional Options

There are additional options related to Windows Updates available within the Windows Updates section of the Settings app.

Active Hours

Active hours let Windows know when you're typically at your PC. Windows will use that info to schedule updates and restarts when you’re not using the PC. By default, active hours are set automatically based on your device’s activity. You can manually set your own active hours under Settings -> Windows Update -> Advanced Options -> Active Hours. Next to Adjust Active Hours, select Manually. Choose the start time and end time for your active hours.

Update History

You can view the history of update installation on your device under Settings -> Windows Update -. Update History. Updates are shown in various categories with the date of installation and a link to details about the specific update.

Optional Updates

Sometimes updates are available that Microsoft has determined are not necessary to broadly deploy but may be useful in individual cases. Often these updates are drivers for specific hardware components that you may choose to install if you are experiencing an issue with the related component. These updates are found under Settings -> Windows Update -> Advanced Options -> Optional Updates. If you want to install any of these items, select the checkbox next to the update and click the Download & install button.

Note: If any of these updates are later deemed that they should be broadly deployed, they will no longer be listed as optional and will install automatically.

Pause Updates

Sometimes your device may be busy completing a task or process where installing updates and restarting would be highly disruptive. If you're not ready to get recommended updates, you can choose to temporarily pause them from being downloaded and installed. Under Settings -> Windows Update in the Pause Updates area, select the length of time desired in the dropdown menu up to five weeks.

You can extend the length of paused updates if you need more time, although the maximum pause length is five weeks. You can manually end paused updates by clicking the Resume Updates button that appears just above the Pause Updates area. When the pause limit is reached or updates are resumed manually, you’ll need to install the latest updates before you can pause updates again.