Managing device updates is a constant challenge for IT teams. Overlooked patches can lead to security gaps, system glitches and unnecessary downtime. Microsoft Intune Autopatch offers a powerful cloud-based solution that takes the pressure off by automating the update process. It keeps your environment secure and up to date so your IT team can shift their energy from routine maintenance to more impactful, strategic work.
What is Microsoft Intune Autopatch?
Microsoft Intune Autopatch is a service designed to keep Windows devices and Microsoft 365 applications (including Edge and Teams) automatically updated. It’s essentially a “set it and forget it” solution that leverages Microsoft’s expertise to manage the entire patching process. Instead of manually creating update rings, scheduling deployments, and monitoring progress, Autopatch takes care of these tasks for you, ensuring your devices remain secure and performant.
Why is Autopatch Important?
The importance of Autopatch can’t be overstated, particularly for modern organizations with distributed workforces. Here’s why it’s a game-changer:
- Enhanced Security Posture: Timely updates are the first line of defense against cyber threats. Autopatch ensures that your devices always have the latest security patches, significantly reducing your exposure to known vulnerabilities and strengthening your overall security.
- Reduced Operational Overhead: Patch management is a time-consuming and often complex task. Autopatch automates much of this, freeing up your IT staff from repetitive manual work. This allows them to allocate their valuable time and skills to more critical projects, fostering innovation and growth within your organization.
- Improved Compliance: Maintaining compliance with various regulatory standards often requires devices to be on specific patch levels. Autopatch helps ensure continuous compliance by keeping devices consistently updated and provides reporting capabilities for auditing.
- Minimised User Disruption: Autopatch employs a phased rollout approach using “deployment rings” (Test, First, Fast, and Broad/Last). Updates are deployed to a small group of devices first, and if no issues are detected through telemetry, they gradually roll out to the wider organization. This minimises the risk of widespread problems and user disruption.
- Consistency and Standardisation: Autopatch ensures a consistent update experience across your device fleet, reducing inconsistencies that can lead to support calls and troubleshooting efforts.
When is Autopatch Best Used?
Autopatch is ideally suited for organizations that:
- Desire a hands-off, automated patching solution: If your IT team is stretched thin and manual patch management is consuming too many resources, Autopatch is an excellent fit.
- Prioritise security and compliance: Organizations with strict security requirements and regulatory obligations will benefit from Autopatch’s continuous updating and reporting.
- Have a hybrid or remote workforce: Managing updates for devices scattered across various locations can be challenging. Autopatch simplifies this by providing a cloud-managed solution.
- Primarily use Windows devices and Microsoft 365 Apps: Autopatch is specifically designed for these environments, though it can be part of a broader patch management strategy for multi-platform environments.
- Have licenses that include Autopatch: It’s included with certain Microsoft 365 subscriptions, such as Enterprise E3 and E5.
What Problems Does Autopatch Solve?
Autopatch addresses several common pain points faced by IT departments:
- The “Patch Tuesday” Rush: Eliminates the frantic scramble to deploy patches on a fixed schedule, as Autopatch manages the rollout automatically.
- Update-Related Breakages: The phased rollout and continuous monitoring by Microsoft help to mitigate the risk of updates introducing new problems, with the ability to pause or roll back if issues are detected.
- Inconsistent Patching: Ensures all eligible devices receive updates consistently, reducing the likelihood of security gaps due to some devices being left behind.
- Manual Effort and Human Error: Automates the laborious tasks of update deployment, reducing the chances of human error and freeing up IT staff.
- Lack of Visibility: Provides reporting through the Intune admin center, offering insights into update compliance and device health.
Final Thoughts
Windows Autopatch isn’t just a convenience—it’s a strategic asset. If you’re already using Intune and want to simplify update management while strengthening your security and compliance posture, Autopatch is a must-have.
Keen to go deeper into Intune? Don’t miss The Ultimate Guide to Microsoft Intune your comprehensive resource to mastering endpoint management.
