Windows Autopatch Archives

Winsage

October 1, 2025

How to get the Windows 11 2025 Update

Microsoft has released the Windows 11 2025 Update, also known as Windows 11, version 25H2, which will be delivered as an enablement package (eKB) that includes features from version 24H2. This update focuses on security enhancements, including improved vulnerability detection and AI-assisted secure coding, while removing legacy features like PowerShell 2.0. The rollout begins for eligible devices running version 24H2, with a gradual expansion over the coming months. For commercial and educational users, version 25H2 is available through Windows Autopatch and the Microsoft 365 admin center, introducing new functionalities such as Wi-Fi 7. The support timeline is reset to 24 months for Home and Pro editions and 36 months for Enterprise and Education editions. Users on version 23H2 and earlier must perform a full OS swap to update to version 25H2. The update will be available via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) on October 14, 2025.

Winsage

August 3, 2025

Microsoft Weekly: 10 years of Windows 10

Windows 10 celebrated its 10th anniversary, while Windows 11 SE is being discontinued and will not receive the upcoming Windows 11 version 25H2, with support ending in October 2026. Microsoft plans to open-source WinUI, the user interface framework for Windows 11. The Flyoobe tool has been updated to assist users switching from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on unsupported hardware. Recent data shows a gradual increase in Windows 11's market share, while Microsoft Edge struggles in the desktop browser market. Microsoft provided guidance on upgrade paths for businesses transitioning to Windows 11. Updates for Windows Insiders include general fixes and new features across various channels. Microsoft reported a record-high profit of .2 billion and revenue of .4 billion for the last financial quarter. A new Surface Laptop Smurface Edition was announced, and Adobe has made creative applications available natively on Windows on ARM devices. Microsoft Edge introduced an AI-driven feature called Copilot Mode, while Opera filed a complaint against Microsoft in Brazil regarding unfair practices. Microsoft banned the developer account of LibreOffice for violating the Service Agreement. In gaming, Microsoft released the July 2025 update for the Xbox app, allowing game streaming through Xbox Cloud Gaming, and is preparing for the Gamescom show. EA decided to maintain game prices and announced a remaster of Plants vs Zombies: Replanted. A public beta for Battlefield 6 is forthcoming. Valve revealed updates for the Steam client, including a revamped store interface. Special discounts are available for the Back to School season.

Winsage

July 29, 2025

Microsoft explains how organizations can use Intune to upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11

Windows 10 is approaching its end of life, and organizations can purchase Extended Security Updates (ESU), though this may not be financially viable for all. Microsoft has released a guide to assist companies in upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11 via Intune. The guide is intended for domain-joined or co-joined Windows 10 PCs and emphasizes the need for hardware compatibility, specifically TPM 2.0. Organizations should use Microsoft Configuration Manager or Endpoint Analytics to verify hardware requirements and ensure devices are updated to version 22H2. IT administrators are advised to synchronize identities from Active Directory to Entra ID, configure hybrid join, and prepare the Intune environment with necessary licenses and roles. They should also streamline Group Policy Objects, establish Intune configuration profiles, and use Windows Autopatch for updates. Applications must be migrated from Configuration Manager to Intune for management, and outdated deployments should be decommissioned. The final migration step involves transitioning to an Entra ID-joined configuration. This process aims to enhance management, security, user experience, and reduce reliance on legacy infrastructure.

Winsage

June 30, 2025

Microsoft warns of Windows update delays due to wrong timestamp

Microsoft has acknowledged a delay in the delivery of the June 2025 Windows security updates due to an incorrect metadata timestamp affecting Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems under quality update deferral policies. The update was released on June 10, 2025, but the timestamp shows June 20, 2025, which may cause devices with deferral settings to receive the update later than expected. Microsoft has provided temporary workarounds for administrators, including creating an expedited deployment policy to bypass deferral settings. The delay only affects the timing of update availability for organizations using these policies and does not impact the quality or applicability of the update. Microsoft will not change the metadata timestamp and has confirmed that the provided workaround is the definitive resolution.

Winsage

June 26, 2025

The Windows Resiliency Initiative: Building resilience for a future-ready enterprise

Resilience is now a strategic necessity for organizations, prompting Microsoft to launch the Windows Resiliency Initiative (WRI) to integrate resilience and security into the Windows platform. In September 2024, Microsoft held the Windows Endpoint Security Ecosystem Summit (WESES) with endpoint security vendors and government representatives to discuss enhancing resilience. Following the summit, collaboration with Microsoft Virus Initiative (MVI) partners has increased, focusing on improving Windows security and reliability through rigorous testing and safe deployment practices. Next month, Microsoft will begin a private preview of a new Windows endpoint security platform for select MVI partners, allowing security solutions to operate outside the Windows kernel for better reliability. Microsoft has released the Windows Resiliency Initiative e-book to guide organizations in building resilience. Innovative products introduced under the WRI include: - Quick machine recovery (QMR) for faster recovery from unexpected restarts, reducing downtime to approximately two seconds. - Microsoft Connected Cache to enhance bandwidth efficiency during updates by caching content locally. - Universal Print anywhere for secure printing from any location. - Hotpatch updates for critical security updates without requiring a restart. - Windows 365 Reserve for secure access to a temporary Cloud PC during device disruptions.

Winsage

June 26, 2025

Microsoft rolls out Windows security changes to prevent another CrowdStrike meltdown

Last summer's CrowdStrike incident caused significant disruptions in healthcare, banking, and air travel, resulting in billions of dollars in damages. In response, Microsoft held a security summit with experts from CrowdStrike and other firms to address vulnerabilities. Microsoft announced Safe Deployment practices and architectural changes to enhance Windows security, including relocating third-party security drivers from the Windows kernel to user space. This change aims to reduce risks associated with kernel-level flaws. Upcoming features in Windows 11 24H2 include a streamlined crash report process, replacing the Blue Screen of Death with an "unexpected restart" screen, and a quick machine recovery (QMR) capability to automate fixes during outages. Additionally, Windows Autopatch will allow network administrators to deploy updates with fewer required restarts for Windows 11 Enterprise PCs, limiting them to once every three months.

Winsage

May 1, 2025

Windows 11 April security patch quietly blocks 24H2 update, but are you impacted?

Microsoft is preparing to release the Windows 11 25H2 update in October, aimed at facilitating the transition to Windows 11 24H2. However, the rollout of Windows 24H2 has faced issues, with many PCs experiencing blocks due to third-party applications and technical problems. The April security patch, released on April 8, has complicated the upgrade process for some users, particularly those with the patch KB5055528 installed, leading to error code 0x80240069. This issue mainly affects IT administrators using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), while individual users on Windows 11 Home are largely unaffected. Microsoft is investigating the problem and plans to release a fix by the next Patch Tuesday on May 13. Additionally, organizations are advised to explore alternative update management solutions, as WSUS is no longer under active development.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

Windows Server Update Services live to patch another day

Microsoft has announced an extension of support for Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), postponing the planned end of support originally set for April 2025, in response to user feedback. The decision comes shortly before the scheduled cutoff and addresses challenges associated with disconnected device scenarios. Initially, Microsoft planned to make drivers available only through the Microsoft Update Catalog, but user feedback prompted a change. While some IT administrators may welcome the decision, others argue that WSUS is outdated and lacks essential capabilities for modern security. Gene Moody, field CTO at Action1, noted that WSUS is ill-equipped to meet contemporary demands and highlighted its limitations in enforcing updates and providing real-time visibility. Moody suggested that the extension of support is influenced by specific scenarios where WSUS remains necessary, such as environments with legal obligations or air-gapped networks. He cautioned that this decision should not be seen as a shift away from Microsoft's goal of phasing out WSUS in favor of cloud-based solutions.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

Microsoft listens to users and revises its WSUS driver synchronization deprecation plans

Microsoft has decided to postpone the removal of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) driver synchronization, which was initially scheduled for April 18, 2025, due to user feedback. WSUS will continue to synchronize driver updates from the Windows Update service and import them from the Microsoft Update Catalog. Microsoft is encouraging administrators to consider alternative technologies such as Windows Autopatch, Microsoft Intune, and Azure Update Manager.

Winsage

April 8, 2025

WSUS Driver Synchronization: Microsoft postpones end

Microsoft has postponed the discontinuation of driver distribution via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), originally set for April 18, due to substantial user feedback. WSUS Driver Synchronization, initially marked as “deprecated,” will continue to be supported and operational, although it will not receive active development. Microsoft acknowledged the needs of users in disconnected environments and will maintain the service for synchronizing driver updates from the Windows Update Service and importing updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog. The company is also developing a new roadmap to streamline services and promote alternative technologies like Microsoft Intune and Windows Autopatch for Windows 11 devices.