Windows Insider Program

The transition to cloud-native endpoint management is changing Windows device management, particularly regarding Windows Update. IT administrators are increasingly relying on Windows Update services for security patches and features. Microsoft has introduced Windows Update for Business to give IT administrators better control over update policies through Group Policy or Mobile Device Management (MDM). Effective management requires understanding which policies to implement for specific desktops. The best approach for managing monthly updates is through servicing rings, which group Windows devices and assign specific update cadences and policies. This method allows controlled rollouts of updates, enabling administrators to prioritize stability and minimize disruption by testing updates on pilot groups before wider deployment. Windows Update for Business manages three update channels: the General Availability Channel for immediate feature updates, the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) for stability-focused devices, and the Windows Insider Program for testing updates. Administrators can control these channels using specific Group Policy Object (GPO) settings. Two primary update release types are managed: quality updates, which are released monthly and can be deferred for up to 30 days, and feature updates, which are annual and can be deferred for up to 365 days. Administrators can pause the deployment of updates temporarily for up to 35 days. Driver updates are also managed through Windows Update, with options to include or exclude them in monthly quality updates. Optional updates, available monthly, can be controlled using specific GPO and MDM settings.