What Is Patch Tuesday? Microsoft’s Monthly Update Explained

On the second Tuesday of every month, Microsoft and other tech companies release patches for consumer and business users. These updates, which include last month’s bug fixes and security enhancements, are called “Patch Tuesday.” Monthly updates are an important opportunity to ensure that security features and applications remain current.

Microsoft details Patch Tuesday rollout in official document Security Update Guide. Below, TechRepublic explores its purpose, how it works, and how to prepare for it.

What is the purpose of Patch Tuesday?

Patch Tuesday is designed to collect and release many enterprise software updates simultaneously. While some updates are urgent and require immediate attention throughout the month, non-urgent or quality-of-life fixes are incorporated on Patch Tuesday.

“Whether you’re an IT admin or a regular user, monthly Windows updates provide you with security fixes to help protect your devices and feature enhancements based on your feedback,” Chris Morrissey, senior director of communications at Microsoft, said in a report wrote. 2023 Blog Posts.

Patch Tuesday is technically known as Microsoft’s “B” build, as opposed to the “C” and “D” builds that occur during the third and fourth weeks of each month. Other companies, including Adobe, have followed Microsoft’s lead and rolled out massive patches on the second Tuesday of every month.

what to know

How does Patch Tuesday work?

Administrators and users can access these updates through a variety of tools, including:

• Windows Update
• Enterprise Windows Update
• MicrosoftIntune
• Microsoft Configuration Manager
• Windows Server Update Service (WSUS)
• Microsoft update catalog

Administrators should test in isolated environments and small test groups before rolling out patches throughout the organization. Additionally, administrators should have a fallback plan in place if something goes wrong.

See: Microsoft power users may want to watch this once a month PowerToys Update.

As Patch Tuesday details vulnerabilities from the previous month, copycat attacks against unpatched systems typically spike the next day. Organizations should prioritize applying critical security updates to mitigate this risk.

As of February 2023 Business Control Updateadministrators can control which patches are immediately applied. This allows you to flexibly manage updates that introduce new features, remove existing features, or significantly change user-facing functionality (such as the Start Menu).

What is the difference between Patch Tuesday and out-of-band updates?

In addition to the alphabetical naming system for releases, you may hear the term “out-of-band releases” when referring to patches. Out-of-band releases will not be shipped as scheduled as scheduled monthly patches. Instead, atypical updates can be sent at any time to address ongoing security or quality issues.

How do I prepare for Patch Tuesday updates?

Administrators should have a process for applying Patch Tuesday updates, but these processes will vary based on the size and needs of the organization. Some patches should be applied immediately – especially security fixes for backdoors being released Actively utilize. Administrators may need to wait to deploy non-critical patches in case Microsoft releases any fixes.