The purpose of this article is to hopefully explain how Microsoft Windows updates are pushed out to UMS staff and faculty computers.
Detailed Information
Why are updates being pushed to my computer?
There are a few reasons that IT pushes out security updates to your computer. The most important is that we want to make sure your computers and more importantly your files and documents are as safe and secure as we can make them. One of the best ways to ensure this is to keep all the computers on campus up date with the latest updates. The University of Maine System also has security policies which we are all required to follow. For more information, see University of Maine System Information Security Policy.
How will I know when I have updates to apply?
When there are security updates that the IT department thinks need to be applied to your computer to keep it safe and secure. Updates are available after the second Thursday of the month. You can check for updates available by using the Windows search bar to search for Windows Update and opening it up and checking for updates. When the deadline for updates is reached a notification window from Windows Update will pop up and give you the choice to Restart now, Pick a Time [for Restart], or Snooze the notification Window. Once the deadline has been met, you have 48 ours to restart your computer or it will be restarted for you.
What should I do when I have updates?
Anytime after the third week of the month, If you know you have a slow period in your day or are ending your day, go to Windows Updates to check for and install updates.
If the update deadline has been reached and the Windows Update window has popped up asking you to restart, f you aren't in the middle of anything, choose "Restart now".
What can I do if I am too busy to install updates right now?
You have a couple options available:
Snooze
Click the "Snooze" button.
- This will make the screen go away for awhile, but it will keep coming back up after the snooze period ends to let you know you still have updates.
WARNING: Be aware that if you don't install the updates by the required installation deadline, the updates will install at that time or the next time your machine starts back up after that time. This could be when you are doing something important.
Pick a Time
- Choose "Pick a Time"
- Select the desired time option
WARNING: If you shut down your computer instead of just logging out, when you start your computer in the morning, after the deadline and 48 hour grace period has ended, it will start the install of the updates then, so be sure to leave it powered on overnight.
What happens once the updates start installing?
- Once the updates start installing you will see a notification in lower-right of your desktop
- When the deadline for updates is reached a notification window from Windows Update will pop up and give you the choice to Restart now, Pick a Time [for Restart], or Snooze the notification Window.
When are updates pushed to my computer?
- Microsoft releases updates on the second Tuesday of the month
- These updates are generally available to client computers on the third Tuesday of the month for self or out of Business hours installation
- Updates are required 14 days after the 2nd Tuesday of the month they were released, giving users 7 days to install at their convenience
Why does my computer restart for updates at inconvenient times?
See Windows Updates Rebooting at Inconvenient Time Even Though Business Hours Have Been Set
Environment
- University-managed
- Windows 11
- Microsoft supported versions of Windows 10