Operating system updates - Microsoft Intune method

The Windows updates can be categorised into two areas:

• Monthly Windows updates
  • Can take 5 - 20 minutes and may require a restart
• Windows version upgrade
  • Can take 30 minutes up to 2+ hours and may require several restarts

These updates can be done one of two ways:

1. Automatically, via Microsoft Intune*.
2. By manually installing the Windows updates

* Microsoft Intune is not available to computers connected to the Student Wi-Fi network.

The preferred method of receiving updates is via Microsoft Intune.

Automatic updates via Microsoft Intune

Windows monthly and version updates are deployed automatically to computers managed via Microsoft Intune.

Monthly updates are sent out over the course of seven working days following the third Tuesday of each month.

Version updates are sent out once per year.

Installation of updates

After updates are deployed to your computer, they will install silently in the background without interrupting your usage of the computer.

Once an update has completed its installation, you will be presented with a restart notification towards the bottom right of the screen.

The notification will look as follows:

You will have the option to 'Restart now', or 'Pick a time' or 'Restart tonight'.

If you close this notification, you will still see the below icon, indicating a restart is due, in the bottom right of the screen.

Clicking on this icon will bring you to the main Windows Update settings page. From here you will have the option to 'Restart now' or 'Schedule restart'.

Should you dismiss the initial notification, and fail to restart the computer within a certain time period, the initial notification may reappear in the bottom right of the screen.

Once you receive a restart notification, we strongly recommended you restart the computer as soon as possible - so that you can complete the update at a time that is convenient for you.

If you fail to restart the computer within 7 days of the update, a restart deadline will be enforced.

Restart deadline

Should you fail to restart the computer within 7 days of the update installing, then a restart deadline will be enforced on the computer.

On the day of the restart deadline, the below notification will be shown.

You won't be able to interact with any other applications on your computer until you select either 'Restart now' or 'Confirm'.

Your computer will not automatically restart if you fail to click on either button.

Impact of button choices

The impact of your button choices will differ depending on when you select them plus the status of applications on your computer.

• Restart now
  • - Choosing this option will restart your computer straight away. It won't provide you with a chance to save and close any open applications
  • - Should you need time to save unsaved work, choose the 'Confirm' button instead. This will give you time to save and close all open applications

• Confirm
  • - Choosing this option will initiate a restart of your computer at the time specified on the restart deadline notification
  • - If the time stated on the notification has already passed, then a new notification will pop up with a time in the future. Clicking 'Confirm' on this new notification will initiate a restart at that time
  • - The listed restart time is usually around 15 minutes after the notification appears
  • - You have the option to manually restart the computer before the listed restart time

• Choosing neither option
  • - If you ignore the notification, then your computer will not automatically restart until you select either 'Restart now' or 'Confirm' button
  • - No activity in other applications on your computer will be possible until you choose an option

Critical macOS security updates will be automatically deployed and installed on computers that are managed via Microsoft Intune.

When Apple release non critical macOS security updates, we will push a notification to your computer letting you know they are available to install at a time that suits you.