Windows Updates: How to Plan Them to Avoid Unwanted Surprises
Windows updates are essential to patch security vulnerabilities and improve system stability.
However, in a business environment, they are often seen as a hassle: computers restarting during a meeting, business software breaking, unexplained slowdowns…
Why updates are essential#
- Microsoft regularly releases patches to block new threats (ransomware, viruses, critical flaws).
- Not updating directly exposes your data and your company’s data.
- Some modern software will not work properly on outdated systems.
The risks if updates are not managed#
- Loss of productivity: a PC that restarts automatically during working hours.
- Incompatibilities: some updates break specific business applications.
- Wasted time: downloads and installations happening during office hours.
Best practices for businesses#
- Schedule restarts outside of office hours.
- Test updates on a pilot machine before rolling them out everywhere.
- Use centralized policies (Active Directory, Intune…) to control the pace.
- Monitor IT alerts to anticipate known issues.
In summary#
Windows updates are a necessary evil: they protect, but they can disrupt daily work.
The best approach is to control them rather than suffer them.
An IT provider can help plan, monitor, and deploy updates securely while minimizing the impact on your teams.