How SureMDM Enables Easy Windows 10 Patch Management

Windows devices live at the center of many work ecosystems. As a result, it is essential that they function optimally in any given situation, and remain secure across their lifespans. Windows’ recent updates have caused businesses some trouble, leading some to question the value of the patches, but this doesn’t change that patches (and patch management) are extremely important. Indeed, effectively managing patches determines how well all of your work devices can work well together. Let’s consider a few key aspects of Windows 10 patch management, why they’re important, and what happens when there are issues. 

Windows patches are generally necessary because they provide protection against the most recently discovered threats. This is both an ethical and organizational obligation- you owe it to your customers and employees to keep their data safe, but failing to do so will also shake stakeholder confidence in your security. This is why so many people have cautioned so strongly against using Windows 7 after it was deprecated, or at the very least, enrolling devices in Windows’ extended support program. 

In the last few years, Microsoft has adopted an approach it calls “Windows as a Service.” Rather than functioning as a static operating system, Windows receives frequent updates that add new functionality around twice a year. This strategy makes Windows 10 patch management even more important, as updates are both frequent and impactful. 

This is not to say that Windows 10 patch management is easy. Several major Windows 10 updates have caused major problems, including deleting files. This has resulted in strong demand for uninstalling updates, and more carefully regulating what users must update at what times. Microsoft has listened to these concerns and announced changes in late March 2020; for example, driver updates (which are typically viewed as being riskier) can now be handled separately from other update data. 

How SureMDM Helps

Whether your concern is updating Windows 10 devices, or mitigating issues with new Windows 10 updates, unified endpoint management software can help. The nature of updates means that any devices which are unpatched become major liabilities, even if every other Windows 10 device is updated. 

Without a central form of management, handling this would be exceptionally difficult, as it would require individual compliance from every single employee. This is what the central console of a UEM solution like SureMDM by 42Gears can do. SureMDM can push the latest Windows updates to each device and check on the update status, letting admins rest assured that all devices are in compliance. 

Indeed, if Microsoft does push an update that is problematic, SureMDM allows you to troubleshoot devices individually, or even restore prior states of Windows 10. Plus, SureMDM can integrate with all of the other devices you have in the workplace- including smartphones, tablets, macOS and Linux desktops, VR headsets, and more- so you can manage everything in one central place. 

As mentioned earlier, unsecured Windows 7 devices can be a major liability. SureMDM provides tools that make the process of updating from Windows 7 to Windows 10 easy, so you can continue using older devices without security risks.