Windows Autopatch just became available for public preview

We’re sure you have a great memory, so you must remember that the Autopatch service was first announced back in April.

Back then, Microsoft said it would be made generally available in July 2022 and committed to providing this for free to customers with a Windows 10 or 11 Enterprise E3 license or greater.

Now, as the latest update from the Redmond-based tech giant, the Windows Autopatch service has reached public preview.

Here’s what you need to know about Windows Autopatch

The Autopatch feature automatically manages the deployment of Windows 10 and Windows 11 quality and feature updates, drivers, firmware, and Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise updates.

Microsoft says that the launch date for the service is definitely July, so the release of a public preview gives interested users a chance to try it out a few weeks early.

You will surely want to take advantage of such a service, but you should know that there are certain prerequisites for doing so.

• Licensing: Windows Autopatch is available at no extra cost to Windows Enterprise E3 and above license holders.
• Specifications: Windows Autopatch works with Windows 10 and 11 Enterprise versions and, when we reach general availability, on virtual machines including Windows 365 Cloud PCs.
• Hardware requirements: If your corporate-owned devices are running a current. The supported version of Windows 10 or Windows 11, they can be enrolled in Windows Autopatch. Bring-your-own-device (BYOD) scenarios are not currently supported.
• Management requirements: Your devices must be managed with either Microsoft Intune or via Configuration Manager co-management.
• Identity requirements: User accounts must be managed by Azure Active Directory or Hybrid Azure Active Directory Join.

How do I enroll in the Autopatch program?

Now that you’ve seen what you’re getting, you are surely going to want a piece of the action, so we’re about to show you how you can achieve that.

There are a few steps needed for taking advantage of this great service, so sit back and go through this same process:

• Log in to Endpoint Manager as a Global Administrator and find the Windows Autopatch blade under the Tenant Administration menu. If you don’t see ‘Windows Autopatch’ you don’t have the right licenses. See Windows Autopatch prerequisites for more information on prerequisites, including licensing.
• Use an InPrivate or Incognito browser window to redeem your public preview code.
• Run the readiness assessment, add your admin contact, and add devices.

Also, you might want to take a look at the detailed instructions on how to add devices to your test ring and how to resolve the status of tenant not ready or status of device not ready or device not registered.

Wondering what the end game is here? This new service aims to move the update orchestration from organizations to Microsoft.

You can learn a lot more about everything Windows Autopatch stands for by going through the available documentation.

Have you already enrolled for the public preview of Windows Autopatch? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.