IT admins can also validate fixes and features in a preview update by leveraging the Windows Insider Program for Business or via the Microsoft Update Catalog. For example, new features like News and Interests might initially be deployed in the prior month’s C preview release, then ship in the following month’s B release.įor customers to access the C releases, they must navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates. These releases are only offered to the most recent, supported versions of Windows. These updates are optional, cumulative, non-security preview releases known as C releases. IT admins have the option to test and validate production-quality releases ahead of the planned B release for the following month. B releases are mandatory.Ĭhannels for availability of B releases include: Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and the Microsoft Update Catalog. These updates help keep Windows devices secure and compliant by deploying stability fixes and addressing security vulnerabilities. B releases are typically published at 10:00 AM Pacific Time (PST/PDT).īecause they are cumulative, B releases include both new and previously released security fixes, along with non-security content introduced in the prior month’s Preview C release (see the next section).

Most people are familiar with what is commonly referred to as Patch Tuesday or Update Tuesday. These updates are released on the second Tuesday of each month, and are known as the B release (where “ B” refers to the second week in the month). Releases can also be provided outside of the monthly schedule when there is an exceptional need. Non-security releases provide IT admins an opportunity for early validation of that content prior to the combined release. Combined security + non-security releases.

Quality updates are provided on a monthly schedule, as two types of releases: This article provides details on the types of monthly quality updates that Microsoft provides, and how they help make the overall user experience simple and consistent. Reliability and vulnerability issues can occur when only a subset of fixes is installed. Quality updates are cumulative they include all previously released fixes to guard against fragmentation of the operating system (OS).

They provide your users and IT administrators with the security fixes they need, and protect devices so that unpatched vulnerabilities can't be exploited. Windows monthly quality updates help you to stay productive and protected.

Cumulative update for windows 11