Microsoft Windows is easily the most widely used OS among PC users and its updates are perhaps the most sought after. Many software users would be quite interested in receiving daily updates rather than waiting for the monthly Patch Tuesday release. They will soon get their wish.
With the latest OS—Windows 10—Microsoft plans to launch a regular update system to offer a steady stream of patches to users. For years Microsoft has sent a bundle of updates or patches on Patch Tuesday—the second Tuesday of every month. This has become a norm and most users of Microsoft products tend to wait eagerly for the second week of every month for that all-important “Patch Tuesday.”
Microsoft revealed at its Ignite Conference that Patch Tuesday will soon come to an end for most users as Microsoft transitions to a system of simply releasing patches as soon as they’re developed and ready to deploy.
Move to 24/7 Update Cycle
Microsoft implemented Patch Tuesday to add an element of predictability for business customers. It gives IT admins a schedule they can work with rather than forcing them to scramble every time a new update is released. Times have changed, though, for PCs and for the attacks and exploits they face. That’s why Microsoft is shifting gears and will begin to deliver patches and updates as they become available again rather than waiting for Patch Tuesday.
It could happen that a few updates are rolled out in consolidated bundles and other updates, probably critical ones, would be delivered as soon as they are available. This 24/7 update system means that Microsoft would push for a constant stream of updates quite regularly with Windows 10.
Even with this round-the-clock update system, users would get two options for sign-up: a “fast ring” of security patches that would be released faster and a “slow ring” that would bring a few bundles of updates together rather conservatively. This new method of delivering updates in two different ways is similar to the method Microsoft uses for Windows 10 developer builds.
Benefits of Frequent Updates
Hacking is on the rise, and tackling security issues is probably the top priority for Microsoft Windows users. With the latest Windows operating system Microsoft will ensure that critical patches and bug fixes are delivered as updates almost instantly—as soon as they are ready.
This would make life more difficult for hackers as they won’t be able to use the time interval between Patch Tuesdays to plan their attacks. When Terry Myerson, Microsoft’s executive vice president of operating systems, made the announcements about changes in the updates cycle he also stressed keeping devices secure by keeping them updated through the latest software. The new update cycle would go a long way toward ensuring an enhanced security of devices and businesses using Microsoft products as well.
The Challenge Ahead
A challenge that Microsoft is likely to face, especially with the fast ring of patches is to get them adequately tested before users install them on their system. A patch that is not tested properly carries the risk of introducing errors or crashes on user systems. So it’s a big challenge that Microsoft has to overcome in its bid to provide some patches as soon as they are ready.
How excited are you with the possibility for your Microsoft Windows 10 OS to be updated regularly?
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My question would be; how many of these patches are going to require restarts? I, along with several other companies, use Windows to run scheduled tasks and smaller applications that don't require a server OS and need to be running 24/7. If the updates are constantly coming, it seems to me I'm going to have to continue using a "patch Tuesday" approach if the updates won't apply live, which really defeats the purpose of their staying ahead of hacking benefit.