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Configure Windows Update for Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PCs

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Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PCs rely on active hours Windows Update policies to make sure that Cloud PCs don't reboot for Windows Update during active usage. The following table lists recommended update configurations for Frontline Cloud PCs. Make sure to use the Filter function to target the policies only to your Frontline Cloud PCs.

Windows Update policy setting Windows 365 Frontline recommendation
Microsoft product updates Allow
Windows drivers Allow
Quality update deferral period 9
Feature update deferral period 0
Upgrade Windows 10 to latest Windows 11 release No
Set feature update uninstall period 30 days
Servicing channel General availability
Automatic update behavior Auto install and restart at maintenance time*
Restart checks Allow
Option to pause updates Disable
Option to check for Windows Updates Default
Change notification update level Turn off all notifications, including restart warnings
Deadline for feature updates Default (Not configured)
Deadline for quality updates Default (Not configured)
Grace Period 2
Auto-restart before deadline No
Active hours start Defined by IT administrator
Active hours end Defined by IT administrator
Active hours max range Defined by IT administrator

These settings are important to make sure that users aren't disrupted by a Windows Update during their work hours.

Automatic sync updates for Cloud PCs that haven't been turned on for seven days

The Windows 365 Service automatically powers on a Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PC if it hasn't been used and powered in the previous seven days. When the Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PC is turned on, the Windows 365 Service:

  • Syncs the Cloud PC with the Windows Update service.
  • Performs the Windows Update process honoring the Windows Update policy configurations set in Intune.
  • Keeps the Cloud PC powered on for two hours to make sure that the Windows Update installation can complete.
  • Checks for any pending reboots. If there are, the Cloud PC automatically reboots to complete any Windows Update before turning off.

This process lets the user seamlessly start using the Windows 365 Frontline Cloud PC the next time they sign in.

Next steps

Learn more about Windows Updates.

Windows Update policies you should set and why (blog).