Overview
Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, and third-party software updates are installed on JCB Windows computers by SCCM through the Central Patching service from IT@Cornell. This keeps SC Johnson College of Business Windows machines up to date and compliant with University IT policies.
The monthly patching timeline
- Patch Tuesday (the second Tuesday of each month): Microsoft releases critical and security updates for Windows and Office.
- 2 to 3 weeks after Patch Tuesday: you can install the updates manually through Software Center.
- 3 weeks after Patch Tuesday: updates begin installing automatically, on this schedule:
- 4:00 PM: automatic installation begins.
- 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM: if a restart is required, a reminder appears every 30 minutes.
- 8:00 PM: a final reminder appears with a 2-hour countdown.
- 10:00 PM: a forced restart occurs when the countdown reaches zero, unless you already restarted.
What you should do
- Once updates are installed, save your work and restart your computer at your convenience.
- If you restart before the countdown ends, the countdown and the forced restart are cancelled.
If you do not restart on your own, your computer restarts automatically at 10:00 PM, which closes your apps and can lose unsaved work. Save and restart before then.
Good to know
- Clicking a restart reminder, or the Software Center icon in the system tray, gives you the option to Restart Now or Snooze.
- When Office updates are available, you will see an Office Updates Available prompt with Remind me later or Update now. Office updates still install automatically 3 weeks after Patch Tuesday if you do not act.
Still need help? Contact the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business Helpdesk at itrequests@business.cornell.edu or 607-255-6300.