Windows and Microsoft Office Patching Process

Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, and 3^rd Party Software updates are installed on Windows computers by SCCM using the Central Patching service offered by IT@Cornell.  This service helps ensure SC Johnson College of Business Windows machines stay up to date and in compliance with University IT Policies.

Patching Process

• The 2^nd Tuesday of every month is called Patch Tuesday.  This is the day when Microsoft releases critical and security updates for Windows and Microsoft Office.
• 2 – 3 weeks after Patch Tuesday is when you can manually install patches via Software Center.
• 3 weeks after Patch Tuesday at 4:00PM is when patches begin installing automatically.  If a restart is required, a forced restart will occur at 10:00PM unless you restart your computer beforehand.  It is recommended that you close all of your work and restart your computer at your convenience after updates are installed.
  • 4:00 PM – Patches begin installing automatically.
  • 4:30 PM – Restart reminders will pop up every 30 minutes between 4:30 PM - 7:30 PM

• 8:00 PM – Final reminder pops up with a 2-hour countdown timer until the computer is automatically restarted.

• 10:00 PM – A forced restart occurs when the countdown gets to zero.  If you restart before the countdown finishes, both the countdown timer and the forced restart will be disabled as you already restarted your computer to finalize the patch installation.

Notes:

• If the restart reminder is clicked, you will be presented with the options to Restart Now or Snooze.

• If you click on the Software Center icon in the System Tray, you will also be presented with the previously shown options to Restart Now or Snooze.

• If Office updates are available, you will see the following notification with options to Remind me later or Update now.  Office updates will still install automatically 3 weeks after Patch Tuesday unless you click Update now to manually install them.