Windows 10 Introduces Automatic Optional Updates for a Select Group
Windows 10 has introduced a new feature, specifically concerning the group policy related to Windows Update. Consequently, IT administrators in organizations, who wish to prevent users from skipping any updates, can now enable the automatic installation of optional Windows patches too.
5:57 AM EST, November 29, 2023
Windows 10 unveils this new feature, which is only available to those who use the system within an organization, - as per the Windows Latest service. By utilizing the updated group policy settings, IT administrators can now mandate the automatic delivery of all optional Windows 10 updates to end users. In practice, this new option could also encompass those Windows updates that typically reach computers through the CFR system.
This new feature becomes available in Windows 10 once the system is updated with November's optional patches or it will automatically be incorporated with the upcoming Patch Tuesday set for December. IT administrators can evaluate their group policy and select one of the three following options:
- Retain the decision related to optional updates in the hands of the user,
- Elect for the automatic delivery of optional updates that are not security-related,
- Opt to deliver all optional updates, including those generally delivered in batches.
This strategy allows for a faster updating process for computers operating on Windows 10, even though it typically only applies to features not related to security. These are generally released by Microsoft at the end of each month as optional, and are later rolled out to systems along with the monthly security patches in the subsequent month.
Nonetheless, this new option in the group policy is undeniably an added convenience for administrators eager to deliver all Windows 10 updates to end users as quickly as possible.
