Microsoft says that Windows devices need to be online for at least eight hours to get the latest updates and have them correctly installed after they're released through Windows Update.
The amount of time devices running Windows are powered on and connected to Windows Update is tracked by Microsoft as 'Update Connectivity.'
This measurement correlates the systems' lack of enough connected time with why they're not up to date while also making it easier to understand why some devices are unlikely to get recently released updates successfully.
According to David Guyer, a Microsoft Program Manager for Windows Updates in MEM, Windows devices need at least 8 hours online to get the latest updates and successfully install them.
"One of the most impactful things we explored was how much time a device needs to be powered on and connected to Windows Update to be able to successfully install quality and feature updates," said Guyer.
"What we found is that devices that don't meet a certain amount of connected time are very unlikely to successfully update. Specifically, data shows that devices need a minimum of two continuous connected hours, and six total connected hours after an update is released to reliably update.
"This allows for a successful download and background installations that are able to restart or resume once a device is active and connected."
Guyer also said that devices should be left powered on and connected to the Internet overnight to make sure that updates get downloaded and installed properly.
You can track devices with insufficient Update Connectivity via Microsoft Intune by navigating to Devices > Monitor and selecting either the Feature update failures or the Windows Expedited update failures report.
Insufficient Update Connectivity alerts can also be found via the Summary report in Intune by going to Reports > Windows updates > Reports > Windows Expedited update report.
When looking at Windows 10 devices that are not fully updated and not meeting minimum connectivity requirements, Microsoft saw that:
- Approximately 50% of devices not on a serviced build of Windows 10 do not meet the minimum Update Connectivity measurement.
- Approximately 25% of Windows 10 devices on a serviced build but have security updates that are more than 60 days out of date have less than the minimum Update Connectivity.
"When troubleshooting update issues, we have found it is best to select devices that have sufficient Update Connectivity," Guyer added.
"If a device has insufficient Update Connectivity, then investigating other update issues is complicated because the low Update Connectivity can create new issues that go away once there's enough connectivity."
In related news, Microsoft began testing a smarter delivery method for Windows update improvements dubbed 'Update Stack Package,' which would deliver improvements to the update experience outside of major OS updates before monthly or feature Windows updates.
The company also redesigned cumulative updates in Windows 11 to allow security and quality updates to install faster as they are approximately 40% smaller than their Windows 10 counterparts.
Last year, Redmond released new APIs for managing Windows Update that enable devs and IT professionals to expedite Windows 10 security updates in enterprise environments.
Comments
GT500 - 2 years ago
Why on Earth is there a "minimum connectivity" requirement for updates?
Techie80 - 2 years ago
Did they not walk through any educational institution before implementing this requirement?? Absurd.
Minnikin - 2 years ago
Laptops in trolleys in schools that are used for sessions of 45 minutes at a time. Microsoft, your argument is invalid.
Lduvall - 2 years ago
And so we have another very good argument for not moving on to Windows 11 from a functioning Windows 10.
NMI - 2 years ago
Sticking with bigger and slower updates is not a very good reason!
bright-pence - 2 years ago
But honestly that's absurd, why should there be a threshold to how long one must stay online. I think I need to downgrade back to windows 10. This is making no logical sense, I believe technology comes with time and resource efficiency, but this is the opposite of efficiency, 8 hrs is just to much, at least 1 hr is enough to get the necessary updates, I hope you take these concerns seriously, customer information is always absolute.
kenjitamurako - 2 years ago
I think you misread the article. This 8 hour requirement already exists in Windows 10 and the article mentions Windows 11 is experimenting with changes to make updates less likely to fail in scenarios that a computer can't be online for 8 hours.
jimmyjones1256 - 2 years ago
Is it really that hard to keep track of current updates? All it would have to do is just poll the servers. If there was an update avaliable then it could pull it from the distributed computer network or servers. As long as it all checks out then the update should be avaliable. Microsoft is just determined to make Windows worse whilst covering it up with fancy features.
DrDeRoo - 2 years ago
Microsoft obviously uses programmers that are not very bright.
Their "Yes to all" thing is solid proof.
What the world needs now is a MS Windoze replacement.
doncoyote - 2 years ago
Place the blame on Pointy Haired Bosses, where it belongs.
Woodgray - 2 years ago
So a billion computers stay on for many extra hours. Hmmm do they care at all about the energy crisis or global warming. If this is a management edict than Microsoft needs to be crucified.
doncoyote - 2 years ago
MBAs.
TsVk! - 2 years ago
"So a billion computers stay on for many extra hours. Hmmm do they care at all about the energy crisis or global warming. "
Clearly not, as one of the two wealthiest company in the world (the other is Apple) they would be able to actually change things if they did.
Only worship of the true god is permitted, the almighty dollar.
DFlood - 2 years ago
Time for MS to bring back individual patches. Those could be grabbed a few at a time to handle minimal connectivity.
AmTEC4U - 2 years ago
I read through Sergiu's article a few times; it seems this concerns PCs that are only intermittently connected from time to time? I updated in less than 15 minutes. But I have been in that situation with other neglected PCs -experienced hours catching up on updates.
Given the number of updates Microsoft does, cumulatively it probably would have taken an hour or hours if updates were not done for weeks or months.
OldITGuy - 2 years ago
Switch to Linux, if you can, and avoid Micro$oft's BS.
tweeve - 2 years ago
Its funny.
Windows can need multiple hours to update, but then goes to sleep after 15 minutes of inactivity. Its no wonder why computers don't update. If the system is only on for a few minutes before it goes back to sleep.
DrDeRoo - 2 years ago
I turn sleep and hibernate off on all of my computers.