Streamlining IT Management: Key Enhancements in Windows Autopatch for 2025

In April 2025, Windows Autopatch introduces significant updates aimed at simplifying update management for IT admins. Key enhancements include faster reporting for all Intune-managed devices, more flexible and intelligent Autopatch groups, and a shift to least-privilege access for improved security. These changes streamline processes, making updates easier to manage and enhancing overall compliance tracking.

What’s New in Windows Autopatch: April 2025

Microsoft’s latest update to Windows Autopatch is all about simplifying the update management experience for IT administrators. With the April 2025 release, several significant changes have been made that enhance usability and security.

Major Updates

One of the standout features is the retirement of the activation process for policy management. Previously, some features required activation in the Microsoft Intune console. Now, Windows Autopatch groups and reporting features are easier to access and use.

“This change means you can streamline tasks like distributing devices to set up a safe rollout.”

Additionally, three major improvements have been introduced:

Windows Autopatch reports now cover all Intune-managed devices with a four-hour client-to-cloud latency.
Windows Autopatch groups are more flexible and intelligent.
Management features now operate with least-privilege access.

What’s Important to Know

Windows Autopatch reporting has significantly improved in speed and coverage. All Intune-managed devices are now included, and latency has dropped from over a day to just four hours. This means faster insights into update compliance.

“Windows Autopatch lets you track update compliance for all your devices more quickly than ever.”

Moreover, each device is assigned a status—up to date, in progress, or not up to date—allowing for better tracking of compliance over the last 90 days.

Enhanced Group Flexibility

Windows Autopatch groups have also become more flexible. No longer do they share policies, which allows for tailored update management across different departments. Individual content types can now be enabled or disabled for each group, including Microsoft 365 Apps and Edge.

Furthermore, the registration process has been streamlined. Devices are still added to deployment groups, but additional configurations are no longer required, making the process smoother.

Security Improvements

Lastly, the move to a least-privilege access model is a significant security enhancement. Windows Autopatch now operates with the permissions of the currently signed-in user, limiting potential risks. This change ensures that actions require direct consent from the organization, thus enhancing overall security.

In summary, the April 2025 updates to Windows Autopatch are designed to make update management more efficient, flexible, and secure. Explore these new features to simplify your IT operations!

Windows Autopatch reporting now includes all Intune-managed devices, reducing latency to under four hours.

Autopatch groups allow tailored update policies, enhancing flexibility for different departments.

New intelligent defaults provide recommendations for various device types, improving user experience.

The least-privilege access model enhances security by limiting permissions to only what’s necessary for tasks.

Removal of the activation step for features makes them more accessible to users without requiring global admin permissions.

From the Windows IT Pro Blog articles