Microsoft Sets the Stage for Patch Tuesday To 'Go Away'
Yesterday was the latest of Patch Tuesday, the ritual which takes place on the second Tuesday of every month. But its days could be numbered. Patch Tuesday won't disappear anytime soon but the release of Windows 10 will set the stage for its ultimate transition to a different release cadence.
Microsoft said at last week's Ignite conference that its procedure for issuing security patches will change with the new OS's release via new "distribution rings" similar to the fast and slow rings offered with the Windows 10 Technical Preview. The company describes it as part of its Windows-as-a-service transition. It will only apply to Windows 10 and future operating systems, given the change in the way Microsoft builds software.
"Our goal is patch Tuesday will go away," said Stella Chernysak, a senior director for Windows Commercial at Microsoft, during an interview last week at Ignite. "Windows Update for Business essentially means the challenges customers have historically had with their patching will be easier to address."
Chernysak said this will let Microsoft issue patches as needed and allow organizations to better automate how they apply those patches, while at the same time allowing for customers to maintain a predictable process.
"This is our new foundation for us to deliver Windows as a service," she explained. Microsoft will start delivering the first set of Windows Update for Services this summer with additional functionality to be added in the fall.
Posted by Jeffrey Schwartz on 05/13/2015 at 11:50 AM