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windows/deployment/update/release-cycle.md
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---
title: Update release cycle for Windows clients
description: Learn about the release cycle of updates for Windows clients to stay productive and protected.
description: Learn about the release cycle for updates so Windows clients in your organization stay productive and protected.
ms.prod: windows-client
ms.technology: itpro-updates
ms.topic: conceptual
author: mestew
ms.localizationpriority: medium
ms.author: mstewart
manager: aaroncz
ms.topic: article
ms.technology: itpro-updates
ms.localizationpriority: medium
appliesto:
- ✅ <a href=https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/supported-versions-windows-client target=_blank>Windows 11</a>
- ✅ <a href=https://learn.microsoft.com/windows/release-health/supported-versions-windows-client target=_blank>Windows 10</a>
ms.date: 05/19/2023
---
# Update release cycle for Windows clients
<!--7696511-->
***(Applies to: Windows 11 & Windows 10)***
Windows updates help you to stay productive and protected. They provide your users and IT administrators with the security fixes they need, and protect devices so that unpatched vulnerabilities can't be exploited. Updates for the Windows client OS are typically cumulative. They include all previously released fixes to guard against fragmentation of the operating system. Reliability and vulnerability issues can occur when only a subset of fixes is installed.
@ -23,11 +25,11 @@ This article provides details on the types of updates that Microsoft provides, a
|Release type | Description | Release cycle |
|---|---|---|
| [Monthly security update release](#monthly-security-update-release)| A cumulative update release that includes both security and non-security content | Second Tuesday of each month, typically published at 10:00 AM Pacific Time (PST/PDT) |
| [Optional non-security preview release](#optional-non-security-preview-release)| An optional cumulative update release that's typically used for early validation of the monthly security update release| Fourth Tuesday of each month, typically published at 10:00 AM Pacific Time (PST/PDT) |
| [Monthly security update release](#monthly-security-update-release)| A cumulative update release that includes both security and nonsecurity content | Second Tuesday of each month, typically published at 10:00 AM Pacific Time (PST/PDT) |
| [Optional nonsecurity preview release](#optional-non-security-preview-release)| An optional cumulative update release that's typically used for early validation of the monthly security update release| Fourth Tuesday of each month, typically published at 10:00 AM Pacific Time (PST/PDT) |
| [Out-of-band (OOB) release](#oob-releases) | Resolves a recently identified issue or vulnerability | As needed |
| [Annual feature update](#annual-feature-updates) | An update with new features and enhancements that also changes the Windows version | Once a year in the second half of the calendar year |
| [Continuous innovation for Windows 11](#continuous-innovation-for-windows-11)| Introduces new features and enhancements for Windows 11 | Periodically included in an optional non-security preview release then in the monthly security update releases |
| [Continuous innovation for Windows 11](#continuous-innovation-for-windows-11)| Introduces new features and enhancements for Windows 11 | Periodically included in an optional nonsecurity preview release then in the monthly security update releases |
## Monthly security update release
@ -42,7 +44,7 @@ Most people are familiar with the **monthly security update release**. The **mon
- Latest cumulative update (LCU)
**Monthly security update releases** are cumulative. The release includes both new and previously released security fixes, along with non-security content introduced in the prior month's [**Optional non-security preview release**](#optional-non-security-preview-release). These updates help keep Windows devices secure and compliant by deploying stability fixes and addressing security vulnerabilities. Most organizations consider monthly security update releases as mandatory.
**Monthly security update releases** are cumulative. The release includes both new and previously released security fixes, along with nonsecurity content introduced in the prior month's [**Optional non-security preview release**](#optional-non-security-preview-release). These updates help keep Windows devices secure and compliant by deploying stability fixes and addressing security vulnerabilities. Most organizations consider monthly security update releases as mandatory.
Monthly security update releases are available through the following channels:
@ -52,9 +54,9 @@ Monthly security update releases are available through the following channels:
Many update management tools, such as [Microsoft Configuration Manager](/mem/configmgr/) and [Microsoft Intune](/mem/intune/), rely on these channels for update deployment.
## Optional non-security preview release
## Optional nonsecurity preview release
**Optional non-security preview releases** provide IT admins an opportunity for early validation of that content prior to the **monthly security update release**. Admins can test and validate production-quality releases ahead of the planned monthly security update release for the following month. These updates are optional, cumulative, non-security preview releases. New features might initially be deployed in the prior month's **optional non-security preview release**, then ship in the following **monthly security update release**. These releases are only offered to the most recent, supported versions of Windows.
**Optional non-security preview releases** provide IT admins an opportunity for early validation of that content prior to the **monthly security update release**. Admins can test and validate production-quality releases ahead of the planned monthly security update release for the following month. These updates are optional, cumulative, nonsecurity preview releases. New features might initially be deployed in the prior month's **optional non-security preview release**, then ship in the following **monthly security update release**. These releases are only offered to the most recent, supported versions of Windows.
**Optional non-security preview releases** might commonly be referred to as:
@ -66,7 +68,7 @@ Many update management tools, such as [Microsoft Configuration Manager](/mem/con
> [!Important]
> Starting in April 2023, all **optional non-security preview releases** will be released on the fourth Tuesday of the month. This change in release cadence gives admins a consistent time cycle for testing and validating fixes and features.
To access the optional non-security preview release:
To access the optional nonsecurity preview release:
- Navigate to **Settings** > **Update & Security** > **Windows Update** and select **Check for updates**.
- Use [Windows Insider Program for Business](https://insider.windows.com/for-business)
- Use the [Microsoft Update Catalog](https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Home.aspx).
@ -78,12 +80,12 @@ To access the optional non-security preview release:
Some key considerations about OOB releases include:
- OOB releases are always cumulative.
- OOB releases supersede any prior monthly security update and optional non-security preview release.
- OOB releases supersede any prior monthly security update and optional nonsecurity preview release.
- OOB releases generally require IT admins to deploy off-cycle.
- Some OOB releases are classified as critical.
- Critical OOB releases are automatically available to WSUS and Windows Update for Business, just like the monthly security update releases.
- Some OOB releases are classified as non-critical.
- Non-critical releases only go to the Microsoft Update Catalog for users or organizations to voluntarily obtain the update.
- Some OOB releases are classified as noncritical.
- Noncritical releases only go to the Microsoft Update Catalog for users or organizations to voluntarily obtain the update.
## Continuous innovation for Windows 11