No, Windows Autopatch does not replace Patch Tuesday

Last week, Microsoft rolled out its traditional second-Tuesday-of-the-week update for all servicing Windows operating systems known colloquially as Patch Tuesday, while also adding that it would release an Autopatch service the same time next month. Speculation quickly erupted online as many believed Microsoft would be replacing a traditional Patch Tuesday release with this new Autopatch service, effectively making June’s update the last Patch Tuesday update for users.

If Microsoft were to replace Patch Tuesday updates with a new Autopatch Service, how would it do so? How would the new Autopatch service differ from the old Patch Tuesday release, and what would be in the drop?

Fortunately, Microsoft cleared the air relatively quickly by issuing a response to Security Week, where the company pointed to an April post about Windows Autopatch.

Microsoft Dismisses False Reports About the Death of Patch Tuesday – https://t.co/p08SuCzkj5 pic.twitter.com/zxRuw7w723

— SecurityWeek (@SecurityWeek) June 17, 2022

When will Windows Autopatch be available?
Windows Autopatch will be released in July 2022. Stay up to date by bookmarking the Windows IT Pro Blog.

How much does Windows Autopatch cost?
Windows Autopatch is offered as a feature to Windows 10/11 Enterprise E3 at no additional cost.

Will Windows Autopatch be available for state and local government customers? (New: April 29, 2022)
Windows Autopatch is available for all Windows Enterprise E3 customers using Azure commercial cloud. However, we currently do not support government cloud (GCC) customers.

There are several other details covered in the Autopatch FAQ that include Intune Only and Co-Management prerequisites, licensing requirements for Education (A3) and Frontline workers (F3) and whether or not a device even has to reimage to Autopatch.

To Microsoft’s point. Autopatch is meant to live alongside Patch Tuesday with greater granular control over system admin functions for enterprise devices.