Client Services Support, Windows Updates through MECM
This document is presented in two parts. The first part reviews the process by which Windows Updates are displayed when pushed through Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) and shows you what to expect when viewing update advertisements from the Software Center. The second part specifically addresses advertisements that you may see in Microsoft Office programs when there are Office updates pending.
Update Advertisements from Software Center
When updates are pushed through MECM, they no longer show up in the “Updates and Security” section of your settings menu. Windows Updates from SCCM are pushed through an application called Software Center. Updates will be pushed to Client Services supported computers approximately 24 hours after they are released by Microsoft. Microsoft releases updates on the 2nd and sometimes the 4th Tuesday of each month.
When you have an update available, you’ll see a pop-up in the corner of your screen indicating that Software Changes are required:
If you click on the pop-up advertisement, you’ll see the following options for scheduling your updates:
- Install software right now This is the recommended option. If you are able to close out of active programs and install updates as soon as you see this advertisement, that is the best option and will lead to the fewest interruptions.
- Install outside my business hours You have the ability to configure your business hours here, the default is set to 8:00AM-5:00PM. This sets a timer on the updates, so that they will begin installing after your set business hours end.
- Snooze and remind me You can choose a specific time to be reminded, or just choose “later”.
Note: There is a scheduled deadline for these updates to be installed. You can see this deadline under the More information header in the Software Center advertisement. If you do not install updates by the listed deadline, they will be automatically installed during the next Maintenance Window. The Maintenance Windows occur every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:30am – 1:30pm.
If you want to see specifically how many or which updates are pending installation, you can click the down arrow next to More information. This will display a list of pending updates.
If you click on the View in Software Center link, you can then see a full list of the pending updates and either install the whole group or install/schedule each individual update.
If you choose to delay updates, you will continue to be prompted with the following screen as you get closer to the deadline for applying changes. As written in the advertisement, your computer may restart before the published deadline if updates that require a computer restart are installed outside of business hours. It is highly recommended that you choose Restart Now if you are prompted with the above advertisement. Otherwise your work may be disrupted when your computer automatically restarts.
MECM Updates & Office
If you have updates pending, that you’ve “snoozed” or scheduled to install outside of your business hours, you may see a notification in the top ribbon while you’re working in Microsoft Office products such as Outlook, Word, or Excel. This notification is letting you know that at least a portion of the updates that are available are for Microsoft Office products.
If you choose to install updates through Software Center, no action is required when you see one of the yellow ribbon advertisements. If you would like to install only the updates for Office, you can click the Update now button. After that, you’ll be prompted to close any open Office programs (see figure below).
Office will close any programs that are still open when you click the Continue button
Once Office updates are installed, you’ll see the following screen indicating that you can re-launch Office programs:
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this process, please submit a ticket to servicedeskaits@uillinois.edu