Video Companion Guide

When managing Windows updates via Microsoft Intune, administrators often face confusion regarding how different update policies interact. This guide, based on the video tutorial, answers five fundamental architectural questions and provides configuration best practices.

📺 Watch the Full Walkthrough here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stkLD7SW2-s

5 Core Questions Answered

• 1. What is the difference between a Windows Update Ring and a Feature Update Policy?

Update Rings manage the user experience (Patch Tuesday, deferrals, deadlines). Feature Update Policies lock devices into a specific OS version.

• 2. Do we need an Update Ring OR a Feature Update Policy to deploy?

You need both. The Feature Update policy dictates ‘which’ version to install, while the Update Ring dictates ‘how’ (reboots and schedule).

• 3. Can we go with just an Update Ring?

You can, but you lose absolute version targeting. You cannot pin a device to a specific version safely without using a Feature Update Policy.

• 4. Can we use a Feature Update Policy WITHOUT a Windows Update Ring?

No. Without a Ring policy, you lose control over installation deadlines and user notifications. The Ring handles the execution logic.

• 5. What licensing and tenant settings are required?

Windows Enterprise E3/E5 (or equivalent) and Windows Diagnostic Data must be enabled (Required or Optional) for reporting.

Best Practice Configuration Setup

To ensure policies work together without conflict, apply these settings:

1. Update Ring Adjustments

• Feature Update Deferral Period (Days): Set to 0. Deferrals stack and will delay your rollout unintentionally.
• Pause Feature Updates: Set to Disable. Pausing here blocks your Feature Update policy from executing.

2. Feature Update Policy Setup

Policy Option	Action / Recommended Value
Feature update to deploy	Select your target OS version (e.g., Windows 11, 23H2)
Rollout options	Make update available as soon as possible (or phased rollout)

Verification Checklist

• Check Settings -> Update & Security -> View configured update policies on the endpoint.

• Registry Path: HKLM\Software\Microsoft\PolicyManager\current\device\Update