Discover how Cloud Update streamlines currency, security, and feature parity for admins—with game-changing features and what’s coming next
The wait is over: the Cloud Update feature is now generally available (GA) in the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center, ushering in a new era for update management. Designed to simplify and modernize how organizations handle Microsoft 365 Apps updates, Cloud Update is already making waves with its ease of use and impressive results in keeping environments current and secure.
Streamlining Update Management: Why Cloud Update Stands Out
One of the perennial challenges for IT admins is maintaining a high update currency rate—making sure that as many devices as possible are running the latest, most secure, and feature-rich versions of Microsoft 365 Apps. Cloud Update sets a new standard here, enabling organizations to achieve higher currency rates than legacy management solutions. This not only bolsters security posture but also accelerates the delivery of new features to users, minimizing the risk of feature disparities across the organization. Ultimately, this means less confusion, fewer support calls, and a more consistent user experience for everyone.
Cloud Update: Simplicity Meets Power
Cloud Update is engineered for organizations of all sizes, offering advanced compatibility controls for larger enterprises while maintaining accessible, streamlined settings for smaller businesses. The solution harnesses the power of the cloud to automate much of the update process, making it easier for IT teams to manage monthly updates and ensure Copilot readiness with minimal administrative overhead. Whether you’re overseeing a handful of devices or an environment with tens of thousands, Cloud Update adapts to your needs and scales effortlessly.
Key Features at a Glance
- Pause: Temporarily stop all update deployments for the Monthly Enterprise Channel profile. If a new update introduces compatibility concerns, admins can pause rollouts, giving time to address issues before resuming updates.
- Rollback: Quickly revert devices on the Monthly Enterprise Channel to either of the previous monthly version if issues arise. Devices remain on the rolled-back version until the next scheduled update, providing a critical safety net while maintaining update momentum in unaffected areas.
- Exclusion Windows: Avoid disruptions during critical business periods—like tax season—by specifying exclusion windows in which updates are deferred. These windows can be targeted to specific groups or devices, ensuring that business continuity is preserved during peak times.
- Rollout Waves: Customize your update deployment schedule by assigning devices to different rollout waves. Early adopters can receive updates first for testing and feedback, followed by broader organizational deployment. Rollout waves help reduce network congestion and allow for staged validation of updates, with built-in thresholds to prevent overwhelming your environment.
Keeping Environments Secure and Feature-Rich
With Cloud Update, admins get access to a rich dashboard in the Microsoft 365 Apps admin center, providing at-a-glance insights into update progress, channel status, and any reported issues. Cloud Update prioritizes compliance and health reporting, and it integrates with audit solutions such as Microsoft Purview for full traceability of actions and changes.
A Glimpse into the Future: Upcoming Features
Microsoft is committed to continuous innovation for Cloud Update. On the horizon are new capabilities that further empower IT teams, including:
- Rollback by Group: Target rollbacks to specific Microsoft Entra groups, providing granular control when only certain departments or device types are affected by an update issue.
- Rollback by Build: Select specific builds for rollback, offering even more flexibility in managing update lifecycles and responses.
- Full Support for Channel Change: Seamlessly move devices between supported update channels, with robust management controls to ensure devices receive updates on the right cadence.
Stay tuned as these enhancements roll out, further strengthening Cloud Update’s position as the recommended, modern solution for Microsoft 365 Apps update management. For more details and the latest documentation, visit the official Microsoft 365 Apps admin center resources.
Want to Learn More?
To get started or dive deeper into setup, requirements, and troubleshooting, check out the following resources:
Cloud Update is here to make update management simpler, smarter, and safer. Don’t miss the opportunity to modernize your environment and deliver the latest Microsoft 365 Apps features to your users faster and with greater confidence.
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