You will soon be able to automatically deploy optional Windows updates and/or enable users in your organization to get them on Windows 10 just like on Windows 11! This policy will be available for Windows Update for Business customers as part of the November 2023 optional update.
Optional updates are part of regular device maintenance, including non-security updates (see Windows monthly updates explained). With the “Enable optional updates” policy, you can control the timing and the specifics of different types of optional updates. If you enable this policy, you can select how optional updates are made available to users within your organization.
Options include:
- Automatically receive optional updates (including CFRs). Select this option for devices to get the latest optional non-security updates, including gradual feature rollouts. There is no change to feature update offering.
- Automatically receive optional updates. Select this option for devices to only get the latest optional non-security updates. They won’t automatically receive gradual feature rollouts. There is no change to feature update offering.
- Users can select what optional updates to receive. Select this option to allow users to set their own preferences with respect to optional non-security updates. There is no change to feature update offering.
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Note: All optional quality updates respect your configured quality update policies including deferral settings. |
Devices should see no changes unless this policy is set.
This policy can be configured as either a Group Policy Object (GPO) or as a Configuration Service Provider (CSP) policy:
- Group Policy: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Update\Windows Update for Business\Enable optional updates
- Configuration Service Provider (CSP) Policy: /Policy/Config/Update/AllowOptionalContent
Learn more about this policy at Configure Windows Update for Business: Enable optional updates.
Empower your users
Just as with Windows 11, until you configure this policy, there’s nothing for your users to do. If you decide to enable users to choose whether or not they want optional content, please remind them that they have two ways to do so:
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > View optional updates. Select the type of optional non-security updates to get.
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Enable the toggle Get the latest updates as soon as they’re available. Note: This will require a restart of the device.
Users that opt to do nothing will eventually receive the fixes and features in the optional updates as part of the following security or feature update. No matter which option they choose, be assured that your users’ devices will continue to get regular security updates per your configured policies.
Start controlling optional updates in Windows today
We’re committed to bringing you the best experiences year-round through proven and controllable mechanisms. As you steadily transition to Windows 11, please prepare your users to experience early fixes and continuous innovation on their eligible Windows 10 devices. Get started here:
- Configure Windows Update for Business: Enable optional updates
- Enable and control optional updates for your organization
- Commercial control for continuous innovation (Windows 11)
- Delivering continuous innovation in Windows 11
- Get Windows updates as soon as they're available for your device
- Configure Windows Update for Business
- Configure Windows Update for Business via Group Policy
Continue the conversation. Find best practices. Bookmark the Windows Tech Community, then follow us @MSWindowsITPro on X/Twitter. Looking for support? Visit Windows on Microsoft Q&A.
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