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Microsoft Windows updates are installed at regular intervals on all OIT-managed computers to keep them secure and functioning at full capacity.

Faculty and Staff Install Schedule

Windows updates are installed every Monday at 3:00 a.m. If no user is logged into the computer when updates are installed, the computer will reboot automatically.

Other Install Schedules

While the faculty/staff schedule is used for the majority of workstations, there are some exceptions. Labs and classrooms install updates (usually once per month) on Thursdays at 1:30 am. There is also a group of users who install updates at 4 pm the same day that they are released from the vendor.

User Impact

While the update schedule is designed to minimize impact on users, if a user is logged in when the updates are installed or if the computer cannot be woken, there may be some user impact.

Reboot Counter

A reboot counter indicates that updates have successfully been installed but a reboot is needed to complete the process. The reboot counter counts down for 21 hours unless your department has requested a custom reboot countdown. Reboot counters are not able to be hidden and are displayed to remind users to either restart the computer or save their files before leaving for the day. If the computer is not rebooted within this time frame, it will reboot automatically.

Scenarios

• Computer is Successfully Woken at 3:00 am
  • User is logged in: The updates are installed and a reboot counter of 21 hours begins.
  • User is not logged in: The updates are installed and the computer reboots immediately.

• Computer Cannot Be Woken
  If the computer cannot be woken, the updates are installed shortly after the computer is turned on.
  • User is logged in: The updates are installed and a reboot counter of 21 hours begins.
  • User is not logged in: The updates are installed and the computer reboots.