How Many Types of Windows Updates are There? Microsoft Explains

If you want to know how many types of updates are available for Windows operating system, this article will help you in understanding all different types of Windows updates.

Many times people get confused by the names of Windows updates such as patch Tuesday, optional, security/non-security, out-of-bound, feature updates, A/B/C/D updates, etc.

Recently Microsoft posted a detailed explanation of all types of updates which are released to Windows operating system at official Tech community website.

If you also want to learn about Windows updates terminology and their differences, following information will help you:

Patch Tuesday / Update Tuesday / Monthly Security Updates / B Releases

Most of the Windows users might be aware of these updates. Patch Tuesday or Update Tuesday is an important type of Windows updates which are released on regular basis for Windows devices. Patch Tuesday updates are released on second Tuesday each month at 10:00 AM Pacific Time.

These updates include security updates as well as non-security optional updates. Patch Tuesday updates are also referred as B Release updates, quality updates, security updates and LCU.

Patch Tuesday updates are cumulative and contain both new and all previously released fixes.

Patch Tuesday updates are mandatory and are available through all standard update channels including Windows Update, Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Configuration Manager, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Microsoft Update Catalog.

We also regularly update following exclusive article whenever Microsoft releases new Patch Tuesday updates every month. So bookmark and keep visiting following important article:

Important Security News and Updates

Optional Non-Security Preview Updates / C or D Releases

Non-security preview releases are optional updates which are released in fourth week each month. These updates were previously known as C releases and D releases. These updates are released for advanced users or experts for testing purposes before making them available to public. These updates are not downloaded automatically. Advanced users need to manually install them by clicking on “Check for Updates” button given on Windows Update page.

Related: [Important] If You Click “Check for Updates” Button in Windows 10

These production-quality updates are released ahead of Patch Tuesday updates for the following month.

Optional non-security preview releases are also cumulative and are only offered for the most recent supported versions of Windows.

These updates are listed on Settings -> Windows Update -> Advanced Options -> Optional Updates page. Users can select desired updates from the available updates list and click on “Download and install” button.

Out-of-Band Releases or Emergency Updates

Out-of-band (OOB) releases are very important updates which are provided to fix a recently identified issue or vulnerability. These updates are released in emergency cases such as security vulnerabilities or a quality issue discovered in the OS. Microsoft releases these updates when affected Windows devices should be updated immediately instead of waiting for the next monthly quality update release.

Out-of-band releases are also cumulative meaning that they include the updates from the previous security and/or non-security release, as well as the additional fix.

Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) or Feature Drop Updates for Windows 11

Starting with Windows 11 version 22H2 (2022 Update) operating system, Microsoft has started using a new servicing technology called Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR). With the help of CFR, new features and enhancements are delivered to Windows 11 operating system more frequently and easily.

In past, Microsoft used to release Feature Updates for Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems to bring new features and improvements. These feature updates were very large in size and used to take lots of time and Internet bandwidth in downloading and installation.

On the other hand, Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) is a new servicing technology which helps Microsoft in rolling out new features to Windows 11 in form of a small update similar to monthly cumulative updates.

These feature drop updates are delivered in phased and measured approach. As with other updates, these updates are also introduced in an optional non-security preview release prior to being made available broadly via a monthly security update or via Controlled Feature Rollout (CFR) technology.

Recently Microsoft released 2 feature drop updates Moment 1 and Moment 2 for Windows 11 22H2 using this new CFR technology.

Some Other Popular Windows Updates Terminology

You might have also heard about a few other updates such as critical updates, monthly roll up, etc. Let’s discuss them as well.

Critical updates are similar to out-of-band updates which are released to fix emergency issues.

Monthly rollup is another name for Patch Tuesday updates which are released each month for supported Windows versions.

Service Packs are old thing which were used to release for good old Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 operating systems. Now a new name Feature Update has replaced Service Packs.

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