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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →For recurring Windows quality updates, configure an Intune update ring: set its quality-update deferral, enable deadline settings, and choose the quality-update deadline, grace period, and restart behavior. Use a separate quality-update expedite policy only when a specific urgent update must bypass the normal schedule.
Use an update ring for routine quality updates
Update rings are Intune’s main control surface for recurring Windows quality-update deployment, including deferral, deadlines, restart behavior, active hours, and notifications. See Microsoft’s Windows update ring settings reference.
Set the deferral period
In the update ring, configure Quality update deferral period (days) to delay when the update is offered. The setting reference lists a range of 0–30 days. The deadline calculation is based on when a client’s scan initially discovers the update, rather than simply counting from the publishing date.
Enable and set the deadline
Under User experience, set Use deadline settings to Allow, then configure Deadline for quality updates. Microsoft’s Intune setting reference lists a 2–30 day range for this field. The deadline sets the required installation timing; it is not the same as the post-install restart grace period.
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Set grace and automatic restart behavior
Grace period gives users time to restart after installation completes and a restart is pending. Intune lists a 0–7 day range. Set Auto reboot before deadline to Yes to let Windows look for a less disruptive restart time, such as outside active hours. With this set to No, restart can be delayed until the deadline and grace period have expired, potentially forcing a restart during active hours. Microsoft describes these controls in its update ring settings reference.
Configure active hours and notifications as well: these shape the user experience and opportunities to restart before enforcement, but they do not prevent a forced restart when the effective deadline is reached.
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Understand the two deadline clocks
The deadline and grace period begin at different events. The deadline clock starts when the device’s scan first discovers the update; the grace clock starts after installation completes and the device is waiting for a restart. Microsoft explains this behavior in its Windows Update compliance deadline guidance.
- Deadline: scan discovery plus the configured quality-update deadline.
- Grace period: restart-required time plus the configured grace period.
The effective deadline is the later of those two calculated points. Users can restart earlier, and Windows can attempt a restart outside active hours. Once the effective deadline arrives, Windows can force the restart regardless of active hours.
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What happens to other update settings
When deadline policies apply, updates download and install as soon as they are offered. Deadline policy can supersede download, installation, and restart settings configured through Configure Automatic Updates. For Windows 11 version 22H2 and later, clients updated on or after December 10, 2024, respect Configure Automatic Updates before the deadline; after the deadline passes, that setting is ignored. See Microsoft’s deadline behavior documentation.
Balance Microsoft’s recommended values with the Intune range
Microsoft’s Windows update policy guidance recommends a 1-day quality-update deadline and a 2-day grace period, and advises keeping deferral + deadline + grace to no more than 7 days. Its exact guidance says: “Therefore, don’t use more than 7 days between the quality update publishing date and update completion (calculated by deferral + deadline + grace period).” These recommendations appear in Microsoft’s Windows Update policy guidance.
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There is a notable range discrepancy: the Intune update-ring reference lists a 2-day minimum for the quality-update deadline, while Microsoft’s general guidance recommends 1 day. Treat the recommendation and the portal’s available range as distinct guidance. Check the actual options in your tenant and verify client behavior before standardizing a value.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Use an expedite policy for an urgent selected update
An Intune quality-update expedite policy is for a specific urgent update, such as a critical security fix that should not wait for the routine ring schedule. It targets one selected update per policy and overrides deferral for that update. Its restart deadline is configured separately, from 0 to 2 days. Microsoft says expedite is not recommended for ordinary monthly servicing; use update rings for routine deployment. See Microsoft’s expedite update guidance.
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| Deployment approach | Best suited to | Deferral behavior | Restart control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Update ring | Routine, recurring, phased quality-update servicing | Uses the ring’s quality-update deferral setting | Ring deadline, grace period, active hours, and restart settings |
| Expedite policy | Urgent remediation for one selected update | Overrides deferral for the targeted update | Separate 0–2 day restart deadline |
A zero-day expedite restart deadline leaves users little time to save work; one or two days allows more flexibility. The update’s start time can also depend on connectivity, scan timing, Microsoft service processing, and the device’s state.
Check connectivity and tenant eligibility before rollout
- A device without internet access may be unable to determine when Microsoft published an update, which can prevent deadline enforcement from working as intended.
- Windows Update scans and connectivity affect how quickly an expedited update begins.
- Microsoft’s policy behavior and listed setting ranges do not establish every SKU- or build-specific prerequisite, or the licensing of every tenant capability. Check the live Intune portal and Microsoft’s current eligibility documentation for the devices and tenant you plan to manage.
For routine servicing, configure and validate the ring settings first. Reserve expedite policies for selected urgent updates whose risk justifies an accelerated installation and restart window.
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