How do I make sure that my WorkSpaces have the latest Windows updates and patches?

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View the installed updates

By default, WorkSpaces performs Windows updates and patches. Each WorkSpace receives updates from Windows Update. To verify that your Windows WorkSpace is up to date, view the installed updates on your system. For instructions, see How do I see installed updates? on the Windows Update: FAQ page on the Microsoft website.

Check your maintenance window

During the maintenance window, the WorkSpace installs updates and reboots as necessary. If the OS update server isn't available, then your Windows updates aren't applied to the WorkSpace. To resolve this issue, manually install Windows updates.

For AlwaysOn WorkSpaces, updates occur between 00:00 and 04:00 on Sundays in the WorkSpace's local time zone.

By default, AutoStop WorkSpaces updates occur on the third Monday of each month. The maintenance window opens daily from 00:00 to 05:00 in the AWS Region's time zone.

To configure a different maintenance window, see Configure Group Policy Settings for automatic updates on the Microsoft website.

Set up self-managed updates

To manually install Windows updates, use Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or Configuration Manager. To use WSUS, see Deploy Windows Server Update Services on the Microsoft website. To use Configuration Manager, see Deploy software updates on the Microsoft website.

For AutoStop WorkSpaces, you must turn off the maintenance mode and start the AutoStop WorkSpace when you manually implement the updates.

Note: If you turn off maintenance mode, then your AutoStop WorkSpaces don't reboot and don't enter the Maintenance state. You must also increase the AutoStop Time duration to allow updates to complete during the specified maintenance window. It's a best practice to set the AutoStop Time duration to 2-3 hours.

When you perform Windows updates and maintenance, it's a best practice to change your WorkSpaces state to Maintenance. After you finish the updates, change the state of the WorkSpace state back to Available.

Related information

Configuring Automatic Updates by editing the registry on the Microsoft website

Maintenance in WorkSpaces Personal

Switching running mode for a WorkSpace