Feature Updates & Driver Management
Understanding the Concept
Feature update policies in Intune control which Windows version devices run. Unlike update rings that defer updates, feature update policies specify the exact target version (e.g., Windows 11 23H2). Devices won't upgrade beyond the specified version until the policy is updated.
Driver and firmware updates can now be managed through Windows Update for Business in Intune. Driver update policies allow administrators to approve, pause, or decline driver updates for specific hardware. This prevents problematic driver updates from deploying automatically.
Windows Update reports in Intune provide visibility into update compliance: which devices are up-to-date, pending updates, failed updates, and update ring compliance. Reports help identify devices that need attention.
Key Points
- Feature update policies lock devices to a specific Windows version
- Prevents unplanned feature update upgrades
- Driver update policies control firmware and driver delivery
- Approve, pause, or decline specific driver updates
- Windows Update reports track compliance across the fleet
- Safeguard holds automatically delay known-issue updates
Why This Matters in Real Organizations
Feature update management prevents surprise Windows upgrades that can break applications. Driver management prevents problematic driver updates from causing blue screens and hardware issues across the organization.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Interview Tips
- Explain feature update management strategy
- Discuss driver update control and its importance
- Describe how you monitor update compliance
Exam Tips (MD-102)
- Know feature update policy vs update ring differences
- Understand driver update management capabilities
- Be familiar with Windows Update compliance reports
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