Apply security updates at least monthly, and apply urgent fixes for actively exploited problems within days. A regular, predictable rhythm matters more than chasing every update the moment it appears.
Why a schedule works
Windows security updates are released on a monthly cycle, on the second Tuesday of each month, and most other major software vendors publish fixes regularly. A schedule that follows that cycle lets you test briefly, roll out in a known window and confirm every machine actually installed the update.
Don’t forget the rest
Browsers, PDF readers, office suites, router firmware and line-of-business apps need updating too. Many incidents come from these rather than the operating system.
Check, don’t assume
Automatic updates fail quietly more often than people expect: a laptop that is rarely restarted, a full disk, a paused setting. Reporting on which devices are behind is what turns patching from a hope into a process.
Patching is built into our managed IT services. For a place to start, read our guide to building a small business IT inventory.