Elain Brown Tech 09.14.2022 21:Sep PM EDT

Microsoft 365 Releases a New Feature that Auto-Updates Apps on Idle Devices

Microsoft releases a new feature called update under lock.

The new feature will automatically update devices that have Microsoft 365 products on them.

The tech company has launched a feature that will install the latest pending update to Microsoft 365 applications while a computer is in idle mode or locked mode, regardless of whether the apps themselves are active or not.

According to BleepingComputer, the new feature utilizing the Click-To-Run distribution technology is utilized by the new function on the device, which in turn makes the process of updating both quicker and more safe and efficient.

With the update under locker feature, some users may experience fewer notifications regarding updates to Microsoft 365 since Office applications will now automatically update regardless of the inactive state of their device.

Microsoft 365 Update: How Does it Work?

Microsoft's new feature under the lock is designed to optimize the workflow.

It assists users in achieving compliance within their allotted time frames without causing any disruption to the users on their internal networks.

Applications that are part of The Microsoft 365 apps will no longer send notifications that distract its users with upgrades.

It also has the potential to lessen the need for sudden forced upgrades, which improves the reliability of updates by preserving the state of the program before it is closed. Microsoft estimates that this procedure requires around four seconds to complete.

If it has been detected that there are Office apps running, the update under lock will attempt to close them only when it is absolutely necessary to do so, after which it will install the pending update and reopen any previously closed applications in their original state.

The practice of people keeping apps open for extended periods of time on their devices is quite popular.

Previously, Microsoft could not apply updates when users keep their documents open in this manner, which prohibits Office from doing so.

However, with this new feature, the user will return to a system in the same state as it was before using this function, but it will be operating with the most recent bits.

Microsoft 365 Update Under Lock

Microsoft is aware that some users are annoyed with forced software updates. In some cases, some users take a long time to update their systems.

However, with this update, it eliminates all the disruption and the long time it takes to keep the apps in their most recent versions. Now, users can install updates even if their devices are locked or in idle mode even if the apps are running.

This feature will be made available to Windows devices with product subscriptions to Microsoft 365, Project, and Visio. Retail customers with Microsoft Office 2021, 2019, and 2016 will also be able to utilize this feature.

According to Microsoft, these devices will also be able to use the feature:

Current Channel: Version 2109 or later
Monthly Enterprise Channel: Version 2112 or later
Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel (Preview): Version 2202 or later
Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel: Version 2202 or later

When it is not secure to do so, applications will not close down. For instance, whether there are unsaved modifications or macros that are currently being executed. Even if apps cannot exit in a secure manner, updates will be installed as usual.