Recommended use

Provide your users with new Microsoft 365 Apps features as soon as they're ready, but on no set schedule.

Provide your users with new Microsoft 365 Apps features only once a month and on a predictable schedule.

For non-interactive devices and those running specialized or business-critical workloads that require extensive testing before new Microsoft 365 Apps features are implemented. Suitable for select devices performing automated tasks where end-users aren't present, ensuring compliance with regulatory and organizational standards.

Release frequency¹

At least once a month (likely more often), but on no set schedule

Once a month, on the second Tuesday of the month

Once a month, on the second Tuesday of the month

Feature updates²

As soon as they're ready (once a month), but on no set schedule

Once a month, on the second Tuesday of the month

Twice a year (in January and July), on the second Tuesday of the month

Security updates³

Once a month, on the second Tuesday of the month (if needed)

Once a month, on the second Tuesday of the month (if needed)

Once a month, on the second Tuesday of the month (if needed)

Non-security updates²

Usually at least once a month (possibly more often), but no set schedule (if needed)

Once a month, on the second Tuesday of the month (if needed)

Once a month, on the second Tuesday of the month (if needed)

Support duration for a given version⁴

Until the next version is released with new features, which is usually about one month

Two months

Eight months (Beginning July 2025; previously fourteen months)

Rollback support⁵

Not applicable

Two months (Beginning July 2025; previously one month)

Two months (Beginning July 2025)

Update Automatically
Auto-Update

Devices update directly from Office CDN based on initial deployment channel.

Small/agile orgs with minimal IT overhead; Remote-first workforce; Low compliance needs

Zero infrastructure; Always up-to-date; Simple to implement

No rollout control; No rollback; Limited compliance visibility

We do not want it

Manage Updates with Intune

Intune policies define update rings, deferral periods, compliance checks.

Hybrid environments (Office 2021 + M365 Apps); Compliance-driven industries; Transition phase

Granular device-level control; Compliance enforcement; Unified OS + app mgmt

Limited rollback; Requires policy setup and testing

Limit to Office 2021 LTSC, or incident limited to small perimeter

Cloud Update (M365 Admin Center)

Centralized governance for update waves, pause windows, rollback scenarios.

Cloud-first orgs with full M365 Apps adoption; Global enterprises; Predictable cadence needed

Most comprehensive governance; Rollback capability; Visual compliance dashboards

Requires full M365 Apps adoption; Extra admin configuration

For all M365 applications : Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams (desktop client)

, OneNote, Access*, Publisher* (*additional subscriptions)

Cloud Update does not manage: Perpetual versions like Office 2021.