Windows Updates: Why Your Settings Look Different with VeritGuard

VeritGuard Knowledge Base | Updates & Patch Management

In This Article

1. Why Your Windows Update Screen Looks Different
2. What "Some Updates Are Managed by Your Organization" Means
3. Why Automatic Updates Appear Greyed Out
4. How Verito Manages Your Updates Instead
5. What Gets Updated and When
6. Why Centralized Patching Is Safer
7. Frequently Asked Questions

Why Your Windows Update Screen Looks Different

If you've opened Windows Update settings recently and noticed things look a bit different from what you're used to, don't worry. Nothing is broken. As part of VeritGuard's managed IT service, Verito's team handles Windows updates centrally across all of your devices. This means your computer's update settings have been configured to follow a managed schedule rather than updating on its own whenever Microsoft releases something new.

You might see unfamiliar messages or greyed-out options in your Windows Update settings. Both are completely normal and expected when your devices are professionally managed. This article walks through what you're seeing and why it's actually a good thing for your firm.

What "Some Updates Are Managed by Your Organization" Means

When you open Settings > Windows Update, you may see a yellow or blue banner that says:

This message appears because Verito uses a RMM tool to manage patches and updates across all client devices. The RMM applies policies to your computer that tell Windows, "Hey, we'll handle the updates from here." Windows recognizes that an outside management tool is in control, so it displays that banner to let you know.

In short: the "organization" managing your updates is Verito, through VeritGuard. This is normal, expected, and exactly how it should look on a managed device.

Why Automatic Updates Appear Greyed Out

You may also notice that the option to turn automatic updates on or off is greyed out and can't be changed. This is intentional.

VeritGuard disables Windows' built-in automatic updates so that patches can be tested first and then deployed on a controlled schedule. Without this, Windows would download and install updates whenever Microsoft pushes them out, which can lead to:

• Unexpected restarts in the middle of your workday
• Updates that conflict with your tax or accounting software
• Long boot times when your computer decides to "configure updates" right when you need it
• Broken drivers or features from untested patches

By taking control of the update process, Verito's team makes sure every patch is vetted before it reaches your machine. The greyed-out toggle is the mechanism that prevents Windows from going rogue and installing something that hasn't been approved yet.

How Verito Manages Your Updates Instead

Instead of letting each computer update itself, Verito uses its RMM's patch management system to handle updates across all client devices. Here's how it works:

1. Microsoft releases updates -- New patches, security fixes, and feature updates are published by Microsoft on a regular cycle (typically the second Tuesday of each month, known as "Patch Tuesday").
2. Verito's team reviews and tests -- Before anything gets pushed to your devices, the team reviews the updates for known issues. Critical patches, especially those that affect tax and accounting software compatibility, are tested in a controlled environment first.
3. Patches are staged and approved -- Once tested, approved patches are queued for deployment. They are grouped by priority: security-critical patches go out fastest, while less urgent updates follow on a regular schedule.
4. Deployment to your devices -- The RMM pushes the approved updates to all managed devices during a maintenance window (typically outside of peak business hours). Your computer installs them in the background with minimal disruption.
5. Verification -- After deployment, the system confirms that patches were applied successfully. If anything fails, Verito's team is alerted and can follow up.

What Gets Updated and When

Not all updates are treated equally. Here's the general schedule for how different types of patches are handled:

Why Centralized Patching Is Safer

You might wonder why Verito doesn't just let Windows handle updates the way it normally does. The reason comes down to risk. When Windows updates itself automatically, there is no quality check before the patch hits your machine. For a typical home user, that's usually fine. For a CPA firm running tax software, client databases, and handling sensitive financial data, an untested update can cause real problems:

• Tax software compatibility -- A Windows update could break how Drake, Lacerte, QuickBooks, or other tax applications behave. Verito tests patches against these tools before rolling them out.
• Unexpected restarts -- Nothing is worse than your computer restarting in the middle of preparing a return or while a client is on the line. Managed patching avoids surprise reboots.
• Consistency across your firm -- When all devices are on the same patch level, troubleshooting is simpler and security gaps are easier to close. Auto-updates can leave some machines ahead of others, creating inconsistencies.
• Compliance requirements -- IRS Publication 4557 and the FTC Safeguards Rule both expect firms to maintain their systems with documented patch management. Centralized patching through VeritGuard gives you that documentation automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I manually run Windows Update on my computer?

No, and we recommend against trying to work around the managed settings. Manually triggering Windows Update could install patches that haven't been tested yet, potentially conflicting with managed patches that are already scheduled. If your device is enrolled in VeritGuard, updates are handled for you. Let the system do its job.

Q: What if I need a specific update installed urgently?

Contact Verito support and let them know which update you need and why. The team can prioritize a specific patch and push it to your device outside the regular schedule if the situation calls for it. This is much safer than installing it yourself, because the team can verify compatibility before deploying.

Q: Will my computer still be protected if automatic updates are off?

Yes. Your computer is actually better protected this way. Critical security patches are deployed within 48-72 hours through Verito's managed process, which is typically faster than waiting for Windows' automatic update cycle to pick them up. On top of that, select VeritGuard plans includes endpoint detection, SOC monitoring, endpoint backup, and other security layers that protect you between patches.

Q: What about Microsoft Office updates?

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and the rest of Microsoft 365) is also managed centrally through the same patch management system. Office updates follow the regular weekly cycle and are tested before deployment, just like Windows updates. You don't need to check for or install Office updates manually.

Q: I saw a notification that updates are available but haven't installed. Is that a problem?

No. Windows may still show notifications about available updates even when managed patching is in place. These updates are in the queue and will be deployed on schedule after testing. You can safely ignore these notifications.

Need help or have a question about your updates? Contact Verito support at itsupport@verito.com or call 844-629-9899.