StarLabs Glossary / Managed IT Terms
Patch Management
Keeping every computer and app updated on a schedule, so known security holes get closed.
Patch management is the routine process of finding, testing and installing software updates across a business’s computers, servers and applications. Patches fix security weaknesses and bugs. A managed process makes sure every device gets them on time, problems are caught before they spread, and there is a record of what was installed.
How it works
Software makers release patches when they find flaws. Attackers study those same fixes to learn what to target, so devices that stay unpatched become easier to break into as time passes. Patch management closes that gap in a controlled way:
- Inventory. Know every device and what software it runs. An RMM tool usually does this automatically.
- Review. When updates are released, check which ones apply and whether any are urgent.
- Test. Install on a small group of machines first, such as the IT contact’s laptop, and check that key business apps still work.
- Deploy. Roll out to everyone, ideally after hours, with automatic restarts scheduled.
- Report. Confirm which devices succeeded and chase the ones that failed or were offline.
Windows: Patch Tuesday
Microsoft publishes its monthly security update for Windows on the second Tuesday of each month, typically at 10:00am Pacific Time. In Singapore that lands in the early hours of Wednesday. This regular day is widely called Patch Tuesday. Microsoft can also release urgent fixes outside that schedule when a serious flaw is being actively exploited. Many providers wait a few days after Patch Tuesday before a full rollout, so early problems reported by others can be spotted first, then deploy within the following week or two.
macOS updates
Apple does not follow a fixed monthly day. Updates arrive through System Settings, General, Software Update, where you can also choose whether a Mac downloads and installs updates automatically. For a business, it is safer to manage Mac updates centrally, often through MDM, so you can see which Macs are behind and nudge or require users to restart.
Do not forget third-party apps
Browsers, PDF readers, Zoom, Java and accounting software all need patching too. Network devices such as routers, firewalls and NAS boxes have firmware updates that are easy to forget and often matter most.
What it means for your business
- Ask your provider for a monthly patch report showing which devices are up to date.
- Agree a patch window, such as weeknights after 8pm, so updates do not interrupt work.
- Replace computers that can no longer receive security updates; they cannot be patched.
- Tell staff to restart when asked. Many updates do nothing until the machine restarts.
Common questions
When is Patch Tuesday?
The second Tuesday of every month, when Microsoft publishes its monthly Windows security update, typically at 10:00am Pacific Time. That is early Wednesday morning in Singapore.
Is it safe to turn on automatic updates?
For a very small office, automatic updates are far better than none. As you grow, a managed approach with a short test step and reporting gives you the same protection with fewer surprises.
What if an update breaks something?
That is why patches are tested on a few machines first. If a problem appears, the update can be paused or removed on affected devices while a fix is found.
Not sure every laptop in the office is up to date?
StarLabs managed IT plans include preventive maintenance and update checks.
Sources: Microsoft Learn: Windows quality update release cycle, Apple Support: Update macOS on Mac
Reviewed by the StarLabs technical team · Last checked 18 October 2026
