Skilling snack: Windows compliance reports and analytics

[David_Guyer]

One of the most important questions asked is, “How many of our devices are up to date?” This question is one you can easily answer using Microsoft Intune, Windows Autopatch, or Windows Update for Business reports. Learn more about the tools and reports you can use to identify exactly which devices are up to date, which might need attention, and other insights.

Feel free to choose the resources best suited to your needs and interests.

Time to learn: 126 minutes

WATCH​ The latest on managing Windows updates in Microsoft Intune For a broader overview of Windows updates in Microsoft Intune, walk through built-in functionalities, including the Windows update distribution report for all your Intune enrolled devices. And learn more about this report in the resources below. (30 mins) Intune + Quality updates + Drivers + Windows 11 + Windows 10 + Policies

READ​ Use Windows Update for Business reports for Windows Updates in Microsoft Intune If you use policies to update your Windows 10/11 devices, there are reports for them! Get a summary of update success, in-progress updates, device update status, and failure alerts along with remediation recommendations. Most importantly, learn about the Windows update distribution report and Windows Update for Business (WUfB) reports. The last two are what you need to know which devices are up to date. Find more information in the resources below. (36 mins) Intune + Policies + Rings + WUfB reports + Quality + Feature + Device + Azure

Windows update distribution report in Microsoft Intune​ If you use Microsoft Intune, start with the Windows update distribution report, also known as the Quality update distribution report. This report provides status for all devices enrolled in Microsoft Intune, regardless of whether they are assigned to any update policies. Windows update distribution report (the latest on managing Windows updates in Microsoft Intune) (5 mins) Starting at the 14:50 minute mark, learn about the Windows update distribution report in Intune. Watch the 5-minute demo to walk through the interface, the structure, and the details available in the report. Windows update distribution report (6 mins) Among the more comprehensive documentation on reports, read the section on the Windows update distribution report. How many and what devices are on each Windows feature version and quality update? Get the high-level summary and drill down with this Microsoft Intune report. Intune + Rings + Co-management + Feature version + Device version + Update type + Device activity

Windows quality update reports in Windows Autopatch​ Windows Autopatch provides additional insights, such as a historical view of updates. Here are four useful tips about reporting to try. Generate reports from Windows Autopatch (2 mins) Getting started with Windows Autopatch reports? We recommend starting with this short demo of how you can generate update status and update history reports. Windows quality update summary dashboard (2 mins) Want a comprehensive overview of the current update status for all devices managed by Windows Autopatch? Learn how to generate and interpret the Summary dashboard in this quick guide. Quality update status report (6 mins) For a per-device view of the current update status for your devices, explore Windows Autopatch > Windows quality updates > Reports > Quality update status. You’ll find device-specific information, including build numbers, readiness status, and alerts included in this report. Quality update trending report (1 min) This report graphs trends over the last 90 days. Learn about the historical trends by update status or deployment ring. Autopatch + Update + Status + Ring + History + Build + Alerts

Windows Update for Business reports tools​ If you want to query the data or build custom dashboards, access the same data using Windows Update for Business reports. See for yourself. Use the workbook for Windows Update for Business reports (16 mins) If you’re new to Windows Update for Business reports, start here. This documentation walks you through what’s inside, how to understand it, and how to customize and use various reports. Get the most out of expedited Windows quality updates (13 mins) Whenever you expedite Windows security or non-security updates, you’ll get a failure report. Use it to troubleshoot and remediate common issues marked as alerts. This article introduces you to common alerts, resolutions, and best practices. Tailor Windows Update for Business reports with Power BI (9 mins) Use the Power BI integration in Windows Update for Business reports to create custom visualizations. Better understand the device landscape, identify trends, issues, and areas for improvement. Walk through the visualizations of the Windows 11 migration scenario and update deployment monitoring. Let us show you how to turn these reports into actionable insights. WUfB + Azure + Quality + Feature + Driver + DO + Update state + Power BI + Alerts + Resolution

Which tool, or tools, best fit your needs? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Check out related resources to keep building your skills:

• Skilling snack: Windows Update for Business reports
• Skilling snack: Windows Autopatch
• Automate updates with Windows Autopatch - Tackling Tech
• Skilling snack: Managing Windows 11 updates

We’re turning our beloved skilling snacks into a monthly series! With our library of 45 learning bites, we invite you to review what you’ve missed and come back once a month to keep your skills sharp and memory fresh.

---

Continue the conversation. Find best practices. Bookmark the Windows Tech Community, then follow us @MSWindowsITPro on X and on LinkedIn. Looking for support? Visit Windows on Microsoft Q&A.

Continue reading...