Your 2026 Patch Tuesday Schedule

The next Patch Tuesday is Tuesday, 14 July 2026. Patch Tuesday falls on the second Tuesday of every month, when Microsoft releases its scheduled security updates for Windows and Office. You can find every 2026 date in the schedule below.

Keeping your Windows and Office applications up to date is essential for security and performance. Microsoft releases updates regularly and knowing when they come out can help you plan your maintenance effectively. Here’s everything you need to know about the Patch Tuesday schedule for Windows 10/11 and Microsoft Office 365 in 2026.

What is Patch Tuesday?

Patch Tuesday is Microsoft’s scheduled release day for updates. It happens on the second Tuesday of every month. On this day, Microsoft rolls out security updates, bug fixes, and sometimes new features for Windows and Office products.

2026 Patch Tuesday Dates

Here’s a quick look at the Patch Tuesday dates for each month in 2026:

Windows 10 and Windows 11 Updates

Types of Updates

• Security Updates: Protect your system from vulnerabilities.
• Cumulative Updates: These include all previous updates plus new fixes.
• Feature Updates: Released twice a year, these bring new features and improvements.

Support Lifecycle

• Windows 10: Reached end of support on October 14, 2025. It no longer receives free security updates, though Extended Security Updates (ESU) can be purchased.
• Windows 11: Continues to receive regular updates.

Update Channels

• Semi-Annual Channel: Most users get updates twice a year.
• Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC): For specialised devices, updates are less frequent.

Microsoft Office 365 Updates

Update Channels

• Monthly Enterprise Channel: Gets updates every month on Patch Tuesday.
• Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel: Receives updates twice a year, suitable for those who prefer fewer changes.
• Current Channel: Gets updates as soon as they’re available, ideal for users who want the latest features right away.

Types of Updates

• Security Updates: Fix vulnerabilities to keep your data safe.
• Feature Updates: Add new tools and improve existing ones.
• Quality Updates: Fix bugs and enhance performance.

Best Practices for Managing Updates

• Stay Informed: Keep an eye on Microsoft’s Security Update Guide for the latest information.
• Test Updates: Before updating all your systems, try them out on a few devices to ensure everything works smoothly.
• Automate Where Possible: Use tools like Windows Update for Business or Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager to make the update process easier.
• Backup Your Data: Always have a backup before applying updates to prevent any data loss in case something goes wrong.

Keeping every device patched each month, without disrupting your team, takes time and consistency. If you’d rather not manage it in-house, our managed IT support team can take care of patching and updates for you, so nothing slips through the cracks.