Patch classification meaning

Last Modified

Fri Jun 22 03:12 GMT 2018

Description

This article provides brief information on update classifications from Microsoft.

Environment

All N-able N-central versions

Solution

Update classifications

Update classifications represent the type of update. For any given product or product family, updates could be available among multiple update classifications (for example, Critical updates and Security updates for Windows Server 2008 R2). The following table lists the update classifications.

Update ClassificationDescription

Critical updates

Broadly released fixes for specific problems addressing critical, non-security related bugs.

Definition updates

Updates to virus or other definition files.

Drivers

Software components designed to support new hardware.

Feature packs

New feature releases, usually rolled into products at the next release.

Security updates

Broadly released fixes for specific products, addressing security issues.

Service packs

Cumulative sets of all hotfixes, security updates, critical updates, and updates created since the release of the product. Service packs might also contain a limited number of customer-requested design changes or features.

Tools

Utilities or features that aid in accomplishing a task or set of tasks.

Update rollups

Cumulative set of hotfixes, security updates, critical updates, and updates packaged together for easy deployment. A rollup generally targets a specific area, such as security, or a specific component, such as Internet Information Services (IIS).

Updates

Broadly released fixes for specific problems addressing non-critical, non-security related bugs.

NOTE: All patch classification are for Windows and 3rd party Softwares