Microsoft 365 Channel Unification: Changes to Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Patching

Microsoft 365 Channel Unification: Changes to Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel Patching

Microsoft has introduced a change to the Microsoft 365 Apps update model by unifying the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel and the Monthly Enterprise Channel starting with Version 2606.


After Version 2606 is installed, devices that were previously on the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel will begin receiving feature updates every month, similar to the Monthly Enterprise Channel. Microsoft 365 Apps will also display the update channel as Monthly Enterprise Channel instead of Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel.


What This Means for Semi-Annual Channel Devices  

Previously, devices on the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel received feature updates once every six months. With Version 2606, these devices will move to a monthly feature-update cadence.


Organizations that are not ready to move to the monthly update cycle can install Version 2508 instead of Version 2606.


Version

Update behaviour

  Version       2508

Continues with the current Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel experience

    Version 2606

Moves devices to the Monthly Enterprise Channel update cadence

Version 2508 will remain supported only until September 8, 2026.

 

How This Is Handled in ManageEngine Patch Management  

For automatic patching of Microsoft 365 Apps configured on the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel, Version 2508 will be detected as the applicable update.

This allows organizations to temporarily remain on the existing Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel update cycle.

Customers who want to move to Version 2606 and adopt the monthly update cadence can manually deploy the corresponding patch from the Supported Patches view.

Administrators are advised to review their Microsoft 365 update policies and deployment configurations before moving to Version 2606.


August Patch Tuesday Updates  


As part of the August updates, the latest Microsoft 365 version available for devices transitioning to the Monthly Enterprise Channel has been updated to Version 2607.

Version 2607 moves devices from the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel to the Monthly Enterprise Channel update cadence.


The following Version 2607 patches are currently supported in ManageEngine as Deployment-only patches:


Patch ID

Patch Description

45259

Update for Microsoft 365 Apps for Business Semi Annual Channel for x64 2607 of version 20228.20186 (Deployment-Only)

45261

Update for Microsoft 365 Apps for Business Semi Annual Channel for x86 2607 of version 20228.20186 (Deployment-Only)

45263

Update for Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise Semi Annual Channel for x64 2607 of version 20228.20186 (Deployment-Only)

45265

Update for Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise Semi Annual Channel for x86 2607 of version 20228.20186 (Deployment-Only)


Customers who are ready to move to the monthly update cadence can deploy the appropriate Version 2607 patch from the Supported Patches view based on their Microsoft 365 edition and system architecture.

We recommend reviewing your Microsoft 365 update strategy and deployment configurations before moving devices from the Semi-Annual Enterprise Channel to the Monthly Enterprise Channel.



Regards,
The ManageEngine Team

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