How to schedule reboots without disrupting users during patching

Key Points
Need to schedule reboots: Explains why uncontrolled reboots during patching can interrupt users and affect productivity.
How Patch Manager Plus handles reboot scheduling: Describes how deployment policies define reboot timing and user friendly reboot behavior.
Quick Setup: Shows how to configure deployment policies and automated patch deployments to control pre and post patch reboots.

Introduction

Reboots are often required to complete patch installation, but unexpected restarts during working hours can disrupt users and business operations. Scheduling reboots correctly ensures patches are applied while giving users adequate time and control.

How Patch Manager Plus handles reboot scheduling

Patch Manager Plus manages reboot behavior through deployment policies. These policies allow administrators to define pre deployment and post deployment reboot actions, user notifications, and scheduling windows so patching completes without interrupting active users.

Quick Setup

The following steps explain how to schedule reboots in Patch Manager Plus so patching completes smoothly without disrupting users.

Step 1: Configure a deployment policy with controlled reboot behavior

1. Navigate to Deployment → Deployment Policies → Patch Database Settings
2. Create a new deployment policy or edit an existing one used for patch deployments.
3. Under Pre-Deployment Activities, review the Deployment Reboot option and enable it only if systems must be restarted in advance to clear pending reboot states.
4. Under Post-Deployment Activities, configure the Post Reboot/Shutdown option to control how devices complete patch installation after deployment.
5. Ensure reboot actions are aligned with a defined maintenance window to avoid user disruption.
6. Save the deployment policy after confirming all reboot related settings.

More information on deployment policy options is available here: Deployment Policy.

Step 2: Apply the deployment policy to scheduled patch deployments

1. Navigate to Deployment → Automate Patch Deployment.
2. Create a new Automated Patch Deployment task or edit an existing one.
3. Select the deployment policy that includes the configured pre deployment and post deployment reboot settings.
4. Schedule the task to run during non business hours to minimize user impact.

Step 3: Enable automated patching with controlled reboots

1. Review the Automated Patch Deployment task to ensure the correct deployment policy is assigned.
2. Confirm target devices are selected appropriately so reboot behavior applies only to intended systems.
3. Save and enable the task to begin patching with controlled reboot scheduling.

Automated task configuration details are available here: Automate Patch Deployment.

Start your 30-day free trial and manage unlimited endpoints — patched and protected!