# Patch Self-Service Portal
**Last Updated On**: 14 Jul 2026
**9 minutes read**
In large organizations, patching critical machines and servers is essential, but limited maintenance windows can cause downtime and productivity loss. The Self Service Portal simplifies patch deployment by allowing admins to publish updates for users and server owners to install as needed. For servers, where uptime is crucial, IT admins can deploy patches during scheduled downtime via the portal, reducing disruptions.
In medical institutions with critical machines like CT and MRI scanners, patching is challenging due to the need for continuous operation. An efficient approach is to let technicians manage patching through the Self Service Portal. Patches are published directly to portals of these machines, and technicians can schedule downtime during off-hours to deploy them, ensuring timely updates while minimizing disruption to patient care and daily operations.
**Applies to:**
- Windows
- Linux
## Publishing patches to Self Service Portal
Admins can publish the patches to Self Service Portal on the Vulnerability Manager Plus server by **Manual Deployment** or **Automate Patch Deployment** based on the organization's needs. The published patches are then listed on the Self Service Portal in the Vulnerability Manager Plus agent tray. Users and server owners can then decide to patch their machines based on their requirements.
### Manual Deployment
To publish patches to Self Service Portal using Manual Deployment, click on **Threats & Patches → Patches → Missing Patches**. In the Missing Patches tab, select the patches you want to deploy and click on **Install/Publish Patches**. You will be redirected to the **Install/Uninstall Patch** window.
In this window under **Deployment Option** in **Deployment Settings**, select **Publish to Self Service Portal (SSP)**.
Choose the other configurations as per your choice and click on **Deploy**. These selected patches will now be published to the Self Service Portal.
To learn more about manual deployments, refer to [this page](https://www.manageengine.com/vulnerability-management/help/patch-management/manual-deployment.html).
### Automate Patch Deployment
When you are creating an Automate Patch Deployment (APD) task, under the **Select Applications** section, after selecting the applications based on updates and severities, click on **Next**.
In **Choose Deployment Option** settings, under **Deployment Option**, choose **Publish to Self Service Portal (SSP)**. Click on **Next**, configure the other options, define targets, and finish creating your APD task. The approved patches for the selected applications will be published to the Self Service Portal automatically.
To learn more about creating automated patch deployments, refer to [this page](https://www.manageengine.com/vulnerability-management/help/patch-management/apd.html).
**Note:** Self Service Portal is currently available for Windows and Linux.
## Accessing the Self Service Portal on Windows systems
- Go to **Admin tab → SoM Settings → Agent Settings → Agent Tray Icon**.
- Enable **Show Agent Icon** in the System Tray.
- Make sure **Show Self Service Portal Menu** is enabled.
- Click on **Save Changes**.
### Accessing the Agent Tray Icon
- Navigate to the system tray to locate the agent tray icon.
- Right-click on the icon and select the **Self Service Portal** option from the menu.
You can also access the Self Service Portal using one of the following methods:
1. Double-click the Self Service Portal shortcut from the desktop (if enabled).
2. Choose Self Service Portal from the Start menu (if enabled).
## Initiating the Self Service Portal on Linux systems
### GUI Mode
Perform the following actions from the system where the Linux agent is installed:
- Open the terminal and navigate to the directory containing the Vulnerability Manager Plus agent binaries using:
```
cd /bin
```
**Note:** The default installation location of the agent:
```
cd /usr/local/manageengine/uems_agent/bin
```
- Run the Self Service Portal startup script:
```
sudo ./StartSelfServicePortal
```
### CLI Mode
To launch the Self Service Portal (SSP) in CLI mode, run:
```
sudo ./SelfServicePortal
```
Add `` in:
```
sudo ./StartSelfServicePortal
```
**Note:** Providing arguments when running `SelfServicePortal` will start the application in CLI mode.
Available Commands in Self Service Portal:
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| `SelfServicePortal update` | Sync or refresh all patches |
| `SelfServicePortal list` | List all patches |
| `SelfServicePortal list -s` \| `--severity ` | List patches by severity |
| `SelfServicePortal list --security` | List security patches |
| `SelfServicePortal upgrade` | Upgrade all patches |
| `SelfServicePortal upgrade -s` \| `--severity ` | Upgrade patches by severity |
| `SelfServicePortal upgrade --security` | Upgrade security patches |
| `SelfServicePortal upgrade patch1 patch2` | Upgrade specific patches |
## Self Service Portal: End-user's console
Once you have opened the Self Service Portal, click on **Updates** to see the patches that have been pushed to the portal. Click **Install** beside a specific patch at your convenience to install it.
## Settings
If you want the Self Service Portal to be added to the agent tray, Start menu, or as a desktop shortcut:
Select **Threats & Patches → Settings → Self Service Portal Settings → Settings**, choose where to display the portal, and click on **Save**.
Once configured, the Self Service Portal will be added to the agent tray, Start menu, and as a desktop shortcut on the target machine once patches are successfully published for the first time.
## Rebranding
You can customize the theme of the SSP application and replace the Vulnerability Manager Plus logo or name with your company's logo or name. You can also change the header and table colors to match your company's branding. Rebranding helps users identify the software as part of your IT team's tools, encouraging adoption and use.
To rebrand the Self Service Portal, click on **Threats & Patches → Settings → Self Service Portal Settings → Rebranding**.
Once there, change the icons, colors, and names as desired, then click on **Save**.
If you have further questions, refer to the [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.manageengine.com/vulnerability-management/help/patch-management/patch-faq.html#pddfaq) section for more information.