Identify When Devices Last Checked for New Patches
A new tool has been added to let you easily identify when a patch managed device last checked for patches to install. On the Patch Management > Reports > Device Reports page, a column has been added on the right, Last Check for Updates. This column contains the date and time that patch managed devices last checked in to see if there were new patches for them to download.
Filter Patches by Approval Status and Approval Groups
On the Patch Management > Patch Approval page, a filter has been added that lets you filter patches by approval status. This lets you identify patches with the approval status of:
- Install
- Remove
- Not Approved
- Mixed
- Declined
Or you can choose All to show patches with any approval status.
An Approval Group filter has also been added to this page, letting you restrict your results to the default approval groups:
- All computers
- Unassigned computers
Or, you can filter the results to any approval group you have created.
Using these filters reduces the time you spend identifying which patches need your attention.
You can combine these filter with other filters, for example, if you choose a certain group using the Approval Group box, and select Not Approved in the Approval box, you instantly see which devices in that group don’t have the patch approved. Or, you can select a type of patch in the Product and Classifications box and Approved in the Approval box to see which groups have a certain patch approved for install. For more information, see Approving Microsoft Patches.
Filter Out Patches that Have Been Superseded
Superseded patches are older patches that have been replaced by newer patches. Microsoft regularly rolls up multiple patches into a single package, replacing all the similar updates before it.
Filtering out superseded patches hides the older patches that are replaced by newer patches. This lets you efficiently focus on the current patches rather than older ones, reducing the number of patches you install and minimizing interruptions to the end user. A new option on the Patch Management > Reports > Device Reports page lets you hide patches that have been superseded by other patches.
For more information, see Viewing Microsoft Patch Status.
Persistent Filtering for Patch Management
To help you save time on patching, you can now create persistent filters that save the filtering options you choose on the Patch Management Patch Report and Device Report pages. Once you save your filtering options, they are the default filter on that report page until you change them.
For more information, see Viewing Microsoft Patch Status.
Improvements to Patch Health Monitoring
A new monitoring rule is available when you add a patch health monitor (Previously known as patch status monitor). This rule, Device Check for Updates, lets you monitor whether your devices check for updates on a regular basis. You choose the time period when devices should check in, and if a device does not check in within that time period, you are alerted so you can investigate the issue.
To reflect this change, the Patch Status monitor has been renamed Patch Health.
For more information, see Adding a Monitor for Patch Health.
Easier Instant Patching
You can now access Patch Now from the Device Overview Patch Management page. One click starts the process of updating the device for upgraded features and security.
Support for Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus 18.4
Barracuda RMM 11 SP3 MR1 introduces support for Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus 18.4. This version of Pro Plus includes Webcam Shield, which prevents applications and malware from accessing your PC's webcam without your consent. Apps must request permission to access your webcam, so you always know who’s watching. This version of Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus also includes advanced application and packet rules for Firewall. For more information, see Configuring Avast Business Antivirus Policies: Enabling and Configuring Webcam Shield.