Windows Managed Server provides some software updates as part of the services it provides, but customers also have a responsibility to perform updates depending on the software they install.
Windows Managed Server leverages Microsoft provided Windows Update capabilities to update all Microsoft software included in Windows Update scope. By default, these updates happen automatically daily at 3am , but some customers require custom update schedules based on their business needs.
The following table provides a common list of software, who is responsible for keeping the version at a level the vendor supports, and any clarification notes that might be relevant.
| Software | Responsible for update maintenance | Notes |
| Windows Server Operating System | Windows Managed Server | See OS lifecycle support – IT Connect (uw.edu) for customer responsibilities regarding the OS version. This line item is specific to quality and security updates of the operating system, not the OS version which is covered by that separate document. |
| SQL Server | Windows Managed Server | See SQL Server lifecycle support – IT Connect (uw.edu) for customer responsibilities regarding the SQL Server version. This line item is specific to quality and security updates of SQL Server, not the SQL Server version which is covered by that separate document. |
| IIS Server | Windows Managed Server | This is included in the Windows Server OS line, but explicitly listed here to eliminate any confusion. |
| .NET Framework | Customer | .NET framework versions are installed on Windows Servers and are never removed. Successive versions build on prior versions. For this reason, Microsoft does not recommend that older versions be removed. Software you deploy to your server may leverage a specific .NET framework version. You should configure your software to use the latest released version of .NET framework. |
| ASP.NET | Customer | ASP.NET versions are an intersection of several of the prior line items. What ASP.NET version you use is linked to the .NET framework version you are using. This is generally only relevant for customers using IIS Server with custom code. You should configure your software to use the latest released version of ASP.NET. |
| Java | Customer | This is a set of code language libraries which generally provide a broad set of capabilities to the software you might have installed.
Java versions regularly have security vulnerabilities and you should configure your software to use the latest released version. |
| ColdFusion | Customer | Windows Managed Server does not provide ColdFusion support.
You should maintain any software you install. Running software which is vendor supported and which is at a level without security vulnerabilities is highly recommended and may be required by UW policy. |
| Azure DevOps Server | Windows Managed Server | Windows Managed Server provides this service to a subset of its customers. It maintains the version and updates.
Note: this service is end of life in July 2025. Customers should be looking at migrating to Azure DevOps Services. |
| Your application software | Customer | You should maintain any software you install. Running software which is vendor supported and which is at a level without security vulnerabilities is highly recommended and may be required by UW policy. |