Defender for Endpoint EDR Updates Move to Microsoft Update Channel

This article details Microsoft's plan to decouple Defender for Endpoint EDR sensor updates from the monthly Windows cumulative security updates, moving them to the Microsoft Update channel starting late May 2026 for Windows 10 and expanding to Windows 11 by autumn 2026. It explains the technical benefits, such as faster deployment and reduced update footprint, and provides a PowerShell script using Microsoft Graph API to audit Intune update ring configurations, ensuring endpoints allow updates for other Microsoft products. Administrators are advised to review policies to prevent endpoints from falling behind on security updates.