Why Windows Devices Aren't Receiving Updates: Check Deferral Periods
You manage devices with Microsoft Intune. Some Windows devices are not receiving required security updates despite being assigned to an update ring for Windows 10. You verify that the devices are active and connected to the internet. What is the most likely cause?
Quick Answer
The answer is that the update ring has a deferral period configured that delays updates for 30 days. This is the most likely cause because in Microsoft Intune, update ring policies allow administrators to set a grace period—known as a deferral period—for both quality and feature updates, meaning the device will not install a released update until that specified number of days has elapsed, regardless of the device being active and online. On the MD-102 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how deferral periods override immediate update installation, often appearing as a distractor where candidates mistakenly blame connectivity or compliance policies. A common trap is assuming that being assigned to an update ring guarantees instant updates, but the deferral period is a deliberate delay mechanism. Memory tip: think of the deferral as a “waiting room” for updates—just because the door is open (device online) doesn’t mean the update is allowed to enter until the timer runs out.
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers assume connectivity or compliance issues are the root cause, overlooking the fact that update rings can intentionally delay updates via deferral periods, which is a core configuration in Intune for staged rollouts.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The update ring has a deferral period configured that delays updates for 30 days.
The most likely cause is that the update ring has a deferral period configured that delays updates for 30 days. In Microsoft Intune, update rings for Windows 10 allow administrators to set deferral periods for quality and feature updates. A deferral period of 30 days means that even if the device is active and connected, it will not install the update until the specified number of days after Microsoft releases it. This explains why the devices are not receiving the updates despite being compliant and online.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
The devices have a compliance policy requiring a specific version that is not yet met.
Why it's wrong here
Compliance policies do not prevent update installation.
- ✓
The update ring has a deferral period configured that delays updates for 30 days.
Why this is correct
Deferral periods can significantly delay update delivery.
- ✗
The devices are not connected to a corporate VPN.
Why it's wrong here
VPN is not required for Windows Update.
- ✗
Delivery Optimization is disabled on the devices.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling Delivery Optimization does not prevent updates, only peer-to-peer sharing.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Introduction to Endpoint Management in Microsoft 365
Key term
Intune
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based service that helps organizations manage their users' devices and applications, ensuring security and compliance without needing to own or control the physical hardware.
Key term
Microsoft Intune
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based service that helps organizations manage employee devices, apps, and security policies without needing to own or control the physical hardware.
About these practice questions
One of 942 original MD-102 practice questions on Courseiva, each with a full explanation and wrong-answer analysis — not exam dumps or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Same concept, more angles
2 more ways this is tested on MD-102
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. A user reports that their Windows 11 device is not receiving a required security baseline policy from Microsoft Intune. The device appears as compliant in the Microsoft Intune admin center. Other devices in the same group receive the policy. You verify that the policy is assigned to the correct group and that the user is a member. What is the most likely cause?
hard- ✓ A.The device has not checked in with Intune recently or has a policy conflict
- B.The user is not a member of the Azure AD group that the policy is assigned to
- C.The policy is not assigned to any group
- D.The device is marked as non-compliant and has been blocked
Why A: The most likely cause is that the device has not checked in with Intune recently or has a policy conflict. Even though the device appears compliant in the admin center, compliance status is based on the last check-in data; if the device hasn't synced recently, it won't receive new or updated policies. Policy conflicts, such as overlapping settings from multiple baselines or configuration profiles, can also prevent a specific security baseline from applying, even when the device is otherwise compliant.
Variation 2. You are troubleshooting a Windows 10 device that is not receiving required security updates from Microsoft Intune. The device is enrolled and shows as compliant. The update ring policy is assigned to the device. You check the Windows Update for Business logs and see that the deferral period is set correctly. What is the most likely cause?
medium- A.The update ring is configured with an incorrect deferral period.
- B.The device is not compliant with the security baseline.
- C.Windows Update is blocked by the corporate firewall.
- ✓ D.The update ring is not assigned to the device's group.
Why D: The device is enrolled and compliant, and the deferral period is correctly set, which eliminates policy configuration issues. The most likely remaining cause is that the update ring policy is not assigned to the device's group, meaning the policy never reaches the device via Intune's policy delivery mechanism. Without proper group assignment, the Windows Update for Business settings are not applied, even if the device is compliant and the ring policy exists.
JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This MD-102 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Microsoft certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the MD-102 exam.