Supported configurations for Patch My PC Publisher
Applies to: Patch My PC Publisher V3.x
Patch My PC (PMPC) Publisher can be used in several deployment models:
WSUS Standalone - Publish third-party updates directly into WSUS for organizations not using ConfigMgr.
ConfigMgr - Publish third-party updates to WSUS for synchronization into ConfigMgr, and create full ConfigMgr applications for software deployment through Software Center.
Intune - Create and maintain Win32 apps (and updates) in Intune using Microsoft Graph.
Each of these deployment models has its own set of Requirements.
Many organizations use Publisher in hybrid scenarios where WSUS, ConfigMgr, and Intune coexist.
Support for Co-Managed Environments
Publisher can also be used in the co-management scenarios detailed below when using Microsoft ConfigMgr and Intune together, with a specific focus on how Windows and third-party updates are delivered. It is intended for customers adopting a phased transition from ConfigMgr to cloud management.
Windows Updates and Third Party Updates from ConfigMgr
In this scenario, devices are co-managed but all update workloads remain with ConfigMgr. Both first-party (Microsoft Windows) updates and third-party updates published by Publisher are delivered through ConfigMgr.
This approach is commonly used as an initial transition step. Customers typically move only the Client Apps workload to Intune. This enables installation of Win32 applications from Intune whilst preserving the existing update model in ConfigMgr.
The key characteristics of this scenario are:
ConfigMgr continues to manage Windows updates.
ConfigMgr continues to manage third-party updates.
Intune is used to deploy Win32 applications.
This scenario requires minimal change and allows customers to validate Win32 app deployment from Intune without affecting update behavior.
Note
When the same applications or updates are deployed from both platforms simultaneously, reporting discrepancies may be observed temporarily. Application detection and compliance evaluation occur on different schedules across ConfigMgr and Intune. Over time, reports should converge as detection cycles complete.
First-Party Updates from Windows Update and Third-Party Updates from ConfigMgr
In this scenario, customers move Windows update management to Intune whilst continuing to deliver third-party updates from ConfigMgr.
This is typically achieved using Windows Update client policies or Autopatch. ConfigMgr remains responsible for third party updates published by Publisher.
ConfigMgr Configuration
The following conditions must be met for this scenario to function correctly.
The Software Update Client Settings in ConfigMgr must remain enabled.
The Windows Update Policies workload must be moved to Pilot or fully to Intune.
Note
If you are using Autopatch, additional workloads must also be moved to Intune or Pilot, including Device Configuration and Office Click-to-Run Apps. This is a Microsoft Autopatch service requirement and not a Publisher requirement. These workload moves are not necessary when managing update policy from Intune using Windows Update client settings without Autopatch.
See Configuration Manager co-management requirements for more information on other Autopatch requirements.
Scan Source Configuration
Scan source determines whether the client scans Windows Update or WSUS for specific update categories.
Important
Microsoft released client hotfix KB36495448 for Microsoft ConfigMgr versions 2503 and 2509. This hotfix changes how the ConfigMgr client interacts with Windows Update scan source policies.
If this hotfix is installed, the scan source configuration steps below are not required when third-party updates should continue to come from WSUS, and first-party updates should come from the Windows Update service.
If a custom scan source configuration is present, those settings are honored, and scan behavior follows the configured policies.
Scan source can be configured using Group Policy or Local Policy.
Open the Group Policy Management Console and edit an existing Group Policy Object or create a new one that targets the required devices.
Navigate to the following policy path: Computer Configuration | Policies | Administrative Templates | Windows Components | Windows Update | Manage updates offered from Windows Server Update Service | Specify source service for specific classes of Windows Updates.
Set the policy to Enabled and under Options, set all scan source classes to Windows Update.
Click Apply to save the policy.
As a result of this policy being applied, the following registry values should exist:
With this configuration in place, first-party Windows updates are scanned and retrieved from the Windows Update service. Third-party updates continue to be scanned and enforced through ConfigMgr.
Content Availability
When third-party updates are delivered from ConfigMgr, devices must have line of sight to a Management Point and Distribution Point to scan for and download update content. This requirement applies even when devices are co-managed, and Win32 applications are deployed from Intune.
If devices are frequently off the corporate network and not connected through a VPN, consider deploying or leveraging a Cloud Management Gateway (CMG). A CMG allows Internet-based devices to continue receiving third-party update content from ConfigMgr without requiring an on-premises network connection.
Compliance Reporting
Native ConfigMgr software update compliance reporting, including built-in SSRS reports, only displays compliance data for updates that are managed and deployed by ConfigMgr. Updates and applications that are managed exclusively by Intune are not included in ConfigMgr reporting.
Similarly, Advanced Insights Software Update Compliance reporting only displays compliance data collected from ConfigMgr. Updates and applications that are managed and deployed exclusively from Intune are not included in this report.
As devices transition to Intune-managed updates, you should plan to use Advanced Insights for Intune to report on update and application compliance for those devices. This ensures accurate visibility across both ConfigMgr-managed and Intune-managed workloads during and after the transition.
Note
See Advanced Insights for Intune and ConfigMgr for more information on Advanced Insights.
Final Transition Away from ConfigMgr
As customers continue their cloud adoption journey, the final transition typically involves moving third-party updates to Intune and disabling the Software Update Client Settings in ConfigMgr.
At that stage, ConfigMgr no longer participates in update management. Some customers may also choose to uninstall the ConfigMgr client entirely once all workloads have been migrated.
This final step is optional and depends on operational requirements and long term management strategy.
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