Mac
macOS 14 and above
When a minimum version is enforced, the end users see a native macOS notification (DDM) once per day. Users can choose to update ahead of the deadline or schedule it for that night. 24 hours before the deadline, the notification appears hourly and ignores Do Not Disturb. One hour before the deadline, the notification appears every 30 minutes and then every 10 minutes.
If the host was turned off when the deadline passed, the update will be scheduled an hour after it’s turned on.
For macOS devices that use Automated Device Enrollment (ADE), if the device is below the specified minimum version, it will be required to update to the latest available version during ADE before device setup and enrollment can proceed.
Before macOS 14
End users are encouraged to update macOS (via Nudge).
| > 1 day before deadline | < 1 day before deadline | Past deadline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nudge window frequency | Once a day at 8pm GMT | Once every 2 hours | Immediately on login |
| End user can defer | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Nudge window is dismissible | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
Windows
End users are encouraged to update Windows via the native Windows dialog.
| Before deadline | Past deadline | |
|---|---|---|
| End user can defer automatic restart | ✅ | ❌ |
If an end user was on vacation when the deadline passed, the end user is given a grace period (configured) before the host automatically restarts.
Special case of low disk space
Mac
macOS 14 and above
The end user is nagged to install the update with a system notification and will see in System Settings they don't have enough space to install the update. They will have to free up space on their own to stop the nags to update.
Before macOS 14
The Nudge window will appear and the user will be directed to System Preferences to download and install the update (which will fail). The Nudge window will behave as normal where it cannot be dismissed after the deadline. The end user will have to free up space on their own to install the update to dismiss the Nudge window.
Windows
When the deadline is met, the user will be told they need to update, then the update will fail and the user will be told they need to free up space.