{"id":10579,"date":"2011-07-23T16:29:20","date_gmt":"2011-07-23T16:29:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/patch\/"},"modified":"2024-08-20T14:49:11","modified_gmt":"2024-08-20T14:49:11","slug":"patch","status":"publish","type":"definition","link":"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/24537\/patch","title":{"rendered":"Patch (Software Patch)"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><span id=\"what_is_a_software_patch\">What is a Software Patch?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Whenever your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/4618\/personal-computer-pc\">PC<\/a> prompts you to &#8216;install updates,&#8217; it&#8217;s telling you that one or more of your programs needs a patch. Patches are add-ons that modify currently installed <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/4356\/software\">software<\/a> in some useful way, strengthening security, adding new features, or improving performance. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/17095\/developer\">Developers<\/a> sometimes call them <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/18105\/bug-fix\">bug fixes<\/a> since they often repair a vulnerability or imperfection discovered after a new software version has been launched.<\/p>\n<p>There was a time when patches and Microsoft were almost synonymous terms \u2013 that happens when you make the world&#8217;s most popular <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/5424\/desktop-graphic-user-interfaces\">desktop<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/3515\/operating-system-os\">operating system<\/a> (OS). Today software products of every stripe need regular fixes to keep them stable and secure.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Patch-300x175.jpg\" alt=\"What is a Software Patch?\" width=\"1200\" height=\"698\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-299246\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Patch-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Patch-1024x596.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Patch-768x447.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Patch-1536x894.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Patch-1200x698.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Patch-1980x1152.jpg 1980w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Patch.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><div class=\"su-note\"  style=\"border-color:#e5e54c;border-radius:\u201c3\u201dpx;-moz-border-radius:\u201c3\u201dpx;-webkit-border-radius:\u201c3\u201dpx;\"><div class=\"su-note-inner su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\" style=\"background-color:#FFFF66;border-color:#ffffff;color:#333333;border-radius:\u201c3\u201dpx;-moz-border-radius:\u201c3\u201dpx;-webkit-border-radius:\u201c3\u201dpx;\">\n<h2><span id=\"key_takeaways\">Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>Patches are packages of code designed to improve the way currently installed applications work.<\/li>\n<li>They can strengthen security, ensure stability, or add desired features.<\/li>\n<li>Patches are sometimes called &#8216;bug fixes&#8217; or &#8216;system updates&#8217;, depending on the size and scale of the changes they make.<\/li>\n<li>For IT teams, managing patches can be a complex and time-consuming undertaking.<\/li>\n<li>As software and systems become more rich in functionality, patches have become a regular part of the software production lifecycle.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\"><\/div><\/div>\n<div>\n    <section class=\"toc-sticky w-100 bg-white \">\n        <div class=\"toc-sticky__container container\">\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__open d-flex align-items-end\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\"\n                 aria-controls=\"multiCollapse1\"\n                 data-bs-target=\"#multiCollapse1\">\n                <button\n                        class=\"btn btn-primary collapse-action-btn p-1 rounded-circle\"\n                        type=\"button\"\n                >\n                    <i class=\"icon-chevron-up\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <span id=\"toc-current-title\" class=\"d-flex align-items-center\">\n                    Table of Contents\n                <\/span>\n                <span class=\"toc-main-title-permanent\">Table of Contents<\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div\n                    class=\"collapse my-3\"\n                    id=\"multiCollapse1\"\n            >\n                <ol class=\"StepProgress\">\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item current\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"what_is_a_software_patch\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_is_a_software_patch\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">What is a Software Patch?<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"key_takeaways\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"key_takeaways\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Key Takeaways<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"why_are_software_patches_important\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"why_are_software_patches_important\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Why are Software Patches Important?<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"how_software_patching_works\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"how_software_patching_works\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">How Software Patching Works<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"types_of_software_patches\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"types_of_software_patches\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Types of Software Patches<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"manual_vs_automatic_updates\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"manual_vs_automatic_updates\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Manual vs. Automatic Updates<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"how_to_find_out_what_software_updates_you_need_to_install\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"how_to_find_out_what_software_updates_you_need_to_install\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">How to Find Out What Software Updates You Need to Install<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"software_update_best_practices\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"software_update_best_practices\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Software Update Best Practices<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"role_of_software_patches_in_cybersecurity\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"role_of_software_patches_in_cybersecurity\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Role of Software Patches in Cybersecurity<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"software_patch_examples\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"software_patch_examples\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Software Patch Examples<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"software_patch_challenges\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"software_patch_challenges\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">Software Patch Challenges<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"the_bottom_line\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"the_bottom_line\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">The Bottom Line<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                                                        <li class=\"StepProgress-item\">\n                                                <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                            <a data-id=\"faqs\"\n                               onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"faqs\")\n                               class=\"StepProgress-item__link\" data-level=\"2\">FAQs<\/a>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                                                <\/li>\n                                    <\/ol>\n                <div class=\"toc-sticky__container__disperse\"><\/div>\n                <div class=\"toc-sticky__btn-top justify-content-center\">\n                    <button class=\"btn btn-link d-flex align-items-center\" onclick={btnTop()}><p>Show Full Guide<\/p><img decoding=\"async\"\n                                src=\"\/wp-content\/plugins\/table-of-contents\/assets\/images\/arrow-up-circle.svg\"\n                                alt=\"arrow-up-circle\">\n                    <\/button>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    <div class=\"toc-sticky-list\">\n        <div class=\"toc-sticky__container container\">\n            <div class=\"toc-sticky__open d-flex align-items-end\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" aria-controls=\"multiCollapse2\" data-bs-target=\"#multiCollapse2\">\n                <button class=\"btn btn-primary collapse-action-btn p-1 rounded-circle\"\n                        type=\"button\">\n                    <i class=\"icon-chevron-up up\"><\/i>\n                <\/button>\n                <span id=\"toc-current-title\" class=\"d-flex align-items-center\">\n                    Table of Contents\n                <\/span>\n            <\/div>\n            <div  class=\"collapse my-3\" id=\"multiCollapse2\">\n                <ol class=\"StepProgress\">\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item current \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"what_is_a_software_patch\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"what_is_a_software_patch\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">What is a Software Patch?<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"key_takeaways\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"key_takeaways\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Key Takeaways<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t                                                     <li class=\"StepProgress-item \">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"why_are_software_patches_important\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"why_are_software_patches_important\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Why are Software Patches Important?<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <span class=\"show_moretoc\">Show Full Guide<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"how_software_patching_works\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"how_software_patching_works\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">How Software Patching Works<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"types_of_software_patches\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"types_of_software_patches\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Types of Software Patches<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"manual_vs_automatic_updates\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"manual_vs_automatic_updates\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Manual vs. Automatic Updates<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"how_to_find_out_what_software_updates_you_need_to_install\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"how_to_find_out_what_software_updates_you_need_to_install\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">How to Find Out What Software Updates You Need to Install<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"software_update_best_practices\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"software_update_best_practices\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Software Update Best Practices<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"role_of_software_patches_in_cybersecurity\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"role_of_software_patches_in_cybersecurity\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Role of Software Patches in Cybersecurity<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"software_patch_examples\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"software_patch_examples\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Software Patch Examples<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"software_patch_challenges\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"software_patch_challenges\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">Software Patch Challenges<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                                    <\/li>\n                    \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t  \t\t\t\t\t                                                      <li class=\"StepProgress-item ms_hidetoc\">\n                                                    <div class=\"StepProgress-item__group\">\n                                <a data-id=\"the_bottom_line\"\n                                   onclick=handleScrollToTitle(\"the_bottom_line\")\n                                   class=\"StepProgress-item__link\"\n                                   data-level=\"2\">The Bottom Line<\/a>\n                                                            <\/div>\n                                     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headerHeight from the top of the target div\n                if (scrollTop >= stop) {\n                    pageLegendCollapse.hide();\n                    \/\/ stick the div\n                    target.classList.add(\"sticky\");\n                    \/\/target.style.marginTop = `${headerHeight}px`;\n                } else {\n                    pageLegendCollapse.show();\n                    \/\/ release the div\n                    target.classList.remove(\"sticky\");\n                    target.style.marginTop = \"\";\n                }\n            }\n\n            applySticky();\n\n            window.addEventListener('scroll', applySticky);\n        })(header, pageLegendCollapse);\n\tjQuery('span.show_moretoc').click(function(){\n\t\tjQuery('span.show_moretoc').hide();\n\t   jQuery('.ms_hidetoc').show();\n\t});\n    });\n\n    \/\/ When the user clicks on the button, scroll to the top of the document\n    function btnTop() {\n        const pageLegend = document.querySelector('#multiCollapse1');\n        document.querySelector('html').classList.remove('overflow-hidden');\n        pageLegend.classList.remove('overflow-auto');\n        pageLegend.style.height = 'auto';\n        window.scrollTo({\n            top: 0,\n            behavior: 'smooth'\n        });\n    }\n\n    const handleScrollToTitle = (id) => {\n        const el = document.getElementById(id);\n        const headerHeightDifference = window.innerWidth < 992 ? -30 : -15;\n        window.scrollTo({\n            top: el.offsetTop - 60 - headerHeightDifference - 10,\n        });\n    }\n<\/script>\n\n<h2><span id=\"why_are_software_patches_important\">Why are Software Patches Important?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Whether it&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/2639\/macintosh-operating-system-mac-os\">Mac<\/a>, PC, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/2955\/mobile-phone\">mobile<\/a>, applications, and operating systems have all become richer in functionality and require ever more lines of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/589\/code\">code<\/a> to deliver what they promise. That sometimes creates complications or unforeseen conflicts with other systems.<\/p>\n<p>It also opens the door to unexpected security vulnerabilities that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/27435\/cybercriminal\">cybercriminals<\/a> are keen to exploit. Patches are a way to address live problems on the fly, while developers come up with even better and more resilient solutions they can write into the next published version of the application.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"how_software_patching_works\">How Software Patching Works<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Software patches often happen <i>ad hoc<\/i> following discovery of a security <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/13484\/vulnerability\">vulnerability<\/a> or user complaints about a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/7415\/glitch\">glitch<\/a> or bug. If developers anticipate changes that will be needed at a later date (perhaps in response to coming regulation or an expected operating system change), patches can also be a scheduled part of an application&#8217;s production lifecycle.<\/p>\n<p>Patches to enterprise software are often deployed as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/7094\/executable-exe\">executable<\/a> (.exe) files and range in size or complexity. If a software company calls it a patch, the change is probably minor (though still necessary). &#8216;Software updates&#8217; usually refer to a more comprehensive alteration. Different companies use different terms.<\/p>\n<p>Microsoft typically delivers <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/4348\/service-pack-sp\">service packs<\/a> for Windows, while IBM calls its enterprise software patches &#8216;FixPacks.&#8217; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/3294\/open-source\">Open source<\/a> patches can alter the source code itself, meaning developers are responsible for applying the patch when they use the open source application.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"types_of_software_patches\">Types of Software Patches<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Software patches typically fall into one of <strong>three types<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Bug fixes<\/strong> that correct problems and help the software run more smoothly.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Security patches<\/strong> that close a security vulnerability.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Feature patches<\/strong> that add new functionality to an application.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span id=\"manual_vs_automatic_updates\">Manual vs. Automatic Updates<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Operating systems can be set to install patches automatically or after review by an end user or IT manager. <strong>Automatic updates<\/strong> can save time and effort, though some users might prefer more control, saying &#8216;yes&#8217; to some patches and &#8216;no&#8217; to others.<\/p>\n<p>With <strong>manual updates<\/strong>, the process is done by hand to provide more flexibility. For example, an operating system update might be so large and time-consuming that it needs to be scheduled for a different day, or an enterprise feature update might need to be configured specifically to avoid compatibility issues. Automation<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"how_to_find_out_what_software_updates_you_need_to_install\">How to Find Out What Software Updates You Need to Install<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Most endpoints (laptops, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/2977\/smartphone\">smartphones<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/2353\/tablet\">tablets<\/a>, etc) give users options for being alerted about pending patches and how and when they can be installed, while OS vendors normally publish information about software patches and updates on their <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/5411\/website\">website<\/a> service pages.<\/p>\n<p>For IT teams, using a vendor&#8217;s website helps ensure that patches are downloaded from a trusted source, which may also offer user reviews and additional guidance around use cases.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"software_update_best_practices\">Software Update Best Practices<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Software-Update-Best-Practices-300x204.jpg\" alt=\"Software Update Best Practices\" width=\"1200\" height=\"817\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-299248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Software-Update-Best-Practices-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Software-Update-Best-Practices-1024x697.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Software-Update-Best-Practices-768x523.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Software-Update-Best-Practices-1200x817.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/Software-Update-Best-Practices.jpg 1390w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>IT teams engaged in patch management follow standard practices that ensure updates are installed systematically, keeping everything secure and minimizing disruption.<\/p>\n<p>These include:<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><div class=\"su-accordion su-u-trim\">\n<p class=\"p1\"><div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>Prioritization<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"> Ensuring critical updates are installed first \u2013 especially around security exploits.<\/div><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>Scheduling<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"> When multiple patches arrive, create a deployment schedule to ensure minimal disruption. <\/div><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>Collaboration<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"> Working in tandem with different teams to decide which technologies and procedures are used to deploy the latest patches. <\/div><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>Testing<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"> Patches need to be rigorously assessed by developers and IT teams to ensure they don&#8217;t create issues or cause disruption. <\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"su-spoiler su-spoiler-style-fancy su-spoiler-icon-plus su-spoiler-closed\" data-scroll-offset=\"0\" data-anchor-in-url=\"no\"><div class=\"su-spoiler-title\" tabindex=\"0\" role=\"button\"><span class=\"su-spoiler-icon\"><\/span><strong>Backup plans<\/strong><\/div><div class=\"su-spoiler-content su-u-clearfix su-u-trim\"> Having a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/31989\/disaster-recovery\">disaster recovery<\/a> process in place in case of downtime caused by a connectivity issue during installation or an unexpected incompatibility. <\/div><\/div>\n<p class=\"p1\"><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"role_of_software_patches_in_cybersecurity\">Role of Software Patches in Cybersecurity<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>A security patch is especially important because it addresses known security risks and vulnerabilities. Whenever a vendor releases a security patch, cybercriminals learn that an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/4275\/exploit\">exploit<\/a> exists in that piece of software and start looking for ways to break in and steal data or gain access to networks. The sooner an organization installs a security patch, the faster it eliminates the risk of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/29060\/security-breach\">breach<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"software_patch_examples\">Software Patch Examples<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The best example of patching is the regular notifications most of us receive from Apple or Microsoft alerting us about pending software &#8216;updates.&#8217; In both cases the operating system has a built-in mechanism for installing and confirming each patch, meaning end users have only to say &#8216;yes&#8217; or &#8216;no&#8217; and then wait while the update utility handles the install.<\/p>\n<p>With the shift to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/2\/cloud-computing\">cloud<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/155\/software-as-a-service-saas\">Software as a service<\/a> (SaaS) enterprise software patches can happen almost as easily, executing in the background during periods of low usage so as not to impact users or performance. For operating system updates on individual computers or other endpoints, IT teams are often given a special program to help manage and deploy patch installations. The process of identifying, scheduling, and installing patches is called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/13835\/patch-management\">patch management<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"software_patch_challenges\">Software Patch Challenges<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/project-management\/best-engineering-project-management-software\">Managing patches for a large organization<\/a> can be time-consuming. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/32099\/automation\">Automation<\/a> can alleviate some of the workload, but some patches need to be reviewed and installed manually. Manually patching individual devices on a network can be a slow and frustrating process.<\/p>\n<p>Lack of endpoint visibility can add more complexity. IT managers need to know which devices have which versions of an OS or software product, which ones have had a given patch installed, and those that haven&#8217;t. An endpoint management system can provide that visibility; however, finding the right one can be a challenge.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/remote-work\">Remote and hybrid working<\/a> also make patch management harder. Some employees use a mix of personal and corporate devices when they work outside the office, and this can obscure endpoint visibility further.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"the_bottom_line\">The Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Software patches help keep your software stable, secure, glitch-free, and up-to-date with the latest functionality. A patch, by definition, repairs torn software and helps keep systems, users, and data safe. Patches can also give software additional capabilities.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"faqs\">FAQs<\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"man_faq_sec\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/FAQPage\"><\/time><section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What is a software patch in simple terms?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">A patch is a software fix for something that\u2019s gone wrong, meaning it repairs issues like security vulnerabilities or compatibility issues with other software. <\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What is an example of a patch?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">A Microsoft Windows update is probably the most common and best-known example of a software patch. <\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What is the difference between a patch and an update?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">A patch tends to mean a small-ish repair and often addresses a specific security vulnerability. Updates tend to be more comprehensive and take longer to install. <\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What is a patch in an application?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">A patch is a complementary package of code that\u2019s attached to an existing application between published versions. <\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<section class=\"ms_faq ms_card \" ><div itemscope itemprop=\"mainEntity\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Question\"><div class=\"accordionButton\"><h3 itemprop=\"name\">What is a patch in API?<\/h3> <\/div>\n<div class=\"accordionContent\" itemscope itemprop=\"acceptedAnswer\" itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/Answer\" style=\"display:none;\"><p itemprop=\"text\">In <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/24407\/application-programming-interface-api\">API<\/a> development, PATCH is a specific command used when a given resource needs only a partial update. <\/p>\r\n                <\/div><\/div><\/section>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What is a Software Patch? Whenever your PC prompts you to &#8216;install updates,&#8217; it&#8217;s telling you that one or more of your programs needs a patch. Patches are add-ons that modify currently installed software in some useful way, strengthening security, adding new features, or improving performance. Developers sometimes call them bug fixes since they often [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":286786,"featured_media":299245,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"footnotes":""},"definitioncat":[216],"class_list":["post-10579","definition","type-definition","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","definitioncat-software-development"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.2 (Yoast SEO v24.5) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What is a Software Patch? Definition, Types &amp; Examples - Techopedia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A software patch is like a bandage made of code, meaning it mends malfunctions that make programs unstable or unsafe. Learn the full patch meaning here.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Patch (Software Patch)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A software patch is like a bandage made of code, meaning it mends malfunctions that make programs unstable or unsafe. Learn the full patch meaning here.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/24537\/patch\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Techopedia\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/techopedia\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-08-20T14:49:11+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/2400\u04451280-Patch.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@techopedia\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/24537\/patch#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/24537\/patch\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Mark De Wolf\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/#\/schema\/person\/68ac8bcb35dd752306e4f4f3ca30a3d7\"},\"headline\":\"Patch (Software Patch)\",\"datePublished\":\"2011-07-23T16:29:20+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-08-20T14:49:11+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/24537\/patch\"},\"wordCount\":1358,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/24537\/patch#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/07\/2400\u04451280-Patch.jpg\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/24537\/patch#respond\"]}],\"articleSection\":\"\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/24537\/patch\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.techopedia.com\/definition\/24537\/patch\",\"name\":\"What is a Software Patch? 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