Microsoft has officially announced a major update to the way Microsoft Configuration Manager (ConfigMgr) will receive new versions. Instead of the familiar semi-annual rhythm, ConfigMgr will now move to one major release per year, starting in September 2026. This change aims to bring more predictability, better stability, and a stronger focus on long-term security for organizations still relying on on-premises device management.
In this article, we break down what this means, why Microsoft is doing it, and what IT admins should prepare for.
đź“… From Semi-Annual to Annual Updates
For many years, ConfigMgr shipped updates roughly twice a year. Microsoft is now shifting that to a single annual update beginning with version 2609, targeted for September 2026.
Before then, there are still two expected releases:
- 2509 – planned for December 2025
- 2603 – planned for March 2026
- 2609 – first official annual-cadence release (September 2026)
Each annual release will continue to receive 18 months of support, giving IT teams more room to plan deployment and testing cycles.
đź”’ Why Microsoft Is Changing the Cadence
Microsoft states that the new annual cadence will:
- Improve predictability for enterprise planning
- Reduce the pressure of frequent upgrades
- Prioritize security and quality over rapid feature development
- Better align ConfigMgr with Microsoft’s broader “Secure Future Initiative”
- Reflect the strategic shift where Intune becomes the innovation engine, while ConfigMgr focuses on stability
In short: ConfigMgr is staying — but its evolution will slow down while Intune takes the lead.
🆕 What’s Coming in the Interim Releases
âś” Version 2509 (December 2025)
A quality-focused release introducing improvements such as ARM64 support and general stability enhancements.
âś” Version 2603 (March 2026)
A security-focused update designed to reinforce ConfigMgr’s role in secure endpoint management.
âś” Version 2609 (September 2026)
The first annual update under the new cadence. Organizations can expect predictable planning windows and a refined support model moving forward.
🧠What This Means for IT Departments
For organizations relying heavily on Configuration Manager, this update brings both benefits and strategic questions:
More Predictable Upgrades
With only one major update per year, teams can schedule maintenance and testing cycles well in advance, reducing disruption.
Refocus on Long-Term Stability
ConfigMgr remains a supported and important tool — especially for on-premises and regulated environments — but its role shifts toward maintenance and reliability rather than rapid innovation.
Time to Evaluate Intune
Since Microsoft continues to invest heavily in cloud-native management, this announcement is also a subtle push:
If you haven’t already explored Intune, now is the time.
Many organizations will begin to:
- Move to a hybrid environment (ConfigMgr + Intune)
- Migrate specific workloads to the cloud
- Plan a gradual transition to full Intune management in the future
đź› Recommended Actions for IT Teams
1. Plan yearly update cycles
Take advantage of the more predictable cadence by creating an annual upgrade schedule.
2. Strengthen testing procedures
With fewer releases, each upgrade becomes more important — ensure compatibility testing is thorough.
3. Review your endpoint management strategy
Ask yourself:
- Does ConfigMgr still fit our long-term roadmap?
- Should we start piloting Intune?
- Are we ready for hybrid cloud management?
4. Keep stakeholders informed
Especially for industries with compliance or offline (“dark site”) setups, predictable updates help align security and operational policies.
🧠The Bigger Picture: ConfigMgr’s Future
This announcement reinforces a trend we’ve seen for years:
- ConfigMgr remains foundational, particularly for on-premises or hybrid scenarios.
- Intune is where new innovation happens, including security enhancements, remote work support, AI tools, and cloud automation.
- Organizations will increasingly treat ConfigMgr as a stable platform while gradually modernizing toward Intune.
The annual cadence fits this future — slow, steady, secure.
đź“Ś Conclusion
Microsoft’s move to an annual update cycle for Configuration Manager marks a new chapter for one of the most widely used endpoint management platforms. While ConfigMgr isn’t going anywhere, it is evolving into a more stable and predictable solution, while Intune becomes the innovation leader.
For IT teams, now is the perfect moment to:
- Plan your upgrade cycles
- Review your long-term endpoint strategy
- Explore hybrid or cloud-native management options
