What is Patching and why do I need it on my computer?

Patching is another word for updating your operating systems on your server, PCs, Laptops and Macs. It even applies to your smartphone and tablets.

FAQ · Software Patching

Patching means installing the updates that Microsoft, Apple and other software vendors regularly issue for operating systems and applications; it matters because those updates close security vulnerabilities and fix bugs that would otherwise leave computers, servers, phones and tablets exposed.

What patching actually changes

Every operating system — Windows on a server or PC, macOS on a Mac, iOS and Android on phones and tablets — receives regular updates from its vendor. Most of these updates are security fixes for vulnerabilities that have been discovered and could otherwise be exploited by malware or an attacker with network access.

Some updates go further and add new functionality; these are usually called upgrades, but they typically bundle in the same bug and security fixes as a standard patch.

What happens if patching is skipped

Known vulnerabilities remain open on the device indefinitely, and these are exactly the vulnerabilities automated attack tools scan for.
Software compatibility issues accumulate, as newer applications assume a patched, current operating system.
A device that has missed too many cycles of updates can eventually fall out of vendor support altogether, at which point it stops receiving security fixes entirely.

How Fresh Mango helps

Fresh Mango Technologies manages patching centrally for client servers, PCs, laptops and Macs across the British Virgin Islands, applying updates on a tested, scheduled cycle so security fixes are installed promptly without an update breaking a business-critical application.

Frequently asked questions

How often should patches be applied?

Critical security patches should be applied as soon as they are tested and confirmed compatible, typically within days of release; routine updates are usually applied on a monthly cycle.

Can patching break my software?

Occasionally an update conflicts with older or custom software. This is why patches should be tested on a representative device before wide deployment rather than applied blindly the moment they are released.

Does patching apply to phones and tablets too?

Yes. Mobile operating systems receive the same category of security updates and should be kept current, particularly on devices used to access company email or Microsoft 365.

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What is patching? Patching is another word for updating your operating systems on your server, PCs, Laptops and Macs. It even applies to your smartphone and tablet. Microsoft and Apple regularly issue updates to their operating systems. These updates typically resolve bugs (errors in the system) and increasingly plug cybersecurity holes. Implementing these updates is called 'Patching'. Sometimes the updates include new or improved functionality in the operating system. These are generally referred to as upgrades, but they typically include bug and security fixes too.