Service updates

Service updates are automatic, continuous updates that deliver new features and improvements without requiring costly system upgrades. Since these updates maintain backward compatibility, there’s no need for manual code merging. You can leverage automated testing tools to streamline testing and future updates.

You can join the First Release program to get early access to new updates, apply updates manually to your environments (self-update), or follow the default release schedule and have updates automatically applied based on your chosen schedule in Lifecycle Services (LCS). For more information on the First Release program, visit First Release Program: Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations applications.

Service update availability

The service updates are first made available for self-deployment, giving organizations time to test changes before Microsoft automatically applies them. You have the ability to schedule and choose weeks and windows to update. You must apply at least two service updates per year, with the option to take up to four. You can also pause one update at a time for either your UAT sandbox, production environment, or both. If an update is paused but not applied before the pause window ends, Microsoft automatically updates the system through Lifecycle Services.

To learn more about the release schedules, visit Service update availability.