Although Intune is the tool of choice for most modern organizations when it comes to endpoint management due to its cloud-based implementation, Microsoft Configuration Manager (ConfigMgr) continues to be leveraged by customers which prefer on-prem solutions. Since its inception in 1994 as Systems Management Server (SMS), the tool has gone through several rebrands and strategic iterations. Now, Microsoft has announced another pivot in strategy for the utility.
In a blog post, Microsoft has stated that Configuration Manager will be shifting to an annual release cycle from next year, instead of the two releases that it gets currently. The company says that it has already been communicating this upcoming change at events and partner communications, so its latest announcement should just be treated as a formalization of the process.
The Redmond tech giant has emphasized that Intune is the "future of device management", so if customers want the latest innovations, they should transition there. Those who don"t can continue to use Configuration Manager for on-prem management built on stability, security, and long-term support. Microsoft believes that this new cadence will help customers plan upgrades confidently, prioritize stability over new features, and strategize about transitioning to Intune when needed. The new cadence also aligns with Windows feature updates, which are also annual.
Starting off with version 2609 in September 2026, Configuration Manager will switch to an annual release cadence. But in the meantime, the company has detailed some high-level plans for upcoming releases too:
- 2509 (December 2025): Stability and quality updates, including ARM64 support.
- 2603 (March 2026): Enhanced security aligned with the Microsoft Secure Future Initiative
- 2609 (September 2026): The first annual release under the new cadence.
- 2709 (September 2027): Future-focused release (details to be determined).
Annual releases of Configuration Manager will also receive 18 months of support, but hotfixes or out-of-band updates will only be delivered if absolutely necessary. It is important to note that while Microsoft is clearly prioritizing Intune moving forward, this is not unexpected and the company will continue to support Configuration Manager deployments for the foreseeable future.