How often is Business Central updated?

There are two major release waves per year, in April and October, plus minor updates roughly every month in between.

Can we choose when the update happens?

Yes. Administrators can choose the update date within the update period and set an update window of hours, so updates run outside business hours.

Can we skip an update indefinitely?

No. Updates can be scheduled and postponed within the update period, but the online service keeps every customer on a supported version.

Will updates break our customisations?

Business Central customisations are built as extensions, which keeps the base application upgradeable. Testing in a preview sandbox catches compatibility issues before production.

Do updates cost extra?

Updates are included in your Business Central subscription. Optional services such as testing or training on new features may be quoted separately.

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

The Business Central Update Lifecycle

Two major release waves every year, monthly minor updates, and scheduling you control. Your ERP stays secure, current and supported — without disruptive re-implementation projects.

Plan My Update Strategy

One Year of Business Central Updates

Microsoft ships on a predictable rhythm, so you can plan testing and training months ahead.

Major release wave: Wave 1 · April, Wave 2 · OctoberMonthly minor update

Major updates — twice a year

Release wave 1 (April) and release wave 2 (October)

New features, AI and Copilot capabilities, and new country/regional functions
Published in advance in Microsoft's release plans, so you know what is coming
Preview versions available for sandbox testing before general availability
Some new features arrive switched off, so you can enable them when ready

Minor updates — every month

Cumulative monthly updates between the major waves

Security fixes, bug fixes and performance improvements
Regulatory and tax changes for local versions
Small enhancements without changing how users work
Applied automatically inside your chosen update window

You Control When Updates Happen

Updates are automatic, but not imposed at a bad time. Your administrator decides when each environment is updated.

Choose the update date

For a major release, each environment has a multi-month update period. In the Business Central admin center you pick the date that suits your business — avoiding month-end close, stocktake or peak season.

Set the update window

Define the hours (for example overnight or at weekends) when updates may run, so users are not interrupted during the working day.

Test first in a sandbox

Copy production to a sandbox, run the new version against your own data, extensions and integrations, then update production with confidence.

Get notified in advance

Administrators receive notifications before an update is available and before it is scheduled, so there are no surprises.

Postponement is limited: if the update period ends, Microsoft applies the update automatically to keep every customer on a supported version.

Why Regular Updates Matter

Security against evolving threats

Attackers, increasingly using AI, target known weaknesses. Monthly updates close them quickly, instead of leaving them open for years on an old version.

Always supported

Microsoft supports current versions. Staying up to date keeps you eligible for support, fixes and compatible partner apps.

Compliance stays current

Tax, e-invoicing and reporting changes are delivered through updates, reducing manual workarounds.

No more big-bang upgrades

Small, regular steps replace the costly, risky upgrade projects that on-premises ERP needed every few years.

New features keep arriving

Copilot, AI assistance, better reporting and Power Platform integration arrive as part of your subscription.

Lower total cost

No separate upgrade licence or server refresh — the question becomes what not updating could cost the business.

What Feature Updates Typically Bring

Each release wave focuses on areas like these. Exact content varies by wave and is listed in Microsoft's release plan.

Copilot and AI agents for sales, purchasing and finance tasks
Financial reporting, bank reconciliation and e-documents
Warehouse, inventory and manufacturing improvements
Shopify, Power BI, Teams, Excel and Power Automate integration
Usability, performance and administration tools
New localisations and regulatory features

How Bizspoke Manages Updates for You

1Review each release plan and tell you what matters for your business
2Test your extensions and integrations in a preview sandbox
3Schedule the production update at a quiet time you approve
4Enable and train users on valuable new features
5Monitor after the update and resolve any issues quickly