How to Configure Cluster-Aware Updating for a Failover Cluster
Applies to: Windows Server 2019, 2022 and 2025.
Cluster-Aware Updating coordinates node draining, patching, restart and role return while preserving workload availability when the workload supports movement.
Recovery procedures must be tested before an outage. Protect backup credentials and keep at least one recovery path separate from production. Visit networkmanager.info.
Prerequisites
- Use a healthy validated cluster.
- Confirm workloads can fail over.
- Configure update source and maintenance window.
- Take workload-aware backups.
Procedure
Step 1: Check cluster health
Resolve failed nodes or groups.
Get-ClusterNode
Get-ClusterGroupStep 2: Install CAU tools
Add RSAT clustering automation tools where needed.
Install-WindowsFeature RSAT-Clustering-AutomationServerStep 3: Analyze readiness
Use CAU preview or management console to scan for applicable updates.
Step 4: Run updating run
Use Invoke-CauRun with the approved update plug-in and maintenance parameters.
Step 5: Monitor roles and nodes
Watch drain, reboot and resume sequence.
Step 6: Validate applications
Test each clustered service after completion.
Verification
All nodes and groups should return to expected state with updated builds.
Get-ClusterNode
Get-ClusterGroup
Get-ComputerInfo | Select CsName,OsBuildNumber,OsLastBootUpTimeRollback and recovery considerations
Pause further CAU processing when a node fails. Recover the affected node and workload before resuming; uninstall problematic updates only under Microsoft and vendor guidance.
Operational notes
CAU cannot preserve availability for a workload that cannot move cleanly or lacks enough surviving capacity.
