General
What is Automox?
Automox is a cloud-native IT automation platform that helps you patch faster, work smarter, and reduce complexity. With policy-driven automation and 360+ pre-built Automox Worklets™ automations, you can update Windows, macOS, and Linux endpoints across your entire environment — no VPN, no infrastructure, no hassle.
- Fix vulnerabilities in days, not months.
- Cut down manual tasks and reclaim your time.
- Keep every endpoint ready to go, anywhere in the world.
- Reduce the cost and effort of managing updates at scale.
Whether you're managing ten devices or ten thousand, Automox gives you the control and visibility to prove every endpoint is up to date — fast.
How is Automox different from using auto-updates?
Built-in auto-updaters rely on individual users and do not offer central visibility or enforcement. Automox gives IT a single console to automatically patch every device with consistent control and reporting.
How does Automox work?
Automox uses a lightweight agent to check each device's state against your policies. If a device is out of compliance, Automox applies the necessary patches or settings to bring it back in line — automatically and on schedule.
How secure is Automox?
Security is a top priority at Automox. We employ modern cloud security best practices to protect your data. Visit our Security page to learn more about our security measures.
Does Automox host its own patch repository?
Automox does not cache operating system patches — they're pulled directly from native OS update services. For Windows and macOS, Automox does cache third-party software patches and scans them for known malware before deployment.
Is there an on-premises version of Automox?
No, Automox is offered as a cloud-based service only. There are no on-premises servers to install or maintain. This means you can manage patching anywhere with an internet connection, without needing a VPN or local server hardware.
Where can I find Automox release notes?
You can find detailed release notes on the Automox Documentation Release Notes page, organized by date and version.
Where can I learn the best practices for using Automox?
You can explore Automox best practices, training courses, and expert tips at university.automox.com. It's free and built to help you get the most out of Automox — whether you're just starting out or looking to go deeper.
Just want to read the manual? Head to docs.automox.com.
What do I tell my end users about Automox?
Automox keeps your system up to date with critical patches that protect against security threats. It runs quietly in the background and doesn't access your personal files, monitor activity, or slow you down.
Keeping devices patched helps prevent outages, data breaches, and support issues — so you can stay focused on your work.
Capabilities
Which operating systems and devices does Automox support?
Automox supports all currently supported versions of Windows (10, 11, Server 2012 R2 and newer), macOS (Monterey and newer), and many Linux distributions (Ubuntu, Red Hat, CentOS, Amazon Linux, AlmaLinux, etc.)
It works on laptops, desktops, servers, virtual machines, and containers. For a full list of supported operating systems, see the Supported Operating Systems documentation.
Can Automox patch third-party applications?
Yes. Automox natively updates 580+ third-party applications (e.g. web browsers, Adobe software, Java). For any software not supported out of the box, you can use Automox scalable automations (Automox Worklets) to patch or update.
Can Automox install or remove software on my devices?
Yes. You can set policies to ensure required applications are installed on devices (and kept installed). You can also remove or block unwanted software by executing removal scripts via Automox Worklets.
Can I run custom scripts or configuration tasks with Automox?
Yes. Automox includes Worklets, which are custom scripts you can deploy to endpoints. Worklets let you automate virtually any task or configuration beyond standard patching (for example, updating configurations or enforcing custom security settings).
Does Automox provide device inventory and reporting?
Yes. Automox keeps a real-time inventory of your devices, including hardware, installed software, missing patches, and configuration details. It also provides built-in reports for visibility:
- Overview Report: Summary of patch status and vulnerability exposure across devices.
- Pre-Patch Report: List of pending patches with severity and exposure details.
- Needs Attention Report: Highlights endpoints that require intervention (offline devices, failed patches, etc.).
All reports can be viewed in the console and exported as needed.
Does Automox work with WSUS (Windows Server Update Services)?
Yes. Automox can work with or without WSUS. You can use WSUS as a local repository for patches while Automox handles scheduling, deployment, and enforcement of patching. In other words, WSUS can supply the patches, and Automox ensures they get applied on time.
Does Automox offer an API for integration?
Yes. Automox provides a full REST API. This allows you to integrate Automox with other tools or scripts — for example, pulling reports or triggering actions programmatically. (See the Automox API Docs for reference.)
What are patch policies in Automox?
Patch policies let you control when and how updates are applied across devices. You can target specific OS types, schedule patch windows, and set reboot behavior — all from the Automox console. For more information on patch policies, see the Creating a Patch Policy documentation.
Can I target specific devices or groups with a policy?
Yes. Policies can be assigned to individual groups, and you can use filters to fine-tune which devices within a group are included.
What happens if a patch fails?
If a patch fails, the device is marked as non-compliant and flagged in your reports. You can review logs and retry the patch directly from the console.
Can Automox integrate with vulnerability scanners?
Yes. Automox integrates with tools like Tenable, Rapid7, and Qualys to ingest vulnerability data and automate remediation using patch or Worklet policies. You can sync findings, prioritize risks, and close gaps faster — all from one platform.
Agent & Deployment
Does Automox require an agent?
Yes. Automox uses a lightweight agent installed on each endpoint to perform patching and configuration tasks. The agent runs with limited privileges and cannot access or tamper with personal files or data on the system.
What does the Automox agent access on a device?
The Automox agent has very limited access to the device. It cannot view, change, or remove your personal data. The agent's only job is to install updates and enforce configuration changes that you approve. It is far less invasive than MDM tools that might control camera or microphone access — Automox focuses strictly on patching and system settings.
How do I install the Automox agent on my devices?
You install the agent by downloading the installer for your device's OS from the Automox console (Windows, macOS, or various Linux distributions). For more in-depth support on deploying the agent, see the Automox Agent Installation Guide. After running the installer, the device will appear in your Automox dashboard. You can also deploy the agent in bulk using tools like Group Policy, Ansible, or JumpCloud to enable a hands-free rollout.
How do I uninstall the Automox agent?
You can remove the agent easily if needed. The recommended method is to remove the device via the Automox console (which will uninstall the agent). You can also uninstall it manually on the device with a few commands. See the Removing the Automox Agent guide for step-by-step instructions on all operating systems.
How do I re-enroll a device that was deleted?
If you deleted a device (endpoint) from the Automox console, you'll need to deregister the agent on that device before adding it again. Run the agent deregistration command on the device (amagent --deregister for most systems) or uninstall/reinstall the agent. See the device deregistration steps in our documentation for details.
Account & Billing
How is Automox priced?
Automox is licensed per managed endpoint. You are billed for each laptop, desktop, server, or VM that you manage with Automox (typically as a monthly or annual subscription). There is no long-term contract required — you can adjust the number of devices or cancel at any time.
What are my payment options?
You can pay by credit card directly through the Automox console (under Settings > Billing). If you need to use ACH (bank transfer) or purchase orders/checks, please contact Automox sales to arrange payment. (Adding ACH details in-app isn't supported at this time.)
How do I cancel my Automox subscription?
Currently, there isn't a self-service cancel button in the app. To cancel your subscription, simply send an email to cancel@automox.com. Our team will process the cancellation for you.
Organizations & Groups
What is an “Organization” in Automox?
In Automox, an Organization is an independent tenant that segregates devices, users, and billing. You can create multiple organizations under your account (useful for MSPs managing multiple clients or a company with multiple sites). Each organization's devices and data are isolated from the others, with separate policy configurations and admins.
What are “Groups” in Automox?
Groups are subsets of devices within an organization. They let you organize your endpoints (for example, by department, location, or operating system) and apply different policies to each set. Every new device joins a default group automatically, and you can create or delete custom groups as needed in the console (Manage > Groups menu).
What happens if I cancel my subscription?
If you decide to cancel your subscription, you will still have visibility to all of your systems, allowing you to monitor your infrastructure. We provide free lifetime monitoring where you can see new vulnerabilities, patch updates, and current configurations for each system. You won't be able to patch or actively manage your systems until you reactivate your account, which you can do at any time in the Automox platform.
How do I create a new organization in Automox?
In the Automox console, go to Your Organization > Manage Orgs and Users. Then click Add Organization and follow the prompts to set up a new organization. You can switch between multiple organizations easily from the console toolbar once they are created.
How do I contact Automox support?
For help or troubleshooting, you can reach Automox support through our Support Portal or by emailing support@automox.com. A support engineer will typically respond within an hour during business hours (6 AM-6 PM Mountain Time, Monday-Friday). You can also ask questions and get advice from other Automox users in the Automox Community.
