Managing ServiceNow security patching and end-of-life upgrades<!-- /*NS Branding Styles*/ --> .ns-kb-css-body-editor-container { p { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, #000000); } span { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, #000000); } h2 { font-size: 24pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, black); } h3 { font-size: 18pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, black); } h4 { font-size: 14pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--text-primary, black); } a { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #00718F); } a:hover { font-size: 12pt; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #024F69); } a:target { font-size: 12pt; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #032D42); } a:visited { font-size: 12pt; color: var(--now-color--link-primary, #00718f); } ul { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; } li { font-size: 12pt; font-family: Lato; } img { display: ; max-width: ; width: ; height: ; } } This article outlines the features of patching and upgrade activities and provides information about managing your related Changes. You can view, track, and manage your ServiceNow instances and their upcoming upgrade changes from the Instance Dashboard on the Now Support portal. Features The upgrade Change subject indicates whether the change is a security patch, a family EOL upgrade, or a customer self-scheduled change. This helps you understand and manage your scheduled changes.A security patch change can only move your instance within the same family version (for example, Vancouver Patch 1 to Vancouver Patch 3 Hot Fix 1).A family EOL upgrade Change can only move your instance to a higher family (for example, Utah to Vancouver).You can self-schedule upgrades even when a security patch or family EOL upgrade change is already open.You can create your own upgrade change using the direct link to the Upgrade an Instance service catalog item under the Target version. Important considerations Security patch and family EOL upgrade changes will proceed on the planned start date to the indicated target version unless one of the following applies: Your self-scheduled change targets a higher version and the planned start date is before the security patch or family EOL upgrade change, then the patch or upgrade will auto-cancel during the time of execution.If a family EOL upgrade is targeted to a higher version and the planned start date is earlier than the security patch, the security patch change will auto-cancel during the time of execution.An extension has been requested. Security patch and family EOL upgrade changes cannot be canceled and can only be rescheduled within approved windows. To request more time, enter a comment on the security patch or family EOL upgrade change to seek an extension. Managing your security patch and family EOL upgrades Only one family or patch change can be opened on a ServiceNow instance at a time. Use the existing security patch or family EOL upgrade change to target a different version or to reschedule the upgrade rather than creating a new change. If no Change is currently scheduled:Self-schedule a patch, hotfix, or family upgrade using the Upgrade an Instance service catalog item on the Instance Dashboard. If a family EOL upgrade change is scheduled: You cannot schedule your own family upgrade.You can modify the existing change to adjust the planned start date or target a higher family than your instance's current family.You can self-schedule a patch or hotfix change that moves your instance to a higher patch version within the current family. If a security patch Change is scheduled: You cannot schedule your own patch or hotfix.You can modify the existing change to adjust the planned start date or target a higher patch version within the current family.You can self-schedule a family upgrade to a higher family than your instance's current family. Older versions that are no longer supported or fall below the ServiceNow security target are retired and cannot be selected as an upgrade target. Terminology TermDefinitionEnd-of-life upgrade90 days before a new family is released, ServiceNow schedules all customer instances that will become unsupported for an upgrade to the new family after it is released. These changes may remain open for 90 days or more.FamilyA complete solution including new capabilities that customers can implement to add value to their organization. The release family also incorporates available fixes to existing functionality.PatchAn upgrade within a family (for example, Vancouver Patch 1 to Vancouver Patch 3). Patches do not include new features.HotfixSimilar to a patch — an upgrade within a family, but containing only a small number of targeted fixes. Related links Resources for how to manage and schedule instance upgrades.