How to Prioritize Third-Party Patches Based on Vendor Risk Scores Keeping third-party applications up to date is one of the most effective ways to reduce security risk, but not all patches deserve the same urgency. In this video, we’ll walk through how to prioritize third-party patches on Windows 11 using vendor risk scores so you can focus your time and resources where they matter most. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to NinjaOne's IT Video Hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this. Why Vendor Risk Scores Matter These scores estimate how much impact a software provider or a specific application can have on your organization’s security, compliance, and operations. Basically, by fast-tracking updates for high-risk vendors, you reduce exposure to known exploits and avoid spreading your patching resources too thin. Prerequisites to Prioritizing Third-Party Patches Before getting started, make sure you meet the following requirements: Windows 11 (any edition), Administrator permissions, A current asset inventory of installed third-party applications, Access to vulnerability intelligence sources such as CVSS, CISA KEV, or VulnDB, An RMM or patch management platform, such as NinjaOne, Clearly defined risk tiers (e.g., Critical, High, Medium, and Low). Once these prerequisites are in place, you’re ready to prioritize third-party patches in Windows 11 according to vendor risk scores— starting by building a tiering framework. How to Prioritize Third-Party Patches Based on Vendor Risk Scores Step 1: Define a Vendor Risk Tiering Model The first step is to build a tiering framework that reflects your organization’s real-world risk tolerance. This model helps you quickly identify which software poses the greatest threat if left unpatched. Take this table, for example: Step 2: Inventory Installed Software Using PowerShell Next, gather a complete list of installed applications across your Windows 11 endpoints. Press Win + R, type PowerShell, and launch it with administrative privileges. Then run the following command: Once collected, map each application to your predefined risk tiers. Step 3: Match Applications to Vulnerability Intelligence Now enrich your inventory with real-world vulnerability data. You can also integrate solutions such as Qualys, Tenable, and VulnDB. Step 4: Tag Devices by Patch Priority To operationalize your risk tiers, tag endpoints directly using the Windows registry or automate the process through your RMM. Open PowerShell as an administrator and run this command. To confirm the tag, run the following command. Using NinjaOne, you can scan for these registry values and group endpoints automatically, making third-party patch deployment far more efficient. Step 5: Schedule Patch Windows by Risk Tier Once devices are tagged, align patch schedules with urgency—without disrupting business operations. Step 6: Delay Low-Risk Patching with Group Policy Finally, to avoid unnecessary bandwidth usage, delay or restrict updates for low-risk software. For this step, use the Group Policy Editor to manage Windows Update deadlines and control application execution through AppLocker rules, blocking unapproved or low-priority versions and allowing only approved versions to run. In the end, prioritizing third-party patches by vendor risk score allows IT teams and MSPs to focus effort where it has the greatest impact. With Windows 11, the right intelligence sources, and a structured patching strategy, you can reduce risk, maintain compliance, and keep your environment secure without unnecessary disruption. For more information, check out our official blog post on prioritizing third-party patches according to vendor risk scores, linked in the description below.