Upgrade to Windows 10

[GRitchie]

So, we've currently got the network on Windows 7 with a 2008 R2 domain controller.

 

We'll soon have a free server (migrating to 365) and I'm thinking of creating a 2012 server as a RODC and then moving across the FSMO roles etc. to that.

Then, I can start to build on Windows 10.

 

Our DC is a little bit of a mess if I'm honest, but I imagine moving it to a clean server would do it a world of good.

I really want to rebuild the domain, but it's currently me and an apprentice and with me being not even 1 year into the job, I don't want to risk that.

 

Can anyone see any problems in my thinking? (Assuming 2012 has the templates for 10 built in?)

[Michael]

You don't need 2012 or 2012 R2 from what you're describing. You can install Windows 10 and Office 2016 templates onto a 2008 R2 box. Works absolutely fine

[zag]

At a strategic level I would wait a few years for windows 10 to bed in.

 

There are many problems with locking it down at the moment that will surely be solved in the coming updates.

 

I've always waited for the first service pack before even testing new operating systems by microsoft.

[Michael]

At a strategic level I would wait a few years for windows 10 to bed in.

 

There are many problems with locking it down at the moment that will surely be solved in the coming updates.

 

I've always waited for the first service pack before even testing new operating systems by microsoft.

 

I guess that's down to opinion - I support close to 1000 devices all running Windows 10. We've already had what is considered the modern equivalent of a Service Pack - 10240 original release vs. 10586 released November 2015. Redstone is due to be released the end of 2016, probably in line with Windows Server 2016.

[localzuk]

Personally, I am waiting until Server 2016 and SCCM 2016 come out. Idea being they're designed from the ground up to support Windows 10, rather than Windows 10 being an add-on.

 

Once they're both out, I am likely going to take a relatively quick leap into the world of Windows 10 across our MAT.

[Arthur]

Redstone is due to be released the end of 2016, probably in line with Windows Server 2016.

Redstone 1 is due to be released in June or July.

 

It will have to be released on or before 29th July 2016 otherwise Microsoft can't really call it an Anniversary Update.

 

I've always waited for the first service pack before even testing new operating systems by Microsoft.

As @Michael mentioned, we have already have the equivalent of the first service pack.

Edited May 3, 2016 by Arthur

[Sheridan]

We're running a 2008/2012 mixed DC domain (until the older DCs are turned into 2012 VMs!) and we're about to upgrade a small IT suite, and 10 LSTB with the classic start menu is looking promising.

 

Personally I think 10 is a missed opportunity to provide a new OS for the future. It started out as a cludged up Windows 8 clone and has slowly been messed about so we have a part-managed OS with two control panels and a browser that doesn't seem to even be finished yet!

 

But until we jump into a 'live' use of 10 we won't know how good/bad its going to be, so we're regarding this mini upgrade as a test for us and our primaries.

[Sagima]

Personally, I am waiting until Server 2016 and SCCM 2016 come out. Idea being they're designed from the ground up to support Windows 10, rather than Windows 10 being an add-on.

 

Once they're both out, I am likely going to take a relatively quick leap into the world of Windows 10 across our MAT.

 

Isn't SCCM Current Branch what would have been SCCM 2016? Or are you thinking that on server 2016 it will gain some functionality?

[localzuk]

Isn't SCCM Current Branch what would have been SCCM 2016? Or are you thinking that on server 2016 it will gain some functionality?

 

I hadn't seen a single mention of a new release model for SCCM. In fact, the last thing I saw was an article talking about what's coming in SCCM 2016! Not to mention, plus I can't find any mention of "current branch" on VLSC! So, somehow I missed this change.

[Arthur]

Isn't SCCM Current Branch what would have been SCCM 2016?

Correct.

[Arthur]

I can't find any mention of "current branch" on VLSC!

http://i.cubeupload.com/M3wh71.png

[AJWhite1970]

And then once you have upgraded your SCCM to 1511 you can then find v1602 waiting for you in Administration, Cloud Services, Updates and Servicing within SCCM

Edited May 3, 2016 by AJWhite1970

[Cache]

We'll soon have a free server (migrating to 365) and I'm thinking of creating a 2012 server as a RODC and then moving across the FSMO roles etc. to that.

 

Ignoring everything else, you can't move FSMO roles across to a RODC I believe, so it would need to be a fully blown DC in your current domain you created.

[bwestlake]

Nearly finished with our windows 10 image, haven't really had any issues with locking it down, only real issues we have had is with the start menu, but am using the xml file to only display what we want in certain rooms, not installing the crap that people requested and then never used, just sticking to the basics then little extras in certain rooms!

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

make sure you go to server 2012 r2 as 2012 is now old, go to the latest! but as others have said you can import the admx into 2008r2

[Sheridan]

Nearly finished with our windows 10 image, haven't really had any issues with locking it down, only real issues we have had is with the start menu, but am using the xml file to only display what we want in certain rooms, not installing the crap that people requested and then never used, just sticking to the basics then little extras in certain rooms!

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

make sure you go to server 2012 r2 as 2012 is now old, go to the latest! but as others have said you can import the admx into 2008r2

 

How did you get the xml file to work? I tried everything (on a share like our Window 7 redirected menu and local copies, Edu,LTSB and Ent) but it never works consistently. I gave up and used the classic start menu, it really bugs me that I have to use a third party tool to fix a bug that MS can't seem to sort out!

[bwestlake]

i just exported one from our test machine, use gpo files to deploy it to our machines (C:\ITServices\StartMenu_%user%.xml) (%user% = Staff or Student) then use gpo Policies>Administrative Templates>Start Menu and Taskbar>Start Layout and selected the file per user (Separate GPO for Students and Staff).

 

If a room has different software we use the gpo files to push it out.

[Sheridan]

i just exported one from our test machine, use gpo files to deploy it to our machines (C:\ITServices\StartMenu_%user%.xml) (%user% = Staff or Student) then use gpo Policies>Administrative Templates>Start Menu and Taskbar>Start Layout and selected the file per user (Separate GPO for Students and Staff).

 

If a room has different software we use the gpo files to push it out.

 

Thats what we tried, using both local xml files and on a network share. Still never worked consistently - i.e Office icons would appear, but something like calculator or Explorer would appear sometimes, or never depending on the login.

[Michael]

Redstone 1 is due to be released in June or July.

 

It will have to be released on or before 29th July 2016 otherwise Microsoft can't really call it an Anniversary Update.

 

 

As @Michael mentioned, we have already have the equivalent of the first service pack.

 

And will Microsoft release Windows Server 2016 and Redstone 1 at the same time? No one seems to know for sure!

[Arthur]

And will Microsoft release Windows Server 2016 and Redstone 1 at the same time? No one seems to know for sure!

Not sure, but it would be nice if the RTM release of Server 2016 was available to download from VLSC on or before 29th July.

 

Technical Preview 5 is the final public technical preview of Windows Server 2016 so Microsoft must be fairly close now.

Edited May 5, 2016 by Arthur

[Michael]

It must be it then surely - I've been putting off migrating a lot of 2008 R2 servers I have for this