Anyone Using SCCM Windows 10 Servicing?

[Fazza]

We've got quite a few Windows 10 Staff Laptop around the place now, so I need to start looking in to how to upgrade them when future releases of Windows 10 come along.

 

We have SCCM which I see has a Windows 10 Servicing option - I'm assuming this is what is used to deploy new versions of Windows 10 out to clients?

 

What I'd like to do is when a new version of Windows 10 comes out (such as the new Creators Update) is make it available to anyone via SCCM so it doesn't get forced out but users can choose to upgrade should they wish via the Software Center etc. - is this possible?

 

Thanks.

 

[daflibble]

I've not tried the servicing options myself but do remember watching an OSD video (Johan Ardwidmak probably can't recall) suggesting to just carry on using Task Sequences with required or available options as the deployment option that suits your needs. We've been using an in-place upgrade Task Sequence for Win10 1607 and it works fine. The problem is as it's only made available people chose not to bother and the complain Windows 10 is bad due to issues which we know are resolved in 1607.

[Fazza]

The problem is as it's only made available people chose not to bother and the complain Windows 10 is bad due to issues which we know are resolved in 1607.

 

For me the problem is I don't trust the upgrade process 100% on some of our older computers that we've put Windows 10 on so I'd rather give them the choice rather than force it upon then!

 

It would also make it easier for us to semi-automatically upgrade when we have a laptop in for repair/upgrade/anything we can quickly upgrade them ourselves.

 

How do you perform an upgrade via a TS as I've only ever done a fresh install/image?

 

Thanks.

[daflibble]

For me the problem is I don't trust the upgrade process 100%

 

Yes I have the same trust issues with in-place upgrades, but it seems a lot better now. We did a 1607 inplace upgrade TS that was released as a self-service (available deployment) and I see 133 deployment successful currently. We've had a few issues with some tablets needing USB hub drivers re-installed as it broke our USB proximity card readers, but by far the biggest issue was getting people to carry out the upgrade themselves. 50% did it or took up the offer of assisted upgrade but the last 50% have been slow to take it up.

 

I'd suggest reading up the blog posts at Deployment Research > Research. I think Johan Arwidmark did some good videos back in 2015 on this subject, he sticks out a bit on youtube with his name.

[free780]

The servicing feature requires you use SCCM for WSUS. Also you can't run a script to strip out the apps. Task Sequences are they way to go. I've not had any issues with the upgrade occurring. I have had the issue of regional settings being lost. Also trying to get the upgrade to happen out of hours as it takes 2 hours on some of the models we have.

[Fazza]

Thanks for all the replies.

 

What I've decided to do is create a Task Sequence that I shall make available to all Windows 10 computers that are not on the current Windows 10 Build (no point in offering to upgrade to the same version and build number)!

 

We've created a Device Collection in SCCM that has all the Windows 10 computers in it that have a build number that is less than the current build (14393) and made it Available to them so they can upgrade via the Software Center should they so wish. People wont see much of a difference between 1507/1511 and 1607 but with the new Creators Update on its way soon that's when I think we'll see a lot of people enquiring about it so getting prepared for it now! I think we'll be the main users of this option as if people bring in their laptops for repair or issues etc. and are leaving their Windows 10 laptop with us then we'll do the upgrade as a matter of course.

[Fazza]

Sorry for the double-posting but I've just gotten this message on my test PC when upgrading from Windows 10 1511 to 1607.1

 

 

"all the existing data on your computer will be removed" - is this a generic message or is this 'upgrade' going to remove all files and programs and just leave Windows 10 1607.1 on my test computer?