InVentry PC - updating OS version to 1809

[itskdog]

Hi all,

 

We have an InVentry V4 machine that, despite receiving in 2019, was supplied with LTSB 2015, even though both 2016 and 2018 were out by then. 🤷♂️🤷♂️

 

I reached out to InVentry a while back to find out what would be needed to update to a newer version due to the end of security updates, and they basically said "you're on your own" as they can't do it remotely over TeamViewer.

 

While we still have our OVS-ES subscription for another year (and therefore still have keys and downloads for LTSC versions) before we move to M365 A3 and ditching AD in the summer, we want to get the OS upgraded to LTSC 2018 (as 2021 ends support earlier as we don't seem to have the IoT variant available), but not being familiar with the LTSC versions, we're not sure the process to perform the upgrade.

 

InVentry seemed to suggest it should be possible via Windows Update ("The update can be done via Windows Updates, or by download[sic.] the latest version (22H2) directly from Microsoft."), and sent us the link on their Zendesk for moving Windows 7 systems to Windows 10.

 

Does anyone have any experience doing this on their site, or would it be recommended to engage our second-line support company rather that risking issues doing this ourselves and requiring the InVentry software to be reinstalled at cost (the consequence provided for using an ISO after my question)

[psydii]

Definitely a holiday job, but in-place LTSC to LTSC should work.

 

You might want to have inventry on standby to remote in post install and fix anything/everything that might have broken. (in place upgrades basically install a new OS side by side, replay all the installers into the new OS, rename a few folders alter the boot manager and then boot into the new OS. Fine for 99.5% of software, but the low-volume-installers (such as you find in little bespoke systems like cashless, visitor management, scan to sims etc) may have quirks that result in them needing to be manually re-installed into the new OS. Worst case: the software comes over automatically, but is broken in ways nobody has seen before.

 

Might be better to get Inventry Support to confirm a backup of the database and configuration, then you wipe the machine and install windows clean, and get Inventry Support re-install their system and restore the config and data from backup?

[itskdog]

Avoiding unnecessary cost (which a reinstall would be) would be preferable. We just want to keep security updates going until the EOL of the hardware when Microsoft stop supporting Windows 10 altogether. Budgets are tight so all POs are being scrutinised for necessity, and we're still working on bringing the quote for the Intune migration down while reducing how much we need to do, so that we have less worries about things going wrong in September.

 

If we're not to use an ISO, per the support agent's instructions (as that would wipe the system), how else do you do that in-place-upgrade you mentioned? I've only ever manually done them on SAC/GA Windows 10, which uses the regular ISO from the Microsoft Website or VLSC, or is there a way through Windows Update on the machine that I hadn't spotted?

[ToyHeartsFan]

In place upgrade from ISO just means running the setup file from within windows rather than booting from the ISO; either use a tool to mount the iso in windows or create DVD / USB media.

 

I can't recall trying it with an LTSC version but it should work in the same way as regular windows with the previso you might need to launch it from the cmd line with the product key if the upgrade option is grayed out: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/upgrade/windows-upgrade-paths

 

Small SSD's hardly cost anything now so as its a major change and might break InVentry I would create a disk image of your PC first (and make sure it works) so you can restore it if it goes pear shaped, I would also want to export a backup of InVentry as psydii suggested if possible.

 

The ISO's should be in your VLSC account, some times they don't list everything in VLSC that you are licenced for if you contact Microsoft they will probably add the IOT ISO for you.

 

Note: as far as I know you cant upgrade LTSB / LTSC from windows update.

Edited December 5, 2024 by ToyHeartsFan

[Michael]

I have done exactly this previously - Windows 7 (existing OS) > Windows 10 LTSB15 > Windows 10 LTSC19 + patches, in place upgrade. Took a few hours and certainly do-able in school time with enough planning.

[itskdog]

I can't recall trying it with an LTSC version but it should work in the same way as regular windows with the previso you might need to launch it from the cmd line with the product key if the upgrade option is grayed out: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/deployment/upgrade/windows-upgrade-paths

 

I'd seen that page before, but it only talked about LTSC to GA, not LTSC to a later LTSC, which is why I wasn't sure if that was possible.

[Michael]

It certainly is, but like others have commented not via Microsoft Update, only via ISO.

[3s-gtech]

When you go to A3 and stop your AD licensing, your license may no longer be valid.

[InVentryTechnican]

Hi all,

 

We have an InVentry V4 machine that, despite receiving in 2019, was supplied with LTSB 2015, even though both 2016 and 2018 were out by then. 🤷♂️🤷♂️

 

I reached out to InVentry a while back to find out what would be needed to update to a newer version due to the end of security updates, and they basically said "you're on your own" as they can't do it remotely over TeamViewer.

 

While we still have our OVS-ES subscription for another year (and therefore still have keys and downloads for LTSC versions) before we move to M365 A3 and ditching AD in the summer, we want to get the OS upgraded to LTSC 2018 (as 2021 ends support earlier as we don't seem to have the IoT variant available), but not being familiar with the LTSC versions, we're not sure the process to perform the upgrade.

 

InVentry seemed to suggest it should be possible via Windows Update ("The update can be done via Windows Updates, or by download[sic.] the latest version (22H2) directly from Microsoft."), and sent us the link on their Zendesk for moving Windows 7 systems to Windows 10.

 

Does anyone have any experience doing this on their site, or would it be recommended to engage our second-line support company rather that risking issues doing this ourselves and requiring the InVentry software to be reinstalled at cost (the consequence provided for using an ISO after my question)

 

Evening,

 

Have you asked support regarding a recovery pack, as we do offer a Windows 10 LTSC build for our Generation 4 units ideally it would be better if you're able to send InVentry a USB (32GB) and we can simply build the recovery pack, and ship back out, then support simply remote onto the unit and restore the database backup, something to think about if you're looking to upgrade the unit from LTSB to LTSC.

 

- InVentry Tech

[itskdog]

Evening,

 

Have you asked support regarding a recovery pack, as we do offer a Windows 10 LTSC build for our Generation 4 units ideally it would be better if you're able to send InVentry a USB (32GB) and we can simply build the recovery pack, and ship back out, then support simply remote onto the unit and restore the database backup, something to think about if you're looking to upgrade the unit from LTSB to LTSC.

 

- InVentry Tech

My ticket was #611511 from back in May if you want to look at it.

 

I didn't know what to ask for, so I just asked what your plans were as far as how to keep the device in support after next October, assuming it might be something you guys would do to keep us secure, and got told that it would be up to us to locate the download and perform the upgrade ourselves as we're out of warranty, but not to use an ISO as it would cause a full reset and require a chargeable reinstall from you guys, and to use Windows Update instead (which as you can see above, is not possible).

 

Ultimately, we don't want to pay anything if we can help it due to budget constraints, but if the backup recovery is chargeable as I've been informed it does, we'd need to know in advance the cost to make a decision, and I can't see a price list for services on your website or Zendesk.

 

If it were running GA we could just apply an ESU licence key, but it makes sense as to why you're using LTSB/C due to the specs and purpose of the machine, so I'm not quibbling on that front.

[InVentryTechnican]

My ticket was #611511 from back in May if you want to look at it.

 

I didn't know what to ask for, so I just asked what your plans were as far as how to keep the device in support after next October, assuming it might be something you guys would do to keep us secure, and got told that it would be up to us to locate the download and perform the upgrade ourselves as we're out of warranty, but not to use an ISO as it would cause a full reset and require a chargeable reinstall from you guys, and to use Windows Update instead (which as you can see above, is not possible).

 

Ultimately, we don't want to pay anything if we can help it due to budget constraints, but if the backup recovery is chargeable as I've been informed it does, we'd need to know in advance the cost to make a decision, and I can't see a price list for services on your website or Zendesk.

 

If it were running GA we could just apply an ESU licence key, but it makes sense as to why you're using LTSB/C due to the specs and purpose of the machine, so I'm not quibbling on that front.

 

Evening

 

Ahh that makes sense, yes it would be a recovery pack, we normally offer these for systems with damaged windows installs, updates ect, but mention this may not resolve the entire issue in the event of hardware failures but is always a first option for OOW hardware.

 

I've forwarded the ticket to the Support team, so they'll be in touch with further updates on this, as I mentioned providing you're able to get a USB sent over to the office as this would be the only real cost involved, we can build the pack and send it back out to you prepped, hopefully this helps.

 

-InVentry Tech