Deploy Windows 10 Feature Update Using SCCM Task Sequence | ConfigMgr

Let’s learn how to deploy Windows 10 Feature Update using SCCM Task Sequence. Starting in Configuration Manager Production version 2103, you can also use a feature update. In this case, the OS upgrade package isn’t required. You can now upgrade a client’s Windows OS by using a feature update deployed with a task sequence. This integration combines the simplicity of Windows servicing with the flexibility of task sequences.

Servicing uses content that you synchronize through the software update point. This process simplifies the need to manually import and maintain the Windows image content used with a standard task sequence to upgrade Windows. The size of the servicing ESD file is generally smaller than the OS upgrade package and WIM image file.

Related Post – Top 5 New Features of ConfigMgr 2103 | SCCM

Requirements for a feature update in a task sequence

Review all these points before proceeding ahead. If you already have updates available, You can skip the steps.

• Synchronize the software update point to include the Upgrades classification.

Note – To validate the settings, See Sync All Windows 10 Update using Synchronize Software Update option.

• Once the sync process is completed or already completed, you will see All Windows 10 Updates that appeared under \Software Library\Windows 10 Servicing\All Windows 10 Updates. For quick results, You can use a search option to locate the updates you are looking for.

• For a deployment package that contains the feature update, distribute it to a distribution point that the client can access. You can see more details Download software updates. 

Limitations

• You can’t directly create a task sequence to install the feature update.
• Suppose you don’t have an existing Windows 10 in-place upgrade task sequence. It’s best to create a new Upgrade OS task sequence, and you need an OS upgrade package to complete the Create Task Sequence Wizard.
• If you have an existing Windows 10 in-place upgrade task sequence, edit or copy it. Then change the Upgrade OS task sequence step to install the feature update.

Create Feature Update Task Sequence to Upgrade an OS

#Option 1

• In the Configuration Manager console, Go to the Software Library workspace, and expand Operating Systems and Task Sequences.
• Suppose you have an existing upgrade task sequence. Either make a copy or directly edit. Select the upgrade task sequence you want to edit in the Task Sequence list. Right-click on task sequences and select Edit.

To create an Upgrade Task Sequence, Follow the process and complete – Windows 10 Upgrade Using SCCM Task Sequence | ConfigMgr

• Move to the Upgrade Operating System task sequence step. The Upgrade package option is selected by default. We need to change the Upgrade OS step to install the feature updates.

• Select the option Install the following feature updates and click on the yellow star icon to select feature updates.

• In top left side Expand Classifications > Upgrades > Microsoft > Windows 10 / Windows 10 version 1903 or later. From the list, select the feature updated you need to install and click OK.

Note – You can also do a quick search by providing Name in Look for a column. Click Find Now. More you can add click on Filter for a better search result.

Important – If the feature update is already downloaded, you can see the Downloaded column appear with Yes. If the feature update isn’t already downloaded, you can manage the deployment package when you deploy the task sequence.

• In Upgrade Operating System Step, you can see feature update is selected. Click Apply and Ok.

• Make sure to review added steps in Task Sequence, If you wish you can rename the existing Task Sequence to make it more user-friendly.

#Option 2

You can create a custom task sequence and add the Upgrade OS step. If you choose this method, also add the Restart Computer step after the Upgrade OS step.

• In the Configuration Manager console, go to the Software Library workspace, expand Operating Systems, and select the Task Sequences node. Select Create Task Sequence.

• On the Create a New Task Sequence page, select Create a new custom task sequence.

• On the Task Sequence Information page, specify:
  • A name for the task sequence
  • A description of the task sequence
  • An optional boot image for the task sequence to use

After you complete the Create Task Sequence Wizard, Configuration Manager adds the custom task sequence to the Task Sequences node.

• You can now edit this task sequence to add the task sequence steps you need. To Add an Upgrade OS step, Click Add > Images > Upgrade Operating System.

In Upgrade Operating System Step, select Install the following feature updates and click the yellow star to browse to select feature update. Once selected. Click Apply and Ok.

Note – You can follow the same steps added above to select feature updates.

To add Restart Computer step, Click Add > General > Restart Computer. In the Restart-Computer task sequence step, Ensure to use the setting for The currently installed default operating system to restart the computer into the installed OS and not Windows PE.

Important 📝- The task sequence includes the Upgrade OS, Restart Computer step, add additional recommended steps, and groups to handle the end-to-end upgrade process.

• Once the Custom Task sequence is ready to upgrade the operating system. You can proceed with deployment. It’s best to use the default Upgrade Task Sequence so that you don’t need to make more additional changes.

Deploy Feature Update Task Sequence

• Before you deploy the Feature Updates task sequence, make sure to review added steps. Select the task sequence ready for deployment. Right-click on the task sequence and select Deploy.

• On the General, click Browse to select your collection where you wish to perform the deployment.

• On the Deployment Settings, select the Purpose of the deployment.
  • Available – The task sequence will appear in the software center. The process will start only when users initiate.
  • Required – It will force the deployment at the deadline.

• On the Scheduling tab, you can specify the schedule for this deployment. Click Next.

• On the User Experience tab, leave the default selected options. Click Next.

• On the Alerts page, Click Next.

• On the Distribution Points page, you can specify how clients interact with the DPs to retrieve content from reference packages. Click Next.

• Review the selected options and click Next.

• The task sequence deployment was completed successfully. To exit the wizard, click close.

Starting in version 2103, if you use a feature update with the Upgrade OS task sequence step, the wizard also includes the Deployment Package page. Select one of the following options, For more information. 

Note – The Task sequence wizard with the Deployment Package page only appears. If the feature update isn’t already downloaded, you can manage the deployment package through the task sequence wizard.

• Select a deployment package: Add the feature updates to an existing deployment package.
• Create a new deployment package: Add the feature updates to a new deployment package.

• If you select Create a new deployment package. Important – The below information need to add only when you create a new software update deployment package.

Enter the Name – Download Windows 10 20H2 Servicing Package.
Enter the package name source – UNC path to store the source file.

Sending priority: Specify the sending priority for the deployment package. Configuration Manager uses this priority when it sends the package to distribution points. Deployment packages are sent in priority order: high, medium, or low.

Enable binary differential replication: Enable this setting to use binary differential replication for the deployment package.

On the Distribution Points page, specify the distribution points or distribution point groups to host the software update files. Important - This page is available only when you create a new software update deployment package. 

On the Download Location page, specify whether to download the software update files from the internet or from your local network. Configure the following settings:

On the Language Selection page, select the languages for which the site downloads the selected software updates. The site only downloads these updates if they’re available in the selected languages. Click Next.

Known issues with feature updates in a task sequence

Create a new task sequence

If you need to create a new task sequence, you need an OS upgrade package to complete the Create Task Sequence Wizard.

Export, import, and migrate task sequences

If you export a task sequence with the Upgrade OS step that uses a feature update, the exported task sequence doesn’t include the feature update content. When you import the task sequence, re-add the Upgrade OS step with the feature update.

Create prestaged content file

You can’t currently use the action to Create a prestaged content file for a task sequence with a feature update.

Create standalone media

Standalone media isn’t supported for a task sequence with a feature update. When you try to create standalone media, it fails with entries similar to the following in CreateTSMedia.log:

Resources

• Create a task sequence to upgrade an OS in Configuration Manager
• Deploy SCCM Feature Update task sequence
• Windows 10 Upgrade Using SCCM Task Sequence|ConfigMgr

Author