Managing Updates - Configuring Service Channels
6 important questions on Managing Updates - Configuring Service Channels
How to identify Windows 10 Builds
Build = "Feature update" = Add and/or remove Windows capabilities.
Builds are numbered in a "YYHH" format. (Year - Which half of the year = 1 or 2)
- In the past YYMM was used, Year - Month.
You can find the current build of your Windows in Settings -> System -> About.
What are the 3 different Servicing Branches
Windows Insider (preview and test new Windows builds).
Semi-Annual Channel.
- Originally called "Current Branch for Business".
- It is possible to delay or defer new builds.
Long Term Servicing Channel.
- No feature updates for 10 years after the build releases.
5 properties of Windows Insider
- Requires a Microsoft or Azure AD account.
- All usage information is send to and collected by Microsoft.
- Makes it possible to preview and test new builds before general release.
- Can disable/enable Windows Insider using GPO.
Insider has 3 channels, balancing speed vs. Stability.
- Release preview, most stable.
- Beta, in the middle, earlier.
- Dev, earliest.
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3 properties of the Semi-Annual Channel (SAC)
- New upgrades are installed as released OR after a configured delay.
- Only affects feature updates, "quality" updates are unaffected.
- It is possible to defer upgrades (not when using Home), using either GPO or Intune.
What are 2 GPO policies to defer Quality and Feature updates
"Select when Preview Builds and Feature Updates are received"
- Possible to select the update channel and defer up to 365 days.
"Select when Quality Updates are received"
- Possible to defer updates for up to 30 days.
Only possible to use these if Windows telemetry (share data usage) has been configured as Basis, Enhanced or Full.
5 properties of the Long-term Servicing Channel
- Requires a special Windows Enterprise edition.
- Updates are deferred for 10 years of support (5 standard and 5 extended).
- Quality updates are managed separately.
- New LTSC feature releases about every 2 to 3 years.
- This version omits most built-in Windows Store apps.
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