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ModernEUC BLOG posts

Waas

Semi-Annual Channel(SAC) Targeted release will be retired

Yep – you heard correctly!

No more Semi-Annual Channel Targeted (aka CB) or  Semi-Annual Channel Broad (aka CBB) releases!

Although this is not a new topic (John Wilcox gave us a heads up back in May 2018)    the Semi-Annual Channel(SAC) Targeted release (formerly known as CB or Current Branch) will be fully retired after Windows 10 v1903.

What this means for Enterprises? Read More »Semi-Annual Channel(SAC) Targeted release will be retired

Windows 10 LTSC Pros / Cons

UPDATE February 2021: Microsoft announced that the next version of Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC will be released in the second half of this calendar year (2H21) and will carry a 5-year support lifecycle, instead of the 10-year lifecycle supported with previous version.      Full Microsoft announcement post here.

Now that Windows 7 is less than a year ( 250 working days and counting!) away from officially end of life, we have many organizations that are not prepared to deal with the constant cycle of updates Windows 10 brings and are looking into different alternatives.   The challenges on the last released update to Windows 10, v1809, did not help these late / cautious adopter organizations that the new Windows as a Service cycle is better that the previous approach.

Some of the paths they are looking include:

Read More »Windows 10 LTSC Pros / Cons

Managing Windows 10 Updates

Many businesses (especially large ones) have been using  Windows Server Update Service (WSUS) with Software Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) or similar system to manage Windows updates to the end-point devices for a very long time.  However many do not have a formalized process to  update the O/S  on their devices.

For the past 3 years or so  Microsoft’s Windows 10 introduced  automatically downloads and installs updates to make sure your device is secure and up to date.

key challenges

As businesses adopt and migrate to Windows 10 they have to deal with three basic challenges:

Read More »Managing Windows 10 Updates

Windows 10 v1809 re-released

After a long wait, Microsoft has started once again to roll out Windows 10     v1809 (October 2018 Update) starting  November 13. Originally released on Oct 2, 2018, Microsoft paused the roll out after issues were reported and confirmed a week later (October 9)

Software is available via the Software Download Center (via Update Assistant or the Media Creation Tool), Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and Windows Update for Business and also on the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC).

Read More »Windows 10 v1809 re-released

Microsoft announcement: WaaS and Windows 7

Update:  Windows 7 Extended Support Update Packages Pricing

There was a very significant announcement that was made public today.

Summary of announcement:

  1. Longer Windows 10 servicing for enterprises and educational institutions moving from 18 month cycle to  a 30 month cycle. (per version)
  2. Windows 7 Extended Security Updates:  Microsoft will offer paid Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESU) through January 2023.
    1. Not sure about the price yet, but this option essentially extends the support deadline for Windows 7 by 3 years provides organizations with three additional years of security updates.  The paid Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESUs) will be sold on a per-device basis, with the price increasing each year.
  3. Introduction of Desktop Analytics service which will provide insight and intelligence to make more informed decisions about the update readiness of your Windows and Office clients.
  4. Introdution of Desktop App Assure—a new service from Microsoft FastTrack designed to address issues with Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus app compatibility

 

Read More »Microsoft announcement: WaaS and Windows 7

Windows 10 v1507 – End of Life

Now it becomes real!

When Discussing the continuous update model of Windows as a Service, one of the first questions that comes out is:

What would be the impact of not keeping up with Windows-as-a-Services updates?

Although it has been stated by Microsoft a number of time, we now have a clear written statement from them on the impact.

 

Here is a summary of the first End of Service (for v1507) line announcement out of Microsoft:

Windows 10 version 1507 will no longer receive security updates

After May 9, 2017, Windows 10 devices running version 1507 will no longer receive security and quality updates.

Microsoft recommends updating devices to the latest version of Windows 10   Read More »Windows 10 v1507 – End of Life