Based on your feedback, Windows 10, version 1803 offers new features and improvements for Windows Update for Business that improve control and visibility, and help you better manage secure, targeted deployments. We also addressed some of your concerns related to the consistency of the “look and feel” of Windows Update for Business. Here's a quick rundown of what’s new and what’s been updated in Windows Update for Business in Windows 10, version 1803:
- Greater control over update deployment – You can now remotely pause and uninstall problematic updates. When an anomaly is recognized, you can easily roll back feature or quality updates using Microsoft Intune.
- Greater visibility to device update health – We’ve made enhancements to Windows Analytics to increase visibility into Delivery Optimization activities, enabling you to confidently manage and monitor deployments.
Sometimes what you don’t change is just as important as what you do change. You’ve told us that changes to the environment from one update to the next were often making update management more challenging. In this release, your feature update deferral environment will stay the same. For example, devices with a branch readiness level set to Semi-Annual Channel (SAC), will migrate to Windows 10, version 1803 later in the year and devices with a branch readiness level is set to Semi‐Annual Channel (Targeted), will be offered Windows 10, version 1803 depending on the deferral day configuration you set.
For more information on Windows 10 releases and servicing options, see the Windows 10 release information page.
Diagnostic data
Configuring Windows Update for Business enables you to choose your Windows 10 build update schedule based on number of deferral days or branch readiness level. As more users think through their privacy settings, we wanted to draw your attention to the dependencies Windows Update for Business has on diagnostic data, including those related to branch readiness level. Specifically, Windows Update for Business features do not work unless diagnostic data levels are set to Basic or above. Enabling basic diagnostic data allows Windows Update for Business to monitor servicing channels and address any issues.
You can find additional details here:
- Windows as a service overview
- Configure Windows Update for Business
- Deploy updates using Windows Update for Business
Configuration guidance
In response to customer feedback, we are also working on suggested configuration guidance and best practices for Windows Update for Business. Yes, the ink is still drying, but we’re excited about it. Here’s a quick preview of what you’ll see:
- Getting feature/quality updates from Windows Update (WU), and other packages from Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and/or System Center Configuration Manager
- Managing deferrals for feature and quality updates
- Automatic updates and scan frequency
- Reboot experience and compliance
- Delivery optimization
- Driver management
To find out when this guidance is available, follow us on Twitter and sign up for the Windows IT Pro Insider newsletter.
Don’t miss the full write-up of what’s new in security, deployment, management, and productivity in Windows 10, version 1803. If you have not yet deployed Windows 10 and are looking to test this latest release for your organization, you can download the Windows 10 Enterprise Evaluation from the Microsoft Evaluation Center.
Additional resources
For more information on configuring and deploying updates, please see the following resources:
- Overview of Windows as a service: servicing channels
- Build deployment rings for Windows 10 updates
- Deploy updates using Windows Update for Business
- Deploy Windows 10 updates using Windows Server Update Services
- Deploy Windows 10 updates using System Center Configuration Manager
- Windows 10 IT pro forums
We are actively evaluating new Windows Update for Business functionality to help you maintain and update devices with improved ease and confidence, with the least amount of change to your update process. We would love to hear from you on what you would like to see in upcoming releases. Please let us know in the comments below!