Unified Update Platform (UUP) servicing is finally here for all Windows 11, version 22H2 updates delivered via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Configuration Manager!
In February, we announced that on-premises Windows 11, version 22H2 devices will soon receive quality updates via UUP. Along with many collaborating teams, we are excited to share that UUP-style updates will begin rolling out starting March 28th. This means that your organization can begin taking full advantage of these amazing on-premises benefits.
Here's what to expect with the first UUP-style update and those going forward.
March 14, 2023: Your last non-UUP Update Tuesday
Way to go for updating your devices with the latest security update (KB5023706) last Tuesday (March 14th)! This update has prepared you for what's coming next week. Nothing different happened from how you've always done it: your distribution points and endpoint clients received a regular download from WSUS or the Microsoft Configuration Manager, and you're now up to date and secure. And if your WSUS is configured to sync on schedule, all of this happened without you even getting involved! As described in You're more ready than you know section of our announcement, you're ready! And don't forget to check out FAQ: WSUS and UUP on premises.
Now, let's see how this simple experience is becoming even better for you next week and for the foreseeable future. We're talking about a new style of updates.
March 28, 2023: UUP on premises generally available
The new, UUP-style on-premises update management becomes generally available next week! What does it mean for endpoint clients? Nothing extra! Just all the amazing benefits of UUP on premises that we list below, including smaller subsequent downloads. However, your distribution points will undergo a one-time 10GB download. This will happen on March 28th, when we re-release the March security update that you've installed (KB5023706) as a UUP-style update. For your convenience, we've scheduled this download to occur outside of your patch week flow.
If your update management solution is configured to sync on schedule, no action is needed on your end. This update will be published to the "Windows 11" product category in WSUS and Microsoft Configuration Manager — the same category where current updates are published.
This new, one-time UUP update will be published as a security update, will have the same payload as KB5023706 published on March 14th, and will not contain any additional security fixes. For that reason, the March 28th update will supersede (in other words, replace) the original March 14th update, while retaining the same KB number: KB5023706. Because it will have the same content, it will not be offered to endpoint clients that already have that update.
|
Note: In the case that the endpoint client has not yet installed KB5023706, it will download and install the UUP version once you've approved it. |
Future on-premises updates are now UUP!
To summarize, UUP is the future of Windows 11, version 22H2 updates. If your WSUS or Microsoft Configuration Manager is configured to sync, your organization will start syncing the extra 10GB download after March 28th. It's just a one-time download to distribution points. Thereafter, all Windows 11, version 22H2 updates will be UUP on-premises updates, and downloads to distribution points will be the same size as pre-UUP updates.
UUP on premises unlocks some amazing benefits going forward:
- Up to 30% smaller client downloads for monthly quality updates
- Cumulative update integration with feature updates (i.e., get current in one reboot)
- Seamless retention of installed language packs and optional features on demand (FODs) during feature updates
- Reduced client downloads for feature updates (i.e., inbox app downloads are conditional)
- Automatic OS healing during the update process[1] that requires no action from the enterprise admins
- End-user acquisition of language packs and FODs
All of these new capabilities are brought to you by UUP on premises! If interested in learning more about these improvements, read Faster. Smaller. Windows 11, version 22H2 update fundamentals.
For additional information, see the following resources:
- Get ready for the first UUP on premises updates for Windows 11
- Migrating and acquiring optional Windows content
- Faster. Smaller. Windows 11, version 22H2 update fundamentals
- Setting up Update Synchronizations
- FAQ: WSUS and UUP on premises
Continue the conversation. Find best practices. Bookmark the Windows Tech Community and follow us @MSWindowsITPro on Twitter. Looking for support? Visit Windows on Microsoft Q&A.
[1] Automatic OS healing: During a servicing event, such as installing the Combined Cumulative Update, if the servicing engine detects there is corruption, it will attempt to repair it. This includes OS component binaries (e.g. dlls), as well as manifest and catalog files. The content used for this repair comes from the UUP on premises files. This repair is similar but scoped differently than DISM restore health.