Windows 10 – News and Links for IT-Pros

The Windows 10 Creators Update (1703) is available for some weeks now…but still there are news about this release and things you have not discovered yet. So here a quick collection of important news (not a complete list…but hopefully helpful):

Windows 10 – Feature Releases

In the article with the wonderful title: Windows and Office align feature release schedules to benefit customers Microsoft announces the release future of Windows 10 Releases and their support lifecycle

Important notes:

• Windows 10 Feature Updates (Releases) will be released semi-annual in March and September
• Windows 10 Releases  will be aligned with Office 365 and ConfigMgr Releases
• every Windows 10 Feature Release is going to be supported for 18 months

Windows 10 CB changes to SAC

With the Release of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (1709) in September 2017 there will be a change in naming conventions for Windows 10 Releases…:

Windows 10 Current Branch (CB) changes to Semi-Annual Channel (Pilot) (SACP?)

Windows 10 Current Branch for Business (CBB) changes to Semi-Annual Channel (Broad) (SACB?)

WIndows 10 Long Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) changes to Long Term Servicing Channel (LTSC?)

At the same time the naming for O365 Releases will be changed too…

Windows 10 1703 – News for IT-Pros

Microsoft has released an article filled with changes for IT-Pros

What’s new in Windows 10, version 1703 IT pro content

Overview:

• Windows Configuration Designer now a Windows Store App
• AAD Bulk join
• Start- and Taskbar-Layout can be managed in Windows 10 Pro now and is also able to be managed via MDM
• lots of new MDM-Policies
• Cortana at Work with Corporate-AAD Account
• MBR2GPT.EXE to convert your hard disk for BIOS to UEFI conversion
• Windows Defender changes to Windows Defender Antivirus
• Windows Defender Advanced Thread Protection (ATP) Improvements
• Windows Insider for Business
• many more…

Windows 10 1703 – new Update Options

Back in April Michael Niehaus announced changes for the Windows 10 update options:

New update options for Windows 10, version 1703

Overview:

• Windows 10 Cumulative Updates will be classified as “Security Update” , because they contain Security- and Non-Security Updates
• with 1703 there will be one (ore more) monthly additional Cumulative Update, containing only Non-Security updates so will be classified as „Update“
• 

Migration Tool for GPO to MDM

An interesting tool, probably some of you do not know right now:

MMAT – MDM Migration Analysis Tool