Feature Update Windows 10 Using SCCM Application Model

The Admin
Windows 10, SCCM, Guides
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This is not officially support by Microsoft

Your probably wondering, why would you deploy windows 10 using the application model? why not use the feature update in SCCM?

Well that would worked for still in service versions of windows 10 however if you are running an older version of windows 10, and deploy this feature update, SCCM can mark it as compliant and never install the Feature update.

like wise why not use the upgrade task sequence? Task sequences are heavy handed and can take a while to run while the application model is faster, with our having to start the task sequence framework. Plus while using the application model it is quicker to re run.

Also other reason the update would not work is because out of date BIOS and drives along with there could be incompatible application installed on the system, that would need to updated or uninstalled before the update can continue.

Dell command | update

In our shop we have dell machines so we use Dell command | update to update drives & BIOS. You will need to create an application that contains the Dell Command Update Application. This Application will need to be set as a dependency & set to reboot after installation for the Feature update application. When its set as a dependency it will install first and reboot, thus updating drivers and Bios, before the feature update.

This install script should look like the below:

Creating the Feature Update Application

To get the two needed files you will have to deploy the Feature update in SCCM to a test machine to get the update files from the cache on the client. The two files you need is the one ending in .esd & windowsupdatebox.exe. You will need to add this to the application source.

Install Script:

Deployment Type will need to be script installer.

Detection Rules:

  • Setting Type: Registry
  • Hive: HKEY_Local_Machine
  • Key: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion
  • Value: CurrentBuild
  • Data type: Integer
  • Select: Must Satisfy the following rule
  • Operator: Greater Than or equal to
  • Value: 19042

Don’t forget to set the Dell command | update application as a dependency.

Deployment

After creating the above packages you should deploy Feature update application to your test group. to make sure everything is in order. Remember test, test & test before deploying to production Always!

If the update does not apply check the below link to logs files that can help troubleshoot this. There is a log that should list the Applications or drivers that are not compatible. You will have to uninstall or update those, before the update will apply.

Log files that are created when you upgrade to a new version of Windows