Windows updates are typically categorized into quality updates, feature updates, and driver updates.
- Quality updates: These are monthly updates that help keep your Windows device secure and reliable by providing high-level safety and productivity enhancements.
- Feature updates: These are semi-annual updates, offering new functionality and capabilities.
- Driver updates: These updates maintain the compatibility and reliability of components and devices with the system.
Planning for Windows updates involves the understanding of these update types, devising a strategy on how to manage their installation, considering business requirements and user impact.
Windows Update Channels
Microsoft brings out updates in distinct channels enabling organizations to choose how soon they receive updates. These channels are:
- Windows Insider Program – The earliest channel, useful for early adopters & testers
- Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) (SAC-T) – For mainstream users and pilot deployments
- Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) – For broad deployments in organizations
Depending on your organization’s readiness and need for the latest features, you may choose one channel over the other.
Planning Strategy
When planning for Windows updates, you should consider the following factors:
- Identify business requirements: Identify the necessity of new features, compliance regulations, and the threshold of allowable downtime for the organization.
- Choose the appropriate channel: Based on business requirements and risk tolerance, choose the update channel that aligns with your organization’s needs.
- Network considerations: Think about bandwidth consumption during updates. Windows has features like Delivery Optimization and Windows Update for Business to help manage network impacts.
- Staging and scheduling: Schedule the updates in stages, thus if an update causes issues, not all computers will be affected.
- Use deployment rings: Deployment rings are groups of machines defined so that the enterprise can stage the deployment of updates. There could be a pilot ring, a broader deployment ring, and a critical systems ring, each with different deferral policies.
| Deployment Ring | Recommended Deferral |
|---|---|
| Pilot Ring | None |
| Broad Ring | 2-4 Weeks |
| Critical Systems Ring | 4 Weeks+ |
Testing Updates
Before deploying updates, it is advisable to test them on a subset of your environment – typically on non-critical systems or systems that are representative of the wider IT environment. This will highlight any potential issues or conflicts that an update may cause before it is widely rolled out.
Implementation
Implementing updates can be managed by tools like Windows Update for Business (WUfB), Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, or other third-party tools.
Reporting and Monitoring
Post-deployment, monitor the update to ensure its successful installation and keep an eye out for any resultant issues in systems operations.
In conclusion, planning for Windows updates involves careful consideration of the business environment, risk tolerance, and the update channels to ensure minimal disruption, maximum security, and continued compliance.
Practice Test
True or False: Windows Update for Business provides organizations with the ability to control when updates are applied.
- True
- False
Correct Answer: True
Explanation: Windows Update for Business allows organizations to control the deployment of updates and patches to their systems, to reduce the risk of downtime due to unforeseen compatibility issues.
Which of the following is not part of planning for Windows updates?
- A) Determining the update type (e.g., security, critical, optional)
- B) Characterizing the devices that needs updating (e.g., hardware, OS version)
- C) Setting the frequency and time of updates
- D) Looking up the Windows product ID of each device
Correct Answer: D) Looking up the Windows product ID of each device
Explanation: Looking up the Windows product ID of each device is not a typical part of the planning process for updates.
Which of the following are part of Windows Update for Business service? (Multiple Selection)
- A) Intune
- B) Office 365
- C) Windows Defender
- D) System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)
Correct Answer: A) Intune, D) System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)
Explanation: SCCM and Intune are parts of the Windows Update for Business service. They provide management solutions to apply updates.
True or False: Windows Update for Business is a separate service that incurs additional costs.
- True
- False
Correct Answer: False
Explanation: Windows Update for Business is a set of features included in Windows 10 Pro and above, there are no additional costs.
Single-select: Which channel allows you to access the most stable, fully tested version of Windows updates?
- A) Insider Preview Channel
- B) Semi-Annual Channel
- C) Monthly Channel
- D) Rapid Release Channel
Correct Answer: B) Semi-Annual Channel
Explanation: The Semi-Annual Channel is the channel that provides the most stable and fully tested updates.
True or False: It is possible to pause the installation of quality updates in Windows Update for Business.
- True
- False
Correct Answer: True
Explanation: In Windows Update for Business, Administrators have the ability to pause the installation of quality updates for 35 days.
Single-select: Rolling back an update is an essential part of a Windows Update plan.
- A) True
- B) False
Correct Answer: A) True
Explanation: A roll back plan is essential to revert the system to a previous state in case an update causes major issues.
Single-select: Windows Update for Business is compatible with which of the following Windows 10 versions?
- A) Home
- B) Pro
- C) Student Edition
- D) None of the above
Correct Answer: B) Pro
Explanation: Windows Update for Business is a service that’s available for Windows 10 Pro and higher versions.
Which of the following is not a delivery optimization method for Windows Update for Business?
- A) Peer-to-peer within a single subnet
- B) Via internet
- C) From local distribution point
- D) From external hard drive
Correct Answer: D) From external hard drive
Explanation: Windows doesn’t support receiving updates from an external hard drive.
True or False: It is possible to limit the bandwidth used for Windows updates.
- True
- False
Correct Answer: True
Explanation: Windows Update for Business allows you to limit the bandwidth used for updates, which can help prevent network congestion.
Interview Questions
What is Windows Update for Business?
Windows Update for Business is a Microsoft service that allows IT administrators to control the deployment of updates released through Windows Update to devices running Windows 10 in their organizations.
What are the two service branches available in Windows Update for Business?
The two service branches available in Windows Update for Business are the Semi-Annual Channel and the Long-Term Servicing Channel.
What is the Semi-Annual Channel in Windows Update for Business?
The Semi-Annual Channel is one of the servicing options in Windows Update for Business, which features new major updates twice per year.
How often are quality updates released for Windows 10?
Quality updates for Windows 10 are typically released on the second Tuesday of each month, known as “Patch Tuesday,” but can be released at any time by Microsoft.
Why might an organization choose the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) for its devices?
An organization might choose the LTSC for devices that require a longer servicing option due to functional stability, such as medical equipment, point-of-sale systems, and ATM machines.
How do you delay Windows 10 updates using Windows Update for Business?
You can delay Windows 10 updates in Windows Update for Business by setting the deferral period in the policy configuration service provider (CSP).
What is the purpose of Microsoft Update Catalog?
The Microsoft Update Catalog is a service from Microsoft that provides a listing of software updates that can be distributed over a corporate network.
What is Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)?
Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) is a Microsoft tool that allows IT administrators to manage the distribution of updates released through Microsoft Update to computers in a corporate environment.
How does Windows 10 handle update failures?
Windows 10 has a built-in mechanism to handle update failures. If an update fails to install, Windows will try to diagnose and fix the problem automatically.
What needs to be considered when creating a servicing strategy for Windows 10 updates?
When creating a servicing strategy for Windows 10 updates, one needs to consider the organization’s business requirements, internal processes, network bandwidth, and how to minimize disruptions to productivity.
What is the minimum hard disk space required for a Windows 10 update?
The minimum hard disk space required for a Windows 10 update can vary but generally, Microsoft recommends having at least 32 GB of space for the update process.
What is the role of Delivery Optimization in Windows Update?
Delivery Optimization is a peer-to-peer client update service that uses both your local network and the internet to deliver updates more efficiently to devices running Windows 10.
What’s the difference between feature and quality updates in Windows 10
Feature updates include new capabilities and improvements, released twice a year. Quality updates include security and reliability updates, and are released monthly.
Can updates be paused on Windows 10?
Yes, updates can be paused on Windows 10 for up to 35 days.
Are Windows 10 updates mandatory?
While Windows 10 updates aren’t technically mandatory, they are highly recommended by Microsoft to ensure devices are secure and have the latest features.
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