Precache and update drivers as WIM during In-Place Upgrade Task Sequences with Configuration Manager

Introduction

Not too long ago, I did a post on how to apply drivers compressed with WIM during OSD with Configuration Manager.

Continuing on the same topic and story about ‘Drivers as WIM’, I wanted to explore the option for using WIM when precaching and updating drivers during an In-Place Upgrade of Windows 10. The results made up this new blog post. πŸ™‚

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Patch your Windows 10 media (used with In-Place Upgrades in ConfigMgr) with a new Setup Dynamic Update Package

Introduction

Patch Tuesday for October 2020 brought the usual updates, but also blessed us with a security update, that addresses a vulnerability found in the setup of Windows 10.

The article tells us to download the latest refreshed media from VLSC or MSDN, or download the latest applicable Setup Dynamic Update (DU) package and patch the media ourselves.

Now, as of writing, the official downloads has not been refreshed yet, so I wanted to get rid of the vulnerability and patch my existing media manually. The process I went through, made this post.

Update 28 October: Official and affected Windows 10 downloads are still not refreshed.

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Windows 10 Toast Notification Script Update (Poolside Release): Dynamic Application deadline and custom action scripts updates

Introduction

This is just a minor release, with me making some few adjustments and further polishing of the script while being on vacation (hence the poolside reference). πŸ˜€

  • I’ve added the option to retrieve deployment deadline of applications dynamically, as well as reworked some of the custom scripts area.
  • Everything related to the script, is now located within the user’s profile in AppData\Roaming\ToastNotificationScript.
  • Custom scripts are moving away from ProgramData into AppData\Roaming\ToastNotificationScript\Scripts.

The script is now on version 2.0.2. Find all the details down below.

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Improve your Windows as a Service process: Use Toast Notifications and Powershell App Deployment Toolkit to Upgrade Windows 10

Introduction

This is just a brief storytelling on, how you can add more user-friendliness and flexibility to your Windows as a Service process with Configuration Manager.

That be whether you fancy using Task Sequences or Feature Updates, this post will show you how you can wrap the process into an initial Toast Notification, which again sends the end-user into aΒ PowerShell App Deployment Toolkit experience, which again will run either the Task Sequence or the Feature UpdateΒ automatically.

Carrot on a stick: All the binaries used in these examples, are available for download throughout the post. That goes for PSADT as well as exported ConfigMgr applications.

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Windows 10 Toast Notification Script Update: Run ConfigMgr Software Updates directly from the action button

Introduction

It’s here! The new and delicious version of my Windows 10 Toast Notification Script. The script is now being on version 2.0.0.

  • First off, a huge thank you to Chad Brower for his incredible contributions to this new version. Most of the new functionality here, is a direct incorporation of Chad’s work (yet I end up spending 20 hours+ on deciphering and rewriting code, testing functionality, writing blog and updating documentation. I learned a ton!). πŸ™‚

This new version, obviously brings the option to run Software (Feature) Updates directly from the action button in the toast notification, but also removes the need to manually, and outside of the script, to create the custom protocols and scripts (those enabling you, to run anything custom from the toast notification action button).

Find all the nifty details down below.

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Apply drivers compressed with WIM during OSD with Configuration Manager

Introduction

Some time last year, I wrote a blog post on how I moved away from traditional driver management with Configuration Manager, into a more ‘modern’ approach using regular packages.

Then a few days ago, I stumbled upon a twitter conversation with some very clever people, mentioning how they compressed some of their deployments of huge application into .zip files. The conversation moved on, and some more clever people mentioned the idea of compressing the binaries with WIM.

That got me intrigued, so I wanted to explore that option on my own. The result is obviously this blog post. πŸ™‚

P.S. For good measures and all: Compressing binaries with WIM to use with ConfigMgr was not my idea nor invention. This is just me exploring, learning and sharing that experience with anyone who’s interested.

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Windows 10 Toast Notification Script Update: Multi-language support and easy switching of images

Introduction

I am back with another update to the Windows 10 Toast Notification Script, now hitting an astonishing and delicious version of 1.7.1. πŸ˜€

This version brings multi-language support, everything based on the local culture in Windows 10 of the device running the script, as well as new config options to more easily switch between the used images.

This time a huge thank you goes out to Matt Benninge @matbg, for taking the time to develop code for the multi-language support as well as sending me the pieces for me to incorporate.

Also, the script has finally made its long journey into GitHub. So for future downloads, please go to https://github.com/imabdk/Toast-Notification-Script.

Next update: I’m currently working on incorporating support for feature updates with Configuration Manager, so for those upgrading Windows 10 using this approach, something neat is coming up – I hope. πŸ™‚

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How I change the update channels for Microsoft 365 Apps using Configuration Manager

Introduction

OK, so this post is admittedly a few weeks overdue, but regardless still relevant. Microsoft has decided, as we know by now, to carry out a name change of the Office 365 ProPlus suite, and rename the product to Microsoft 365 Apps (for Enterprise).

Following this change of name, Microsoft also decided to introduce some new changes to the update channels, which includes new names as well as a brand new update channel: Monthly Enterprise Channel.

So I figured, all things taken into considerations, that I wanted to go into details on how I’m changing the update channelsΒ using Configuration Manager.

This is a somewhat continuation of my previous blog post: Use Powershell to create device collections in Configuration Manager for the new Microsoft 365 Apps update channels

Carrot on a stick: All of the configurations I have made for this setup, I have exported for you to download. No real configuration needed in your end. Just download and import – almost. πŸ˜€

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Deploy RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools) for Windows 10 v2004 using ConfigMgr and Powershell

Introduction

NOTE: Script has been updated for v20H2 (2009): https://www.imab.dk/deploy-rsat-remote-server-administration-tools-for-windows-10-v20h2-using-configmgr-and-powershell/

I’m a little late to the 2004 party this time around, but nevertheless, I just found time to update my Powershell script, which will enable you to install RSAT for Windows 10 v2004 automatically and unattended.

Windows 10 v2004 was released to MSDN users early in May and to VLSC customers 2 weeks later. True to tradition, I’m showing you how you can leverage my script to install the RSAT features with Configuration Manager.

The script received a minor update, and is now also logging its actions into a local log file in C:\Windows\Install-RSATfeatures.log.

The script has now moved away from TechNet Gallery into my GitHub page: https://github.com/imabdk

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Use Powershell to create device collections in Configuration Manager for the new Microsoft 365 Apps update channels

Introduction

While brewing on another blog post, on how I’m preparing for the changes to update channels for Microsoft 365 Apps (formerly known as Office 365 ProPlus), I figured this post will do its justice as a decent opening post.

You may have collections configured for this already, or maybe you don’t. Either way, they probably need some updating before June 9, 2020, as this is the date where the new update channels will start appearing (with the exception of Monthly Enterprise Channel, which is live as we speak).

Also, I’m going to reference some of these collections in my other and upcoming post, so I might as well get this out there, as an help to get started. πŸ™‚

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