In This Article |
This article provides guidance on upgrading the Windows 10 operating system in an Evolve IP desktop as a service (DaaS) environment.
NOTE The term "upgrade" is referring to Microsoft's Windows 10 feature updates (semi-annual channel). Feature updates under the semi-annual channel are released twice a year. Microsoft's security and quality updates are released monthly until the Windows 10 version has reached its end of service date. A table with each Win 10 version and its service end date is at the end of this article. |
Here are some important items you need to consider before performing a Windows 10 upgrade:
IMPORTANT Do not upgrade your user's individual DaaS desktops, or allow the individual desktops to upgrade on their own. Your DaaS desktop solution is in a shared, hosted environment, and not only will you see a reduction in performance, but others in the environment will too. |
The deployment of Windows 10 upgrades (aka feature updates) can be controlled using group policy. Delaying Windows 10 upgrades using group policy, can only be done when you are using Microsoft's update service, Windows Update for Business. You cannot use group policy to delay updates when using a management tool to control the deployment of updates to your desktops.
To configure the Windows 10 feature update settings for all of your DaaS desktops, you will need to open the Group Policy Management console to create a new group policy object, or edit an existing group policy object, that's linked to the OU which contains your DaaS computer accounts.
The following group policy setting is required to delay feature updates for Windows 10.
Setting Path | Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Windows Update for business |
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Setting Name | Select when Preview Builds and Feature Updates are received |
Recommended Values |
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When enabling this group policy setting:
IMPORTANT We strongly recommend selecting Semi-Annual Channel, and deferring feature updates for the maximum 365 days. |
Microsoft Resources
Here's a matrix that outlines Microsoft's end of service dates, the last month for security & quality updates, and our recommended upgrade target.
Win 10 Version | Edition | End of Service | Last Security Updates | Supported by Evolve IP | Recommended Upgrade Target |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1803 | Professional | 2021-05-11 | May 2021 | Not Supported | Upgrade to 20H2 |
Enterprise | 2021-05-11 | May 2021 | Not Supported | Upgrade to 20H2 | |
1809 | Professional | 2021-05-11 | May 2021 | Not Supported | Upgrade to 20H2 |
Enterprise | 2021-05-11 | May 2021 | Not Supported | Upgrade to 20H2 | |
1903 | Professional | 2020-12-08 | Dec 2020 | Not Supported | Upgrade to 20H2 |
Enterprise | 2020-12-08 | Dec 2020 | Not Supported | Upgrade to 20H2 | |
1909 | Professional | 2021-05-11 | May 2021 | Not Supported | Upgrade to 20H2 |
Enterprise | 2022-05-10 | May 2022 | Supported | Upgrade to 20H2 | |
2004 | Professional | 2021-12-14 | Dec 2021 | Supported (Not Recommended) | Upgrade to 20H2 |
Enterprise | 2021-12-14 | Dec 2021 | Supported (Not Recommended) | Upgrade to 20H2 | |
20H2 | Professional | 2022-05-10 | May 2022 | Supported | DO NOT UPGRADE |
Enterprise | 2023-05-09 | May 2023 | Supported (Recommended) | DO NOT UPGRADE | |
21H1 | Professional | 2022-12-13 | Dec 2022 | Not Supported | |
Enterprise | 2022-12-13 | Dec 2022 | Not Supported |
IMPORTANT If you have DaaS desktops running any edition of Windows 10 1803, 1809 & 1903, or 1909 Professional, those desktops will stop receiving Microsoft's monthly security & quality updates in May of 2021. We strongly recommend that you upgrade your DaaS desktop image to Windows 10 20H2, and deploy desktops to your users using that image. |
NOTE If you look closely at the above matrix you'll notice that the fall releases of Windows 10 Enterprise (1909 & 20H2) have a longer service periods. If you make sure your DaaS desktops are running the Enterprise edition of those versions, you have a longer amount of time between required upgrades. Therefore, we recommend you make sure your DaaS desktops are running a version released in the 2nd half of the year (H2), and are running the Enterprise edition. |