Learn how to minimize end user disruption during Windows 10 update. This post is the third one from the series of posts about Windows 10 Updates. These information are shared by Suma SaganeGowda & Steve Diacetis in the MS Ignite session. More details below.
- Windows 10 Update Investments Numbers Scale Post 1
- Unified Update Platform Windows 10 UUP Content Streamline Post 2
- Learn How Minimize End User Disruption During Win10 Update Part 3
Introduction
One of the key challenge of Windows 10 update is downtime for end users. One of the biggest challenge for internal IT team is reduce the downtime or offline time for end users during the upgrade process.
Let’s check Microsoft’s investments on reducing feature update offline time. Following chart shall give you an overview how the offline time is getting reduced by each versions of Windows 10 release.
- 1809 ▶ 3 Reboots
- 1903 ▶ 2 Reboots
- 20H1 ▶ 1 Reboot
Windows 10 1903 feature update offline time (check out the graph below ) reduced significantly in the latest versions of Windows 10 update.
- 28 minutes (Average time)
- 22 minutes (Surface Pro 6)
- 21 minutes (Surface Pro Laptop 2)
- 17 minutes (Surface Studio 2)
- 8 minutes (new devices? Surface laptop 3?)
NOTE! – Update & Shutdown settings will make sure that the Windows 10 device completes the updates and then shutdown the device. Hence reducing/minimizing End User Disruption.
How to Control Windows 10 Offline Time
Microsoft provides two switches to stage the update the behind the scenes without any user interaction.
NOTE! – Control different phases of setup options is already available with Windows updates.
The following switches will help to minimize end user disruption during Windows 10 update. This offline time control options will be available in Windows 10 20H1 or later releases.
/SkipFinalize
- Silently runs on down level OS
- Intended to run at lower priority
- Allows continued productivity
- Allows normal reboots without taking an update
/Finalize
- Performs final, critical steps
- Reboots devices immediately
How to Reduce the Time to Log-in Post Update?
Another issue which end users are facing with Windows 10 update is slow log-on post upgrade. To minimize end user disruption during Windows 10 update by eliminating first sign in animation screens post update.
How the Automatic Restart Sign-on Work? Winlogon automatic restart sign-on (ARSO)
- Automatic restart sign-on (ARSO) post update and then locks the device
- Allows device to finish setup before your user returns
- Works with MSA (Microsoft Account), Azure AD Join account, workplace joined machines
Prerequisite to enable ARSO
- TPM 2.0
- Secure Boot
- BitLocker enabled (not suspended during the upgrade)
Session – Minimize End User Disruption
Make the Windows update experience smooth and seamless for your IT team and your end users. More details https://myignite.techcommunity.microsoft.com/sessions/81684
Resources
- Windows 10 Bandwidth Management DO Delivery Optimization with LEDBAT in LAN?
- SCCM and Microsoft Connected Cache Integration to Help with Bandwidth Issues
- Microsoft Connected Cache Container Instances in Azure
- Basics of Windows Dynamic Update Explained Update Management