It’s the end of March 2023, and we have a new ConfigMgr Technical Preview 2303 update. We see two new features, support for SQL 2022 for SCCM and dark theme extended for open customer voice (OCV) wizard.
If you are running a dedicated lab for ConfigMgr Technical Preview like me, you will see a new update for technical preview version 2303 in the console. If you don’t see the update yet, run the check for updates to get the latest technical preview 2303 update.
Prior to the release of TP 2303, the two previous technical preview releases were TP 2301 and TP 2302. Here is an updated article consisting of all the SCCM technical preview releases along with build numbers and new features.
If you are setting up a new technical preview lab, you can download the technical preview 2302 is a baseline version that you can download from Microsoft Eval center. A baseline media includes all the setup files required to install SCCM or Configuration Manager.
Note: Starting with Configuration Manager version 2301 technical preview, Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is now Microsoft Configuration Manager. The same change will be applicable with ConfigMgr 2303 current branch release as well.
This article introduces the new features and improvements that are available in the TP 2303 for Configuration Manager. For official release information, visit the Technical preview 2303 documentation by Microsoft.
Install ConfigMgr Technical Preview 2303 Update
You can install the technical preview update for ConfigMgr version 2303 using the following steps:
- Launch the Configuration Manager console.
- Go to Administration\Overview\Updates and Servicing node.
- Right-click Configuration Manager Technical Preview 2303 and select Install Update Pack.
The General page of the Configuration Manager Updates Wizard lists the following updates included with version 2303.
- Configuration Manager site server updates
- Configuration Manager console updates
- Configuration Manager client updates
- Fixes for known issues
- New features
For Tech Preview lab setup, I always exclude running prerequisite check warnings. However, you can choose to run the prerequisite check step before installing the update. Click Next.
On the Features page, select the new features in SCCM technical preview 2303 that you want to turn on. You can turn on these new features later from the ConfigMgr console if you don’t do it now. Select the client update settings, which determine the way you update the client agents in your hierarchy. Click Next.
For technical preview builds, select Upgrade without validating. Click Next.
Accept the license terms for installing the technical preview 2303 update and click Next.
Review the TP 2303 install settings on the Summary tab. On the Completion tab, click Close.
Monitor TP 2303 Console Upgrade
The Technical Preview 2303 update takes around 30 to 35 minutes to install. Meanwhile, you can check the cmupdate.log to monitor how things are going. You can also navigate to the Monitoring workspace, right-click the Configuration Manager Technical Preview 2303 update, and select “Show Status” to view the TP 2303 install progress.
Once the SCCM 2303 technical preview update installation is complete, you will be prompted for a console upgrade. Click Install the new console version to begin the console upgrade. The new console version, 5.2307.1029.1000 will be installed over the previous console version, 5.2303.1085.1000.
New Features in SCCM 2303 Technical Preview
The following features are introduced in ConfigMgr technical preview 2203 update:
- SQL Server 2022 version support added for Configuration Manager
- Dark theme extended to one customer voice (OCV) wizard
- Prerequisites for the site server roles now include ODBC driver for SQL Server
SQL Server 2022 Support For SCCM
Starting with technical preview 2303, SQL server 2022 RTM version is supported for Configuration Manager installations. You can use this version of SQL Server for the following sites:
- Central Administration Site
- Primary Site
- Secondary Site
Also see the list of all the supported SQL Server versions for Configuration Manager. The following table identifies the recommended compatibility levels for Configuration Manager site databases:
| SQL Server version | Supported compatibility levels | Recommended level |
|---|---|---|
| SQL Server 2022 | 150, 140, 130, 120, 110 | 150 |
Prerequisites for Site Server Roles Include ODBC driver for SQL Server
Starting with technical preview 2303, Configuration Manager requires the installation of the ODBC driver for SQL server as a prerequisite. This prerequisite is required when you create a new site or update an existing one. It is important to understand that Configuration Manager doesn’t manage the updates for the ODBC driver. You must ensure that this component is up-to-date by installing the updates either via Windows Updates or manually.
Console Dark Theme support for One Customer Voice Wizard
SCCM console dark theme is not a new feature. However, Microsoft has been consistently improving the dark theme by adding new enhancements and extending the support to other components.
The Configuration Manager console now extends the dark theme for the one customer voice (OCV) wizards. When you send a Configuration Manager feedback, the ‘Send a smile‘ and ‘Send a frown‘ wizards will adhere to dark theme starting in Technical Preview 2303. Microsoft says this is part of the ongoing effort to make the dark theme and overall admin console experience better.
