Windows 10 1903 Upgrade using SCCM

Using the steps described in this post, you can easily perform Windows 10 1903 upgrade using SCCM 1902. I will use an SCCM upgrade task sequence to perform the Windows 10 upgrade. I will cover the steps to upgrade Windows 10 1809 to Windows 10 1903 using SCCM upgrade task sequence.

The latest version of SCCM is version 1902. SCCM 1902 is also a baseline version. So you can either upgrade your Configuration Manager to version 1902 or use the SCCM 1902  baseline media to install the version 1902 from scratch.

Before you upgrade to SCCM 1902, check out the SCCM 1902 features. To know about SCCM 1902 prerequisites, read this post.

Windows 10 1903

Windows 10 version 1903 or Windows 10 May 2019 Update (build 18362) is out. Microsoft released Windows 10 May 2019 Update version 1903 to only the Release Preview ring Insiders. The announcement was made on 8th April 2019.

As per another announcement, “The May 2019 Update will remain in the Release Preview ring for an increased amount of time in order give us additional time and signals to detect any issues before broader deployment“.

If you are not in either slow or release preview rings, you may join the Windows Insider Program. To get the Windows 10 version 1903, you can download it via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for updates.

If you are an MSDN subscriber, you can download the Windows 10 1903 ISO file. I assume the Windows 10 version 1903 will be released for public soon. The steps covered in this post will still be relevant even with final release of Windows 10 version 1903.

Note – Before performing Windows 10 1903 upgrade, you must have a proper plan for the roll out. As you will push upgrade package to your enterprise laptops, a proper planning is a must. I suggest you first perform the upgrade in a lab environment. Deploy it to a limited group and test all your business applications before broad deployment.

SCCM Version required for Windows 10 1903 Upgrade

When you deploy or upgrade Windows 10 to version 1903, the SCCM client agent should be compatible with Windows 10 version.

If you want to manage Windows 10 1903 as client, you need at least SCCM 1806. I am currently assuming this is true because I don’t see the information updated in below matrix. If I am wrong here, I will update the post once I get the correct information.

If you are using Configuration Manager 1810 or 1902, you are good to perform the Windows 10 1903 upgrade.

Windows ADK Requirement

Always ensure that you’re running a supported version of the Windows ADK. Microsoft always recommends using the Windows ADK that matches the version of Windows you’re deploying.

For example, in my lab setup I am SCCM 1902 installed and Windows ADK version is 1903. You can always update an existing installation of a Windows ADK on an SCCM server. Here is my Step-by-Step Guide to Update Windows ADK on SCCM Server – https://www.prajwaldesai.com/update-windows-adk-sccm-server/

To get the Windows ADK release history and download links, read this post.

SCCM Windows 10 Upgrade Options

If you wish to upgrade your Windows 10 to version 1903 using SCCM, there are two ways to do it. I am talking about performing the Windows 10 upgrade in an enterprise setup.

• Use an Upgrade Task Sequence
• Use Servicing plans

Configuration Manager allows you to create servicing plans to form deployment rings. This is to ensure that Windows 10 systems are kept up-to-date when new builds are released.

The second way to upgrade Windows 10 is by using an SCCM upgrade task sequence. Probably this method is preferred by many and I am going to cover the same in this post.

Windows 10 1903 Upgrade using SCCM

As I mentioned above, by using an SCCM upgrade task sequence, we will perform Windows 10 upgrade. I have got some Windows 10 machines in my setup and they are currently on version 1809. All the Window 10 machines are 64-bit and are enterprise editions.

If you have the Windows 10 1903 ISO file, extract the contents. You can mount the ISO file and copy the contents. Create a folder (usually a folder within Sources directory) and paste the copied contents to the folder.

Add Operating System Upgrade Package

The first step is to add operating system upgrade package using SCCM console.

• Launch SCCM console.
• Navigate to Software Library > Operating Systems > Operating System Upgrade Packages.
• Right click Operating System Upgrade Packages and click Add Operating System Upgrade Package.

Specify the path to Windows 10 1903 media. Select the architecture as x64 and language based on your choice. Click Next.

On the General page, specify the name, version and comment for operating system upgrade package. Click Next.

Click Next on Summary page.

On the Completion page, click Close.

Distribute Operating System Upgrade Packages

You must distribute the Windows 10 upgrade package after adding/importing it. Right click Windows 10 upgrade package and click Distribute Content.

Ensure the content is distributed to all the distribution points.

Create SCCM Upgrade Task Sequence

After adding the Windows 10 1903 upgrade package, we will now create a new task sequence which will be an upgrade task sequence.

Right click Task Sequences and click Create Task Sequence.

Select Upgrade an operating system from an upgrade package. Click Next.

Specify the task sequence information such as name and description. Click Next.

You must now select an operating system upgrade package. Click Browse and select Windows 10 1903 upgrade package. That’s the package that you imported in the above step.

Under Properties you should see list of editions, language, architecture and OS version. Select the edition index which is Windows 10 Enterprise.

If you have a KMS server in your setup, you can skip entering the product key. In case you use MAK keys to activate the OS, enter the correct Windows 10 product key.

Click Next.

You can include software updates if you wish to install them along with operating system. At this point, I will choose Do not install any software updates. Click Next.

If you have any list of Applications that should be installed along with this upgrade, select them by clicking Yellow icon. If not just click Next.

On the Summary page, click Next.

Click Close.

You should see the newly created task sequence under Task Sequences. You may edit the Task Sequence before upgrade and make required changes. In my case, since I am only performing the upgrade, I won’t modify the task sequence.

Deploy Windows 10 1903 Upgrade Task Sequence

Once your task sequence is ready, you are good to deploy to it a collection.

Right click the Task Sequence and click Deploy.

On the General page, click Browse and select a collection. The collection that I have selected contains Windows 10 1809 machines. Click Next.

Select the purpose as Available. By selecting Available, the windows 10 upgrade task sequence appears in software center. The upgrade begins only when user clicks Upgrade.

You may select the purpose as Required but be careful when you select that option. Selecting Required will force the deployment at the deadline. Click Next.

Under Scheduling, you can specify when the deployment will become available and when it gets expired. Click Next.

Click Next.

On Alerts page, click Next.

Click Next.

On the Summary page, click Next.

Finally, on Completion page, click Close.

Launch Windows 10 1903 Upgrade Process

So we have almost reached the final step which is performing the upgrade. Login to Windows 10 computer and initiate a Machine Policy Retrieval and Evaluation Cycle from Control Panel > Configuration Manager Icon.

Launch Software Center and click Operating Systems. Our upgrade task sequence is available, click Install.

To upgrade the operating system on the computer you must acknowledge. Click Install. From this point, there is no user intervention required. The upgrade process should begin now.

You will notice the task sequence steps getting executed one by one.

Most of all, which log file should i open to monitor the upgrade process ??. Sometimes the upgrade may halt and there could be several reasons for that.

Hence it is very important that you know which log file should you refer while the upgrade process is running. The answer is C:\Windows\CCM\Logs\SMSTSLog\SMSTS.log.

Before the upgrade begins, first the install.wim file is downloaded.

Notice the Windows Upgrade Setup Progress seen in the log file.

Working on updates..That should bring a smile on your face.

The upgrade process is complete. We have successfully upgraded Windows 10 1809 to Windows 10 1903 using SCCM upgrade task sequence.