Public preview of Unified Update Platform on premises

Want to simplify your on-premises management of updates? Try the public preview of the Unified Update Platform (UUP)! Following on a successful limited private preview, the UUP on premises is available for commercial organizations now. UUP on premises is an integration with Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Microsoft Configuration Manager. This new capability simplifies Windows content management and streamlines the process for upgrading to Windows 11 for those who manage Windows devices with these update management platforms. Prepare yourself and your organization for the complete transition of servicing to UUP by early 2023.

Let's see how UUP on premises simplifies quality and feature update deployment and act now to enroll in our public preview!

What is the Unified Update Platform?

The Unified Update Platform (UUP) is the next iteration of our system for delivering Windows OS quality and feature updates. It offers improved delivery technologies in response to IT admin requests for more seamless updates, more control over installation time, more battery life, and lighter download size.

After five productive years, UUP is becoming even better through seamless integration with Configuration Manager and WSUS. UUP on premises is stepping up to the growing demand for Windows 11 security and productivity standard across leading enterprises. In fact, starting in early 2023, all new releases of Windows will be serviced with UUP updates.

Here's the timeline that has led to the currently available public preview of UUP on premises, as the last stage in preparation for UUP servicing.

Estimated timeline for the preview and general availability of UUP on premises

Let's look at the key benefits, version requirements, and the process to sign up for the public preview of UUP on premises today.

Simplifying the upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11

The UUP makes OS upgrades easier for you to manage. You no longer need to create your own custom images or complicated task sequences to retain installed optional features or language packs. New capabilities include:

• Simplified content management via servicing, instead of media-based task sequences
  
• Upgrading the OS to the latest security compliance level with one reboot
  
• Installed optional features on demand (FODs) and language packs (LPs) are retained during upgrades
  
• If desired, the ability to implement well known task sequences for other custom actions needed in your environment
  

If your organization has already moved to the Software Updates model for feature updates, you'll automatically get UUP updates. You'll want to remove any feature update steps you are performing today to work around previous gaps. For example, remove Setup custom actions to migrate FODs since the UUP feature update will now do this automatically.

If you are using a Task Sequence using OS media to perform feature updates, this is a great opportunity for you to consider switching to the Software Updates model. You can continue to use a Task Sequence but integrated with the Software Update instead of needing to build a custom OS image.

Note: When UUP launches early next year, customers will get UUP updates automatically. Quality and feature updates delivered for Windows 11, version 22H2 and later releases will be UUP updates. To upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10, the minimum required version of Windows 10 is 21H1 or later.

Quality updates for Windows 11

Quality updates with the UUP continue to be cumulative and include all released Windows quality and security fixes. New capabilities are:

• Ability for end users to acquire FODs and LPs in WSUS or Configuration Manager environments.
  
• Automatic corruption repair
  
• Minimized quality update client download sizes
  

Note: To receive quality updates on Windows 11, we recommend that the latest security updates be installed on your devices. Minimally, devices should be updated through April 2022.

Participate in the UUP on premises public preview

Aside from the Windows version and updated requirements listed above, make sure you are managing your PCs with a supported platform then follow the simple process outlined below to sign up for the public preview.

Supported platforms

To take advantage of UUP on premises, you must be using a supported platform:

• Configuration Manager, version 2203 or later
  
• All supported versions of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
  

How do I sign up for the public preview?

To sign up for UUP on premises public preview, complete this short form, which gives us the information necessary to provide access to UUP updates in your environment: Microsoft Forms.

After we've received your information, we'll let you know when you can expect to be added to the preview.

Find complete onboarding instructions at Onboarding guide: Preview of Unified Update Platform (UUP) on premises update management, which include the following steps.

Once you've been added to the preview, enable UUP and sync updates:

1. Synchronize software updates to allow the new products to populate.
   
2. In the Configuration Manager console, navigate to Administration\Site Configuration\Sites.
   
3. Select your top-level site (CAS or standalone primary).
   
4. Open Configure Site Components\Software Update Point.
   
5. On the Products tab, a new product should appear once your WSUS server is added to the preview. This product will contain the UUP preview content. Select "Windows 11 UUP Preview" in order to see Windows workstation UUP updates.
    
   
   
6. On the Classifications tab, ensure you have selected:
   
   • Security Updates in order to see the UUP cumulative updates.
     
   • Upgrades in order to see the UUP feature updates.
     

[*]Synchronize software updates to see the new UUP updates.

Finally, find the synced UUP updates in WSUS or Configuration Manager and test them! You can find more information about what and how to test at Onboarding guide: Preview of Unified Update Platform (UUP) on premises update management.

Looking ahead

We love learning from our preview participants and helping you get ready for upcoming improvements. Be a part of this journey and apply today at Microsoft Forms!

During preview, all Windows 11 quality updates and feature updates, starting with the July 2022 security update, will be available as UUP updates. Stay tuned for upcoming blog posts and Demo Bytes on the Windows IT Pro YouTube channel (subscribe here!) to learn about the behind-the-scenes magic that is improving your update experience on the latest versions of Windows.

For more information, refer to the following resources:

• Get started with Windows Update
  
• Migrating and acquiring Windows optional content
  
• Preview Unified Update Platform for on-premises update management
  
• Introducing the Unified Update Platform (UUP)
   
  

Continue the conversation. Find best practices. Visit the Windows Tech Community.

Stay informed. For the latest updates on new releases, tools, and resources, stay tuned to this blog and follow us @MSWindowsITPro on Twitter.

Continue reading...