With Windows 10 Build 1607 available, new Group Policy templates has been release too. This is needed to manage all changes and new features avaiable in the Operating System. Expect a new update on this with every new Windows 10 release. Besides of that a new Windows ADK is released too. ADK offers some additional features now too. Let's have a look at the changes so far.
Group Policy:
New Group Policy templates for Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 can be downloaded here: Microsoft
There is a new Group Policy Settings Reference for Windows and Windows Server available too: Microsoft
The following References can be found:
-Windows 10 ADMX spreadsheet.xlsx (1511)
-Windows10andWindowsServer2016PolicySettings.xlsx (1607)
There are almost 400 lines added in the new reference!
Because both App-V and UE-V are part of Windows 10 now, a lot of settings are based on that functionality. Furthermore some settings has been moved from Pro to Enterprise described here: Blog
More on both App-V and UE-V in a future blogpost!
Windows ADK:
New Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 1607 can be downloaded here: Microsoft
The Windows ADK now includes Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer, the Windows Assessment Toolkit, the Windows Performance Toolkit, and several new and improved deployment tools that can help you automate a large-scale deployment of Windows 10.
Windows ICD in Windows 10, Version 1607, supports the following scenarios for IT administrators: Simple provisioning, Provision school devices, and Advanced provisioning, where the first two offers a new and easy wizard.
In previous versions of the Windows 10 ADK, you had to install additional features for Windows ICD to run. Starting in version 1607, you can install Windows ICD without other ADK features (as showed earlier). Much better if you have a dedicated device to create or edit provisioning packages.
Sources:
Windows ADK for Windows 10 version 1607 available for download
Provisioning packages for Windows 10
When using ConfigMgr 2012 SP2 or R2 SP1, and Windows 10 needs to be deployed, Windows 10 ADK is needed as well. This because the deployment tools are not forward-compatible; you need to use a Windows 10 boot image to deploy a Windows 10 OS image. When searching for the Windows 10 ADK however, it's possible you download the wrong one! Within Version 1511 (Build 10.1.10586.0) there's an serious issue that blocks a specific ConfigMgr OS deployment scenario from Software Center.
Therefore it's needed to use Version RTM (Build 10.0.26624.0). You should continue to use the original release of the Windows 10 ADK, which is supported for OS deployments including Windows 10, version 1511. When downloading adksetup.exe, just check the version before installing deployment tools! (details tab)
Version RTM
Version 1511
As mentioned on the Configuration Manager Team Blog, the new Configuration Manager 1511 is also affected by the ADK issue. Please check that post. We will update it when we have further information. You should continue to use the original release of the Windows 10 ADK, which is supported for OS deployments including Windows 10, version 1511. This older version of the Windows 10 ADK can still be downloaded directly from the Microsoft Download Center
Have a look on Microsoft Technet for more information:
Issue with the Windows ADK for Windows 10, version 1511
More blogposts about Windows ADK:
Update ConfigMgr 2012 R2 SP1 with Windows 10 boot images
This is a great year again because of new Microsoft System Center and Windows versions coming soon. Let's have a look at some big announcements so far! It's really a hugh list this time.
ConfigMgr 2012 R2 SP2 is first in line, which contains Cumulative Update (CU) 1-4 and even more hopefully. It will be released probably around Microsoft Ignite which is held in Chicago in May. There will be an update also to support Windows 10 deployment, upgrade and management with existing ConfigMgr features.
Source: WindowsITPro.com
Windows 10 is expected in September this year. A new Preview version is expected probably around Microsoft Build which is held in San Francisco in April/May. Windows 10 may be the best OS since Windows 7 finally! Windows 10: One product family, One platform, One store. Love it! Update: Windows 10 Launching This Summer in 190 Countries and 111 Languages already.
Source: Blogging Windows
Windows 10 ADK, which is needed to deploy Windows OS to new computers, will be released around Windows 10. A Preview version can be downloaded already: Download Center
Note: Before you even try, this version is NOT compatible with MDT 2013 (6.2.5019.0) or ConfigMgr 2012 R2.
Source: Deployment Research
Windows Server 'vnext' (2016) is expected in H1 next year. Because of strong focus on Cloud (Azure), expect more integration on that part. The Windows Server Technical Preview can be downloaded here: Windows Server Evaluations
At this technical preview milestone, many of the features and scenarios of Windows 10 and Windows Server are still in development and are not intended for broad production roll out.
The System Center Technical Preview delivers unified management across on-premises, service provider, and Microsoft Azure environments, thereby enabling the Microsoft Cloud OS. You need to be running Windows Server Technical Preview and Microsoft SQL Server 2014. Expect a final release somewhere in 2015.
Download: TechNet Evaluation Center
Source: The System Center Team Blog
The next version of ConfigMgr will deliver full support for client deployment, upgrade, and management of Windows 10 and associated updates. The next version of ConfigMgr, will ship in a timeframe that aligns with Windows. Microsoft has decided not to ship a ConfigMgr preview at this time, and will do so in H1 CY15.
Source: System Center Configuration Manager Team Blog
Source: Server & Cloud Blog
Office 365: Since last week built-in mobile device management (MDM) is available for Office 365 commercial plans. With MDM for Office 365, you can manage access to Office 365 data across a diverse range of phones and tablets, including iOS, Android and Windows Phone devices, without the need for Microsoft Intune.
Source: Feature Comparison with MDM for Office 365
Microsoft Intune: In addition, as Windows 10 delivers advanced mobile device management (MDM) to support evolving enterprise requirements, Intune will provide the leading mobile-first, cloud-first management capabilities for Windows 10.
Source: System Center Configuration Manager Team Blog
Office 2016 for Windows and Mac has been in private preview for several months, though anyone could request access if they were so inclined. Microsoft has expanded the program in March to it's commercial Office 365 customers, interested in testing the upcoming release. The reason today’s Skype technical preview is tied to Office 2016 is simple: Skype for Business will be part of the suite! Office 2016 will be launching in the second half of this year.
Download: Microsoft Connect
Source: Office Blogs & VentureBeat
Can't wait to install the bits later this year! Life is good :-)
More blogposts on this topic:
My personal experience with Windows 10 Technical Preview
Feature Comparison with MDM for Office 365
