WSUS Products - Windows 10 options

Bill Clark 181 Reputation points
2021-09-15T19:18:33.72+00:00

Working with WSUS for Windows 10 updates in our domain and am VERY confused about some of the products; "Windows 10 Feature on Demand", "Windows 10 GDR-DU FOD", etc. I want to weed out the products we don't need and be able to just concentrate on what we do need. We currently run Windows 10 2004 that is based on a custom image with all the products and features already installed (.NET, etc). I don't need extra downloads to prepare our current version to upgrade to 20H2 or 21H1, as we control those upgrades using Ivanti Patch Manager as it gives us much better control over these types of upgrades. What WSUS Products do I need checked to just get security and regular updates for Windows 10 2004 without extra stuff like language packs, etc.? Thanks!

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  1. Limitless Technology 39,296 Reputation points
    2021-09-16T10:52:44.023+00:00

    Hello BillClark,

    All in all, these are the list of updates I wouldn't consider necessary (as required):

    Windows 10 Dynamic Update: This install optimization dynamic updates in prevision of a new release of the version. All this updates will be included in the new version as well.

    Windows 10 GDR-DU: The abbreviation stands for General Distribution Release – Dynamic Updates. These refer to packages for the dynamic update of the current version of Windows 10, while Windows 10 Dynamic Update is responsible for all releases.

    Windows 10 [*] Upgrade & Servicing Drivers: Also for Dynamic update. These products are available for Windows 10 in general and also for every release.

    Language Packs: Depending on your region or users, you may not need it at all. Other option (due to the small size of these) is to enable the users to download on demand per user basis.

    Windows 10 Feature On Demand: Features on Demand are packages only required if you have a specific need for it. The first thing that comes to my mind are the Mixed Reality feature and it's updates, which is useless unless you have it. I would recommend not to activate for WSUS, only if required in your environment, and this should be selected by manual approval of updates, which would also require management time.

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/features-on-demand-v2--capabilities

    Windows 10 GDR-DU FOD: This refers to Features on Demand relating to the dynamic update of the current Windows 10 version.

    Hope this helps clarifying your question,
    Best regards,

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  1. Rita Hu -MSFT 9,621 Reputation points
    2021-09-16T03:09:05.837+00:00

    @Bill Clark
    Thanks for your posting on Q&A.

    As we all know, WSUS role is integrated into MECM. We could notice that there are so many products and classifications in WSUS console. And there is no such Official Document for us to reference. But there is a related article of MECM for your reference:
    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/mem/configmgr/sum/get-started/configure-classifications-and-products

    We could refer to the above link to know more how to configure classifications and products to synchronize. Also there is screenshot in my lab for your reference:
    132591-4.png

    Hope the above will be helpful.

    Regards,
    Rita


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