In this post, we will be looking at using SCCM dynamic queries to populate collections in our deployments. As an SCCM administrator, you most likely had to plan out mass deployments to all your servers or workstations or even both. How did you go ahead and populate your collections? Queries? Since the introduction of SCCM 2012, we now have a multitude of options, most notably: Direct membership Queries Include a collection Exclude a collection Chances are, if you are deploying new software to be part of a baseline for workstations (for example), you will also add it to your task sequence. In my past life, I must admit, I really did like queries. They can be such a powerful tool to populate your collections. I always was looking for ways to pimp the usual types of queries we use. For example, we developed a fabulous list of operational collections that we … Read More
Monitor SCCM Task Sequence Progress
When deploying Windows 10 operating system using SCCM (OSD), you will need to monitor SCCM task sequence progress. This allows us to track task sequence start, end time and most importantly errors (if any). Our post will show 4 different ways to monitor SCCM task sequences. Each of them has its own benefits and drawbacks. Monitor SCCM Task Sequence Using the Console You can view the progress of a task sequence using the SCCM console. This method is simple and easy but permit to see the status of only one machine at the time. If your deployment staff don’t have access to the console or view deployment status, this option is not for you. Open the SCCM Console Go to Monitoring / Deployments Search and right-click the deployment linked to your Windows 10 task sequence On the menu, select View Status In the Deployment Status screen, select the In Progress tab for a running … Read More
SCCM Software Update Management Guide
Software Update management is not the simplest SCCM task. Over the years, we trained many SCCM administrators using a simple approach and deployment strategy. We finally decided to create this complete SCCM Software Update Management Guide. This guide is a best-practice guide on how to plan, configure, manage and deploy software updates with SCCM. This guide aims to help SCCM administrators understand the basic concept of each part of the patch management process. This guide does not explain how to setup your Software Update Point. There are other ways of doing software update management in SCCM, this document describes a typical case that can be used in any organization as a good starting point. It’s impossible to cover every organization’s needs and requirements in a single guide. SCCM Software Update Management Guide The guide will help you achieve these tasks : Guide you toward a good deployment strategy. When and … Read More
Windows 10 Deployment | Create SCCM Windows 10 Build and Capture Task Sequence
In the third post of this blog series about Windows 10 Deployment using SCCM, we will show you how to create a SCCM Windows 10 Build and Capture Task Sequence and deploy it. Complete the preparation of your environment before reading this post. You will be able to edit this task sequence later to customize it to your environment. The goal of a build and capture task sequence is to capture a reference machine OS in order to redeploy its configuration multiple time. As a best practice, we recommend not to add too much software and customization to your reference image. Rather, use the task sequence steps to customize your deployment which decrease management operation tasks in the long run. For example, if you want to include Adobe Reader to your reference image because all your users need it, do not install it on your reference machine and do your capture. Instead, … Read More
SCCM Windows 10 Deployment | Prepare your Environment
In the first part of this blog series on how to deploy Windows 10 with SCCM, we will prepare our environment for Windows 10. If you’re already deploying other operating systems with SCCM 1511, adding Windows 10 is just a matter of adding a new WIM (which our post covers in part 4). If you’re new to deploying operating system with SCCM, follow this post which will covers all steps needed before you can deploy your first systems. Overview SCCM Windows 10 Deployment Upgrade to SCCM 1511 Enable PXE Support Prepare your boot image Prepare your Operating Systems Create your SUG USMT Packages Upgrade to SCCM 1511 It’s possible to manage Windows 10 with SCCM 2012 but when it comes to deploying Windows 10, if you want to use the full features, you need SCCM 1511 and further. Follow our guide to upgrade your SCCM server and make sure that you … Read More
SCCM Windows 10 Deployment | Create SCCM Windows 10 Task Sequence
In the second post of this blog series about Windows 10 Deployment using SCCM, we will show you how to create a SCCM Windows 10 Task Sequence and deploy it. Complete the preparation of your environment before reading this post. This task sequence will help you deploy what we call a “vanilla” Windows 10 using the default Install.wim from the Windows 10 media. This means that you’ll end up with a basic Windows 10 with the SCCM client and nothing else. You will be able to edit this task sequence later to customize it to your environment. Create SCCM Windows 10 Task Sequence Open the SCCM Console Go to Software Library \ Operating Systems \ Task Sequences Right-click Task Sequences and select Create Task Sequence On the Task Sequence wizard, select Install an existing image package On the Task Sequence Information pane, enter the desired Name, Description and Boot Image On the Install … Read More
Deploy Office 2016 using SCCM 2012 – Click-to-Run Version
This blog post will describe how to Deploy Office 2016 using SCCM 2012. This procedure is for the Office 2016 Click-to-Run version (Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus) not for the complete Office 2016 Professional Plus version. It will guide you in every steps required to deploy Office 2016 to your users. The mains steps are : Preparing the installation Create the SCCM application Create the deployment type Deploy the application Step 1 | Preparing Office 2016 installation The first step is to create a Download.xml file that we’ll use to download the latest version of Office 365 Pro Plus (2016). Read the Reference for Click-to-Run xml file to know more about the available options. Download the Office Deployment Tools After downloading the tool, run OfficeDeploymentTool.exe Extract the files to a drive on your computer You’ll end up with 2 files (Setup.exe and Configuration.xml) Create a Download.xml file and copy this content : <Configuration> <Add SourcePath=”C:\Office 2016″ … Read More
Start-cmpackagedeployment error – Impossible to create a Required Package Deployment using CMDLET
**Edit 2014/10/31 : I’m still struggling to make this cmdlet work with a Required schedule even if Microsoft says it’s fixed. If you have been able to make it work, leave a comment in this post. Start-cmpackagedeployment error ** **Edit 2014/06/27 : This issue is supposedly fix with R2 CU2 ** The Start-CMPackageDeployment cmdlet is failing with the following error when creating a “Required” deployment with a schedule. This CMDLet starts the deployment of a software package to a Configuration Manager collection. Run SCCM cmdlets and scripts by using the SCCM console or by using a Windows PowerShell session. When you run SCCM cmdlets by using the SCCM console, your session runs in the context of the site. Example : Start-CMPackageDeployment -CollectionName “$Name” -PackageId $PkgId -StandardProgramName “Install” -DeployPurpose Available -DeploymentAvailableDay “2014/06/13” -DeploymentAvailableTime “12:12” -DeploymentStartDay “2014/06/19” -DeploymentStartTime “2:45”-RerunBehavior RerunIfFailedPreviousAttempt -SoftwareInstallation $True -SystemRestart $False Error : Start-CMPackageDeployment : Parameter set cannot be resolved using the specified named … Read More