Best Guide to Deploy Windows 10 20H2 using SCCM

This post covers the steps to deploy Windows 10 20H2 using SCCM (ConfigMgr/MEMCM). We will use the SCCM task sequence to deploy Windows 10 20H2 version to end devices.

In my previous post I covered on upgrading to Windows 10 20H2 using ConfigMgr. In this post, we will import and deploy the Windows 10 20H2 to our end devices using ConfigMgr task sequence.

Check out what’s new in Windows 10 20H2 for IT Pros.

About Windows 10 20H2 Release

Windows 10 20H2 is the latest Windows 10 release by Microsoft. It is also known as October 2020 update.  Windows 10, version 20H2 is available for users with devices running Windows 10, versions 1903 and higher.

End users can manually seek to Check for updates via Windows Update. The recommended servicing status is Semi-Annual Channel.

Note – Before you deploy Windows 10 20H2 using SCCM, you must test the deployment and have a proper plan for the roll out. Be it a bare metal deployment or an in-place upgrade to 20H2, a proper planning is required. Not everyone has a lab setup however I suggest you first perform the deployment in an isolated setup. Deploy it to a limited group and test all your business applications before broad deployment.

Windows ADK requirement for Windows 10 20H2

While most of you want to deploy Windows 10 20H2 using SCCM, you might be concerned about the Windows 10 ADK version. The good news is there is no new ADK for Windows 10, version 20H2. The ADK for Windows 10, version 2004 will also work with Windows 10, version 20H2.

Read the following blog post to know about Windows 10 ADK versions.

You must always use the latest version of ADK. If you have an older version of ADK installed, you can use the step-by-step guide to update Windows ADK on SCCM Server.

Windows 10 20H2 – ConfigMgr Supported Version

When you deploy Windows 10 20H2 using SCCM, the SCCM client agent should be compatible with Windows 10 version.

If you want to manage Windows 10 20H2 as a client, you need at least ConfigMgr 2006.

Download Windows 10 20H2 ISO File

Before you deploy Windows 10 20H2 using SCCM to new laptops, you must first download the ISO file. To download Windows 10 20H2, you can either download it from Microsoft VLSC or Visual Studio.

Normally enterprise versions are deployed to new laptop in organizations. So I am going to download Windows 10 20H2 (business editions).

We will extract the Windows 10 20H2 files to a folder. You can either mount it and copy the files to a folder or use a software to extract it.

Import Windows 10 20H2 Operating System Image

The steps to add or import Windows 20H2 operating system image in Configuration Manager include.

• Launch the Configuration Manager console.
• Navigate to Software Library\Overview\Operating Systems\Operating System Images.
• Right click Operating System Images and click Add Operating System Image.
• Provide the path of Windows 10 20H2 files in the next step.

In the next step specify the data source of OS image. Click Browse and specify the path of install.wim. You can also extract specific image index from the WIM file.

I am going to extract Windows 10 Enterprise. Click Next.

On the General page, you may add version info and comments. Click Next.

Click Next on Summary page and on Completion Window, click Close.

We have successfully imported Windows 10 20H2 OS image into the Configuration Manager.

Distribute the Operating System Image

When you import any content into SCCM, you must distribute the content to the distribution points. In the above step we imported Windows 10 20H2 image, let’s distribute the image.

In the SCCM console, go to Software Library > Overview > Operating Systems > Operating System Images. Right click Windows 10 20H2 enterprise image and click Distribute content.

You must select the content destination. Click Add button and select distribution points or distribution point groups. Click Next.

Click Next on the Summary page and on Completion window, click Close.

Tip – You can find the Windows 10 20H2 image details by clicking the image and then the details tab.

When you distribute the content to distribution points, you must ensure it is successful. Select the operating system image and look for Content Status. If it’s green, it means the content is distributed successfully.

Create Task sequence to deploy Windows 10 20H2 using SCCM

In this step we will create a new task sequence to deploy Windows 10 20H2 using SCCM to end devices.

• In the ConfigMgr console, go to Software Library\Overview\Operating Systems\Task Sequences.
• Right click Task Sequences and click Create Task Sequence.

Select Install an existing image package. Click Next.

Specify the task sequence information such as name, description. Click Browse and select a boot image. Click Next.

In this step you specify the Windows 10 20H2 image package, product key. In addition, you may specify a local administrator password instead of randomly generated one. Click Next.

On the Configure Network window, select Join a domain. Click Browse and specify the destination OU. Next, select an account that permissions to join the machine to the domain. Click Next.

You may specify additional client installation properties. Click Next.

Click Next.

Since we want to deploy Windows 10 20H2 using SCCM, we will not include any software updates. We can later deploy the updates using an ADR. Click Next.

You can add some applications in the SCCM task sequence to install it along with Windows 10 20H2. Click Next.

Finally on the Completion window, click Close.

Edit the Task Sequence and Add drivers for Windows 20H2

Along with Windows 10 20H2 deployment, deploying the drivers is also important. Otherwise you will have just the Windows 10 20H2 and no drivers installed.

You must first import the drivers into SCCM and then edit the task sequence and add Drivers > Apply Driver Package step. You can use the WMI to detect the laptop model and apply the right drivers.

Here is a guide to import dell CAB drivers into SCCM.

After adding the drivers, you may add more steps to task sequence and customize it based on your requirements. Once the task sequence is ready, go to the next step.

Deploy Windows 10 20H2 using SCCM

In the above step we create a SCCM task sequence to deploy Windows 10 20H2. Now we will deploy the Windows 10 20H2 using SCCM task sequence to our devices.

Right click Windows 10 20H2 task sequence and click Deploy.

On the General page, specify the target collection to which you want to deploy Windows 10 20H2 task sequence. Click Next.

Select the purpose as Available and make the deployment available to only media and PXE. Click Next.

If you wish to schedule the deployment, you may do it here. Otherwise click Next.

Specify the user experience settings for the deployment. Click Next.

Nothing to configure here, so click Next.

Click Next.

On the Completion window, click Close.

Windows 10 20H2 Deployment using SCCM

In the next step, PXE boot the device. First the boot image gets downloaded from the distribution point and then task sequence window loads.

Select the Windows 10 20H2 task sequence and click Next. Wait until the deployment is complete. If you see any task sequence errors, note down the error code. You may also review the smsts.log file to determine why your task sequence failed.

Finally login to the Windows 10 device and verify the version. This completes the steps to deploy Windows 10 20H2 using SCCM.