Kurt Shintaku's Blog

On August 2016, Microsoft announced a new Windows desktop & server servicing/patching model that will be coming soon.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Post-Oct 2016, for each applicable Windows version, every month on the 2^nd Tuesday, there will be ONE “Monthly Roll Up of Security & Reliability Patches from both past-and-present” published and ONE “Security Rollup of Patches from this-month-only” published & made available through traditional update distribution mechanisms.  Moving forward, individual patches will no longer be available for Windows 7, 8.1, 2008R2, & 2012.

DETAILED OVERVIEW:
Full details are posted in the announcement at:
https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsitpro/2016/08/15/further-simplifying-servicing-model-for-windows-7-and-windows-8-1/.

There is also a Premier Field Engineer blog post on the matter here:
https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/askpfeplat/2016/08/30/a-bit-about-the-windows-servicing-model/

OVERVIEW PRESENTATION:
I have additionally posted a presentation entitled, “Improving Windows Servicing Scenarios”, that provides greater detail on this process for reference.  It shows a sample time line of what to expect and it also has an FAQ in there that answers questions like:

• What components are included in rollups?
• What’s in the .NET Framework Monthly rollup?
• Is there any prerequisites for a rollup?
• What is the expected size of the security only update?  The monthly rollup?
• Does the Monthly Rollup increase network traffic?
• Is it possible to apply only security updates?
• What if there is an issue with a roll up?
• Do the roll ups included version update of IE & GWX?

Download the presentation below:

• POWERPOINT: “Improving Windows Servicing Scenarios”
  https://1drv.ms/b/s!Ao0Dfn8MQdoAouR0XVRQ9mLJzX-1RQ

Q&A:
Here are some questions I have received about this topic:

Re: “I need more detail about how the roll ups will work on the server side, critical vs important/optional.”

Windows servicing & rollup publishing won’t be any different from servers as from the desktop releases.

• The “Monthly Rollup” will contain both Critical Updates & Recommended Updates (i.e. non-security related patches) per Nathan Mercer at https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsitpro/2016/08/15/further-simplifying-servicing-model-for-windows-7-and-windows-8-1/#comment-12475.
• Both the “Security-only update” & the “Monthly Rollup” will be released as a RECOMMENDED update on Update Tuesday, the second Tuesday of the month, per Nathan Mercer at https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsitpro/2016/08/15/further-simplifying-servicing-model-for-windows-7-and-windows-8-1/#comment-12245.
• Note: There will be a 3^rd patch rollup that will show up as an OPTIONAL update through all patch distribution facilities (WSUS, SCCM, etc.) on the 3^rd Tuesday of each month called the “Monthly Rollup Preview” which will contain all non-security patches to be published in the upcoming month.  The upcoming month’s official “Monthly Rollup” will be a combination of 1) The prior month’s “Monthly Rollup Preview” and the current month’s “Security Patches”, per Nathan Mercer at https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsitpro/2016/08/15/further-simplifying-servicing-model-for-windows-7-and-windows-8-1/#comment-12605 & https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsitpro/2016/08/15/further-simplifying-servicing-model-for-windows-7-and-windows-8-1/#comment-12595

Re: “What about Office patches (some servers have Outlook for MAPI as well as some installed Office products like Word or Excel)? Are those in the rollups or are there going to be different rollups?”

The blog & the servicing changes only apply to the Windows – more specifically, the Windows releases that are stated below.  There is no monthly “singular” Office patch rollups or any change, for that matter, in Office servicing for legacy .MSI installations for Office Professional Plus (2016 or prior releases).  Our go-forward servicing model is centered on Office 365 ProPlus – Click-to-Run installations.  Nathan Mercer, Windows Product Manager & the writer of the original post, states this at https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsitpro/2016/08/15/further-simplifying-servicing-model-for-windows-7-and-windows-8-1/#comment-9805

Re: “Do we need to change anything in SCCM to accommodate this new model?”

No. Update Management through SCCM will operate the same way as before… except there will now be TWO patches available to deploy on Patch Tuesday within the SCCM Update console.  One representing the “Monthly Roll Up of Security & Reliability Patches from both past-and-present” and one representing the “Security Rollup of Patches from this-month-only”.  This is addressed by Nathan Mercer here: https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsitpro/2016/08/15/further-simplifying-servicing-model-for-windows-7-and-windows-8-1/#comment-12235

Re: “Are there multiple roll ups each months for each type, etc..?”

For each applicable Windows version, there is:

• One “Monthly Roll Up of Security & Reliability Patches from both past-and-present”
• One “Security Rollup of Patches from this-month-only”

Individual patches will no longer be available post-Oct 2016 per Nathan Mercer at https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsitpro/2016/08/15/further-simplifying-servicing-model-for-windows-7-and-windows-8-1/#comment-8385.

Re: “You list Windows 7, 8, etc… but what about Windows 10?”
Windows 10 already adheres to this servicing model going back to its release in Sept 2015. Please read our documentation for details on Windows 10 Servicing here:

• Introduction to Windows 10 Servicing
  https://technet.microsoft.com/itpro/windows/manage/introduction-to-windows-10-servicing

…

The cumulative nature of all Windows 10 releases

It is important to note that, in order to improve release quality and simplify deployments, all new releases that Microsoft publishes for Windows 10 will be cumulative. This means new feature upgrades and servicing updates will contain the payloads of all previous releases (in an optimized form to reduce storage and networking requirements), and installing the release on a device will bring it completely up to date. Also, unlike earlier versions of Windows, you cannot install a subset of the contents of a Windows 10 servicing update. For example, if a servicing update contains fixes for three security vulnerabilities and one reliability issue, deploying the update will result in the installation of all four fixes.

Got a Microsoft HoloLens?

Now you can create your own mixed reality videos featuring holographic characters and effects. A steady supply of themed packs will feature content from your favorite brands and genres. Place, resize, and record holograms in the real world for a new take on storytelling.

Actiongram Beta is available now, featuring George Takei, Grumpy Cat, Nyan Cat, and more!

Read more about Actiongram & HoloLens at Geekwire here:
http://www.geekwire.com/2016/microsoft-george-takei-hololens/

Download Actiongram at http://aka.ms/action.

Learn more about Actiongram at www.hololens.com/actiongram.

Learn more about Microsoft HoloLens at http://www.microsoft.com/HoloLens.

Microsoft HoloLens is available in two “editions”:

• HoloLens Development Edition ($3,000)
• HoloLens Commercial Suite

So what’s the difference between the two?

There is a video & a text-based explanation of some of the additional features included in the Commercial Suite.

Key Commercial Features:

• Kiosk mode. With HoloLens kiosk mode, you can limit which apps to run to enable demo or showcase experiences.
• Mobile Device Management (MDM) for HoloLens. Your IT department can manage multiple HoloLens devices simultaneously using solutions like Microsoft Intune. You will be able to manage settings, select apps to install and set security configurations tailored to your organization’s need.
• Windows Update for Business. Controlled operating system updates to devices and support for long term servicing branch.
• Data security. BitLocker data encryption is enabled on HoloLens to provide the same level of security protection as any other Windows device.
• Work access. Anyone in your organization can remotely connect to the corporate network through virtual private network on a HoloLens. HoloLens can also access Wi-Fi networks that require credentials.
• Windows Store for Business. Your IT department can also set up an enterprise private store, containing only your company’s apps for your specific HoloLens usage. Securely distribute your enterprise software to selected group of enterprise users.

This is a table that explains what the differences are between the two releases.

Here are some references available online, buried in Microsoft.com:

• https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/holographic/release_notes
• https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/holographic/commercial_features

Bing predictions… Cortana-based tracking & updates… Windows streaming apps… Outlook reminders for upcoming games…

Check out these ways Microsoft can help you enjoy the football season!

Let Bing predict which teams will win
Bing has you covered this professional football season from basic player info to schedules and more. The Bing team created a unique professional football experience powered by Bing Predicts for all types of football fans looking to get the edge, including:

• Game by Game Predictions – Predictions on which team will win every weekly matchup.
• Fantasy Football Predictions – Weekly predictions of who to start in your fantasy league by position including predictions of how many points each player will achieve in PPR leagues. Carousel appears during Fantasy Football related queries.
• NFL Playoff Predictions – Each week we will update the predictions of who has the best chances to make the playoffs and win the division. Bing’s very own intelligence spin on Power Rankings.

Track your favorite teams with Cortana
Cortana lets you track your favorite sports teams’ right in your notebook. Select your favorite football team and Cortana will provide score updates, show upcoming games and matches and can even notify you with the final score. Give it a try today!

Follow the games with the Touchdown! Collection in the Windows Store
The Touchdown! Collection in the Windows Store is ready with great ways to watch the game your way on Windows or Xbox, letting you follow favorite teams, stream games, view schedules and stats, listen on-the-go, plan tailgates and more!

Keep track of your football games schedule with Outlook
Following professional and college football game schedules just got easier thanks to a new Interesting Calendars feature for Outlook.com and Outlook on the web. The new feature allows fans to add their team’s schedule directly to their Outlook.com or Outlook on the web calendar. Once added, the calendar is synced across devices and automatically updates if there is a change to the schedule, so you never miss a game. For more information on the feature, please visit the Office Blog.

(Note: For Outlook users with Office 365 subscriptions on Exchange Online, visit:
Outlook on the web – https://aka.ms/interestingcalendarowa)

• BLOG: Get ready for the NFL football season with Microsoft
  https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/09/08/get-ready-for-the-football-season-with-microsoft/#P5O7Xb8JUULYRrt4.97

Whether you were able to experience the //build conference this year or were unable to attend, we invite you to participate in an exciting day focused on just developers! This event will feature a keynote covering the latest announcements from the Microsoft //build conference and an update on developments that have taken place since the conference.

This free, one-day event consists of three tracks giving you the opportunity to take part in sessions covering topics that interest you the most: Next Generation Client Experiences, The Power of Azure or DevOps.

Join us for a Beyond //build event in a location near you to experience what is next for developers on the Microsoft and cloud platform, presented by seasoned Microsoft developer solution experts, engineers and staff from Microsoft Technology Centers

Register to attend today!

• Beyond //build – US Roadshow
  Irvine, CA, October 4, 2016
  https://www.microsoftevents.com/profile/web/index.cfm?PKwebID=0x1231975e30&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTldJMU5HRTNZamhrTm1NNSIsInQiOiJTeitOWkdoRDl3QWNhWGZmalNUTkEzOHZqVDNyQ2VkeGNjYXIyM3JHNVlTV3FYbjhNcUw0ZlNBQ2QzMjZzMnFsYk5OV0VqN04zcVB2b0hua0JpXC9ickd5Smp5QlVBZHU4RmpPODFNRXlSZmw2Wm9xMGdqekprbnlLY2lkXC9nUDVWIn0%3D

Every organization has big data aspirations that can be achieved with the right guide. Your map to the great digital unknown can help uncover unforeseen trends, traits, and insights.

Discover how your organization can start its journey of data discovery, read The DIY Guide to Data Navigation.

• DOWNLOAD: Free eBook, “The DIY Guide to Data Navigation” 
  https://info.microsoft.com/DIYGuidetoDataNavigation-Reg.html

We announced 2 interesting cloud-based services for Office 365 Microsoft Word 2016 subscribers.

Introducing Researcher—accessing credible sources and cited content just got easier

Researcher is a new service in Word that helps you find and incorporate reliable sources and content for your paper in fewer steps. Right within your Word document you can explore material related to your topic and add it—and its properly-formatted citation—in one click. Researcher uses the Bing Knowledge Graph to pull in the appropriate content from the web and provide structured, safe and credible information.

Introducing Editor—your new digital writing assistant

While Researcher helps you start a paper, Editor assists you with the finishing touches by providing an advanced proofing and editing service. Leveraging machine learning and natural language processing—mixed with input from our own team of linguists—Editor makes suggestions to help you improve your writing. Initially, it will help you simplify and streamline written communications by flagging unclear phrases or complex words, such as recommending “most” in place of “the majority of.”

…

Here’s a video that goes over these features:

There are also improvements made to Outlook (Focused Inbox) & PowerPoint (Zoom).  For more information, read the announcement post here:

• BLOG: New to Office 365 in July—new intelligent services Researcher and Editor in Word, Outlook Focused Inbox for desktop and Zoom in PowerPoint
  https://blogs.office.com/2016/07/26/the-evolution-of-office-apps-new-intelligent-services-such-as-researcher-and-editor-in-word-and-outlook-focused-inbox-as-well-as-continued-powerpoint-innovation-with-zoom/

At Computex 2016, we announced 2 things with Intel during the keynote:

1. Intel and Microsoft are collaborating on a specification for mixed reality ready PCs and head mounted displays (HMDs).
2. Next year, we will be releasing an update to Windows 10, which will enable mainstream PCs to run the Windows Holographic shell and associated mixed reality and universal Windows applications.

…

This video is a real example of Windows Holographic running on a low end Intel NUC:

Read more about these announcements at:

• Windows Holographic experience available for mainstream Windows 10 PCs next year https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/08/16/windows-holographic-experience-available-for-mainstream-windows-10-pcs-next-year/

Look out Twitch.

Team Xbox is proud to announce that Microsoft has signed an agreement to acquire Beam, an innovative and interactive livestreaming service that gives viewers the ability to watch and play along with their

Based in Seattle, Beam has evolved game streaming from a passive, watch-and-chat experience into one with real-time participation by the viewer; directly into a streamer’s game play and live broadcast.

…

Read more at the blog announcement here:

• Microsoft acquires Beam interactive livestreaming service
  http://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2016/08/11/microsoft-acquires-beam-interactive-livestreaming-service/

Microsoft has acquired messaging app developer Wand Labs. This acquisition accelerates our vision and strategy for Conversation as a Platform.

WHAT IS WAND?
Wand’s technology allows people involved in chats – for example, over Skype or Skype for Business Messaging – to have relevant web services made available to them on demand through the chat interface.

For example, if someone says they’re hungry in the chat, by popping up the keyboard & switching to the Wand interface, a list of intelligently selected (based on the chat dialog) online food delivery services – GrubHub DoorDash, etc. – or restaurant review services – Yelp, TripAdvisor – might pop up, and be accessible within the chat session where the user can quickly interact with the service & immediately return to the chat.

For more information on the acquisition, read the blog announcement here:

• Microsoft acquires Wand Labs to accelerate innovation in Bing intelligence and Conversation as a Platform
  https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2016/06/16/microsoft-acquires-wand-labs-to-accelerate-innovation-in-bing-intelligence-and-conversation-as-a-platform/