diff --git a/windows/whats-new/windows-sv-plan.md b/windows/whats-new/windows-sv-plan.md index 1eed113eaa..310e572df1 100644 --- a/windows/whats-new/windows-sv-plan.md +++ b/windows/whats-new/windows-sv-plan.md @@ -31,86 +31,88 @@ Since Windows Sun Valley is built on the same foundation as Windows 10, you can - Determine application readiness. - Define your servicing strategy. -As most organizations will have a mix of Windows Sun Valley and Windows 10 and SV devices side-by-side as they integrate SV into their environments, there are some unique yet largely familiar considerations for this new operating system to help in planning for upcoming deployments. +Most organizations will have a mix of Windows Sun Valley and Windows 10 devices side-by-side as they integrate the upgrade into their environments. As such, there are unique yet largely familiar considerations to take into account when planning your deployments. -#### Determine eligibility +## Upgrade eligibility -As a first step, you will need to know which of your current PCs meet the Windows Sun Valley hardware requirements. Detailed requirements can be found at [LINK NEEDED](). However, in general you should expect that if your devices were acquired within the last 18-24 months, they will be able to run Windows Sun Valley. +As a first step, you will need to know which of your current PCs meet the Windows Sun Valley hardware requirements. Detailed requirements can be found [here](windows-sv-requirements.md). However, in general you should expect that if your devices were purchased within the last 18-24 months, they will be able to run Windows Sun Valley. -Analysis tools will be created and made available to evaluate devices against the Windows Sun Valley hardware requirements. A standalone tool will be available, and the ability to evaluate upgrade eligibility will also be integrated into your existing enterprise tool sets. +Analysis tools will be developed and made available to validate devices against the Windows Sun Valley hardware requirements. A standalone tool is planned, and upgrade eligibility will also be integrated into your existing enterprise deployment tools. When Windows Sun Valley reaches general availability, end users running Windows 10 Home, Pro, and Pro for Workstations can use the PC Health Check app to determine their eligibility for Windows Sun Valley. End users running Windows 10 Enterprise and Education editions should rely on their IT administrators to let them know when they are eligible for the upgrade. [LINK NEEDED]() has been developed for this purpose. -For enterprise customers, analytics tools will be available for administrators to evaluate device readiness, including Endpoint Analytics and Update Compliance. Microsoft is also sharing information with independent sofware vendors to enable their tools to support analytics for Windows Sun Valley. +For organizations with investments in enterprise deployment tools, analytics functionality will be available to evaluate device readiness, including Endpoint Analytics and Update Compliance. Microsoft is also sharing information with independent sofware vendors to enable their tools to support analytics for Windows Sun Valley. -#### Windows Sun Valley availability +## Windows Sun Valley availability -As with Windows 10, the availability of Windows Sun Valley experience will vary depending on whether the device receives updates from Windows Update (unmanaged devices), or from a management solution that is maintained by an administrator (managed devices). +As with Windows 10, the availability of Windows Sun Valley will vary depending on whether the device is unmanaged and receives updates from Windows Update, or a device is managed using tools operated by an IT administrator. ##### Unmanaged devices -For unmanaged devices, most eligible devices purchased after June of 2021 will be offered the Windows Sun Valley upgrade in October of 2021. New device messaging will vary by PC manufacturer, but users will see labels such as **This PC will upgrade to Windows Sun Valley once available** on products that are available for purchase. +For unmanaged devices, most eligible devices purchased after June of 2021 will be offered the Windows Sun Valley upgrade in October of 2021. Messaging on new devices will vary by PC manufacturer, but users will see labels such as **This PC will upgrade to Windows Sun Valley once available** on products that are available for purchase. > [!NOTE] -> New devices purchased after October 2021 will see the Windows Sun Valley offer during the out of box experience, or they will already be upgraded to Windows Sun Valley. +> New devices purchased after October 2021 will see the Windows Sun Valley offer during the out of box experience (OOBE), or they will already be upgraded to Windows Sun Valley. -After General Availability (GA) date for Windows Sun Valley, the OS upgrade will be available to eligible Windows 10 devices that use Windows Update. The upgrade will be available first to seekers, then as part of Microsoft's intelligent rollout process. As with all Microsoft update managed devices, the Windows Update Settings page will confirm when a device is eligible, and users can choose to upgrade or not. +After General Availability (GA) date for Windows Sun Valley, the OS upgrade will be available to eligible devices that use Windows Update. The upgrade will be available first to seekers, then as part of Microsoft's intelligent rollout process. The Windows Update Settings page will confirm when a device is eligible, and users can choose whether or not to upgrade. Just like Windows 10, the machine learning based [intelligent rollout](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/using-machine-learning-to-improve-the-windows-10-update/ba-p/877860) process will be leveraged when rolling out upgrades. Machine learning uses a combination of testing, close partner engagement, feedback, diagnostic data, and real-life insights to manage quality. This improves the update experience and ensures that devices first nominated for updates are those likely to have a seamless experience. Devices that might have compatibility issues with the upgrade get the benefit of resolving these issues before the upgrade is offered. ##### Managed devices -The innovations and end user productivity improvements in Windows Sun Valley are exciting. However, the "right time" to upgrade will be different for each organization. For devices that you manage as an organization, you can choose between Windows Sun Valley and Windows 10, and decide when the time is right to incorporate Window Sun Valley into your environment. Initially, it is expected that enterprise environments will contain a mix of Windows 10 and Windows Sun Valley. +The right time to upgrade will be different for each organization and environment. You can choose between Windows Sun Valley and Windows 10, and decide when the time is right to integrate Window Sun Valley into your environment. Initially, it is expected that many organizations will operate with a mix of Windows 10 and Windows Sun Valley. -Organizations will be able to deploy the Windows Sun Valley upgrade to eligible devices using their existing management tools beginning at GA. Environments that use Windows Update for Business (WUfB) will have the additional benefit of two safety nets: offering blocks on non-eligible devices who do not meet the hardware requirements, and Safeguard holds. Safeguard holds will function for SV devices just as they do for Windows 10. Administrators will have access to information on which Safeguard holds are preventing individual devices from taking the upgrade to Windows Sun Valley. +You can deploy the Windows Sun Valley upgrade to eligible devices using your existing management tools beginning at GA. If you use Windows Update for Business (WUfB), you will have the additional benefit of two safety nets: offering blocks on non-eligible devices that do not meet the hardware requirements, and Safeguard holds. Safeguard holds will function for Windows Sun Valley devices the same way that they do for Windows 10. Administrators will have access to information on which Safeguard holds are preventing individual devices from taking the upgrade to Windows Sun Valley. > [!NOTE] -> If you use WUfB to manage feature update deployments today you will need to leverage the **Target Version** policy rather than **Feature Update deferrals** to move from Windows 10 to Windows Sun Valley. Deferrals are great for quality updates or to move to newer versions of the same product (Windows 10 to Windows 10), but they cannot migrate a devices between products (Windows 10 to Windows Sun Valley). -> Additionally, Windows Sun Valley has a new end user license agreement. If you are deploying with WUfB **Target Version** or with WSUS, you are accepting this new end user license agreement on behalf of the end users within your organization. +> If you use WUfB to manage feature update deployments today, you will need to leverage the **Target Version** policy rather than **Feature Update deferrals** to move from Windows 10 to Windows Sun Valley. Deferrals are great for quality updates or to move to newer versions of the same product (Windows 10 to Windows 10), but they cannot migrate a devices between products (Windows 10 to Windows Sun Valley).
+> Additionally, Windows Sun Valley has a new end user license agreement (EULA). If you are deploying with WUfB **Target Version** or with WSUS, you are accepting this new EULA on behalf of the end users within your organization. -Some additional considerations about upgrading: +Additional considerations: - Windows 10 Pro or higher can upgrade for free using existing management tools. - Devices running S mode will first need to switch out of S mode because it is not supported on Windows Sun Valley. - Downgrade rights are available with Windows Sun Valley Pro OEM licensed devices and with Microsoft Volume Licensing, where the licensing agreement permits it. -- You can downgrade to any version of Windows Pro/Professional that has not reached its end of support date. +- You can downgrade to any version of Windows Pro that has not reached its end of support date. -##### Availability and upgrade path +## Availability and upgrade path -As previously mentioned, the Windows Sun Valley upgrade offer will begin for eligible devices at GA in October of 2021. This is true for eligible devices already running updated Windows 10 as well as for new devices. +As previously mentioned, the Windows Sun Valley upgrade offer will begin for eligible devices at GA in October of 2021. This is true for existing eligible devices as well as for new devices. -To preview Windows Sun Valley, you can join the [Windows Insider Program](https://insider.windows.com/for-business) (WIP). This enables you to begin validating Windows Sun Valley, as well as exploring new features as they’re being created. As a WIP participant in the [Release Preview Channel](/windows-insider/business/validate-Release-Preview-Channel), Windows Sun Valley will be available to you in the summer of 2021, well ahead of the October GA date. +To preview Windows Sun Valley, you can join the [Windows Insider Program](https://insider.windows.com/for-business) (WIP). This enables you to begin validating Windows Sun Valley, and to explore new features as they’re being created. As a WIP participant in the [Release Preview Channel](/windows-insider/business/validate-Release-Preview-Channel), Windows Sun Valley will be available to you in the summer of 2021, well ahead of the October GA date. You can deploy directly from the Windows Insider Pre-release category in WSUS in a variety of ways: 1. Configure Manage Preview Builds to **Release Preview** with WUfB. 2. Leverage Windows Virtual Devices or Cloud PC* (check if this will be announced when this paper goes out) and Azure Marketplace images. 3. Download and deploy ISOs from Microsoft’s Windows Insider Program ISO Download page. -Regardless of which way you choose to deploy, you have the benefit of free Microsoft support when validating a pre-release. All you need to do is go to [Support for business](http://support.microsoft.com/supportforbusiness/productselection?sapId=39fc4a93-68cd-5a19-f91b-f0b349a098f3) and submit your support case. This is free for any Microsoft commercial customer deploying Windows 10 version 21H2 or Windows Sun Valley 21H2 pre-release bits after the commercial preview date in summer 2021. +Regardless of which way you choose to deploy, you have the benefit of free Microsoft support when validating a pre-release. Just go to [Support for business](http://support.microsoft.com/supportforbusiness/productselection?sapId=39fc4a93-68cd-5a19-f91b-f0b349a098f3) and submit your support case. This is free for any Microsoft commercial customer deploying Windows 10 version 21H2 or Windows Sun Valley 21H2 pre-release bits after the commercial preview date in the summer of 2021. -Your Windows Sun Valley and Windows 10 devices will receive regular monthly quality updates to provide security updates and bug fixes. Windows Sun Valley devices will receive a single feature update annually, a change from the twice per year of Windows 10. +## Quality updates -Devices on in-service versions of Windows 10 that do not meet Windows Sun Valley hardware requirements will continue to receive monthly Windows 10 security updates through 2025, as well as incremental improvements to Windows 10 to support your ongoing deployments of Microsoft 365. +- Windows Sun Valley and Windows 10 devices will receive regular monthly quality updates. +- Windows Sun Valley devices will receive a single feature update annually, a change from the twice per year of Windows 10. +- Devices on in-service versions of Windows 10 that do not meet Windows Sun Valley hardware requirements will continue to receive monthly Windows 10 security updates through 2025, as well as incremental improvements to Windows 10 to support your ongoing deployments of Microsoft 365. -##### Servicing duration +## Servicing duration Along with end user experience and security improvements, Windows Sun Valley introduces enhancements to our servicing approach based on your suggestions and feedback. -Windows 10 feature updates are released twice yearly via the Semi-Annual Channel. They are serviced with monthly quality updates for 18 or 30 months from the date of the release, depending on the lifecycle policy. Windows Sun Valley will have an annual feature update cadence, targeted for release in the second half of the calendar year. +Windows 10 feature updates are released twice yearly via the Semi-Annual Channel. They are serviced with monthly quality updates for 18 or 30 months from the date of the release, depending on the lifecycle policy. Windows Sun Valley will have an annual feature update cadence, targeted for release in the second half of the calendar year: - Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, and Pro for Education editions of Windows Sun Valley will receive 24 months of support from the date of release. - Enterprise and Education editions of Windows Sun Valley will be supported for 36 months. -For more details on the lifecycle and servicing strategy for Windows Sun Valley, see [Windows lifecycle and servicing update overview](). +THIS SECTION DOESNT EXIST: For more details on the lifecycle and servicing strategy for Windows Sun Valley, see [Windows lifecycle and servicing update overview](). Microsoft recognizes the importance that organizations have adequate time to plan for Windows Sun Valley. Therefore, we have committed to supporting Windows 10 through October 14, 2025. For more information, see the [Windows release information]() page. This page also includes information for Windows 10 semi-annual channel and LTSC releases. A consolidated [update history]() is also available for every version of the Windows operating system. This information offers quick access to knowledge base articles for each monthly, optional, and out-of-band release. In addition to update highlights, you’ll find a list of improvements and fixes, a summary of any known issues, and details on how to get the update, including any prerequisites. -##### Application compatibility +## Application compatibility Windows 10 upgrades have proven to be highly compatible, and that does not change with Windows Sun Valley. Our compatibility promise for Windows 10 is that upgrades will maintain compatibility with apps written for previously released versions. Windows Sun Valley comes with the same App Assure promise and commitment that you have known with Windows 10. Data from the App Assure program shows that Windows 10 compatibility rates are over 99.7% for our enterprise customers, including line of business apps. This great progress will not be lost. Windows Sun Valley has been subjected to, and is passing the same app compatibility validation requirements, that are in place for Windows 10 feature and quality update releases today. -##### App Assure and Test Base +#### App Assure and Test Base You might already be using App Assure and Test Base in your Windows 10 environment. Both of these tools will continue to function with Windows Sun Valley. With enrollment in the App Assure service, if you find any problems with an existing application as you migrate to Windows Sun Valley, Microsoft will help you remedy application issues at no cost. Since 2018, App Assure has evaluated almost 800,000 apps, and subscriptions are free for eligible customers with 150+ seats. diff --git a/windows/whats-new/windows-sv-prepare.md b/windows/whats-new/windows-sv-prepare.md index c617d105a9..8da15603d9 100644 --- a/windows/whats-new/windows-sv-prepare.md +++ b/windows/whats-new/windows-sv-prepare.md @@ -1,5 +1,5 @@ --- -title: Prepare to deploy Windows Sun Valley +title: Prepare for Windows Sun Valley description: Prepare your infrastructure and tools to deploy Windows Sun Valley, IT Pro content. keywords: ["get started", "windows sun valley"] ms.prod: w11 diff --git a/windows/whats-new/windows-sv-requirements.md b/windows/whats-new/windows-sv-requirements.md index 469fe1924c..d9c0d22b1a 100644 --- a/windows/whats-new/windows-sv-requirements.md +++ b/windows/whats-new/windows-sv-requirements.md @@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ ms.custom: seo-marvel-apr2020 - Windows Sun Valley, version 21H2 -This article lists the system requirements for Windows Sun Valley. Windows Sun Valley is also supported on a virtual machine (VM). For the best Windows Sun Valley upgrade experience, eligible devices should be running Windows 10, version 20H1 or later. +This article lists the system requirements for Windows Sun Valley. Windows Sun Valley is also supported on a virtual machine (VM). ## Hardware requirements @@ -41,6 +41,10 @@ To install Windows Sun Valley, devices must meet the following specifications: For additional guidance, see [Determine eligibility](windows-sv-plan.md#determine-eligibility) NEED LINK. +## Operating system requirements + +For the best Windows Sun Valley upgrade experience, eligible devices should be running Windows 10, version 20H1 or later. + > [!NOTE] > S mode is not supported on Windows Sun Valley. > If you are running Windows in S mode, you will need to first [switch out of S mode](/windows/deployment/windows-10-pro-in-s-mode) prior to upgrading. Switching a device out of Windows 10 in S mode also requires internet connectivity. diff --git a/windows/whats-new/windows-sv.md b/windows/whats-new/windows-sv.md index 1e9127bae0..b1b09d27be 100644 --- a/windows/whats-new/windows-sv.md +++ b/windows/whats-new/windows-sv.md @@ -32,21 +32,19 @@ Also see the following articles to learn about Windows Sun Valley: ## Introduction -Windows Sun Valley is the next evolution of Windows; the most significant update to the Windows operating system since Windows 10. It offers a fresh experience that is flexible and fluid, designed to support today's hybrid work environment and to be the most reliable, secure, connected, and performant Windows OS ever. +Windows Sun Valley is the next evolution of Windows; the most significant update to the Windows operating system since Windows 10. It offers many innovations focused on enhancing end user productivity in a fresh experience that is flexible and fluid. Windows Sun Valley is designed to support today's hybrid work environment, and intended to be the most reliable, secure, connected, and performant Windows OS ever. -Windows Sun Valley contains many innovations focused on enhancing end user productivity. It is built on the same foundation as Windows 10, ensuring that the investments you have made in tools for update and device management are carried forward. Windows Sun Valley provides the benefits that commercial organizations and IT pros need and rely upon every day: best-in-class security, simplified manageability, and high availability. It also sustains the application compatibility promise we made with Windows 10, supplemented by programs like App Assure in cases where additional support is needed. - -In summary, because Windows Sun Valley is built on the same foundation as Windows 10, you can deploy, manage, and secure Windows SV using the same tools and solutions you use today. For Microsoft 365 customers seeking further assistance, FastTrack will continue to be available to support your efforts to adopt Windows SV. +This release is built on the same foundation as Windows 10, so the investments you have made in tools for update and device management are carried forward. Windows Sun Valley also sustains the application compatibility promise we made with Windows 10. For Microsoft 365 customers seeking further assistance, FastTrack will continue to be available to support your efforts to adopt Windows Sun Valley. ## How to get Windows Sun Valley Windows Sun Valley will be delivered as an upgrade to eligible devices running Windows 10 beginning in the first half of 2022. Windows Sun Valley will also be available on new, eligible devices. -For PCs that are managed by your organization and meet the eligibility requirements, Windows Sun Valley will be available through the same, familiar channels we utilize for Windows 10 feature updates today. You will be able to use existing deployment and management toolsets, such as Windows Update for Business, Microsoft Endpoint Management, and Windows Autopilot and those commercial customers running Pro, Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 10 will have control over when to upgrade their devices from Windows 10 to Windows Sun Valley. For more information, see Management tools. +For PCs that are managed by your organization and meet the eligibility requirements, Windows Sun Valley will be available through the same channels that you use for Windows 10 feature updates today. Existing deployment and management tools such as Windows Update for Business, Microsoft Endpoint Management, and Windows Autopilot can be used to deploy and manage Windows Sun Valley. Commercial organizations running Pro, Enterprise and Education editions of Windows 10 will have control over when to upgrade their devices from Windows 10 to Windows Sun Valley. For more information, see [Management tools](windows-sv-prepare.md#management-tools). -For personal devices and other unmanaged PCs that meet the eligibility requirements, the upgrade will be offered through Windows Update using our intelligent rollout process to ensure a smooth upgrade experience. Windows 10 devices purchased after June 2021 that meet or exceed the minimum hardware requirements for Windows Sun Valley will be offered the upgrade starting in October of 2021. +For personal devices and other unmanaged PCs that meet the eligibility requirements, the Windows Sun Valley upgrade will be offered through Windows Update using Microsoft's [intelligent rollout](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/using-machine-learning-to-improve-the-windows-10-update/ba-p/877860) process. Windows 10 devices purchased after June 2021 that meet or exceed the minimum hardware requirements for Windows Sun Valley will be offered the upgrade starting in October of 2021. -For those interested in testing Windows Sun Valley before general availability, we recommend joining the Windows Insider Program or Windows Insider Program for Business [Release Preview Channel](/windows-insider/business/validate-Release-Preview-Channel), or enabling pre-release Windows 10 feature updates in [Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager](/mem/configmgr/core/servers/manage/pre-release-features) or [Windows Server Update Services](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/publishing-pre-release-windows-10-feature-updates-to-wsus/ba-p/845054) (WSUS). +If you are interested in testing Windows Sun Valley before general availability, you can join the Windows Insider Program or Windows Insider Program for Business [Release Preview Channel](/windows-insider/business/validate-Release-Preview-Channel). You can also preview Windows Sun Valley by enabling pre-release Windows 10 feature updates in [Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager](/mem/configmgr/core/servers/manage/pre-release-features) or [Windows Server Update Services](https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/windows-it-pro-blog/publishing-pre-release-windows-10-feature-updates-to-wsus/ba-p/845054) (WSUS). For more information about eligibility to upgrade, see [Windows Sun Valley requirements](windows-sv-requirements.md). @@ -62,15 +60,17 @@ Microsoft 365 licenses that include Windows 10 licenses will permit you to run W Most accessories and associated drivers that worked with Windows 10 are expected to work with Windows Sun Valley. Check with your accessory manufacturer for specific details. -Windows Sun Valley also preserves the application compatibility promise made with Windows 10 and does not require changes to existing support processes or tooling to sustain the currency of applications and devices. Microsoft 365 customers can continue to use programs such as App Assure and FastTrack to support IT efforts to adopt and maintain Windows Sun Valley. For more information, see [Application compatibility](windows-sv-prepare.md#application-compatibility). +Windows Sun Valley preserves the application compatibility promise made with Windows 10 and does not require changes to existing support processes or tooling to sustain the currency of applications and devices. Microsoft 365 customers can continue to use programs such as App Assure and FastTrack to support IT efforts to adopt and maintain Windows Sun Valley. For more information, see [Application compatibility](windows-sv-prepare.md#application-compatibility). -#### Familiar deployment process +#### Familiar processes -Windows Sun Valley is built on the same foundation as Windows 10, so you can generally use the same tools and solutions you use today to deploy, manage, and secure Windows Sun Valley. You can also use your current management tools, processes, and settings to manage monthly quality updates for both Windows 10 and Windows Sun Valley. For more information, see [Management tools](windows-sv-prepare.md#management-tools) and [Configurations](windows-sv-plan.md#configurations). +Windows Sun Valley is built on the same foundation as Windows 10, so generally you can use the same tools and solutions you use today to deploy, manage, and secure Windows Sun Valley. Your current management tools and processes will work to manage monthly quality updates for both Windows 10 and Windows Sun Valley. For more information, see [Management tools](windows-sv-prepare.md#management-tools). #### Servicing Windows Sun Valley -Windows Sun Valley will have an annual feature update cadence and receive monthly quality updates. For details, see [Windows Sun Valley servicing](windows-sv-plan.md#windows-sun-valley-servicing). When Windows Sun Valley reaches general availability, important servicing-related announcements and information about known issues and safeguard holds can be found on the Windows release health hub. Monthly release notes will available via a consolidated Windows Sun Valley update history page at that time as well. +Windows Sun Valley will have an annual feature update cadence and receive monthly quality updates. For details, see [Windows Sun Valley servicing](windows-sv-plan.md#windows-sun-valley-servicing). + +When Windows Sun Valley reaches general availability, important servicing-related announcements and information about known issues and safeguard holds can be found on the Windows release health hub. Monthly release notes will available from a consolidated Windows Sun Valley update history page. ## Next steps