Over the past few months we have been working to finalize the latest version of System Center Configuration Manager (ConfigMgr). We are excited to announce that this new current branch of System Center Configuration Manager and Endpoint Protection (version 1511) is now generally available, and can be downloaded from the Microsoft Evaluation Center, MSDN, and Volume Licensing Service Center.
This release provides key new capabilities:
Comprehensive support for Windows 10:Windows 10 is the best Windows ever and has been designed with the enterprise in mind. System Center Configuration Manager was designed to work with Windows 10 and gives you multiple options to deploy, update, and manage Windows 10 in the way that makes sense for your business.
- Deploy/upgrade/provision Windows 10: ConfigMgr supports a variety of fast, efficient ways to deploy or upgrade devices to Windows 10. ConfigMgr enables “in-place upgrade” to move systems from Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 directly to Windows 10 much faster than before. New Windows 10 devices can be quickly made enterprise-ready with provisioning packages and profiles.
- Keep Windows 10 up-to-date:Once devices are running Windows 10, enterprises must keep them up-to-date to ensure they are properly secured. ConfigMgr enables IT to keep Windows 10 devices up-to-date and get a better insight into the Windows 10 deployments with new configurable deployment rings and the servicing dashboard as well as identify devices that are managed via Windows Update for Business.
- More frequent and easier to install updates: ConfigMgr is now designed to make it easier to update without going through complex individual upgrades. Moving forward you will see updates several times a year - to support new Windows, Configuration Manager, and mobile device management capabilities, at a much faster pace. In fact, we are already working on the next update and can’t wait to share some of the functionality with you in upcoming technical previews.
- Manage Windows 10: ConfigMgr enables more choice for managing Windows devices. You can manage devices using the traditional ConfigMgr agent and, when integrated with Microsoft Intune, also via cloud or on-premises MDM. Now, you can use ConfigMgr to manage Windows 10 devices via MDM directly, without needing to store data in the cloud.
Improved unified device management:ConfigMgr provides an improved unified device management platform for customers using System Center Configuration Manager integrated with Microsoft Intune to manage PCs, servers, and mobile devices. This release enables faster updates to bring new Intune features to your hybrid deployments. Some of the new hybrid features that you can expect to see in this release are support for Mac OS X MDM, Windows 10 Edition Upgrade, customized terms of use, and more.
Below are a few additional links that you may find helpful as you begin to explore this release:
- What’s New in System Center Configuration Manager
- Get Ready for System Center Configuration Manager
- Start Using System Center Configuration Manager
- Upgrade to System Center Configuration Manager
- Technical Documentation for System Center Configuration Manager
- System Center Configuration Manager blog
- System Center Configuration Manager Support
- Report an issue
- Provide suggestions
We hope you enjoy this new release!
Thanks,
The System Center Configuration Manager Team
