There are currently millions of users who have updated their equipment to Windows 10, however, there are many who are still pending to update them, perhaps due to the need to use a tool that is not yet compatible with Windows 10 or because their PC does not meets the minimum requirements to ensure proper operation of the latest version of the Microsoft operating system.
Next, we will show the minimum and recommended requirements of Windows 10.
Microsoft establishes some Windows 10 requirements for all versions of the system, requirements that we could call basic or minimum to be able to install Windows 10 on a PC and that we can enjoy a good experience with Windows 10.
For initial Windows 10 deployments, as well as subsequent Windows 10 upgrades, ensure that sufficient disk space is available for distribution of the Windows 10 installation files (about 3 GB for Windows 10 x64 images, slightly smaller for x86). Also, be sure to take into account the network impact of moving these large images to each PC; you may need to leverage local server storage.
For persistent VDI environments, carefully consider the I/O impact from upgrading large numbers of PCs in a short period of time. Ensure that upgrades are performed in smaller numbers, or during off-peak time periods. (For pooled VDI environments, a better approach is to replace the base image with a new version.)
A new version of the Assessment and Deployment Toolkit (ADK) has been released to support Windows 10. This new version, available for download here, is required for Windows 10; you should not use earlier versions of the ADK to deploy Windows 10. It also supports the deployment of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1.
Significant enhancements in the ADK for Windows 10 include new runtime provisioning capabilities, which leverage the Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer (Windows ICD), as well as updated versions of existing deployment tools (DISM, USMT, Windows PE, and more).
In addition to System Center Configuration Manager, Windows 10 also leverages other tools for management. For Windows Server and Active Directory, existing supported versions are fully supported for Windows 10. New Group Policy templates will be needed to configure new settings available in Windows 10; these templates are available in the Windows 10 media images, and are available as a separate download here. See Group Policy settings reference for a list of the new and modified policy settings. If you are using a central policy store, follow the steps outlined here to update the ADMX files stored in that central store.
No new Active Directory schema updates or specific functional levels are currently required for core Windows 10 product functionality, although subsequent upgrades could require these to support new features.
Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) requires some additional configuration to receive updates for Windows 10. Use the Windows Server Update Services admin tool and follow these instructions:
Select the Options node, and then click Products and Classifications.
In the Products tree, select the Windows 10 and Windows 10 LTSB products and any other Windows 10-related items that you want. Click OK.
From the Synchronizations node, right-click and choose Synchronize Now.
Because Windows 10 updates are cumulative in nature, each month’s new update will supersede the previous month's. Consider leveraging “express installation” packages to reduce the size of the payload that needs to be sent to each PC each month; see Express installation files for more information. (Note that this will increase the amount of disk storage needed by WSUS, and impacts all operating systems being managed with WSUS.)
Windows 10 volume license editions of Windows 10 will continue to support all existing activation methods (KMS, MAK, and AD-based activation). An update will be required for existing KMS servers:
Product Required update
Windows 10 None
Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1 https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3058168
Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8 https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3058168
Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3079821
Additionally, new product keys will be needed for all types of volume license activation (KMS, MAK, and AD-based Activation); these keys are available on the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) for customers with rights to the Windows 10 operating system. To find the needed keys:
Sign into the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) at with a Microsoft account that has appropriate rights.
For KMS keys, click Licenses and then select Relationship Summary. Click the appropriate active license ID, and then select Product Keys near the right side of the page. For KMS running on Windows Server, find the Windows Srv 2012R2 DataCtr/Std KMS for Windows 10 product key; for KMS running on client operating systems, find the Windows 10 product key.
For MAK keys, click Downloads and Keys, and then filter the list by using Windows 10 as a product. Click the Key link next to an appropriate list entry (for example, Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB) to view the available MAK keys. (You can also find keys for KMS running on Windows 10 in this list. These keys will not work on Windows servers running KMS.)
Note that Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB installations use different MAK keys. But you can use the same KMS server or Active Directory-based activation environment for both; the KMS keys obtained from the Volume Licensing Service Center will work with both.
Next, we will show the minimum and recommended requirements of Windows 10.
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| WSUS product list with Windows 10 choices |
Specific infrastructure requirements to implement and manage Windows 10.
Microsoft establishes some Windows 10 requirements for all versions of the system, requirements that we could call basic or minimum to be able to install Windows 10 on a PC and that we can enjoy a good experience with Windows 10.
High-level requirements.
For initial Windows 10 deployments, as well as subsequent Windows 10 upgrades, ensure that sufficient disk space is available for distribution of the Windows 10 installation files (about 3 GB for Windows 10 x64 images, slightly smaller for x86). Also, be sure to take into account the network impact of moving these large images to each PC; you may need to leverage local server storage.
For persistent VDI environments, carefully consider the I/O impact from upgrading large numbers of PCs in a short period of time. Ensure that upgrades are performed in smaller numbers, or during off-peak time periods. (For pooled VDI environments, a better approach is to replace the base image with a new version.)
Deployment tools.
A new version of the Assessment and Deployment Toolkit (ADK) has been released to support Windows 10. This new version, available for download here, is required for Windows 10; you should not use earlier versions of the ADK to deploy Windows 10. It also supports the deployment of Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1.
Significant enhancements in the ADK for Windows 10 include new runtime provisioning capabilities, which leverage the Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer (Windows ICD), as well as updated versions of existing deployment tools (DISM, USMT, Windows PE, and more).
Management tools.
In addition to System Center Configuration Manager, Windows 10 also leverages other tools for management. For Windows Server and Active Directory, existing supported versions are fully supported for Windows 10. New Group Policy templates will be needed to configure new settings available in Windows 10; these templates are available in the Windows 10 media images, and are available as a separate download here. See Group Policy settings reference for a list of the new and modified policy settings. If you are using a central policy store, follow the steps outlined here to update the ADMX files stored in that central store.
No new Active Directory schema updates or specific functional levels are currently required for core Windows 10 product functionality, although subsequent upgrades could require these to support new features.
Read also: Windows 10 includes Windows Security, which provides the latest antivirus protection.For devices you manage with mobile device management (MDM) solutions such as Microsoft Intune, existing capabilities (provided initially in Windows 8.1) are fully supported in Windows 10; new Windows 10 MDM settings and capabilities will require updates to the MDM services. See Mobile device management for more information.
Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) requires some additional configuration to receive updates for Windows 10. Use the Windows Server Update Services admin tool and follow these instructions:
Select the Options node, and then click Products and Classifications.
In the Products tree, select the Windows 10 and Windows 10 LTSB products and any other Windows 10-related items that you want. Click OK.
From the Synchronizations node, right-click and choose Synchronize Now.
Because Windows 10 updates are cumulative in nature, each month’s new update will supersede the previous month's. Consider leveraging “express installation” packages to reduce the size of the payload that needs to be sent to each PC each month; see Express installation files for more information. (Note that this will increase the amount of disk storage needed by WSUS, and impacts all operating systems being managed with WSUS.)
Activation.
Windows 10 volume license editions of Windows 10 will continue to support all existing activation methods (KMS, MAK, and AD-based activation). An update will be required for existing KMS servers:
Product Required update
Windows 10 None
Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows 8.1 https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3058168
Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8 https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3058168
Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 https://support.microsoft.com/kb/3079821
Additionally, new product keys will be needed for all types of volume license activation (KMS, MAK, and AD-based Activation); these keys are available on the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) for customers with rights to the Windows 10 operating system. To find the needed keys:
Sign into the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) at with a Microsoft account that has appropriate rights.
For KMS keys, click Licenses and then select Relationship Summary. Click the appropriate active license ID, and then select Product Keys near the right side of the page. For KMS running on Windows Server, find the Windows Srv 2012R2 DataCtr/Std KMS for Windows 10 product key; for KMS running on client operating systems, find the Windows 10 product key.
For MAK keys, click Downloads and Keys, and then filter the list by using Windows 10 as a product. Click the Key link next to an appropriate list entry (for example, Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB) to view the available MAK keys. (You can also find keys for KMS running on Windows 10 in this list. These keys will not work on Windows servers running KMS.)
Note that Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Enterprise LTSB installations use different MAK keys. But you can use the same KMS server or Active Directory-based activation environment for both; the KMS keys obtained from the Volume Licensing Service Center will work with both.
On cell phones, Windows 10 will support devices with a 3-inch to 7.99-inch screen with resolutions from 800x480 pixels (WSVGA) to more than 2,560x2,048 pixels (QSZGA). Similarly, Microsoft requires that cell phones have at least power and volume buttons. A start, return and search button will be required for cell phones with WVGA screens.
ReplyDelete@Giampaolo Rossi.-Microsoft also announced the support of multiple chips for Windows 10 cell phones, including the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, an Adreno 430 GPU and a modem with support for LTE Category 9. In addition, Windows 10 phones may include a Snapdragon 808, Snapdragon 615 , Snapdragon 210 and Snapdragon 208.
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