Pushing Out Windows 11 to Windows 10 Devices Using a Feature Update Profile (WUFB)
Question
Hi All,
I am looking to start pushing out Windows 11 to Windows 10 devices using a Feature Update profile (WUFB).
I have tested this to a pilot group, and it works as expected. However, I am a little disappointed with the end user experience, mostly in relation to the notifications they receive. Once the update is received, it just sits in the taskbar tray and unless a user clicks on that or opens Windows Updates, they will have no idea that this is a large feature update.
I am worried users will update at the end of the day, or during the day, thinking this is a standard quality/security update. Then it will take 45mins+ to install.
Is there any way to change or increase the visibility of these pending updates to end users?
We are not using Autopatch and have no plans to.
Posted by Mitchell Scott in HTMD FB Group
Answers ( 3 )
Hi Mitchell Scott,
The native Windows notification experience for Feature Updates via WUFB is passive.
* No toast notification or pop-up for Feature Updates by default.
* Only a small update icon appears in the system tray.
* Users may treat it like a regular monthly update and restart at an inconvenient time.
What You Can Do to Improve End-User Visibility
1. Leverage Intune Toast Notifications (Custom Notifications)
You can proactively notify users using Intune custom notifications:
Send a toast notification using Intune > Devices > Notifications.
The message can include: “A major Windows upgrade to Windows 11 is available and will take ~45 minutes to install. Please plan accordingly.”
Link to internal comms, videos, or FAQs.
Note: Schedule the notification 1-2 days before the update deadline.
2. Create a PowerShell Script + Proactive Remediation
Use Proactive Remediations (part of Intune Endpoint Analytics) to:
Detect if a Feature Update is pending (Get-WindowsUpdate or relevant registry keys).
Trigger a toast notification using the BurntToast PowerShell module or native methods.
Example:
“A Windows 11 upgrade is ready. Please install before Friday. Allow up to 1 hour for the upgrade.”
Also, refer to my blog post on how to implement the Windows 11 upgrade: https://www.anoopcnair.com/best-way-windows-11-24h2-upgrade-using-intune/
Replied by Temoor Tariq
If you have enabled CMG and also pushed the MECM client, you can use a task sequence from MECM, which can have a description, and there you can add all the necessary information.
For More Details Best Way for Windows 11 24H2 Upgrade using Intune and Windows Update for Business WUfB Deployment
https://www.anoopcnair.com/best-way-windows-11-24h2-upgrade-using-intune/
Replied by Joe Bowers
Email your end users and explain? Keep it simple. Once your on Windows 11 you can use organizational messages too to advise that it’s a big update. But at the end of the day, when was the last time your users went through a big update? Making provisions to communicate this is a 1 time thing, sounds like perfect candidate for an email…?
Replied by Mitchell Scott
Joe Bowers Email will be done, for sure. But after moving from SCCM to WUFB, the update notifications suck in comparison.
We have around 1000 endpoints to migrate over. These will need to be done in a gradual manner. Meaning, some users won’t get the update for up to a few months. No doubt they will have forgotten about the email by then.
But yes, the org messages will be nice to have once all endpoints are over to Win11.
Replied by Greg Ernest
Mitchell Scott Yes, the alerts and possible delays were something I experienced from migration from WSUS to Inune Rings.
As far my planned push to 11, warn the users of the blue dot on the Windows icon on the lower right. My second week of the month messages to users is don’t update if it’s blue, orange and red are fine, just do it at the of the day.
Later this week I will be building out Groups by department for other purposes. Next Spring, I will use them again for a new Ring with Win11 pushed out.