SCCM 1906 Step by Step Upgrade Guide

Today (27/07/2019) Microsoft has released new branch update (1906) for System Center Configuration Manager.

Read release announcement  and list of new features on Microsoft Enterprise Mobility + security blog 

 Before proceeding with SCCM branch upgrade, it is very important to review SCCM Current Branch 1906 servicing readiness as below;
- SCCM CB 1906 can be upgraded only from 1806, 1810 or 1902
- Minimum of .Net 4.5 must be installed and complete the reboot
- ADK version must be 1903
- Change SQL AlwaysOn to manual failover
- File replication and Data replication is current when having multi site hierarchy
- Disable backup, delete aged client operations and delete aged discovery data site maintenance tasks
- Make sure full site backup is available before the upgrade

This step by step SCCM 1906 upgrade guide will guide you through from any supported previous version to SCCM Configuration Manager 1906

Downloading the SCCM CB 1906 update:

If SCCM CB 1906 update is not available (if you are not in first wave of customers) in SCCM console and you want to install without waiting until the global release then you need to download Version 1906 opt-in script  then run on the site server.

Download the Version 1906 opt-in powershell script from https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sccm/core/servers/manage/checklist-for-installing-update-1906#early-update-ring

1. Run EnableEarlyUpdateRing1906.exe as Administrator and extract the content to a nominated folder

2. The .exe will extra enableearlyupdatering1906.ps1 file

3.  Launch PowerShell as Administrator, then Change the current directory to the enableearlyupdatering1906.ps1 script path.
Then run the script from elevated PowerShell window (ex: enableearlyupdatering1906.ps1 SCCB )
         Note: Just use server name without FQDN.

4. The command will be completed successfully

5.  Go to \Administration\Overview\Updates and Servicing node in SCCM console then click Check for updates on the ribbon;

 6. Review the dmpdownloader.log file
            The log should have - Found a new available update

Then downloading large file with bits;

7. Refresh the Updates and servicing node in SCCM console, you can see the 1906 update in
    downloading state.

8. Wait until the 1906 update status changes from Downloading to Ready to Install

Installing SCCM CB 1906 update:
 1. Like any other previous updates, first run the Run Prerequisite check or run the Install update Pack directly;

2. The installer will start the Configuration Manager Updates wizard. Click Next on the General tab;

 3.  Select required features to be installed then click Next;

 4.  Select required client update options then click Next;

5. Accept the license terms then click Next;

 6. Review and confirm the selected options then click Next;

7. Close the completion window.

8. Now the 1906 update state will change from Available to Installing;

9. The installation will start checking prerequisites;

10. Detailed progress of the update installation can be viewed from \Monitoring\Overview\Updates 

and Servicing Status\Configuration Manager 1906 node From the ribbon click on Show status.

The update status also can be checked by reviewing hman.log

11. It will take 20-30 min (based on the server performance) to complete the upgrade. 

Once the update is installed, Configuration Manager 1906 update status will be changed from Available to Installed.

Console Upgrade:
After upgrading the site server to SCCM Current Branch 1906, If we re-launch or check the console version, we will get a popup message saying A new version of the console is available( 5.1906.1096.1500).

On the upgrade prompt, Click OK to upgrade the console and follow the-on screen prompts to complete the upgrade process.

Once the update is installed the version number of SCCM will be;
          System Center Configuration Manager Version: 1906
          Console Version: 5.1906.1096.1500
          Site Version: 5.0.8853.1000