Configuration Manager Servicing

The latest Configuration Manager systems management product has two servicing branches: a rapid update branch, where customers must remain current to receive support, and a long-term branch, which offers stability but has major feature limitations. Most customers will have to learn about and deal with the rapid update branch if they want to be able to manage future Windows and application updates with Configuration Manager. The new servicing model is likely to be applied to other System Center products soon.

The Two Servicing Branches Are Very Different

Beginning in late 2015, Microsoft has changed the way Configuration Manager is serviced with updates and patches.

Now referred to simply as Configuration Manager, it is updated monthly with technical previews and follows a Modern support life-cycle policy. Approximately every four months, one of the previews becomes a baseline release and is promoted to the Current Branch. There is also a Long-Term Servicing Branch (LTSB) for which critical security updates are made available but no new features are provided. (See the illustration “Configuration Manager Servicing Timelines“.)