I am a proud Windows 11 Pro user, running the latest version 24H2 (OS Build 26100.2605). I deploy Windows 11 24H2 updates to refurbished OEM laptops that meet the requirements. If they don't meet the requirements, I deploy Windows 10 instead. I use customized Windows images and update them after every Patch Tuesday to save me the time in applying the updates after OS deployment. Currently, I am facing the following issues with Windows 11: 1. Updates needs to be reapplied after OS Deployment: When I apply updates to my online image in audit mode, I must reapply the same updates during OS deployment. If not, Windows Update will redownload and reinstall the same updates, even though the image was already updated. This issue has persisted in Windows 11, but not in Windows 10. 2. Push-Button-Reset Update Issue: After a push-button reset, Windows 11 redownloads the last cumulative update (26100.2605) and attempts to install it, even if it was part of the image before the reset. This results in a failure, and I have to manually install the update, which is cumbersome and often fails, causing me to reset again. 3. LayoutModification.json Issue: Previously, copying LayoutModification.json to `C:\Users\Default\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Shell` before OOBE would pin OEM apps to the Start Menu for new users. This no longer works in the current version. However, capturing a provisioning package and creating AutoApply folders can pin the apps after a push-button reset. This issue does not occur in prior versions of Windows 11 without the September/October 2024 cumulative updates. These issues cause significant challenges in deploying and maintaining Windows 11. I do not experience these issues with Windows 10. Any advice and guidance will be highly valued and greatly appreciated!
I use the following script in my online image in audit mode to cleanup after I've applied all updates and restarted: Code: net stop wuauserv ren %SystemRoot%\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old rd %SystemRoot%\SoftwareDistribution.old /s /q net start wuauserv DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup /ResetBase start /wait cleanmgr /sageset start /wait cleanmgr /sagerun I suspect that cleaning the update cache (deleting the SoftwareDistribution directory) or the DISM cleanup command may be responsible for me having to reapply the same updates during OS deployment. I mounted my custom image that I want to deploy, then I applied the updates I usually reapply during OS deployment, and then I captured my custom image again. When I deploy this image, I don't have to reapply updates. I haven't tested Windows Update after a push-button reset in this case.