Good Evening All - 

After presenting SCCM 2012's SUP feature to my manager, he wants me to implement it.  The only thing that he requested, though, is for a few changes (if possible) for user notification.

Through research and testing, I've found that when updates are advertised to a workstation, a system tray icons appears with a balloon.  If clicked on, there are a few options that the user has including viewing detail of the updates in the Software Center.  Example

Here are the changes my manager asked if I could make.  Any ideas on how this may be possible if it all?  

-  Instead of system tray icon notification, have a window pop up on their screen that must be dismissed

-  Possible to not use Software Center for updates (users don't need all of that detail as it would just confuse them)?  Actually, is there any way to not have Software Center install with the client on workstations altogether?

I think that's it - Thanks for your thoughts!

1) You can hide all notification from the software center and system tray. Just configure that in the deployment

2) Exclude .Net framework from the client installation, that will remove software center and notifications. Not that I think that is a good idea.

...and you're going against the MS vision that the user is now involved more in the updating of the device that they are using rather than IT just shielding everything from them all the time.  I'm still working my brain around that one too...but I see the light a bit as people are used to the experience they get with a smartphone and those are constantly asking them to update this or that...so it makes some sense to me.  Besides, the BYOD wave will certainly change how we in IT view things...

Anyway, if you still want to install Software Center (which I would) and you don't want the users bothered by it then have them set the switch in the Options section under Computer maintenance: 

Then they won't see anything popping up at all (no matter how you configure the updates) and the updates will install in the first available slot outside the users configured business hours (rather than the updates waiting until the absolute deadline to install).

Thanks guys - BUT - there's really only one thing I need to know.

... Instead of the system tray icon with notification balloon (when updates have been advertised & are needed), is there a way to instead have a window pop up (like the one you get when double clicking on the system tray icon)?

Basically, my manager wants users to be more aware that their computer requires updates to be installed.

Thanks!

To my knowledge there is nothing in the product which will do that.  No setting you can configure or dialog that you can make appear...

So, if you wanted something like that your only option would be to create something yourself.

But why does that matter anyway?  First of all, do you really want your users to stop working on whatever it is that they are doing so that they can install updates?  Isn't that exact opposite thing you want them doing.  Shouldn't they instead continue working and let the update system handle things for them...preferably when they are NOT using their computer business purposes.

That's what the whole concept of Maintenance Windows and Business Hours and Deadlines is all about.  

Sure they can install updates on demand...but my suggestion, set Maintenance Windows to only allow the updates to install outside of what your users normal working hours are and then set a deadline on the updates to install them on a particular date.  Then just let it happen...cause it will happen...and your boss will be happy cause the updates got applied and the users will be happy cause you didn't make them stop working to apply updates.

Thanks Mike - 

I agree 100% - just research options my supervisor requested...  Thanks again for your help!

Just to add another larger customers wishes, I would add that these features such as the ability to be a popup that has to be dismissed should be added. The problem is that we get executives and other folks who say "never got notified and then you force rebooted my PC". Sure they got the balloons but they didn't see them, the deadline passed, it forced it on them when they were getting in the following morning. 

Eric - 

I actually was able top create (with a little help) a solution to this issue.  Currently, I am able to deploy any application or software updates with a pop-up notification that does the following...

• Appears on top of all windows
• Cannot be minimized
• Has following buttons "Install Now" / "Defer 15 Min" / "Defer 4 Hours" / "Defer 24 Hours"
• If defer option chosen, minimizes to system tray with balloon notification which may be reopened to "Install Now" at any time.  At end of defer time, window reappears
• Ability to easily add custom message per deployment plus custom logo

If interested in how, let me know and I'll post...

Thanks

Ben I am extremely interested. :)

Well, I've got most of it in typed up on my SCCM site I kinda toy around with.  

GuidesForIT.com

Im in the initial stages of setting it up.  If you want more info or have any questions, you can send me a PM there or post here if it doesn't work for some reason.

Good Luck!

Hi Kent,

I know this is a separate topic but relate to your reply. I have software update deployment setup and it is set to show all notification. However, it is not showing any notification. only notification i see is at the very end that says "your computer will restart at XX/XX/XXXX to complete the installation of applicatioons and software updates".

is this because of .Net framework ? I do have .net framework update in my update group.

I'd be intrigued about this, and would like to give it a test drive in our environment on a couple test applications

Hi Ben

I'm interested to see your solution for a popup to notify users of deployments or software updates.

The site you mentioned doesn't seem to be allowing me to register an account to view the post.

Please advise.

Cheers