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Technical preview for Configuration Manager

  • Article

Applies to: Configuration Manager (technical preview branch)

This article provides details about the monthly technical preview branch of Configuration Manager. The technical preview introduces new functionality that Microsoft is working on. It introduces new features that aren't yet included in the current branch of Configuration Manager. These features might eventually be included in an update to the current branch. Before we finalize the features, we want you to try them out and give us feedback.

Because this release is a technical preview, details and functionality are subject to change.

This information applies to all versions of the Configuration Manager technical preview branch. This article lists each new feature along with the technical preview version in which it first appears. For example, version 2201 for January (01) of 2022 (22). Separate articles dedicated to each preview version detail the individual features.

For information about what's new in the current branch of Configuration Manager, see What's new in Configuration Manager incremental versions.

Tip

You can use RSS to be notified when this page is updated. For more information, see How to use the docs.

Requirements and limitations

Important

The technical preview is licensed for use only in a lab environment. Microsoft may not provide support services and certain features may not be available in technical previews. Additionally, technical preview software may have reduced or different security, privacy, accessibility, availability, and reliability standards relative to commercially provided software.

For most product prerequisites, use the information in the Supported configurations. The following exceptions apply to the technical preview branch:

  • Each install is active for 180 days before it becomes inactive.

  • English is the only language supported.

  • It only supports the following setup command-line parameters:

    • /silent
    • /testdbupgrade

  • The service connection point installs to online mode. It doesn't support offline mode.

    Note

    You may need to allow specific internet URLs, some of which are specific to the technical preview branch. For more information, see Internet access requirements.

  • The separate articles for each specific version of the technical preview include additional limitations or requirements, as applicable.

  • The following features aren't supported with the technical preview branch:

  • There's no support for updating to current branch from this preview branch.

    Note

    When updates are available for a preview version, you still find and install them from the Updates and Servicing node of the Configuration Manager console. For a video of the in-console upgrade process, see Installing Configuration Manager update packages on youtube.com.

  • It only supports a standalone primary site. There's no support for a central administration site, multiple primary sites, or secondary sites.

The technical preview branch of Configuration Manager supports the following products and technologies:

Note

The inclusion of these products in this content doesn't imply an extension of support for a version that's beyond its support lifecycle. Configuration Manager doesn't support products that are beyond their support lifecycle. For more information, see Microsoft Lifecycle Policy.

Install and update

The Configuration Manager technical preview branch for lab use is distinct from the Configuration Manager current branch for production use.

First install a baseline version of the technical preview branch. After installing a baseline version, then use in-console updates to bring your installation up to date with the most recent preview version. Typically, new versions of the technical preview are available each month.

Microsoft supports each technical preview version up until three successive versions are available. For example, when version 1908 released, version 1904 was no longer in support. Versions 1905, 1906, and 1907 remained in support. When a baseline falls out of support, it's still supported for installing a new technical preview site, assuming you immediately update to a supported version. The older baseline is supported until a new baseline version is available. Update to the latest available version from the baseline, and then repeat the update process until you install the latest technical preview version.

Tip

When you install an update to the technical preview, you update your preview installation to that new technical preview version. A technical preview installation never has the option to upgrade to a current branch installation. It also never receives updates from the current branch release.

Several times throughout the year, there are technical preview branch and current branch versions with the same version number. For example, there is a technical preview version 2006 and a current branch version 2006.

Active baseline versions

Install a baseline version for up to one year after its release. When you install a new technical preview site, use the latest baseline version:

  • Technical preview version 2405

Download a baseline version from the Evaluation Center.

Providing feedback

We love to hear your feedback about the new features in the technical preview. For more information, see Product feedback.

If you have ideas about new features you would like to see, let us know! Submit new ideas and vote on the ideas by others: Feedback for Configuration Manager.

Features in the most recent version

The following features are available with the most recent Configuration Manager technical preview version:

Technical preview version 2405

Note

Features that were available in a previous version of the technical preview remain available in later versions. Similarly, features that are added to the Configuration Manager current branch remain available in the technical preview branch.

Features in recent technical previews

The following features were released with previous versions of the Configuration Manager technical preview branch since the latest current branch version:

Tip

When a new current branch version is available, features that are available in that version are listed in the latest What's new article. For more information, see What's new in incremental versions.

Technical preview version 2401

Technical preview version 2311

Technical preview version 2307

Technical preview version 2305

Technical preview version 2303

Technical preview version 2302

Technical preview version 2301

Technical preview version 2211

Technical preview version 2210

Technical preview version 2209

Technical preview version 2208

Technical preview version 2207

Technical preview version 2206

Technical preview version 2205

Technical preview version 2204

Technical preview version 2203

Technical preview version 2202

Next steps

For more information, see the following articles:

Tip

For more information on current branch features that require consent to enable, see pre-release features.

For more information on current branch features that you must enable first, see Enable optional features from updates.