Question:

How can I bypass the update check process when upgrading to Windows Server 2022? The current check is too time-consuming.

Answer:

Windows Server 2022 is the latest version of Microsoft’s server operating system, offering new features and enhancements for security, performance, and hybrid cloud scenarios. However, some users may encounter a long and tedious update check process when trying to upgrade their existing Windows Server machines to Windows Server 2022. This process can take hours or even days, depending on the number of updates available and the speed of the internet connection. This can be frustrating and inconvenient, especially for users who want to quickly deploy the new OS and take advantage of its benefits.

Fortunately, there are some ways to bypass or speed up the update check process when upgrading to Windows Server 2022. In this article, we will explore some of these methods and provide step-by-step instructions on how to use them. Please note that these methods are not officially supported by Microsoft and may have some risks or limitations. Therefore, we recommend that you backup your data and system before attempting any of these methods, and use them at your own discretion.

Method 1: Use the command line and sconfig

One of the simplest and fastest ways to bypass the update check process is to use the command line and the sconfig tool. This method works on both Windows Server with a GUI and Windows Server Core, and it also works with Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or Windows Update (Microsoft Update). Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open an elevated command prompt (run as administrator).
2. Type sconfig and press Enter to launch the Server Configuration tool.
3. Select option 6 (Download and Install Updates) and press Enter.
4. Choose A (All updates) or R (Recommended updates only) and press Enter. A scan will start and show you the available updates.
5. Choose A (All updates), N (No updates), or S (Single update selection) and press Enter. The updates will download and install.
6. Select option 13 (Restart Server) and press Enter to restart the server and complete the upgrade.

This method will skip the update check process and directly download and install the updates that are required for the upgrade to Windows Server 2022. This can save you a lot of time and hassle, as you don’t have to wait for the update check to finish. However, this method may not work if you have some incompatible or missing drivers or software on your server, or if you have some custom settings or configurations that may interfere with the upgrade. In that case, you may need to use another method or troubleshoot the issues manually.

Method 2: Disable the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security and modify the registry

Another way to bypass the update check process is to disable the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security feature and modify the registry. This method works on Windows Server with a GUI, and it may also work with WSUS or Windows Update. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Open the Server Manager and click on Local Server.
2. Under Security Information, click on IE Enhanced Security Configuration and set it to Off for both Administrators and Users. Click OK to apply the changes.
3. Open the Registry Editor (regedit) and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer.
4. Right-click on the Explorer key and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value. Name it NoInternetOpenWith and set its value to 1.
5. Close the Registry Editor and restart the server.
6. Run the Windows Server 2022 installer from the network share or the local drive and follow the instructions to upgrade.

This method will disable the security warning that pops up when you try to run an executable file from the internet or a network location. This warning can cause the update check process to hang or fail, as it prevents the installer from accessing the required files. By disabling the warning, you can run the installer without any interruption and bypass the update check process. However, this method may expose your server to some security risks, as it lowers the protection level of Internet Explorer and allows any executable file to run without confirmation. Therefore, you should only use this method temporarily and re-enable the Internet Explorer Enhanced Security feature and the registry value after the upgrade.

Method 3: Use a third-party script to skip the TPM check

A third way to bypass the update check process is to use a third-party script that can skip the TPM (Trusted Platform Module) check that is required for the upgrade to Windows Server 2022. This method works on Windows Server with a GUI, and it only works with Windows Update. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Download the bypass11 script from this GitHub repository and extract the ZIP file on your server.
2. Right-click on the Skip_TPM_Check_on_Dynamic_Update.cmd file and select Run as administrator.
3. The script will create a backup of your registry and modify some values to skip the TPM check.
4. Run the Windows Server 2022 installer from Windows Update and follow the instructions to upgrade.
5. After the upgrade, run the Restore_TPM_Check_on_Dynamic_Update.cmd file to restore your registry to its original state.

This method will trick the installer into thinking that your server has a compatible TPM device, even if it doesn’t. This will allow you to bypass the TPM check and the update check process, and proceed with the upgrade to Windows Server 2022. However, this method may not work if your server has other hardware or software issues that prevent the upgrade, or if Microsoft changes the upgrade requirements in the future. Moreover, this method involves using an unofficial and unverified script that may have some bugs or side effects. Therefore, you should use this method with caution and at your own risk.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed some ways to bypass or speed up the update check process when upgrading to Windows Server 2022. These methods can help you save time and avoid frustration, but they also have some drawbacks and risks. Therefore, you should always backup your data and system before trying any of these methods, and use them at your own discretion. We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.

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