ConfigMgr SCCM Package Refresh vs Package Update

Today, I will explore What is the Difference Between ConfigMgr SCCM Package Refresh vs Package Update? Excellent and Simple explanation of the differences between package refresh and package update in SCCM.

To explain, you first need to understand how package distribution works.

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What is the Difference Between ConfigMgr SCCM Package Refresh vs Package Update

When you create a package and send it to DPs, many things happen: What is the Difference Between ConfigMgr SCCM Package Refresh vs. Package Update?

1. The package source files are compressed and sent to the DP in a PCK file
2. Another file, called a PKG file, containing information about the package and how the PCK files should be uncompressed, is also sent to the DP
3. Once the DP has both files, it should be able to uncompress the package to the SMSPKGX$ folder

Package Update

This should be used if you make any changes to the source files. When you update a package, it will create a new, fully complete, compressed file (the PCK file is located in the SMSPKG folder) and a delta compressed package file, which only has the changes made between the old and new compressed files.

The delta files are then sent to all the DPs, and the new PCK file is used for any new DPs added to the package. This also updates the package’s source version in SQL. What is the Difference Between ConfigMgr SCCM Package Refresh vs. Package Update?

Package Refresh

I normally use the refresh if I get any hash errors on clients trying to use the files to install the software (the package has uncompressed but is corrupt) or in conjunction with the preloadpkgonsite.exe tool.

No new PCK files are sent; it simply sends another PKG file, which uses the current PCK file on the server and uncompresses it again, overwriting the old package files. What is the Difference Between ConfigMgr SCCM Package Refresh vs Package Update?

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Author

Anoop C Nair is Microsoft MVP! He is a Device Management Admin with more than 20 years of experience (calculation done in 2021) in IT. He is a Blogger, Speaker, and Local User Group HTMD Community leader. His primary focus is Device Management technologies like SCCM 2012, Current Branch, and Intune. He writes about ConfigMgr, Windows 11, Windows 10, Azure AD, Microsoft Intune, Windows 365, AVD, etc.