SCCM Software Center vs ConfigMgr Client Applet | Differences | Configuration Manager
Let’s learn about SCCM Software Center vs. ConfigMgr Client Applet | Differences. Windows 10 doesn’t have a built-in ConfigMgr client. You must install the Configuration Manager client application to manage Windows 10 devices. Once the client is installed on a device, you can manage that device from the ConfigMgr server side.
You will also learn the difference between Software Center and Configuration Manager client apps. Those two applications have entirely different use cases. Let’s understand the use of both of these applications.
The ConfigMgr client can be installed in different ways. Many blogs discuss installing SCCM clients in different ways. I explained the Client Push method and the manual installation steps in previous posts. There are other ways of installing clients, like Intune, etc.
Related Post -> SCCM CB Console Keyboard Shortcuts & Windows Key Shortcut A to Z Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows 10.
Table of Contents
Software Center Vs ConfigMgr Client App?
Are you still confused about the difference between the Software Center and Configuration Manager applications? Do you know which one is the actual SCCM client application? Let’s understand the difference between both.
Software Center – IT admins use Software Center to install applications, software updates, and upgrade Windows. It’s installed as part of the Configuration Manager client installation, but it’s not the ConfigMgr (a.k.a SCCM) client application.
- Configuration Manager – This is the ConfigMgr client application that will have all the details about the SCCM client version, site code, enabled features, etc…
- Fix the SCCM Software Center cannot be loaded Issue with ConfigMgr
- Software Center Vs Company Portal Differences SCCM Intune
- Top 20 SCCM Blogs of the Planet via Feedspot ConfigMgr
Software Center
Software Center installs applications, updates software, and upgrades Windows. It can be launched in different ways.
- Click on Windows 10 Start Menu
- Click on Microsoft Endpoint Manager -> Software Center
You can also launch the software center by using Windows Key + S. Type Software Center in the search bar.
The following are the options available within the Software Center application.
- Applications
- Updates
- Operating Systems
- Installation Status
- Device Compliance
- Options
Configuration Manager Client Application
The Configuration Manager App is the ConfigMgr client application that helps you check the client’s core configuration and troubleshoot client-related issues. Let’s try to understand where this SCCM client app is located and how to launch it.
- Open Command Prompt.
- Run the following command – Control smscfgrc – Command Line Shortcut to launch Configuration Manager SCCM Control Panel Applet.
Open Control Panel. In the search box, type “ConfigMgr“. Select and open the Configuration Manager app.
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Author
Anoop C Nair has been Microsoft MVP for 10 consecutive years from 2015 onwards. He is a Workplace Solution Architect with more than 22+ years of experience in Workplace technologies. He is a Blogger, Speaker, and Local User Group Community leader. His primary focus is on Device Management technologies like SCCM and Intune. He writes about technologies like Intune, SCCM, Windows, Cloud PC, Windows, Entra, Microsoft Security, Career, etc.
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