A frequent question we get is, “How do we update the Lync VDI 2013 Plugin?”
The answer is quite simple: the Lync VDI 2013 Plugin uses the same update path as the Lync 2013 client. This means that all updates released for the Lync 2013/Skype for Business 2015 client are also applicable to the Lync VDI 2013 Plugin.
The deployment details are explained in detail in the following post:
NextHop – Deployment Details for the Lync VDI Plug-in
https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/nexthop/2013/09/23/deployment-details-for-the-lync-vdi-plug-in/
Sometimes we hear some customers say that they deploy the Lync VDI 2013 Plugin but never upgrade it.
Right now, if we need to go from the Lync VDI 2013 Plugin RTM version (15.0.4420.1017) to the February 2016 15.0.4797.1000, we need to follow these steps:
Step 1 – Install Office 2013 SP1
The reason for this is that Office 2013 SP1 is a requirement in the latest Lync 2013/Skype4B updates.
Description of Microsoft Office 2013 Service Pack 1 (SP1)
https://support.microsoft.com/kb/2817430
Even though the Microsoft Office 2013 Language Pack Service Pack 1 (KB2817427) is a prerequisite, it doesn’t apply to the Lync VDI 2013 Plugin.
After the installation, the Lync VDI 2013 Plugin version will be 15.0.4569.1503.
Step 2 – Install the May 2015 Client update
Before installing the latest update, we need to make sure that the May 2015 update is also installed.
The description is available here:
MS15-044: Description of the security update for Lync 2013 (Skype for Business): May 12, 2015
We only need to install the following for the 32-Bit:
Security Update for Skype for Business 2015 (KB3039779) 32-Bit Edition
or for 64-Bit:
Security Update for Skype for Business 2015 (KB3039779) 64-Bit Edition
The Lync VDI 2013 Plugin version will now be 15.0.4719.1000.
Step 3 – Install the latest update
Finally, we just need to apply the current update:
January 2, 2019, update for Skype for Business 2015 (Lync 2013) (KB4461557)
The build number should be 15.0.5101.1000.
Final considerations
The “milestone” updates related to the Lync VDI 2013 Plugin were the Office 2013 SP1 and the May 2015 for Lync 2013/Skype for Business 2015.
After following these steps, we can apply any future updates as long as the applicable prerequisites for the new updates are also installed.
The Lync VDI 2013 Plugin tracing logs (ETL + UCCAPILog) are located in:
%userprofile%\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Office\15.0\Lync\
