How to run the configuration Wizard? From GUI or command line?

Question

What is the best practice to run the configuration wizard post patching? Was it from GUI or command line?

From Command line i regularly see the below command

PSConfig.exe -cmd upgrade -inplace b2b -force -cmd applicationcontent -install -cmd installfeatures

but from the post NOV CU 2017 the best way is to run using below command

PSConfig.exe -cmd upgrade -inplace b2b -wait -cmd applicationcontent -install -cmd installfeatures -cmd secureresources -cmd services -install

What the meaning of each parameter?

Answer 1

The answer for the first question really differs if you ask different SharePoint-Guys. I prefer psconfig.exe, where over my colleague prefers the Products Configuration Wizard (psconfigui.exe).

Stefan Goßner also prefers psconfigui.exe and also explains why.

A detailled description on every parameter can be found on Technet. It's for 2010, but still applies for 2013 & 2016.

My practical experience when patching SharePoint systems:

• I first run psconfig.exe with Stefan Goßner's parameters. This regularly fails. I directly run psconfig.exeagain with same parameters. No troubleshooting or even a look at the error-log here!
• If update still fails, i run psconfigui.exe. If this still failes, i run psconfigui.exeagain.
• If all of this failes, you really need to troubleshoot this issue. But you will get 95% of your issues resolved just with this weird procedure.
• If you prefer psconfigui.exe over psconfig.exe, you can simple change the first steps. Begin with UI, then change to CLI if no success.