Skip to main content

Windows 10 May 2019 Update is coming, but you can decide if you want it or not

windows 10 october update
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Microsoft officially announced the next version of Windows 10 as the May 2019 Update on Thursday, April 4. Previously rumored to be rolling out this month, Microsoft will now release the update a month later in May. The company will also make changes to the rollout process so that consumers can decide if they want to install the update to their devices once it is made available.

According to Microsoft, the changes come based on feedback from Windows users who have previously expressed that the Windows update process is disruptive. As a result, starting with the May 2019 Update, Windows users will have the full-on choice of choosing to initiate the install of any major Windows 10 featured updates. Notifications will still be provided that a major update is available — and that it is recommended — but users will no longer be forced to install.

Only if the version of Windows 10 running on a device is close to no longer being supported will a major Windows 10 update automatically be pushed out and downloaded. Another change will also allow Windows 10 Home and Pro users to pause featured and monthly updates for up to 35 days. That also ties in with enhancements to the Windows 10 intelligent active hours feature, which will now allow Windows Update to intelligently adjust install times so it won’t disrupt your workflow.

Following issues with the rollout of the previous Windows 10 April 2018 Update, Microsoft will put the May 2019 Update through additional testing to ensure it is bug-free. The company also will test the update for a longer period of time with Windows Insider beta testers who are enrolled in the “release preview” ring. These beta testers will be able to download the update next week, followed by a rollout to the general public in late May.

Though it is not a massive overhaul, the Windows 10 May 2019 Update brings several changes to tweak the operating system to make it feel a bit fresher. Some of the biggest new elements include a light theme, changes to the search experience and Cortana, as well as the addition of Kaomoji in the emoji picker. We have a hands-on guide to the update right here.

Editors' Recommendations

Arif Bacchus
Arif Bacchus is a native New Yorker and a fan of all things technology. Arif works as a freelance writer at Digital Trends…
7 beloved Windows apps that Microsoft has killed over the years
A screenshot of Internet Explorer 9.

Microsoft's history is littered with the discontinuation of once-beloved applications. Most recently, WordPad, the renowned text editor app, was conspicuously absent from the latest beta build of Windows 11, indicating an end to its 28-year-long journey. I have fond memories of using the app back in my college days when Microsoft Office was too pricey for me.

WordPad is far from the only app to get canceled by Microsoft over the years. From pioneering productivity tools to nostalgic multimedia players, let's reminisce about some of the most famous applications that Microsoft has consigned to the annals of tech history.
Internet Explorer

Read more
How to start Windows 11 in Safe Mode
Windows 11 on a tablet.

If your Windows 11 PC is having issues, one way to troubleshoot those issues is start your PC in Safe Mode. Safe Mode is essentially a very basic version of Windows 11, without all the bells and whistles and only a restricted set of features, drivers, and files. This mode essentially lets you take a look at your computer and helps you figure out exactly what issue is plaguing your PC.

But booting into Safe Mode on Windows 11 isn't as easy as just pressing a single button. You'll need to navigate through a series of menus first and the method for getting there depends on your PC specific situation (Is your PC still working or is it just a blank or black screen?).

Read more
A beloved Windows app is being axed after 28 years
microsoft surface laptop go review wordpad

Microsoft is finally retiring WordPad, the venerable text editor that has been a staple in Windows operating systems since Windows 95. This decision comes as part of Microsoft's ongoing efforts to refine its software lineup and focus on more advanced applications. It marks the end of a 28-year journey for WordPad.

As spotted by Tom’s Hardware, the recent Canary build of Windows 11 does not include WordPad as part of the default software package. Microsoft seems to be encouraging users to explore its more comprehensive Office suite, which includes applications like Microsoft Word for a more sophisticated word-processing experience. In Septemeber 2023, the company added the rich text application to its list of deprecated Windows features.

Read more