The major updates to Windows 10 can be a headache. From the infamous blue screen of death errors, data deletion bugs, or privacy concerns, installing the latest version of Windows 10 isn’t as seamless as it should be.
That’s why, heading into the release of this year’s Windows 10 19H2 Update, Microsoft is making a change to the way major updates are rolled out. You’ll still be seeing the latest versions of Windows (often known as “featured updates”) through Windows Update, but under the hood, things work very differently.
Here’s an explanation of how things work, and how it will impact you come download time.
Twice a year, just as before
Before getting into changes, there is a need to address some history. Unlike years past when Windows versions were released every three or five years, Microsoft sells Windows 10 as “Windows as a Service.”
What does that mean for you? Well, it boils down to twice a year major featured updates to
For instance, earlier this year, Microsoft released the Windows 10 May 2019 Update. Internally, the update was code-named 19H1, and it was pushed out in late spring — the first half of the year. The next update to follow it is currently in testing with Windows Insiders and is code-named 19H2. It is rumored to be released in the second half of the year, in September.
However, in the face of criticism of buggy updates, starting with 19H2 in 2019, Microsoft is changing the way it handles things. This twice-a-year motto has been used for quite some time. Last year,
An emphasis on quality
Now, it’s time for the changes. While Microsoft will still update
For example, this year’s May 2019 Update from the spring already delivered on new features such as a new light theme and improved start menu, as well as Windows Sandbox. That means that the incoming 19H2 update won’t necessarily ship with brand-new features and is primarily designed to “fix” errors and bugs with the May 2019 Update.
“The next feature update for
So, why does that matter for you? Well, if you’re already running the
It also means that if you’re already running with the
You’re still in control
But what if your PC is on an older version of
According to Microsoft, this new system only applies if your PC if it is already running the May 2019 Update.
“For consumer or commercial users coming from versions of
In April, Microsoft announced separate enhancements to the Windows Update method, so these will all apply to you. Your PC won’t automatically download the 19H2 update. You’ll see it appear under Windows Update, and you’ll be in full control if you want to install it or not with a Download and Install button.
A slower pace is a good thing
Compared to other major operating systems,
That’s a good thing, as considering all the types of hardware in the wild, Windows is much more difficult to maintain. Microsoft wants a healthy
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