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The recent launch of the massive Microsoft Windows 10 Creators update isn’t the end of a process – it’s just the beginning. Microsoft has announced that it is looking at releasing updates 2 – 3 times a year. These updates are more of a rolling upgrade. Each new “release” brings a few performance updates, new applications, and new functionality.
It is important to note that these updates are mandatory for Windows 10, and cannot be blocked or ignored like in the past. What this means for you is that if you have purchased a Windows 10 device, expect more mandatory updates in the future.
How The Updates Work
Windows Patches
These are patches supplied by Microsoft to address (typically) security and product issues. These are released on “Patch Tuesday”, the second Tuesday of each month.
Our patch management tool has always supported these – that is what it is designed for.
Windows Updates / Upgrades
This is a new concept introduced with Windows 10. As Microsoft stated, “Windows 10 will be the last version of Windows”. Meaning that updates to the OS – new features, improvements, new applications will be released on a regular basis, but added to the OS rather than in new OS releases.
Before Windows 10, there was XP, then Vista, Windows 7, etc. These were clearly new versions of the OS – every 2 years Microsoft would release a new version – new name, new look, new everything. An upgrade typically required a physical visit to the machine with a DVD and you would run the installer.
With Windows 10, this has changed. Microsoft is looking at releasing updates 2 -3 times a year. These updates are more of a rolling upgrade. Each new “release” brings a few performance updates, maybe new applications, and new functionality.
In the Windows interface, these are presented via the “Updates & Security” tool, which typically shows the monthly patches, but in the event of a new update, will also display that. Although the same interface is used for patches and updates, these are different.
Since the release of Windows 10 (July 2015), there have been 6 versions, 1507, 1511, 1607, 1703, 1709 and 1803 although they all carry the “Windows 10” name, they are new versions of windows – after an update, you will see that the entire windows directory has been backed up to c:\Windows.old.
Our Patch Management Tool has never supported upgrading or updating from one Windows version to another – you cannot use the Patch Management module to move from Windows 7 to Windows 8, for example. Microsoft has also denied any patch management application (3rd party included) to stop these updates from being installed.
Our Recommendations For An Easy Update
In the Windows interface, these updates are presented via the “Updates & Security” tool, which should present as a pop up on your screen
1. Perform A Backup
Prior to performing an Operating System upgrade, we recommend saving any important files you are working on, as well as performing a backup.
2. Prepare For Restart
Just like any other update, your computer will automatically restart as a part of the update process. For this reason, it is especially important to perform the previous step before updating!
3. Budget 2 Hours of Time
The whole process takes anywhere between 45 minutes and 2 hours, so it is important that you can plan to be away from your workstation for that time. We recommend scheduling the update for a specific time when you will not need to access your workstation, like after business hours.
As always, the team here at Braver wants to ensure that your computer products are running smoothly and effectively. If you need any assistance with current or future updates, please contact our support team.
