Windows 10’s Latest Major Update Now Available With Light Theme, Windows Sandbox, More

Microsoft is today starting the public rollout of the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, also known as version 1903. The latest feature update for the operating system introduces a number of new features and improvements throughout the OS.

Much like most of the other major Windows 10 updates, Microsoft is rolling out the May 2019 Update in phases, that means the rollout will take a while to reach every compatible Windows 10 device. Starting today, Microsoft is rolling it out to Windows 10 devices running version 1803 or 1809 with the latest updates installed. Users who are interested in getting the new update will have to manually check for updates — and if you do receive the update, you can then download and install the update. If not, you will just have to wait it out or manually upgrade from here.

Windows Intelligence In Your Inbox

Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday — and get free copies of Paul Thurrott's Windows 11 and Windows 10 Field Guides (normally $9.99) as a special welcome gift!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

In terms of features, the Windows 10 May 2019 Update introduces major new features like an actual light theme, separates Cortana from Windows Search, the new Windows Sandbox, comes with improved Windows Update control, ability to uninstall more of the in-box apps, and more.

Tagged with

Share post

Please check our Community Guidelines before commenting

Conversation 32 comments

  • Orin

    21 May, 2019 - 2:53 pm

    <p>Been waiting for this! Time to reformat a couple of my personal laptops with the new ISO. Thanks for the information!</p>

  • Thomas Parkison

    21 May, 2019 - 4:19 pm

    <p>I'm deferring the update for 30 days to let things get fixed before I install it on my main rig.</p><p><br></p><p> I do have it installed on my notebook but it's not my main system so if something goes wrong there it's not a big deal.&nbsp;</p>

    • Maverick010

      21 May, 2019 - 6:13 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#429759"><em>In reply to trparky:</em></a><em> why wait? This time MSFT did extensive testing to ensure ver 1903 was a go. That testing was over 30 days. Was nearing the 60 day timeframe</em></blockquote><p><br></p>

      • PeteB

        21 May, 2019 - 8:30 pm

        <blockquote><a href="#429792"><em>In reply to Maverick010:</em></a><em> why wait?</em></blockquote><p>Why rush? MS's W10 update track record is abysmal. </p><p><br></p><p>I'll give them 6 months before I touch it</p>

  • zeratul456

    21 May, 2019 - 4:25 pm

    <p>Is this build 18898?</p>

    • Dan1986ist

      Premium Member
      21 May, 2019 - 4:31 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#429761">In reply to zeratul456:</a></em></blockquote><p>Nope, 1903 is Build 18362.xx</p>

  • Dan1986ist

    Premium Member
    21 May, 2019 - 4:30 pm

    <p>Is there still an upgrade block for devices with external drives plugged in or has that issue been fixed?</p>

    • IanYates82

      Premium Member
      21 May, 2019 - 5:34 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#429762">In reply to Dan1986ist:</a></em></blockquote><p>Good question. I think they've fixed that – it wasn't expected to hang around for more than a few days. </p><p>I could well be wrong though! </p>

      • evox81

        Premium Member
        21 May, 2019 - 6:53 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#429777">In reply to IanYates82:</a></em></blockquote><p>It stuck around for more than a few days… It was still an issue as of ~10 days ago when my work laptop upgraded through release preview. Although I would assume (hope) it was addressed before release to the public.</p>

      • Dan1986ist

        Premium Member
        22 May, 2019 - 9:58 am

        <blockquote><em><a href="#429777">In reply to IanYates82:</a></em></blockquote><p>There is still an upgrade block if a USB drive or SD card is attached. Tried to upgrade my Venue 10 Pro to 1903 with a USB drive attached, and got This PC can't be updated to Windows 10, removed the USB drive, ran the MCT again which then upgraded from 1809 to 1903 without that error. </p>

    • Patrick3D

      22 May, 2019 - 2:28 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#429762">In reply to Dan1986ist:</a></em></blockquote><p>Still blocked, if you have the installer on a USB drive copy it to a temporary folder (outside of your profile to be safe) then remove the USB drive and run the local copy. Just updated this morning with this method and didn't have any issues.</p>

  • Maverick010

    21 May, 2019 - 6:10 pm

    <p>Been running it since RTM a month and a half ago and haven't had any major problems at all on my main PC and 3 laptops that belong to my kids. Works nicely.</p>

    • irfaanwahid

      22 May, 2019 - 1:28 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#429791">In reply to Maverick010:</a></em></blockquote><p>You say you had no major issues.. what are the minor issues you have faced so far?</p>

  • Maverick010

    21 May, 2019 - 6:14 pm

    <p>Paul do you know if the media creation tool has been updated to allow creation of ISOs for ver 1903?</p>

    • Dan1986ist

      Premium Member
      21 May, 2019 - 6:32 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#429793">In reply to Maverick010:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yes, it has. </p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      22 May, 2019 - 3:47 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#429793">In reply to Maverick010:</a></em></blockquote><p>Yes, downloaded and installing on my work laptop at the moment. Also downloading the WSUS updates to test on our test PCs. Once we have confirmed there are no real problems, I have to update a couple of hundred PCs that are coming to EOL on their current versions of Windows 10 – they are controlled over WSUS and Group Policy and only get the feature updates when we want them to get them.</p>

  • dcdevito

    21 May, 2019 - 8:10 pm

    <p>Somebody tell me if I should be excited </p>

  • Robert_Wood

    21 May, 2019 - 9:03 pm

    <p>Anyone else getting this error message when they're trying to install it:</p><p><br></p><p>Your PC has a driver or service that isn't ready for this version of Windows 10. </p><p><br></p><p>Then it goes on to say that Microsoft will try to fix whatever it is and send me the update when it is ready. </p>

    • dmiannay

      21 May, 2019 - 9:19 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#429821">In reply to Robert_Wood:</a></em></blockquote><p>I also had this problem. I located a post that suggested the following:</p><p><br></p><p>"You have to delete the BattlEye folder from C:Program Files (x86)Common Files"</p><p><br></p><p>Instead of deleting the folder, I simply renamed it BattlEye.off and the upgrade to 1903 proceeded without a hitch.</p><p><br></p><p>BattlEye is a service affiliated with having Steam loaded on your PC. It isn't mandatory for Steam.</p><p><br></p><p>I'm not recommending you do this, but the trick certainly worked for me and I haven't had a single issue.</p><p><br></p><p>Paul: If you need to delete this since it isn't an official Microsoft solution, be my guest. No hard feelings.</p><p><br></p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      22 May, 2019 - 3:42 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#429821">In reply to Robert_Wood:</a></em></blockquote><p>There are problems with Qualcomm and Realtek Bluetooth drivers, Dolby Atmos drivers and some Intel display drivers. You need to ensure you have the latest versions before updating.</p><p>Have a look here for known problems:</p><p>https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/release-information/status-windows-10-1903#450msgdesc</p&gt;

  • RonH

    Premium Member
    21 May, 2019 - 11:08 pm

    <p>Remember to take out any SD cards before you upgrade…</p>

  • Stooks

    21 May, 2019 - 11:40 pm

    <p>All 3 of my computers were forced to 1903. No issues today. </p>

  • reefer

    22 May, 2019 - 8:14 am

    <p>Manually updated here on my Lenovo Y520, no problems other than the update assistant <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">asking me to disconnect</span> the USB-memory to be able to continue the upgrade.</p>

    • wright_is

      Premium Member
      22 May, 2019 - 8:20 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#429871">In reply to reefer:</a></em></blockquote><p>No problems with 2 VMs and a ThinkPad T480.</p><p><br></p><p>Edit: And a Ryzen 1700 homebuild and an HP Spectre x360 (Skylake).</p>

  • Vladimir Carli

    Premium Member
    22 May, 2019 - 7:05 pm

    <p>I hate the new light blue wallpaper. Is there any way to get the dark blue one back?</p>

  • chaoticwhizz

    22 May, 2019 - 10:53 pm

    <p>Running 1803 and I tried the WIndows update assistant and simply told I could not update due to incompatible driver but without being told what that driver is. Its only response was <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">"No action is needed"</span></p><p><br></p><p><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">More information would be nice Microsoft.</span></p>

  • justme

    Premium Member
    23 May, 2019 - 5:30 am

    <p>Hmmm…SP3, running 1809, Pro, signed in via local account. Checked for updates, WU said there are none…because of course it would. Sigh.</p><p><br></p><p>Became a "seeker", went to the Microsoft Support Website, downloaded Upgrade Assistant. Was told I was not running the latest version of Windows and oh, by the way, my device supported the latest version. Would I like to upgrade? Sigh, sure. Downloaded, installed. </p><p><br></p><p>Of note was a change to Windows update – seems I am now only able to defer all updates for 35 days. There doesnt seem to be a mechanism to defer feature updates at all. Am I missing something, or is that part of the whole change?</p><p><br></p><p>Depending on responses here, may download an ISO, wipe the machine and clean install.</p>

  • SvenJ

    23 May, 2019 - 8:17 am

    <p> Still not being offered to my Surface Go. I checked. Can't expect MS to expect it to work on their own hardware, I guess.</p>

    • SvenJ

      23 May, 2019 - 6:07 pm

      <blockquote><a href="#430137"><em>In reply to SvenJ:</em></a><em> </em> Got the upgrade advisor.<em> </em>Yea it's covered below, but it does still have the removable drive problem. Now, here are my gripes. </blockquote><blockquote>1) the upgrade starts with a check. CPU, good, Ram, good, Storage, good…good to go, starting upgrade. Then it downloads the upgrade and part way through the install, Hey, we can't do this, and a link provides the info that I have an SD card. Why the hell wasn't that checked for right at the beginning? </blockquote><blockquote>2) WTH? MS can't figure out how to ignore the SD card? Must be a hard computer science problem. </blockquote><blockquote>3) OK popped out the drive, restarted the update. OK, check stuff and redownload the installation files. Say what? Why the heck didn't you just keep them, and if there are changes after I fix the faulty condition of having an external drive, get the changes.</blockquote><p><br></p>

  • red.radar

    Premium Member
    23 May, 2019 - 10:05 pm

    <p>Just finish the install. I quite enjoy the light theme. Did notice it looks rough on my native laptop display whose contrast ratio is rather crummy. </p><p><br></p><p>other than that So far so good! </p>

  • chakjit

    27 May, 2019 - 11:43 am

    <p>Thanks for this valuable information</p>

  • Aras

    28 May, 2019 - 3:41 pm

    <p>Still no sign of the update. This rollout seems extremely slow. There must be a large percentage on compatibility hold at this point. Some information would be helpful but that is probably asking too much.</p>

Windows Intelligence In Your Inbox

Sign up for our new free newsletter to get three time-saving tips each Friday

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Thurrott © 2024 Thurrott LLC