Microsoft Explains its Rollout Strategy for the Fall Creators Update
- Paul Thurrott
- Oct 23, 2017
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Microsoft today explained that it will be rolling out the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update in phases, much as it did with the previous feature update. That said, it seems—anecdotally—that this release is already rolling out faster than the original Creators Update.
“Our goal is to deliver feature updates to you as quickly as possible, while providing you with the best possible update experience,” Microsoft’s John Cable explains. “By starting with machines which we believe will have the best update experience, we are able to get focused feedback on application compatibility and how Windows works with the rich ecosystem of available peripherals like Bluetooth devices or cameras.”
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The first PCs to receive the Fall Creators Update are “newer devices” that have been tested by Microsoft and its hardware partners, Cable says. Then, the firm will open the spigot a bit and monitor feedback from Windows Insiders, its hardware partners, and other customers. If everything goes well, it will accelerate the process over time. And then it will repeat these steps until the Fall Creators Update is pretty much fully deployed.
Cable mentions that Microsoft tested far more PCs in advance of shipping the Fall Creators Update, and I wonder if that explains what appears to be a faster deployment this time around.
The firm also recommends that IT shops perform a phased rollout of the Fall Creators Update that mimics what Microsoft is doing publicly.
“Start with targeted deployments to validate that apps, devices, and infrastructure used by your organization work well with the new release,” Cable recommends. “Then continue your deployment to more and more devices based on the results from your initial targeted deployments. Devices configured to take advantage of Windows Update for Business (WUfB) will be automatically migrated to this Semi-Annual Channel feature update based on your WUfB configurations.”
Finally, he reveals that the download size of the Fall Creators Update is 25 percent smaller than was the case with previous feature updates thanks to a new technology called differential downloads. (This was introduced in the Creators Update but couldn’t be utilized until the next feature update happened.) This, too, should help speed the deployment.
While I’ve not heard too many horror stories, given past experiences I don’t want to declare success quite yet. Still, so far so good.
Conversation 23 comments
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bharris
<p>Both of my systems upgraded on day 1 without a single issue. Working at home two days a week, these upgrades are scary…If my machine gets messed up, I'm going in! My main machine is a pretty standard system….a Dell XPS 8900 and knock on wood, 10 has always upgraded flawlessly so far. I will say though I still cross my fingers and get nervous every time I do an upgrade, waiting for my good fortune to run out!</p>