UPDATE: I just did a clean install of Windows 10 version 1803 and was greeted with the message “Welcome to the best version of Windows yet” (or similar), and not “Welcome to the April update as shown above.” Interesting. –Paul
UPDATE 2: My sources have confirmed that the official name will be “April 2018 Update.” So a bit of common sense has prevailed. Not that this was the name I was originally told. –Paul
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Microsoft has had a problem naming its Windows 10 feature updates for the past few years. And while I can now confirm that the real name of the “Redstone 4” update is not the Spring Creators Update, I think it’s fair to say that the name problems continue.
As tech enthusiast blogs (like Neowin) are starting to report, the real/new name of RS4 is “the April Update.” Yes, really. Cue sadtrombone.wav.
I’ve been waiting to confirm this name—sort of, I had heard it was the “April 2018 Update”—for several weeks. You may note that I’ve been writing and saying that “Spring Creators Update” isn’t correct. And thank God for that. But the new name? It’s just as stupid.
Windows 10 feature updates are really Windows 10 version upgrades. So when you install the April update, as RS4 is now called, you are really upgrading your PC to Windows 10 version 1803. That name, “Windows 10 version 1803,” contains everything you need to know. It is a new Windows 10 version. And it was finalized in March (03) 2018 (18).
Microsoft, of course, has been pretending that Windows 10 version upgrades are somehow exciting or interesting to the general public, so they’ve been using fun marketing names for each. The first major upgrade to Windows 10 (which, yes, was the second upgrade), for example, was called the Anniversary Update because—wait for it—it was finalized about a year after the first version. The Creators Update was a last minute choice that has dogged Microsoft ever since. I know they wish they could take that one back. Despite using the name for the subsequent upgrade too. Cough.
Anyway, with Microsoft shifting Windows 10 from pretend excitement to maintenance mode, I had kind of hoped that the cooler heads in the Azure/Server group would force the Windows 10 team to use their naming convention. Which—-wait for it—is to use that Windows 10 version 1803 naming style. Though they add a comma for some reason. Like Windows 10, version 1803. Ah, consistency.
And… maybe they will. Just not for this release.
In any event, this April Update name is consistent with how Xbox names its system updates. And that’s too bad because this kind of name is also dumb. Yes, the April Update is (sort of) shipping in April this year. But then, Microsoft plans to ship an April update every year. What are they going to call next year’s update? The April Update 2?
No. If Microsoft sticks to this naming convention—and I hope they will not—they will simply call it—wait for it—the April Update. Again. Because, yes, that is what Xbox does.
If only there were a clear way to identify these updates. If only.
Todd Northrop
<p>I <strong>like</strong> the fact that they are not coming up with wacky names. I can't stand the trendy naming of releases in Ubuntu and Android and a host of other software. Just name it the month and year – perfect. </p>
Stooks
<p>I 100% believe that Microsoft has a department that re-names products and comes out with new versions just to confuse customers.</p><p><br></p><p>I have been supporting MS products in the enterprise for a long time. </p><p><br></p><p>Things like this…Live Communication Server>Office Communication Server>Lync>Skype for Business>Teams???. Or just crazy jumps in names like "ISA Server" became "Microsoft Forefront Threat Managment Gateway" overnight one day.</p><p><br></p><p>Windows 10S is gone (in less than a year?) for Windows 10 S mode??</p><p><br></p><p>Just email me at my passport/msn/hotmail/live/outlook account to let me know how you feel. I will paying music on my play for sure/zune/Xbox Music/Groove app.</p>
RR
<p>More than any inconsistency, it's the obsession over what Microsoft names their software that is even more comical. Proof that work will expand to fill available space. </p><p>Once a software startup couldn't come up with a name that made any sense, so the founder said, I'll just call it Apple. Which made no sense but, here we are. Has it detracted from any enjoyment you had of their good products? </p><p>In honor of that and also Alfred Kahn, we can henceforth refer to any Microsoft output a Kumquat</p>
skane2600
<p>Windows had minor updates for years before Windows 10 and didn't feel the need to give them names. When a major change is made (there hasn't been any yet for Windows 10) change the OS version name. MIcrosoft's statement that "Windows 10 will be the last version of Windows" was a strategic mistake and one that inevitably will fall.</p>
skane2600
<blockquote><a href="#265202"><em>In reply to Mestiphal:</em></a></blockquote><p>Yes, a generic name descriptive of its function. I was referring to specific names.</p>