Microsoft Adjusts Windows 10 Update Schedule for Businesses Again
- Paul Thurrott
- Sep 06, 2018
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Microsoft today announced that it is once again extending the Windows 10 version support lifecycle in order to meet the demands of its biggest business customers.
“Today we are evolving our servicing approach [again] to provide even greater flexibility at no incremental cost for customers who need more time to test and deploy Windows 10 Enterprise and Education feature updates,” Microsoft corporate vice president Jared Spataro explains.
The new support schedule is a bit confusing, but of course it is, this is Microsoft.
The short explanation is that Windows 10 Enterprise/Education is moving to an R2-type servicing model where feature updates scheduled for March will continue to be supported for 18 months, but those scheduled for September will be supported for 30 months. (Some might argue this is an LTSB, or long-term servicing branch, type model. Same idea. I just mean R2 from a servicing perspective.)
Microsoft originally tried to jam a new version of Windows 10 down businesses’ throats every 18 months. But as I had predicted, that schedule was beyond ridiculous given that most enterprises rarely update at a pace faster than once every several years. So they “adjusted” that schedule back in February. And they are adjusting it again, this week. And they will absolutely make further changes.
But, only for businesses. And only, really, for the biggest of businesses. The enterprise.
And it is this pay for pay strategy that really bothers me. Most consumers can’t do a thing to prevent a Windows 10 feature update—which is really a major version upgrade—from installing on their PCs. Windows 10 Home literally provides no formal way to do this. But Windows 10 Pro is a bit more permissive, as it lets users pause Windows 10 feature updates temporarily.
In Microsoft terminology, the support lifecycle for Windows 10 Home and Pro is unchanged: In both cases, any given Windows 10 version (1803, 1809, etc.) is supported with security and bug fixes for 18 months. Not that it matters to Windows 10 Home users, since most will be pushed—willing or not—to a new version every six months.
You know. Because Windows is a service.*
* He says sarcastically.
Conversation 15 comments
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pargon
Premium Member<p>Android phones update yearly without any option. In fact, my nexus 6p will keep the "install new update" on the notifications list until I install it. Can't get rid of the thing. Windows 10 clearly is a service and has gotten drastically better since launch. I think maybe it annoys you much more than the average user because you're always installing new builds, getting new computers to test and constantly updating one of the many PC's in the house. Of all the 6 PC's in my house, including 5 year plus high end and super budget machines that I am responsible for, only once <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">over the years </span>has there been an issue updating….a quick bios flash fixed it after the original November Update.</p>
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pargon
Premium Member<blockquote><em><a href="#318024">In reply to Eric_Rasmussen:</a></em></blockquote><p>Agreed, and much of the changes are useful. I use the nightlight feature and have used paint 3D for some simple engineering assignments to make a lab safety poster or just to play with. The major updates to me that are worthwhile is the under the hood stuff, updates take far less time now, restarts are less often, settings has more functionality easily searchable. Edge may actually be ready for prime time for me at this point, my surface pro 3 chews through the battery with Chrome and lasts much longer with edge. </p><p><br></p><p>The UI has gotten substantially prettier and more consistent though it's an ongoing issue. I for one haven't had any blue screens or issues with updates in years, I'd say the majority of people with modern PC's probably feel the same. Not sure why we give google and apple a pass when they brick phones every few months with an update. Android is just as complicated as Windows in many respects….yet Microsoft is the only one that isn't able to provide SAAS without infuriating the bloggers. </p><p><br></p><p>When I was growing up I'd wipe my Windows 98 SE machine every 3 months, it was so bogged down by windows rot. With a 5 year old Core i5, I have not experienced any noticeable slowdown and never worry about needing to "refresh the PC". I only reboot my PC every 3-5 months outside of an update that requires a reboot. My Android phone though, couple months and it's significantly slower and I restart it much more frequently to clear out RAM being held hostage by apps. </p>
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skane2600
<p>Of course forced updates can be as big a problem for consumers as it is for enterprises, but the former group has little leverage. </p>