Yes, It’s Called Windows 10 Version 2004. Relax. (Premium)

With the release of the latest 20H1 build, Microsoft has quietly revealed the final name of the next version of Windows 10. You’re not going to like it.

“Eagle-eyed Windows Insiders will notice that that [sic] as of this build, 20H1 officially shows it is version 2004,” the latest Insider post awkwardly notes in an addendum list about the latest build, burying the lede yet again in epic fashion. “We have chosen to use 2004 as the version to eliminate confusion with any past product names (such as Windows Server 2003).”

I know this is going to trigger some groaning in some circles. And not just because of the grammar. But I’ve never understood the issue with the version number. Windows 10 version 2004 (or 2003, which is what they should have called it) is obviously different from Windows Server 2003. Plus, Windows 10 is a client OS and Windows Server 2003, which shipped over 15 years ago, was a server OS. No one remembers Windows Server 2003, nor would anyone confuse it with a modern OS release.

Anyway, I’ll give you time to compose yourself.

Ready? Good. Because what I’m more concerned with, what I’ve always been more concerned with when it comes to this version of Windows 10, is … why?

Why on earth have we been testing Windows 10 version 20H1 (2004) since February 2019? Why does this version of Windows, which isn’t that much “bigger” (from a new features standpoint) than version 1909 warrant such an extensive testing period? There is literally nothing big or important in this version. Nothing.

Well, nothing we can see, at least. My rolling theory is that Microsoft needed to make some foundational changes to Windows 10 to accommodate the special needs of Windows 10X, which won’t arrive until 20H2. (Begging another question, will Insiders be able to test Windows 10X? I bet not.)

Microsoft previously left us hanging for several months about 19H2, finally revealing its plans for that release in July. But it has never again addressed the 20H1 schedule, or why we have been testing what appears to be nothing important for most of 2019. The silence is just weird.

So what gives, Microsoft? Are you ever going to explain yourself?

Again. I bet not.

Gain unlimited access to Premium articles.

With technology shaping our everyday lives, how could we not dig deeper?

Thurrott Premium delivers an honest and thorough perspective about the technologies we use and rely on everyday. Discover deeper content as a Premium member.

Tagged with

Share post

Please check our Community Guidelines before commenting

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