Author Topic: Windows 10 2004 feature update coming...  (Read 99 times)

Offline javajolt

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Windows 10 2004 feature update coming...
« on: December 15, 2019, 01:19:34 AM »
Microsoft has released the Windows Insider Preview Build 19033 (20H1) to the users of both Fast and Slow rings. This takes us one step closer to the next major Windows 10 feature update that would release sometime in spring next year.

However, it’s also speculated that the 20H1 might arrive earlier than expected. Anyway, there are various changes and bug fixes that come with the latest preview build.

Microsoft has officially stated that the next Windows 10 feature update coming this Spring, and previously called 20H1, will be Windows 10 2004.

For the past couple of Windows 10 Insider builds there has been a noticeable lack of new features and major improvements, with the release notes mostly containing bug fixes. When this happens, it historically means that Windows is getting ready to prep a Release build for testing.

Microsoft released the Windows 10 Insider build 19033 yesterday and in its release notes, Microsoft has confirmed that the next version of the operating system will be Windows 10 version 2004. While build 19033 was light on features, as is depressingly the norm with 20H1 these days, that watermark remained absent and, more importantly, the release hit the cautious Slow Ringers as well as the brave folk on the bleeding edge of Fast.

And because it wouldn't be Windows without a good few ways of referring to it, 20H1 will also now be known as "2004" rather than "2003" as one might have expected, based on the previous numbering convention (1909, 1903, 1809, etc).

The reason, according to the gang, was to "eliminate confusion with any past product names" such as Windows Server 2003. Presumably, Microsoft Money 2004 was not deemed risky enough.

The synchronization also opens a brief window for Fast Ring Insiders to take a breath and spend some quality time on the Slow Ring instead of being flung further into the future by the Insider team. Teasingly, Microsoft would only say that Fast Ring fans would soon be getting builds from the RS_PRERELEASE branch of Windows 10 rather than using terms such as "20H2" or even "21H1" to give people a clue with regard to when the code would show up in the Windows Update of the general public.

As a reminder, the next version of Windows 10 is known as "20H1". Or "2004". Or "that thing Santa left on the lounge carpet". We made that last one up, but you get the idea.

As has been the norm of late, the release was light on features to enliven a keynote, but heavy on fixes. We've been told by more than one MVP (on condition of anonymity, in order to avoid a short, sharp, defrocking) that the bulk of the changes have been "under the hood" ahead of what should be an interesting 2020 for Windows fans.

The fixes themselves included dealing with the Start Code 38 issue that had cropped up with some USB 3.0 devices, although the Start Code 10 problem still remains, as well as the Start Menu crashing if a Windows Update was pending.

Those pesky compatibility problems with anti-cheat software continue to linger, as well as the Update process occasionally hanging and optional printer drivers reappearing in Windows Update after an install.

Microsoft has also removed the Windows Insider watermark from this build but does note that it does not mean they are completely done working on the build.

With the watermark removed, a new version number officially assigned, and the switch to a new development branch for Insider builds, it is highly probable that the 20H1 branch is almost complete.

As further bugs are found and the build is refined, users in the Slow ring will continue to test version 2004 until it is added to the Release ring prior to being issued to all users.

"The build watermark at the lower right-hand corner of the desktop is no longer present in this build. This doesn’t mean we’re done…"

"NOTE: We are looking to begin releasing new builds from our development branch. This means we will be releasing builds to Insiders in the Fast ring from the RS_PRERELEASE development branch again instead of the VB_RELEASE branch. This also means the desktop watermark will be returning with these builds. As is normal with pre-release builds, these builds may contain bugs and be less stable. Now is the time to check your Windows Insider Settings and switch to the Slow ring before if you wish to remain on 20H1."

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