Microsoft isn’t only on the point of introduce a new Windows 10 feature update but additionally to retire a classic one, with both moments likely projected to take place on November 12.
To begin with, Microsoft will debut Windows 10 November 2019 Update, also referred to as version 1909 or 19H2, in the coming weeks. Microsoft has already confirmed that the final build is prepared, and right now, the company’s only further polishing it with cumulative updates occasionally released to Windows insiders in the Release Preview ring.
But at the same time, Microsoft can also be paving the way in which for the demise of Windows 10 April 2018 Update, or version 1803, which will be retired on November 12.
The next Patch Tuesday would be the last for version 1803, based on Microsoft’s release schedule. And because so many devices still run this version at this time, listed here are the three most significant things that you should know about the November 12 milestone.
Only Home and Pro SKUs will be retired
Microsoft is only going to discontinue the Home and Pro SKUs of Windows 10 version 1803, using the Enterprise and Education editions to be serviced for one more year.
So while Windows 10 version 1803 Home and Pro (and Pro for Workstations) goes dark on November 12 this year, devices running Enterprise and Education versions will receive updates until November 10, 2020.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that you should proceed to one of these simple two editions to continue getting updates, when you are recommended to upgrade the unit to the latest Windows 10 feature update.
Right now, this latest update is Windows 10 version 1903, but because I said earlier, Microsoft will even debut version 1909 in a couple weeks.
Update notifications are really the
Although some users complain of forced upgrades from Windows 10 version 1803 to Windows 10 version 1903, there’s a chance this occurs only on unusual occasions.
However, Microsoft does display upgrade notifications on devices running Windows 10 version 1803. These notifications are powered by the Update Assistant and emphasize that you are not running the latest version of Windows 10.
Microsoft acknowledged this behavior in a tech support document and explains the next:
“If you’re currently running Windows 10 version 1507, version 1511, version 1607, version 1703, version 1709, or version 1803, you will probably get a notification that states that your device must have the latest security updates installed and then offers to update your device.”
There’s no reason not to upgrade
There’s really not good reason to not upgrade to a newer Windows 10 version, as compatibility issues shouldn’t be considered a concern.
Previously, nearly all users decided to stick to Windows 10 version 1803 mostly because its successor, Windows 10 October 2019 Update, turned out to be rather buggy, with several critical issues discovered by people who installed it. The most important bug even triggered the removal of the update for over a month after Microsoft discovered that the upgrade can lead to removing user files kept in libraries on some devices.
Windows 10 version 1903, however, proves to be much more reliable, and also the quantity of bugs within this released continues to be reduced substantially.
Moreover, given that the upcoming November 2019 Update is much more of a service pack and not an element update per se, it comes with much more refinements underneath the hood, thus further enhance performance and reliability.
Of course, the upgrade to a newer Windows 10 version is totally free of charge as long as you’re already running Windows 10 in your device.