14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has recently announced that beginning with May 2020, it would no longer release optional updates for Windows 10 in an attempt to avoid impacting devices that install it.
This is a decision made due to the coronavirus outbreak, Microsoft explains, as it wants to make sure that everything is running as smoothly as possible across the world.
The company will thus focus on security updates exclusively, which means that the only rollout taking place will be the typical Patch Tuesday cycle.
Full focus on Windows 10 security updates
Microsoft says this is just a temporary decision, which means that optional cumulative updates for Windows 10 would return at some point in the future, most likely after the COVID-19 outbreak is over and people can return to work normally.
“We have been evaluating the public health situation, and we understand this is impacting our customers. In response to these challenges we are prioritizing our focus on security updates. Starting in May 2020, we are pausing all optional non-security releases (C and D updates) for all supported versions of Windows client and server products (Windows 10, version 1909 down through Windows Server 2008 SP2),” Microsoft says.
“There is no change to the monthly security updates (B release – Update Tuesday); these will continue as planned to ensure business continuity and to keep our customers protected and productive.”
These optional cumulative updates for Windows 10 are typically released in order to give customers the chance to try out certain improvements in advance. As their name suggests, cumulative updates include all the previously-released fixes, so installing the latest version brings a system fully up-to-date.
The next Patch Tuesday will take place on April 14, while in May, the patching rollout is projected to take place on the 12th.