14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft is now giving the finishing touches to Windows 10 version 2004, also known as May 2020 Update, and once the rollout to production devices begins next week, the company can focus more on what’s next for its operating system.
The next-next Windows 10 feature update is due in the fall of 2020, but all signs seem to be suggesting that this one will follow in the footsteps of the November 2019 Update and come rather as a cumulative update than a major release.
In other words, the focus will be on fixes under the hood and less on new features.
So when it comes to new features, the spring of 2021 update is the one that users will be more excited about. And according to a recent “accidental” revealing, Microsoft will start testing this feature update next month.
Long-term testing
Microsoft said in a blog post spotted by WL that Windows 10 21H1 (2021), likely to be called version 2104, will arrive in the Windows Insider program next month.
“The Windows Insider Fast ring is currently on our Manganese (Mn) OS branch,” the company said. “We expect the Fast ring to switch over to our Iron (Fe) branch toward the later part of June.”
The reference to the Windows 10 21H1 feature update has already been removed by Microsoft, so you can click the linked page above to see the cached version.
At this point, the schedule for Windows 10 preview builds is getting a lot clearer. Once Microsoft ships Windows 10 version 2004, the company will start testing the fall of 2020 update, or version 2009/20H2 with the Slow ring in the Windows Insider program.
Starting next month, the Fast ring will be provided with Windows 10 21H1, or version 2104, preview builds, so the two rings will be serviced at the same time until the fall update ships officially.