14 DAY TRIAL // 2020 has been a totally crazy year, there’s no doubt about it, and the pandemic affected pretty much everything in our daily routine, including the way we work.
As far as Microsoft is concerned, the software giant has implemented several changes and delays in an attempt to lend a hand to IT administrators working remotely, including pushing back the demise of older Windows 10 versions.
Windows 10 version 1809, for example, was projected to be retired in the spring, but due to the global health issue, Microsoft decided to extend the update deadline for six months, thus giving companies more time to prepare for the change.
Windows 10 version 1809 was eventually retired earlier this year, so computers still running are required to upgrade to a newer release unless they installed the Enterprise or Education SKUs.
“As of November 10, 2020, the Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, and IoT Core editions of Windows 10, version 1809 and all editions of Windows Server, version 1809 have reached end of service. Devices running these editions will no longer receive monthly security and quality updates containing protections from the latest security threats. We recommend that you update these devices to the latest version of Windows 10 immediately,” Microsoft warns.
December 8 is the date when Microsoft will publish the final Windows 10 cumulative updates, and as it happens every month, the focus will obviously be on security improvements.
Worth knowing, however, is that Microsoft won’t publish preview updates this month, as the company will just stick with the must-have patches that land on Patch Tuesday.
“Because of minimal operations during the holidays and the upcoming Western new year, there won’t be a preview release (known as a “C” release) for the month of December 2020. There will be a monthly security release (known as a “B” release) for December 2020. Normal monthly servicing for both B and C releases will resume in January 2021,” Microsoft explains.
All Windows 10 versions will receive new cumulative updates in December, including the recently-released version 20H2. Worth knowing, however, is that Windows 10 version 20H2 is currently being rolled out to devices across the world in stages, which means there’s a chance you didn’t get it just yet.
This is alright though, as Microsoft says it uses this approach in order to prevent bugs from hitting our computers. So the gradual rollout means you’ll eventually get the update when it’s ready for your device.
Another important milestone happening on December 8 is the demise of Windows 10 version 1903, so computers still running it will receive the last round of updates next month. Starting with January, Windows 10 version 1903 devices are officially unsupported.
“On December 8, 2020, all editions of Windows 10, version 1903 and Windows 10 Server, version 1903 will reach end of service. After that date, devices running these versions of Windows will no longer receive monthly security and quality updates. To keep you protected and productive, we will soon begin updating devices running Windows 10, version 1903 to Windows 10, version 1909. This update will install like a monthly update, resulting in a far faster update experience,” Microsoft explains.
I expect the upcoming Patch Tuesday cycle to be a light one, especially as Microsoft wants things to smooth since it’s the last release of the year. However, this doesn’t necessarily mean everything will 100 percent go exactly as planned because as we learned in the past few months, cumulative updates can always hide a few more surprises beside the patched security problems and the resolved bugs, and these include failed installs and other post-installation glitches.