14 DAY TRIAL // The next feature update for Windows 10, officially called November 2019 Update but also referred to as version 1909, is projected to launch in the coming weeks, with Microsoft yet to provide an ETA as the company is still working on the finishing touches.
On the other hand, the software giant has already published the Windows 10 version 1909 ISO images on MSDN, allowing subscribed developers to try out the feature update before the public rollout kicks off on Windows Update.
Microsoft doesn’t say it specifically, but this ISO image likely installs Windows 10 build 18363.418, which the company says is the final release that will be pushed to production devices when the time comes.
No new SDK
Microsoft has also revealed that the debut of Windows 10 version 1909 won’t include a new SDK and developers don’t need to specifically target this release when building apps.
This is because Windows 10 version 1909 is very similar to version 1903, and only minor improvements are included, most of them under the hood and specifically aimed at performance and quality.
“A new Windows SDK will not be issued in conjunction with this version of Windows, since this release doesn’t introduce new APIs. That means there’s no need to target Windows 10, version 1909 or modify your project files. Since there is no update to the SDK, you should continue to target Windows 10, version 1903. The easiest way to do that is by installing Visual Studio 2019,” Microsoft explains.
Customers who want to try out the new Windows 10 feature update but don’t have an MSDN subscription can enter the Windows Insider program and enroll in the Release Preview ring. The final build is available for download in this ring.