The public launch is expected in the spring

Dec 30, 2019 10:00 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has most likely finalized the development of Windows 10 version 2004, also referred to as 20H1, earlier this month.

The public launch, however, won’t happen earlier than the next spring, as per the company’s typical release schedule for Windows 10 feature updates. The version number suggests the update could go live for production devices according to the usual calendar in April or May.

Microsoft hasn’t commented on the current development stage of Windows 10 version 2004, but it did, however, drop some hints that this update has at least moved very close to the RTM phase.

Earlier this year, sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans indicated that Windows 10 version 2004 was scheduled to be finalized by the end of December. Microsoft would then focus on fixes and performance improvements for the next three or four months, these people said, as it wanted to further polish the feature update before the public rollout started.

RTM build ready

Previous reports indicated the update was scheduled to be signed off on December 17. And by the looks of things, this did happen.

Zac Bowden of WindowsCentral says Microsoft finalized Windows 10 version 2004 earlier this month. Most likely, the RTM phase was reached as scheduled on December 17 or even earlier, but of course, no announcement in this regard was made.

Then, Microsoft itself dropped a hint version 2004 was close to completion. Builds shipped to users enrolled in the Windows Insider program no longer featured the preview watermark on the desktop. Microsoft specifically mentioned in the release notes of preview builds this wasn’t a sign version 2004 was finalized.

“The build watermark at the lower right-hand corner of the desktop is no longer present in this build. This doesn’t mean we’re done…” the company said.

However, the software giant removed this mention in the latest Windows 10 preview release – build 19536 published on December 16 for the Fast ring. Most likely, Microsoft will soon begin testing Windows 10 20H2 builds in the Fast ring in first weeks of 2020, with 20H1 to receive further polishing in anticipation of its spring launch.