14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has recently lifted a Windows 10 version 2004 upgrade block for Surface devices, technically allowing them to install the new feature update as well.
First and foremost, what is an upgrade block?
Microsoft started the rollout of Windows 10 version 2004, or May 2020 Update, nearly a month ago, with the company using a gradual approach to make sure no major bugs are encountered.
What this means is that devices across the world are getting the update in stages, and once Microsoft discovers a bug hitting a specific configuration, the update is suspended for the other devices with a similar configuration.
Such a bug was discovered in Windows 10 version 2004 on Surface devices, and naturally, Microsoft announced an upgrade block to make sure these models are not provided with the update.
The target devices were the Surface Pro 7 and the Surface Laptop 3, both of which were blocked from getting the May 2020 Update on Windows Update.
Microsoft explains that in some cases, these devices could end up experiencing a random shut down due to this issue, and this is why the upgrade block was put in place.
“Some devices using the Always On, Always Connected feature might have compatibility issues with Windows 10, version 2004 (the Windows 10 May 2020 Update). Affected devices will have more than one Always On, Always Connected capable network adapter, such as the Microsoft Surface Pro 7 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 3, and might receive errors or unexpected shutdown or restart,” Microsoft explains.
On June 29, however, Microsoft finally lifted the upgrade block, essentially allowing these devices to install the May 2020 Update.
“Version 2004 could need 2 days to show up.”
“Resolution: This issue was resolved in KB4557957 and the safeguard hold has been removed as of June 29, 2020. Please note, it can take up to 48 hours before the update to Windows 10, version 2004 will be offered,” the company says.
As the company says, the issue was resolved as part of the June 2020 Patch Tuesday when Microsoft shipped a new cumulative update, and as of June 29, the upgrade block is no longer in place. As the company explains, it could take up to 2 days until the May 2020 Update shows up on the Surface Pro 7 and the Surface Laptop 3.
Once the upgrade block was put in place, users were allowed to upgrade their devices using other methods, including the stand-alone ISO images. Needless to say, this wasn’t a recommended approach, as these devices were at risk of hitting the same issue too.
Now that the upgrade is lifted, all these methods can be used as well, so if you want to turn to the Media Creation Tool or the stand-alone ISO images for the upgrade, there’s no risk involved in the process.
At this point, no other Surface models are blocked from getting the May 2020 Update – for example, Windows 10 version 2004 showed up on my Surface Book last week, and by the looks of things, everything installed correctly. Furthermore, the May update seems to be running pretty smoothly on my device, with no major issue noticed so far.
Right now, however, there still are several upgrade blocks in place for other Windows 10 devices, and Microsoft will gradually lift them as issues are being resolved. When exactly this is supposed to happen is something that remains to be seen, but for the time being, anyone with a device blocked from getting the May 2020 Update is not recommended to turn to other download methods that would allow them to bypass the restriction on Windows Update.