Microsoft is no longer sending out its twice-yearly upgrades automatically. On the Windows Update page, a new setting called Download and Install Now is available. We have known about this feature since last month, but Microsoft has been vague on what it exactly is. The company has not said how long it will allow users to delay the update before it starts pushing out automatic updates. Alongside the announcement, Microsoft detailed more information about how long it will hold off on automatic releases. The company highlights how users near the end of service of their current version will be automatically updated. “For Windows 10 devices that are at, or within several months of reaching end of service, Windows Update will automatically initiate a feature update…. The Windows 10 April 2018 Update (Windows 10, version 1803) will reach end of service on November 12, 2019 for Home and Pro editions. Starting this June, we will begin updating devices running the April 2018 Update and earlier versions of Windows 10.”
Forced Update
This means Microsoft will start updating Windows 10 April 2018 Update users automatically in a few weeks. Interestingly, April 2018 Update will not reach end of service until November. Microsoft’s automatic updates will begin five months before. While home users will not be bothered by this situation, organizations running the April 2018 Update are now under pressure. To avoid being forced onto Windows 10 version 1903 too soon, a good solution is to instead update to Windows 10 1809, the October 2018 Update.
