Microsoft Gives Up Its Update War With Users
Recently, it was reported that the upcoming May 2019 Update (AKA Version 1903, Redstone 6, April 2019 update) would be released with a known flaw that could serious problems for users who had external drives connected during the update.
Today, it was reported in a “ComputerWorld” article, that Microsoft is finally giving in to the wishes of its customers and will no longer force Windows 10 Feature Updated down their throats.
In a ComputerWorld article dated 06 May 2019, Preston Gralla writes in an article entitled “Microsoft surrenders in its Windows Update war with consumers“:
…With the upcoming release, Windows won’t automatically install a feature update when it becomes available. Instead, Windows will notify you that it’s available by showing a “Download and install now” message and link in the Windows Update Settings pane. If you don’t want to install it, you can ignore the message. If you want to install it, click the link and follow the instructions. And if you want to wait a while — a few dasta few weeks, a few months — until you can make sure that the update isn’t problematic, you can go ahead and do that. The control, finally, is in your hands.
Well, not completely. There is a caveat. When the version of Windows 10 you’re running reaches “end of service” and Microsoft no longer supports it or issues security updates for it, you’ll have to install the latest feature update. Usually, that’s 18 months after your current Windows version’s release. This makes plenty of sense, and it’s completely analogous to similar issues in public health. Just as it’s vital that people get vaccinations against diseases to protect everyone’s health by ensuring herd immunity, PCs should be protected against malware. If there are lots of unprotected PCs around, they can be used to breed malware or be turned into malicious bots and attack other people’s PCs.
Note that you’ll still have to install the small patches Microsoft issues every month. That’s because they are often security updates, and everyone should have them. However, Microsoft has agreed to give you some control over when they’re installed. You’ll be able to delay them for up to 35 days…
We think it’s about time that Microsoft allowed users to delay feature (version) updates given that Windows 10 Version updates have been plagued with bugs and sometimes serious issues that have caused many Windows 10 users serious problems.
For instance, early adapters of the April 2018 Update (Version 1803) experienced BSODs and even bricked some machines. Then, the October 2018 Update (Version 1809) was infamously flawed from the get-go with early adopters reporting the update erased files and folders on their machines which they were not able to recover. It was so bad that Microsoft suspended the update from October 5 until November 13 while they fixed the bugs and flaws in the update that caused some users big problems. So the “October 2018” update really wasn’t fully released until November 2018. And even so, it was the least installed Windows 10 update as Microsoft put the update in the “very slow” lane. As of today, with Version 1903 looming, less than 30% of all Windows 10 users are running Windows 10 Version 1809.
It’s about time that Microsoft stops forcing users to install version updates. We don’t think Microsoft needs to be sending two new version updates a year anyway. But putting users in charge of their own Windows 10 computers for the first time, makes a lot of sense. Now users can choose when to install the version updates – or not install them at all. However, Windows 10 users will still have to install version updates before then end-of-life cycle of the version they’re using. Windows 10 versions have a life-cycle of approximately 18 months.
Our advice is to hold off installing version updates until enough Windows 10 users have installed the version update, that you can be fairly certain that the version update isn’t buggy and flawed. In other words, let the risk takers take the risk. And when its finally clear the version update is stable and free from major bugs and flaws, then install it.
Hats off to Microsoft for this consumer-friendly decision – as belated as it may be.
Good article Cloudeight.
Why would you want to stress out the user every six months. That was just crazy. Give the user time and let them see how good that 6 month up date is out there and for Microsoft to fix things. At the same time let the security updates keep coming in.
I think I will wait for the all clear signal from Cloudeight before I update. I trust you to tell me when it is safe to update the 1903 version. I’ve trusted you for a long time, and I’ve never gotten bad advice or help yet. I depend on you and your weekly updates more than you can ever imagine.
Amen. I will wait for a green light. Thanks!
Wow, Microsoft finally deciding that satisfied customers are very important for running a successful business.
Thanks TC & EB.
Bonjour TC &EB
I installed Version 1903 on 24 April as Insider and i must say it works all perfekt ..very fast and evrything is working I installed also de new Browser Edge Chromium (DEV) and also working very fast and no problems ..
Thanks for all
keep in mind that any version 1903 you have installed now is an insider’s version and not necessarily the version that will be released to the public. I’ve been testing version 1903 for six months now and it runs well – but that’s on my computer and that’s the insider’s version. So I’ll hold off until the public version is released and it’s been installed by a substantial number of users. I am careful with recommending things 🙂
How do I stop the updates from installing until we get the word from IA?
You don’t have to do anything. According to Microsoft if you want to install the update you’ll see “Download and install” in Windows Update when Windows 10 Version 1903 is available. If you don’t click that, it won’t install.
I still don’t have the 1809 update on my two computers. It has never come through. Should I install that?
1809 is not a prerequisite for Version 1903. 70% of all Windows 10 users are not running 1809. Most are running 1803 or 1709.
You don’t need to install 1809 and I’d recommend you don’t.
I agree with Judy to wait for the green light from Cloudeight before we even think of updating!!
Hello folks,
Just a quick question: I am showing that I have Windows 10 version 1803 and it says that my computer is “up to date”. Also, I recently noticed that there is a “Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant” on my desktop. If my computer says it is up to date, why is this icon on the desktop, and is it legitimate? Also, when I check updates in settings, there is nothing saying that version 1809 is there to download. Of course, if you guys recommend against it, I wouldn’t do it anyway, even if it did show availability. I just want to be sure that this icon is not some sort of virus/malware. I would be interested in your thoughts on this.
Thanks!
Larry
Because 1803 (April 2018 Update) is not the current version of Windows 10, Version 1809 (October 2018 Update) is. You have the upgrade assistant because there is a newer version of Windows 10. However, you don’t have to upgrade to Version 1809 in order to install version 1903 (May 2019 Update) when it becomes available. I suggest you not upgrade to version 1809 now because 1903 is so close. And only about 30% of all Windows 10 users ever got version 1809 anyway.