| Summary | Originating update | Status | Last updated |
| Certain operations performed on a Cluster Shared Volume may fail Certain operations, such as rename, performed on files or folders on a Cluster Shared Volume (CSV) may fail with the error, \"STATUS_BAD_IMPERSONATION_LEVEL (0xC00000A5)\". See details > | OS Build 10240.18186 April 09, 2019 KB4493475 | Mitigated | April 09, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| Embedded objects may display incorrectly Any compound document (OLE) server application that places embedded objects into the Windows Metafile (WMF) using the PatBlt API may display embedded objects incorrectly. See details > | OS Build 10240.18132 February 12, 2019 KB4487018 | Resolved KB4493475 | April 29, 2019 12:45 AM PT |
| Summary | Originating update | Status | Last updated |
| Zone transfers over TCP may fail Zone transfers between primary and secondary DNS servers over the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) may fail. See details > | OS Build 14393.2941 April 25, 2019 KB4493473 | Investigating | April 25, 2019 02:00 PM PT |
| Cluster service may fail if the minimum password length is set to greater than 14 The cluster service may fail to start with the error “2245 (NERR_PasswordTooShort)” if the Group Policy “Minimum Password Length” is configured with greater than 14 characters. See details > | OS Build 14393.2639 November 27, 2018 KB4467684 | Mitigated | April 09, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| Summary | Originating update | Status | Last updated |
| Certain operations performed on a Cluster Shared Volume may fail Certain operations, such as rename, performed on files or folders on a Cluster Shared Volume (CSV) may fail with the error, \"STATUS_BAD_IMPERSONATION_LEVEL (0xC00000A5)\". See details > | OS Build 15063.1746 April 09, 2019 KB4493474 | Mitigated | April 09, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| Custom URI schemes may not start corresponding application Custom URI schemes for application protocol handlers may not start the corresponding application for local intranet and trusted sites in Internet Explorer. See details > | OS Build 15063.1689 March 12, 2019 KB4489871 | Resolved KB4493436 | April 25, 2019 02:00 PM PT |
| Summary | Originating update | Status | Last updated |
| Zone transfers over TCP may fail Zone transfers between primary and secondary DNS servers over the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) may fail. See details > | OS Build 16299.1127 April 25, 2019 KB4493440 | Investigating | April 25, 2019 02:00 PM PT |
| Certain operations performed on a Cluster Shared Volume may fail Certain operations, such as rename, performed on files or folders on a Cluster Shared Volume (CSV) may fail with the error, \"STATUS_BAD_IMPERSONATION_LEVEL (0xC00000A5)\". See details > | OS Build 16299.1087 April 09, 2019 KB4493441 | Mitigated | April 09, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| Summary | Originating update | Status | Last updated |
| Zone transfers over TCP may fail Zone transfers between primary and secondary DNS servers over the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) may fail. See details > | OS Build 17134.753 April 25, 2019 KB4493437 | Investigating | April 25, 2019 02:00 PM PT |
| Issue using PXE to start a device from WDS Using PXE to start a device from a WDS server configured to use Variable Window Extension may cause the connection to the WDS server to terminate prematurely. See details > | OS Build 17134.648 March 12, 2019 KB4489868 | Mitigated | April 09, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| Summary | Originating update | Status | Last updated |
| Custom URI schemes may not start corresponding application Custom URI schemes for application protocol handlers may not start the corresponding application for local intranet and trusted sites in Internet Explorer. See details > | OS Build 17763.379 March 12, 2019 KB4489899 | Mitigated | April 09, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| Issue using PXE to start a device from WDS Using PXE to start a device from a WDS server configured to use Variable Window Extension may cause the connection to the WDS server to terminate prematurely. See details > | OS Build 17763.379 March 12, 2019 KB4489899 | Mitigated | April 09, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| Summary | Originating update | Status | Last updated |
| System may be unresponsive after restart if Avira antivirus software installed Devices with Avira antivirus software installed may become unresponsive upon restart. See details > | April 09, 2019 KB4493472 | Investigating | April 09, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| System may be unresponsive after restart with certain McAfee antivirus products Devices with McAfee Endpoint Security Threat Prevention 10.x, Host Intrusion Prevention 8.0, or VirusScan Enterprise 8.8 may be slow or unresponsive at startup. See details > | April 09, 2019 KB4493472 | Mitigated | April 18, 2019 05:00 PM PT |
| Summary | Originating update | Status | Last updated |
| System may be unresponsive after restart if Avira antivirus software installed Devices with Avira antivirus software installed may become unresponsive upon restart. See details > | April 09, 2019 KB4493446 | Investigating | April 09, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| System may be unresponsive after restart with certain McAfee antivirus products Devices with McAfee Endpoint Security Threat Prevention 10.x, Host Intrusion Prevention 8.0, or VirusScan Enterprise 8.8 may be slow or unresponsive at startup. See details > | April 09, 2019 KB4493446 | Mitigated | April 18, 2019 05:00 PM PT |
| Summary | Originating update | Status | Last updated |
| System may be unresponsive after restart if Avira antivirus software installed Devices with Avira antivirus software installed may become unresponsive upon restart. See details > | April 09, 2019 KB4493471 | Investigating | April 09, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| System unresponsive after restart if Sophos Endpoint Protection installed Devices with Sophos Endpoint Protection installed and managed by Sophos Central or Sophos Enterprise Console (SEC) may become unresponsive upon restart. See details > | April 09, 2019 KB4493471 | Mitigated | April 09, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| Summary | Originating update | Status | Last updated |
| System may be unresponsive after restart if Avira antivirus software installed Devices with Avira antivirus software installed may become unresponsive upon restart. See details > | April 09, 2019 KB4493451 | Investigating | April 09, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| System unresponsive after restart if Sophos Endpoint Protection installed Devices with Sophos Endpoint Protection installed and managed by Sophos Central or Sophos Enterprise Console (SEC) may become unresponsive upon restart. See details > | April 09, 2019 KB4493451 | Mitigated | April 09, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| Message | Date |
| Message | Date |
| Take action: Install servicing stack update for Windows Server 2008 SP2 for SHA-2 code sign support A standalone update, KB4493730, that introduce SHA-2 code sign support for the servicing stack (SSU) was released today as a security update. | April 19, 2019 10: 00 AM PT |
| The benefits of Windows 10 Dynamic Update Dynamic Update can help organizations and end users alike ensure that their Windows 10 devices have the latest feature update content (as part of an in-place upgrade)—and preserve precious features on demand (FODs) and language packs (LPs) that may have been previously installed. + | |
| Take action: Install servicing stack update for Windows Server 2008 SP2 for SHA-2 code sign support A standalone update, KB4493730, that introduce SHA-2 code sign support for the servicing stack (SSU) was released today as a security update. | April 19, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| The benefits of Windows 10 Dynamic Update Dynamic Update can help organizations and end users alike ensure that their Windows 10 devices have the latest feature update content (as part of an in-place upgrade)—and preserve precious features on demand (FODs) and language packs (LPs) that may have been previously installed. - Find out which components are updated by Dynamic Update, how Dynamic Update is initiated, and how to enable or disable it. | April 17, 2019 11: 26 AM PT |
| Improvements to the Windows 10 update experience are coming Find out about the changes coming to the Windows update process that will improve the experience, offer users more control, and improve the quality of Windows updates. | April 04, 2019 09: 00 AM PT |
| Take action: review your Windows Update for Business deferral values If devices under your management are still running Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, version 1709, your devices will reach end of service on April 9, 2019 if you have configured both of the following Windows Update for Business policies: + Find out which components are updated by Dynamic Update, how Dynamic Update is initiated, and how to enable or disable it. | April 17, 2019 11:26 AM PT |
| Improvements to the Windows 10 update experience are coming Find out about the changes coming to the Windows update process that will improve the experience, offer users more control, and improve the quality of Windows updates. | April 04, 2019 09:00 AM PT |
| Take action: review your Windows Update for Business deferral values If devices under your management are still running Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, version 1709, your devices will reach end of service on April 9, 2019 if you have configured both of the following Windows Update for Business policies:
| April 03, 2019 05: 47 PM PT |
| Find a list of currently supported versions and previous releases Every Windows product has a lifecycle. The lifecycle begins when a product is released and ends when it is no longer serviced or supported. Knowing key dates in this lifecycle helps you make informed decisions about when to update, upgrade, or make other changes to your software. Check out the updated Windows 10 release information page for a list of current versions by servicing option as well as end of service dates. | March 28, 2019 02: 00 PM PT |
| Windows 10, version 1809 designated for broad deployment Based on the data and the feedback we’ve received from consumers, OEMs, ISVs, partners, and commercial customers, Windows 10, version 1809 has transitioned to broad deployment. With this, the Windows 10 release information page will now reflect Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) for version 1809. | March 28, 2019 10: 00 AM PT |
| Reminder: Additional servicing for the Windows 10 Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise, version 1607 ends April 9, 2019 The additional servicing for Windows 10 Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions ends on April 9, 2019 and doesn't extend beyond this date. To continue receiving security and quality updates, Microsoft recommends updating to the latest version of Windows 10. Devices running Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB will continue to receive updates until October 2026 per the Fixed Lifecycle Policy. Windows 10, version 1607 devices running the Intel “Clovertrail” chipset will continue to receive updates until January 2023. | March 12, 2019 10: 00 AM PT |
| Reminder: Windows 10 Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, and IoT Core, version 1709 will reach end of service on April 9, 2019 Windows 10, version 1709, will reach end of service on April 9, 2019 for devices running Windows 10 Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, and IoT Core editions. These devices will no longer receive monthly security and quality updates that contain protection from the latest security threats. To continue receiving security and quality updates, Microsoft recommends updating to the latest version of Windows 10. Windows 10 Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions will continue to receive servicing for 12 months at no cost per the lifecycle announcement on October 2018. | March 12, 2019 10: 00 AM PT |
| Take action: Install standalone security updates to introduce SHA-2 code sign support for Windows 7 amd Windows Server 2008 R2 A standalone SHA-2 code signing support update for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 is now available, as is a sservicing stack update for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 that includes the SHA-2 code signing support update. | March 12, 2019 10: 00 AM PT |
| Take action: Install standalone update for WSUS 3.0 SP2 to support the delivery of SHA-2 signed updates A standalone update, KB4484071 is available on Windows Update Catalog for WSUS 3.0 SP2 that supports delivering SHA-2 signed updates. For those customers using WSUS 3.0 SP2, this update should be manually installed no later than June 18, 2019. | March 12, 2019 10: 00 AM PT |
| Reminder: Final Delta update for Windows 10, version 1607, 1703, 1709, and 1803 will be April 9, 2019 March 12th and April 9th will be the last two Delta updates for Windows 10, version 1607, 1703, 1709, and 1803. Security and quality updates will continue to be available via the express and full cumulative update packages. | March 12, 2019 10: 00 AM PT |
| How do we measure and improve the quality of Windows? Measuring the quality of Windows is a complex undertaking that requires gathering a variety of diagnostic signals from millions of devices within the Windows ecosystem. In addition to rigorous internal testing, we rely heavily on the feedback provided through diagnostic data to detect and fix problems before we release new updates of Windows to the general population, and to monitor the impact of those updates after each release. +In order avoid this, you need to set your feature update deferral policy to 273 days or less. | April 03, 2019 05:47 PM PT |
| Find a list of currently supported versions and previous releases Every Windows product has a lifecycle. The lifecycle begins when a product is released and ends when it is no longer serviced or supported. Knowing key dates in this lifecycle helps you make informed decisions about when to update, upgrade, or make other changes to your software. Check out the updated Windows 10 release information page for a list of current versions by servicing option as well as end of service dates. | March 28, 2019 02:00 PM PT |
| Windows 10, version 1809 designated for broad deployment Based on the data and the feedback we’ve received from consumers, OEMs, ISVs, partners, and commercial customers, Windows 10, version 1809 has transitioned to broad deployment. With this, the Windows 10 release information page will now reflect Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) for version 1809. | March 28, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| Reminder: Additional servicing for the Windows 10 Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise, version 1607 ends April 9, 2019 The additional servicing for Windows 10 Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions ends on April 9, 2019 and doesn't extend beyond this date. To continue receiving security and quality updates, Microsoft recommends updating to the latest version of Windows 10. Devices running Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB will continue to receive updates until October 2026 per the Fixed Lifecycle Policy. Windows 10, version 1607 devices running the Intel “Clovertrail” chipset will continue to receive updates until January 2023. | March 12, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| Reminder: Windows 10 Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, and IoT Core, version 1709 will reach end of service on April 9, 2019 Windows 10, version 1709, will reach end of service on April 9, 2019 for devices running Windows 10 Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, and IoT Core editions. These devices will no longer receive monthly security and quality updates that contain protection from the latest security threats. To continue receiving security and quality updates, Microsoft recommends updating to the latest version of Windows 10. Windows 10 Enterprise, Education, and IoT Enterprise editions will continue to receive servicing for 12 months at no cost per the lifecycle announcement on October 2018. | March 12, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| Take action: Install standalone security updates to introduce SHA-2 code sign support for Windows 7 amd Windows Server 2008 R2 A standalone SHA-2 code signing support update for Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 is now available, as is a sservicing stack update for Windows 7 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 that includes the SHA-2 code signing support update. | March 12, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| Take action: Install standalone update for WSUS 3.0 SP2 to support the delivery of SHA-2 signed updates A standalone update, KB4484071 is available on Windows Update Catalog for WSUS 3.0 SP2 that supports delivering SHA-2 signed updates. For those customers using WSUS 3.0 SP2, this update should be manually installed no later than June 18, 2019. | March 12, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| Reminder: Final Delta update for Windows 10, version 1607, 1703, 1709, and 1803 will be April 9, 2019 March 12th and April 9th will be the last two Delta updates for Windows 10, version 1607, 1703, 1709, and 1803. Security and quality updates will continue to be available via the express and full cumulative update packages. | March 12, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| How do we measure and improve the quality of Windows? Measuring the quality of Windows is a complex undertaking that requires gathering a variety of diagnostic signals from millions of devices within the Windows ecosystem. In addition to rigorous internal testing, we rely heavily on the feedback provided through diagnostic data to detect and fix problems before we release new updates of Windows to the general population, and to monitor the impact of those updates after each release. - Get insight into some of the practices we employ to measure and improve the quality of Windows. | March 06, 2019 10: 23 AM PT |
| Data, insights and listening to improve the customer experience Measuring the quality of Windows is a complex undertaking that requires gathering a variety of diagnostic signals from millions of devices within the Windows ecosystem. In addition to rigorous internal testing, we rely heavily on the feedback provided through diagnostic data to detect and fix problems before we release new updates of Windows to the general population, and to monitor the impact of those updates after each release. + Get insight into some of the practices we employ to measure and improve the quality of Windows. | March 06, 2019 10:23 AM PT |
| Data, insights and listening to improve the customer experience Measuring the quality of Windows is a complex undertaking that requires gathering a variety of diagnostic signals from millions of devices within the Windows ecosystem. In addition to rigorous internal testing, we rely heavily on the feedback provided through diagnostic data to detect and fix problems before we release new updates of Windows to the general population, and to monitor the impact of those updates after each release. - Get insight into some of the practices we employ to measure and improve the quality of Windows. | March 06, 2019 10: 23 AM PT |
| Getting to know the Windows update history pages Windows update history pages offer detailed information about each Windows update: the type of update, which operating systems it affects, the improvements and fixes included, and how to get the update. See how simple it is to use this important resource to access information for Windows 10, Windows Server 2019, and earlier versions of the Windows and Windows Server operating systems. | February 21, 2019 06: 37 PM PT |
| Share your feedback: Windows update history We read every comment you leave on our update history pages, and are always looking to improve these pages and the monthly knowledge base (KB) articles that accompany each monthly update. Take our survey and let us know how we can improve our transparency further and make these more compelling and useful to you and your organization. | February 21, 2019 12: 00 PM PT |
| Plan for change: Windows Update for Business and the retirement of SAC-T Beginning with Windows 10, version 1903 (the next feature update for Windows 10), the Windows 10 release information page will no longer list SAC-T information for version 1903 and future feature updates. Instead, you will find a single entry for each new SAC release. In addition, if you are using Windows Update for Business, you will see new UI and behavior to reflect that there is only one release date for each SAC release. If you use System Center Configuration Manager, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), or other management tools, there will now only be one feature update published to WSUS, and this will occur at the time of release. Learn how this change will affect Windows Business for Update customers. | February 14, 2019 12: 00 PM PT |
| Champs corner: Classifying Windows updates in common deployment tools If you utilize automated update deployment tools, such as Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or System Center Configuration Manager, you likely use automatic rules to streamline the approval and deployment of Windows updates. Using the correct update classification is, therefore, an important component of your organization’s device update process. Explore the options available and how to approach it in a WSUS or Configuration Manager environment. | February 05, 2019 10: 34 AM PT |
| Update: Delta updates for Windows 10, version 1607, 1703, 1709, and 1803 will be available until April 9, 2019 Based on customer feedback, we are extending Delta update publication for Windows 10 versions 1607, 1703, 1709, and 1803. We will continue to provide Delta updates via the Microsoft Update Catalog through April 9th, 2019, which will be the last delta update available. | February 05, 2019 09: 00 AM PT |
| Global DNS outage affecting Windows Update customers Windows Update customers were affected by a network infrastructure event on January 29, 2019 (21:00 UTC), caused by an external DNS service provider’s global outage. A software update to the external provider’s DNS servers resulted in the distribution of corrupted DNS records that affected connectivity to the Windows Update service. The DNS records were restored by January 30, 2019 (00:10 UTC), and the majority of local Internet Service Providers (ISP) have refreshed their DNS servers and customer services have been restored.
+ Get insight into some of the practices we employ to measure and improve the quality of Windows. | March 06, 2019 10:23 AM PT |
| Getting to know the Windows update history pages Windows update history pages offer detailed information about each Windows update: the type of update, which operating systems it affects, the improvements and fixes included, and how to get the update. See how simple it is to use this important resource to access information for Windows 10, Windows Server 2019, and earlier versions of the Windows and Windows Server operating systems. | February 21, 2019 06:37 PM PT |
| Share your feedback: Windows update history We read every comment you leave on our update history pages, and are always looking to improve these pages and the monthly knowledge base (KB) articles that accompany each monthly update. Take our survey and let us know how we can improve our transparency further and make these more compelling and useful to you and your organization. | February 21, 2019 12:00 PM PT |
| Plan for change: Windows Update for Business and the retirement of SAC-T Beginning with Windows 10, version 1903 (the next feature update for Windows 10), the Windows 10 release information page will no longer list SAC-T information for version 1903 and future feature updates. Instead, you will find a single entry for each new SAC release. In addition, if you are using Windows Update for Business, you will see new UI and behavior to reflect that there is only one release date for each SAC release. If you use System Center Configuration Manager, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), or other management tools, there will now only be one feature update published to WSUS, and this will occur at the time of release. Learn how this change will affect Windows Business for Update customers. | February 14, 2019 12:00 PM PT |
| Champs corner: Classifying Windows updates in common deployment tools If you utilize automated update deployment tools, such as Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or System Center Configuration Manager, you likely use automatic rules to streamline the approval and deployment of Windows updates. Using the correct update classification is, therefore, an important component of your organization’s device update process. Explore the options available and how to approach it in a WSUS or Configuration Manager environment. | February 05, 2019 10:34 AM PT |
| Update: Delta updates for Windows 10, version 1607, 1703, 1709, and 1803 will be available until April 9, 2019 Based on customer feedback, we are extending Delta update publication for Windows 10 versions 1607, 1703, 1709, and 1803. We will continue to provide Delta updates via the Microsoft Update Catalog through April 9th, 2019, which will be the last delta update available. | February 05, 2019 09:00 AM PT |
| Global DNS outage affecting Windows Update customers Windows Update customers were affected by a network infrastructure event on January 29, 2019 (21:00 UTC), caused by an external DNS service provider’s global outage. A software update to the external provider’s DNS servers resulted in the distribution of corrupted DNS records that affected connectivity to the Windows Update service. The DNS records were restored by January 30, 2019 (00:10 UTC), and the majority of local Internet Service Providers (ISP) have refreshed their DNS servers and customer services have been restored.
While this was not an issue with Microsoft’s services, we take any service disruption for our customers seriously. We will work with partners to better understand this so we can provide higher quality service in the future even across diverse global network providers.
-If you are still unable to connect to Windows Update services due to this problem, please contact your local ISP or network administrator. You can also refer to our new KB4493784 for more information to determine if your network is affected, and to provide your local ISP or network administrator with additional information to assist you. | January 29, 2019 04: 15 PM PT |
| Application compatibility in the Windows ecosystem Our application ecosystem is incredibly diverse, encompassing tens of millions of applications (apps) with numerous versions, languages, architectures, services and configuration options. While our ecosystem is complex, our vision is simple. All apps on Windows devices should just work! Explore the various programs and technologies we use to improve application compatibility. | January 15, 2019 10: 00 AM PT |
| Modern desktop servicing: the year in review 2018 was a pivotal year for the modern desktop and the servicing transformation journey we have been taking with you and your organization. In this post, John Wilcox takes a look back and recaps the progress that has been made, highlighting significant events, and provideing nsight into what 2019 has in store. | December 19, 2018 02: 20 PM PT |
| Driver quality in the Windows ecosystem Ensuring Windows 10 works great with all the devices and accessories our customers use is a top priority. We work closely with this broad mix of partners to test new drivers, monitor health characteristics over time, and make Windows and our ecosystem more resilient architecturally. Our goal is to ensure that all the updates and drivers we deliver to non-Insider populations are validated and at production quality (including monthly optional releases) before pushing drivers broadly to all. Explore the driver distribution chain and learn how we measure driver quality and prevent conflicts. | December 19, 2018 10: 04 AM PT |
| Introducing the Modern Desktop podcast series In this new podcast series, we'll explore the good, the bad, and, yes, the ugly of servicing and delivery for Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus. We'll talk about modern desktop management through Enterprise Mobility, security, and cloud-attached and co-managed environments. Listen to the first episode, in which we discuss monthly quality updates fpr Windows 10, the Microsoft 365 Stay Current pilot program, and interview a real customer to see how they ingest monthly updates in their organization. | December 18, 2018 01: 00 PM PT |
| Measuring Delivery Optimization and its impact to your network If you've familiarized yourself with the configuration options for Delivery Optimization in Windows 10, and have started to configure the settings you feel will be the best fit for your organization’s network topology, now is the time to see how well those settings are working. This article provides tips on how evaluate performance at the device level or organization level. | December 13, 2018 03: 48 PM PT |
| Windows monthly security and quality updates overview Today’s global cybersecurity threats are both dynamic and sophisticated, and new vulnerabilities are discovered almost every day. We focus on protecting customers from these security threats by providing security updates on a timely basis and with high quality. Find out how how we deliver these critical updates on a massive scale as a key component of our ongoing Windows as a service effort. | December 10, 2018 10: 00 AM PT |
| LTSC: What is it, and when should it be used? With the Semi-Annual Channel, devices receive two feature updates per year, and benefit from the best performance, user experience, security, and stability. This servicing option continues to be our recommendation for managing Windows 10 updates; however, we acknowledge that certain devices and use cases (e.g. medical systems and industrial process controllers) dictate that functionality and features don’t change over time. Find out how we designed the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) with these types of use cases in mind, and what is offered through the LTSC. | November 29, 2018 07: 02 PM PT |
| Plan for change: Local Experience Packs: What are they and when should you use them? When we released Windows 10, version 1803, we introduced Local Experience Packs (LXPs), which are modern language packs delivered through the Microsoft Store or Microsoft Store for Business. Learn about the biggest advantage to LXPs, and the retirement of legacy language packs (lp.cab) for all Language Interface Packs (LIP). | November 14, 2018 11: 10 AM PT |
| Windows 10 Quality approach for a complex ecosystem While our measurements of quality show improving trends on aggregate for each successive Windows 10 release, if a single customer experiences an issue with any of our updates, we take it seriously. In this blog post, Windows CVP Mike Fortin shares an overview of how we work to continuously improve the quality of Windows and our Windows as a service approach. This blog will be the first in a series of more in-depth explanations of the work we do to deliver quality in our Windows releases. | November 13, 2018 10: 00 AM PT |
| Windows 10, version 1809 rollout resumes; now available on VLSC Today we are resuming the rollout of the latest Windows 10 feature update—Windows 10, version 1809—via the Software Download Center (via Update Assistant or the Media Creation Tool), Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and Windows Update for Business. Windows 10, version 1809 is also now available on the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). | November 13, 2018 10: 00 AM PT |
| Express updates for Windows Server 2016 re-enabled for November 2018 update Starting with the November 13, 2018 Update Tuesday release, Windows will again publish Express updates for Windows Server 2016. That means that system administrators for WSUS and System Center Configuration Manager will once again see two packages for the Windows Server 2016 update: a Full update and an Express update. Read this article for more details. | November 12, 2018 03: 00 PM PT |
| Plan for change: 2019 SHA-2 code signing support requirement for Windows and WSUS To protect your security, Windows operating system updates are dual-signed using both the SHA-1 and SHA-2 hash algorithms to authenticate that updates come directly from Microsoft and were not tampered with during delivery. Due to weaknesses in the SHA-1 algorithm and to align to industry standards Microsoft will only sign Windows updates using the more secure SHA-2 algorithm exclusively. Customers running legacy OS versions (Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 SP2) will be required to have SHA-2 code signing support installed on their devices by July 2019. Any devices without SHA-2 support will not be offered Windows updates after July 2019. To help prepare you for this change, we will release support for SHA-2 signing in 2019. Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) 3.0 SP2 will receive SHA-2 support to properly deliver SHA-2 signed updates. Please make note of the dates in the migration timeline and plan accordingly. | November 09, 2018 10: 00 AM PT | January 29, 2019 04:15 PM PT |
+
| Application compatibility in the Windows ecosystem Our application ecosystem is incredibly diverse, encompassing tens of millions of applications (apps) with numerous versions, languages, architectures, services and configuration options. While our ecosystem is complex, our vision is simple. All apps on Windows devices should just work! Explore the various programs and technologies we use to improve application compatibility. | January 15, 2019 10:00 AM PT |
| Modern desktop servicing: the year in review 2018 was a pivotal year for the modern desktop and the servicing transformation journey we have been taking with you and your organization. In this post, John Wilcox takes a look back and recaps the progress that has been made, highlighting significant events, and provideing nsight into what 2019 has in store. | December 19, 2018 02:20 PM PT |
| Driver quality in the Windows ecosystem Ensuring Windows 10 works great with all the devices and accessories our customers use is a top priority. We work closely with this broad mix of partners to test new drivers, monitor health characteristics over time, and make Windows and our ecosystem more resilient architecturally. Our goal is to ensure that all the updates and drivers we deliver to non-Insider populations are validated and at production quality (including monthly optional releases) before pushing drivers broadly to all. Explore the driver distribution chain and learn how we measure driver quality and prevent conflicts. | December 19, 2018 10:04 AM PT |
| Introducing the Modern Desktop podcast series In this new podcast series, we'll explore the good, the bad, and, yes, the ugly of servicing and delivery for Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus. We'll talk about modern desktop management through Enterprise Mobility, security, and cloud-attached and co-managed environments. Listen to the first episode, in which we discuss monthly quality updates fpr Windows 10, the Microsoft 365 Stay Current pilot program, and interview a real customer to see how they ingest monthly updates in their organization. | December 18, 2018 01:00 PM PT |
| Measuring Delivery Optimization and its impact to your network If you've familiarized yourself with the configuration options for Delivery Optimization in Windows 10, and have started to configure the settings you feel will be the best fit for your organization’s network topology, now is the time to see how well those settings are working. This article provides tips on how evaluate performance at the device level or organization level. | December 13, 2018 03:48 PM PT |
| Windows monthly security and quality updates overview Today’s global cybersecurity threats are both dynamic and sophisticated, and new vulnerabilities are discovered almost every day. We focus on protecting customers from these security threats by providing security updates on a timely basis and with high quality. Find out how how we deliver these critical updates on a massive scale as a key component of our ongoing Windows as a service effort. | December 10, 2018 10:00 AM PT |
| LTSC: What is it, and when should it be used? With the Semi-Annual Channel, devices receive two feature updates per year, and benefit from the best performance, user experience, security, and stability. This servicing option continues to be our recommendation for managing Windows 10 updates; however, we acknowledge that certain devices and use cases (e.g. medical systems and industrial process controllers) dictate that functionality and features don’t change over time. Find out how we designed the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) with these types of use cases in mind, and what is offered through the LTSC. | November 29, 2018 07:02 PM PT |
| Plan for change: Local Experience Packs: What are they and when should you use them? When we released Windows 10, version 1803, we introduced Local Experience Packs (LXPs), which are modern language packs delivered through the Microsoft Store or Microsoft Store for Business. Learn about the biggest advantage to LXPs, and the retirement of legacy language packs (lp.cab) for all Language Interface Packs (LIP). | November 14, 2018 11:10 AM PT |
| Windows 10 Quality approach for a complex ecosystem While our measurements of quality show improving trends on aggregate for each successive Windows 10 release, if a single customer experiences an issue with any of our updates, we take it seriously. In this blog post, Windows CVP Mike Fortin shares an overview of how we work to continuously improve the quality of Windows and our Windows as a service approach. This blog will be the first in a series of more in-depth explanations of the work we do to deliver quality in our Windows releases. | November 13, 2018 10:00 AM PT |
| Windows 10, version 1809 rollout resumes; now available on VLSC Today we are resuming the rollout of the latest Windows 10 feature update—Windows 10, version 1809—via the Software Download Center (via Update Assistant or the Media Creation Tool), Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and Windows Update for Business. Windows 10, version 1809 is also now available on the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC). | November 13, 2018 10:00 AM PT |
| Express updates for Windows Server 2016 re-enabled for November 2018 update Starting with the November 13, 2018 Update Tuesday release, Windows will again publish Express updates for Windows Server 2016. That means that system administrators for WSUS and System Center Configuration Manager will once again see two packages for the Windows Server 2016 update: a Full update and an Express update. Read this article for more details. | November 12, 2018 03:00 PM PT |
| Plan for change: 2019 SHA-2 code signing support requirement for Windows and WSUS To protect your security, Windows operating system updates are dual-signed using both the SHA-1 and SHA-2 hash algorithms to authenticate that updates come directly from Microsoft and were not tampered with during delivery. Due to weaknesses in the SHA-1 algorithm and to align to industry standards Microsoft will only sign Windows updates using the more secure SHA-2 algorithm exclusively. Customers running legacy OS versions (Windows 7 SP1, Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 and Windows Server 2008 SP2) will be required to have SHA-2 code signing support installed on their devices by July 2019. Any devices without SHA-2 support will not be offered Windows updates after July 2019. To help prepare you for this change, we will release support for SHA-2 signing in 2019. Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) 3.0 SP2 will receive SHA-2 support to properly deliver SHA-2 signed updates. Please make note of the dates in the migration timeline and plan accordingly. | November 09, 2018 10:00 AM PT |