Microsoft vows monthly cumulative non-security updates for Windows 10

by Radu Tyrsina
Radu Tyrsina
Radu Tyrsina
CEO & Founder
Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of... read more
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Microsoft introduced new update options for the users of Windows 10 Creators Update. The software giant released the update’s current branch two weeks ago and now rolled out a new update with its Tuesday release.

The Redmond giant says Creators Update users will get new cumulative nonsecurity updates, according to Michael Niehaus, a Microsoft senior product marketing manager for Windows. Niehaus explains:

With the release of Windows 10, we simplified the servicing process by moving to cumulative updates, where each update released contains all the new fixes for that month, as well as all the older fixes from previous months. Today, most organizations deploy these cumulative updates when they are released on the second Tuesday of every month, also called “Update Tuesday.” Because these updates contain new security fixes, they are considered “Security Updates” in Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and System Center Configuration Manager.

Niehaus adds that the company is making new changes to the updates it rolls out for Windows 10 based on feedback from customers. The new update scheme includes one or more additional updates every month. The cumulative updates will include only non-security updates.

Microsoft may also consider a cumulative update as “Critical Updates” in WSUS and Configuration Manager if non-security fixes that address more critical issues.

There are various options for how organizations handle these new non-security cumulative updates:

  • Deploy each of them just like the updates on “Update Tuesday.” This enables the organization’s PCs to get the latest fixes more quickly.
  • Deploy each of them to a subset of devices. This enables the organization to ensure that these new non-security fixes work well, prior to those same fixes being included in the next “Update Tuesday” cumulative update which will be deployed throughout the organization.
  • Selectively deploy them, based on whether they address specific issues affecting the organization, ahead of the next “Update Tuesday” cumulative update.
  • Don’t deploy them at all. There is no harm in doing this since the same fixes will be included in the next “Update Tuesday” cumulative update (along with all the new security fixes).

Microsoft plans to field questions about its “Windows as a service” update approach over the coming days.

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