Windows 10: Microsoft releases mysterious updates for Windows 10

Microsoft released -- better re-released -- the updates KB4458469 and KB4457136 on September 26, 2018 for Windows 10 version 1709 and Windows 10 version 1803.

What makes the re-release rather problematic is that Microsoft provides virtually no explanation as to why the updates had to be re-released.

If you check the note at the top of the support pages, you get the following for Windows 10 version 1709:

This update has been re-released because of a missing solution. If you installed build 16299.697, please install this newer version of OS build 16299.699.
​

The note includes the same wording for Windows 10 version 1809. Only the build numbers are different:

This update has been re-released because of a missing solution. If you installed build 17134.319, please install this newer version of OS build 17134.320.
​

The company does not provide any detail on what the missing solutions are. While it seems likely that they are identical for version 1709 and 1803, it is entirely unclear what the re-released updates add or change when installed.

Administrators and users don't know therefore whether they need the updates. It could be an important component that is missing, or something that does not affect lots of configurations.

The updates KB4458469 and KB4457136 were released on September 21, 2018 initially. Microsoft released KB4457141 and KB4457127 on the same day; a quick check revealed that these two updates were not re-released by Microsoft.

Notes were not added and the release date is still September 20, 2018. Whether the two updates will be re-released as well in the coming days or if these two updates were not affected by the "missing solution" is unknown.

I talked about Microsoft's inability to communicate clearly with its customer base. Especially home users and small businesses are often left in the dark when it comes to the release of updates for Windows and other changes. One fairly common occurrence in this regard is that some Support pages get published after the release of updates.

Users and administrators don't know what updates do when they can't access support pages that provide details. It gets worse for non-English admins and users as Microsoft sometimes updates the English Support articles only. That's why I recommend to always read the English support article and not the non-English one that may also be available.

As far as the mysterious "missing solution" is concerned: my bet is on a file or files that Microsoft forgot to include in the update. Whether that is really the case remains to be seen.

Now You: What is your take on the "missing solution"?

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Microsoft Windows 10 Fall Creators Update Available Today

Microsoft released Windows 10, code named "Threshold 1," a little over two years ago. As of May of this year, there were approximately 500 million Windows 10 devices worldwide. Originally, Microsoft predicted that Windows 10 would be installed on 1 billion devices by mid-2018. When released, Windows 10 gained huge adoption from those running Windows 7 from the "free-upgrade program" which lasted one year.

Since then however, installations have slowly declined and in July of last year, Microsoft admitted that they would miss their projected goal of 1 billion devices. Since its release, Windows 10 has had three major update releases with "Threshold 2," in 2015, "Anniversary Update," in 2016, "Creators Update" in April of this year and today marks the release of Microsoft's fourth major feature update to its operating system, dubbed "Fall Creators Update," version 1709.


Today's update brings about many new features including:

• OneDrive On demand (formerly known as OneDrive Placeholders introduced in WIndows 8.1) a way to keep track of your files stored on OneDrive from any of your devices without having to store them locally.
• 'My People' Hub Integration makes it easier to stay in touch with people right from the taskbar
• Story Remix gives you to the tools and the power to create content from your photos and videos to make memorable stories
• Windows Mixed Reality brings a new generation of augmented reality where the real world meets the digital one.
• Fluent Design System is Microsoft's new design that will take place over the next few years with each feature update. Microsoft intends to make all products and devices one user interface and it begins with the Fall Creators Update.

Furthermore, Microsoft has made changes and brings privacy enhancements with today's update. The Fall Creators Update gives users more control of what information is being collected. Users will be greeted with the Privacy Statement on the setup process to get an idea of what information that entails. Microsoft is also adding two game anti-cheating systems, called TruePlay and Game Monitor, to address the problem of cheating similarly to what VAC (Valve Anti-Cheating) does for Steam.

The Fall Creators Update is available today but will be rolled out in stages as usual. Newer devices most compatible with Windows 10 will receive the update first. The rollout will take several months before everyone is updated. However, if you don't see today's update you can use the Update Assistant Tool to manually update now, here.

Source: Microsoft

 

Microsoft Releases New Update for Windows Vista

Microsoft yesterday released a new hotfix, KB941649, which improves the compatibility, reliability, and stability of Windows Vista. This update includes the following improvements:

• It extends the battery life for mobile devices.
• It improves the stability of portable computers and of desktop computers that use an uninterruptable power supply (UPS).
• It improves the reliability of Windows Vista when you open the menu of a startup application.
• It improves the stability of Internet Explorer when you open a Web page.
• It improves the stability of wireless network services.
• It shortens the startup time of Windows Vista by using a better timing structure.
• It shortens the recovery time after Windows Vista experiences a period of inactivity.
• It shortens the recovery time when you try to exit the Photos screen saver.
• It improves the stability of Windows PowerShell.

DOWNLOAD

Source: Microsoft

 

Microsoft Selects Dolby Audio for Windows 10

it would've been great if microsoft added HEVC decoders, LAV filters along with other codecs with Windows 10, and developing WMP to be better than VLC, KMPlayer and such sorts of media players.

Nevertheless, this is good step for microsoft, by far.