Windows 10: Microsoft restores Optional Updates listing in Windows 10 version 20H1

Microsoft plans to restore optional updates listings in the next major feature update of Windows 10 that the company plans to release in May 2020.

The company removed the practical optional update listings that it provided in previous versions of its Windows operating system when it released Windows 10. The company did release a Troubleshooter to display optional updates but it appears to be no longer available. Third-party tools like Windows Update MiniTool came to the rescue.

This led to all kinds of issues including issues caused by automatic driver installations supplied via Windows Update. Options to disable driver installations via Windows Update exist using Group Policy or Registry changes but most Home users are probably unaware of them.

Hardware drivers can be updated manually and that is usually the better option as it gives administrators control over the feature. You can check out our guide on updating drivers in Windows here.

Windows 10 version 20H1 and optional updates




Optional update listings returned in the most recent build of the upcoming Windows 10 20H1 version of Windows 10. Microsoft has added a new "view optional updates" link on the Windows Update settings page that leads directly to the available optional updates.

Optional updates are sorted into groups; only driver updates were available at the time of writing though.



All drivers that are available on Windows Updates for the particular hardware configuration are listed under Driver Updates in the new Optional updates listing.

Each is listed with the manufacturer name, classification and name. One of the issues that you may run into here is that Windows Updates does not provide any additional information about these drivers; neither the version of the driver nor the release date are provided which makes the installation a gamble as you cannot be quite certain that the suggested driver is indeed newer or better than the current one.

The end of automatic driver installations?


The optional updates listing does not mean that drivers won't be installed automatically anymore by Windows Updates. The very first sentence under Driver updates confirms that:

If you have a specific problem, one of these drivers might help. Otherwise, automatic updates will keep your drivers up to date.
​

It is still best practice therefore to disable automatic driver installations via Windows Updates to avoid any surprises in that regard. While that may mean having to hunt down newer drivers manually, it is without doubt the better option.

Closing Words


The return of the Optional updates listing is still welcome as Microsoft may include other optional updates using it besides drivers.

Now You: How do you handle driver installations on your machines? (via Deskmodder, WinAero)

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Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

Windows OS Builds List

Windows Operating Systems Builds List by Matthew Smith
*Many Builds Are Subject To Change Due To Various Sources
NOTE: the listing titles are in order from the order in the actual list, anything added in v8 will show which beta it was updated in to keep you guys informed on what changes were made where, as of 8.0 BETA 8, 7.1 is obsolete, but will keep it up to show how many changes I've made.


NOTE 2: each new list version doesn't just come up with more builds but might come with renaming/removing/replacing of the builds aswel to show proper release names such as,
Release Candidate, RTM, Pre-Beta, etc.
Enjoy


Windows OS Builds Lists - http://www.T4CFantasy.com/WOS/
Currently 5583 Builds Listed
Microsoft DOS / OS/2 (Currently 118 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft BASIC (Currently 5 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Xenix (Currently 4 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft DOS 1.x (Currently 6 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft DOS 2.x (Currently 18 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft DOS 3.x (Currently 27 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft DOS 4.x (Currently 6 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft DOS 5.x (Currently 23 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft DOS 6.x (Currently 24 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft DOS 7.x (Currently 4 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft DOS 8.x (Currently 1 Build Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1

Microsoft Windows Emedded CE (Currently 138 Builds Listed)
- Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 1.x (Currently 4 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 2.x (Currently 9 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 3.x (Currently 6 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 4.x (Currently 9 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 5.x (Currently 45 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows Embedded CE 6.x (Currently 3 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows Embedded Compact 7 (Currently 32 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows Embedded Compact 8 (Currently 30 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1

Microsoft Windows Operating Systems (Currently 5316 Builds Listed)
- Microsoft Windows 1.x (Currently 14 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows 2.x (Currently 10 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows 3.x (Currently 59 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows 3.x For Workgroups (Currently 7 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows For Pen Computing 1.0 (Currently 5 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA 4
- Microsoft Windows For Pen Computing 2.0 (Currently 1 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA 3
- Microsoft Windows NT 3.1x (Currently 31Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows NT 3.5x (Currently 78 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows BackOffice Server 1.5 (Currently 1 Build Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows NT 4.x (Currently 104 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows BackOffice Server 4.0 (Currently 1 Build Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows BackOffice Server 4.5 (Currently 1 Build Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows Terminal Server 4.0 (Currently 3 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows BackOffice Small Business Server 4.0 (Currently 1 Build Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows BackOffice Small Business Server 4.5 (Currently 1 Build Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows 95 (Currently 224 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows 96 / Nashville (Currently 7 Builds Listed) 8.2.0 Alpha 4a
- Microsoft Windows 97 / Memphis (Currently 12 Builds Listed) 8.2.0 Alpha 4a
- Microsoft Windows 98 (Currently 151 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows Me (Currently 58 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows 2000 (Currently 279 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows BackOffice Server 2000 (Currently 2 Build Listed) 8.1.0 BETA 9
- Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2000 (Currently 2 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows Neptune (Currently 8 Builds Listed) 8.2.0 Beta 2
- Microsoft Windows XP (Currently 1226 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows XP Embedded (Currently 3 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA 6
- Microsoft Windows Server 2003 (Currently 186 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 (Currently 2 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 (Currently 1 Build Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows .NET Server 2003 R2 (Currently 5 Builds Listed) 8.0.0 BETA 4
- Microsoft Windows Embedded for Point of Service (Currently 1 Build Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows Embedded Standard 2009 (Currently 2 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows Embedded POSReady 2009 (Currently 1 Build Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows Vista (Currently 713 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 (Currently 483 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows 7 (Currently 580 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 (Currently 364 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA 5
- Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008 (Currently 8 Builds Listed) 8.0.2 BETA
- Microsoft Windows HPC Server 2008 R2 (Currently 12 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA 5
- Microsoft Windows Hyper-V Server 2008 (Currently 5 Builds Listed) 8.2.0 Beta 1
- Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2008 (Currently 2 Builds Listed) 8.0.2 BETA
- Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 (Currently 3 Builds Listed) 8.0.2 BETA
- Microsoft Windows Storage Server 2008 R2 Essentials (Currently 1 Build Listed) 8.0.3 BETA
- Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2008 (Currently 3 Builds Listed) 8.0.1 BETA 2
- Microsoft Windows Essential Business Server 2008 (Currently 14 Builds Listed) 8.0.2 BETA
- Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Foundation (Currently 1 Build Listed) 8.1.0 BETA 6
- Microsoft Windows Home Server (Currently 20 Builds Listed) 8.0.2 BETA
- Microsoft Windows Home Server 2011 (Currently 10 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA 7
- Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 (Currently 2 Builds Listed) 8.0.0 BETA 5
- Microsoft Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 (Currently 6 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA 7
- Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2011 Essentials (Currently 4 Builds Listed) 8.0.3 BETA
- Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2011 (Currently 7 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA
- Microsoft Windows Embedded Standard 7 (Currently 6 Builds Listed) 8.0.3 BETA
- Microsoft Windows Embedded POSReady 7 (Currently 3 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA 5
- Microsoft Windows Thin PC (Currently 3 Builds Listed) 8.1.0 BETA 5
- Microsoft Windows 8 (Currently 419 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 (Currently 161 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1
- Microsoft Windows Server 2012 Essentials (Currently 2 Builds Listed) 8.4.0 Alpha 1

 

Microsoft to make Windows 10 updates mandatory

Well, at the moment at least, you can choose to defer upgrades. Under Settings > Windows Updates > Advanced options you need to check the box labeled "Defer upgrades". What does that do? Good question. The answer I've found might illuminate it to a degree.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/defer-upgrades-in-windows-10

I hear this only applies to Pro and Enterprise editions. But I can't verify that.