Windows 10: Windows 10 20H2 available for commercial pre-release validation

Brink · Aug 20, 2020

Windows 10, version 20H2, is now available for commercial customers to begin feature exploration and validation prior to being released for general availability.

As previously announced, version 20H2 will be delivered to devices currently running Windows 10, version 2004 using an enablement package. This is the same technology we used to update devices from Windows 10, version 1903 to version 1909. Do you want to see how quickly devices update from version 2004 to version 20H2, and how little downtime is involved? Do you want to explore the new Local Users and Groups mobile device management (MDM) policy, which allows administrators to make granular changes to a local group on a managed device? Now you can!

You can access Windows 10, version 20H2 through all standard outlets, including Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and Azure Marketplace, or you can download an ISO file. If you manage updates directly from Windows Update, or have devices enrolled in the Beta Channel (previously the Slow ring) or the Release Preview Channel for validation purposes, you donât need to take any action. Windows 10, version 20H2 will be automatically deployed to all commercial devices in the Beta and Release Preview Channels and those who have devices on Windows 10, version 2004 will get to experience the remarkably fast update that comes with moving from version 2004 to version 20H2 via an enablement package.

Note: We consider a device a commercial device if it isnât running the Home edition of Windows 10, is being managed by an IT administrator (whether via Microsoft Endpoint Manager or a third-party MDM tool), or if the device has a volume license key, a CommercialID, or is joined to a domain.

As with Windows 10, versions 1903 and 1909, versions 2004 and 20H2 share a common core operating system with an identical set of system files. New features are included in monthly quality updates for version 2004 in an inactive and dormant state. These new 20H2 features remain dormant until they are turned on through the âenablement package,â a small, quick-to-install âmaster switchâ that activates the Windows 10, version 20H2 features.

The enablement package is a great option for installing a scoped feature update like Windows 10, version 20H2 as it enables an update from version 2004 to version 20H2 with a single restart, reducing update downtime.

If you are managing updates with WSUS, you will have the option of taking a full feature update to 20H2 or testing out the enablement package path. As with any other validation done on pre-release updates published to WSUS, you will need to first ensure that you have synced the âWindows Insider Previewâ category. Once you have synced this category, you should see the following updates show up in your console as shown below:

Note: Windows 10, version 20H2 will be made available as an enablement package to devices already running Windows 10, version 2004 that have also installed the June 2020 monthly quality update. It will be available as a full feature update for devices running Windows 10, version 1909 and prior. To see the greatest number of new features, we recommend being on the latest cumulative update.

To test out this experience on a virtual machine, check out the Windows 10 Preview on Azure Marketplace or, if you would prefer, you can download the Windows 10, version 20H2 ISO.

We not only want to ensure that you have access to the upcoming Windows 10 feature update payload via any channel you may use today, we also want to enable you to validate with confidence. Therefore, customers in the Windows Insider Program for Business can once again receive Microsoft Support for the Windows 10, version 20H2 build available through WSUS, ISO download, Azure Marketplace, and directly from Windows Update in the Beta and Release Preview Channels. If you run into a severe issue that prevents you or other users in your organization from using a device, or compromises security or personal data, use the online form to request assistance directly from Microsoft Supportâat no cost to you.

We hope you enjoy Windows 10, version 20H2!

~ The Windows Insider Program for Business team
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Source: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/...e/ba-p/1602750

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Brink · Aug 20, 2020

Microsoft publishing pre-release Windows 10 feature updates to WSUS Insider

Today, in response to your feedback, we will begin making pre-release Windows 10 feature updates available to IT administrators using Windows Server Update Service (WSUS). This is the next step in our efforts to provide your organization with the ability to validate line-of-business (LOB) applications, business-critical functionality, and policies, as well as evaluate new business features, prior to an update's official release.

Over the past two years, the Windows Insider Program for Business team has focused on enabling IT administrators to view and provide feedback on upcoming security, management, and productivity features ahead of release. To this end, we have:

Communicated information on new and/or improved business-specific features in upcoming feature releases.

Continued to gather, and work to address, customer feedback to improve our features and services.

Enabled customers using Microsoft Intune, System Center Configuration Manager, or Group Policy to enroll devices in the Windows Insider Program while maintaining management of third-party software with WSUS utilizing Dual Scan.

Provided support to those managing pre-release Window 10 feature updates with the latest version of Configuration Manager.

Improved the overall quality of the Windows 10 Insider Preview builds for the Slow Ring.

By empowering you to effectively manage pre-release builds of upcoming feature updates, our goal is to help you accelerate your organizations deployment of a Windows 10 feature update and, ultimately, give your devices more time on any given release.

If you would like to join our group of IT administrators exploring and validating their environments on pre-release builds, here is how you can deploy pre-release feature updates via Configuration Manager starting today:

In the Products tab of Software Update Point Component Properties, select the box next to Windows Insider Pre-Release. (Note: While this option will be visible on every version of Configuration Manager, you must be running Configuration Manager, version 1810 or newer to select it.)

If you already manage your organization’s deployments using Configuration Manager, use the same procedure you currently use to deploy any other Windows 10 feature update (Software Library > Overview > Windows 10 Servicing > All Windows 10 Updates). Once you reach the list of All Windows 10 Updates, you will see an option for “Windows Insider Pre-release Feature Update to Windows 10 Version 1909” as shown below:

Deploy the release the same way as any other feature update.

Beginning with Windows 10, version 1909, we will aim to release pre-release builds to Configuration Manager on a monthly cadence. Beyond that release, we will aim to release these types of builds in line with the Windows Insider Program Slow Ring builds.

Note: If you manage your organization's feature updates with a different software update management tool, check out these walkthroughs for guidance on how to deploy feature updates via Windows Update for Business.

We recommend that you take advantage of this new functionality to validate upcoming feature updates and explore new commercial features prior to release—and look forward to continuing to make improvements based on your feedback.
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Source: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/...US/ba-p/845054

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Brink · Aug 20, 2020

Microsoft releases Windows 10 version 20H2 details on WHCP activities

Windows 10, version 20H2 release will not bring updates to the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program and follow the same pattern as 19H2. Given below are more details with respect to all related WHCP activities.

Windows Hardware Compatibility program(WHCP) activities:

WHCP requirements – No change. Windows 10, version 2004 requirements remain applicable for Windows 10, version 20H2 release.

Hardware Lab kit – No change. Since WHCP requirements will persist in Windows 10, version 20H2, HLK will also remain the same. There will not be new HLK release in Windows 10, version 20H2. While both Windows 10, version 2004 and 20H2 OS can be used for Windows 10, version 2004 qualification, they will be recognized as meeting the Windows 10, version 2004 qualification.

Errata – No change. All Windows 10, version 2004 errata will continue to be valid for Windows 10, version 20H2 release.

HLK playlist – No change. HLK version 2004 playlist can be used for both Windows 10, version 2004 and 20H2 release.

Driver signature – No change. Drivers meeting all the applicable Windows 10, version 2004 requirements, will be digitally signed with same signature attributes.

Submission – No change. Both Windows 10, version 2004 and 20H2 OS can be used for WHCP submission.

WHCP qualification – Windows 10, version 2004

Required OS version – Either Windows 10, version 2004 or 20H2

HLK version – HLK version 2004

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Source: https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/...p/ba-p/1543885

Ahhzz · Aug 20, 2020

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 10: Windows 10 20H2 available for commercial pre-release validation

Windows 10 20H2 available for commercial pre-release validation

Windows 10 20H2 available for commercial pre-release validation

Windows 10 20H2 available for commercial pre-release validation

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