Windows 10: Windows 11: one feature update per year and longer support cycles

Microsoft's upcoming Windows 11 operating system will receive one feature update per year and each version will be supported for a longer period.

Windows 11 shares many features with Windows 10, but there are also fundamental differences between the two operating system versions.

One of the core differences is the switch from releasing two feature updates per year for Windows 10 to releasing a single feature update for Windows 11.



The feature update for Windows 11 will always be released in the second half of the year, and it will be supported for 24 months on the consumer side and for 36 months on the Enterprise.

Compared to Windows 10, Home users and Enterprise customers do get an extra 6 month of support, when compared to the second feature update release of the year.

Edition Servicing timeline (one release per year)
Windows 11 Enterprise
Windows 11 Education
Windows 11 IoT Enterprise 36 months from release date
Windows 11 Pro
Windows 11 Pro Education
Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
Windows 11 Home 24 months from release date

Home editions are the only edition of Windows 11 that don't support the deferral of feature updates. Microsoft notes in its Lifecycle FAQ that these "receive a new version of Windows 11 prior to the end-of-servicing date shown".

User feedback and a change to Microsoft's overall update approach were the main drivers for extending the servicing period and the switching to a single feature update per year release schedule.

The upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on consumer devices is only available to systems that meet the new hardware requirements. Updates are made available to administrators who check for updates manually. Microsoft did not reveal if it plans to change the upgrade process closer to Windows 10's end of servicing.

While updates using Windows Update are out of the question for devices that are not compatible, it may be possible to update these using other means, e.g. direct installations.

Enterprise customers will be able to use the same tools and services that are available on Windows 10 when it comes to Windows 11. Tools like Windows Update for Business, Microsoft Endpoint Manager or Windows Autopilot are available for use in these environments.

Microsoft will release Windows 10 version 21H2 in the second half of the year. A new Windows 19 LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) edition will be released as well around the time. Windows 11 will also be released in the second half of 2021, likely in October 2021.

Closing Words


Longer support periods and less frequent feature updates make the administration of Windows 11 devices less stressful.

Now You: What is your take on these changes?



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Rufus 2.18, last update to support Windows XP and Vista

SEE HERE: http://rufus.akeo.ie/


Changelog

• Version 2.18 (2017.11.07)
  • Ensure that the same drive is reselected on device refresh
  • Add a cheat mode to cycle the USB port of currently selected device
  • Make lookup for updatable .cfg file more generic (e.g. ESET SysRescue)
  • Fix handling of multiextent ISOs (e.g. BlackArch Linux)
  • Fix propagation of image decompression errors
  • Update grub4dos to latest
  RUFUS 2.18 IS THE LAST RELEASE TO SUPPORT WINDOWS XP AND WINDOWS VISTA.
  FUTURE RELEASES WILL NO LONGER BE COMPATIBLE WITH THESE PLATFORMS!
  

 

Microsoft Confirms Windows, Office 6-Month Update Cycle

Microsoft has been steadily increasing stability, features and, the company hopes, attractiveness of its latest Windows 10 operating system. Recently, its Creator's Update has brought, among other features, a performance-boosting Game Mode, a 3D version of the popular and (respectably ancient) Paint app, as well as increased privacy control, something users clamored for. Now, the Redmond company has confirmed that it's looking towards a six month update cycle for Windows 10 (thus aligning it with Office 365 ProPlus), looking to streamline and increase predictability of its support.

Microsoft released the Windows 10 Anniversary Update in August 2016, and the Creators Update made its public debut on April 11 2017, which is already close to the six-month update cycle the company is now confirming (seven months, in this case.) Now the company has confirmed that it plans to release its next step on the Windows 10 operating system on September 2017. From then on, updates should arrive in a steady cadence, on every subsequent March and September. Each Windows 10 feature release will be serviced and supported for 18 months, as is currently the case, and the company has also added that its System Center Configuration Manager will support this new aligned update model for Office 365 ProPlus and Windows 10, "making both easier to deploy and keep up to date."







Source: Blogs.Windows.com, Tom's Hardware

 

Yahoo no longer supports IE 11


Resurrected this thread because I've found a workaround/fix for this problem, as it turns out it is a Microsoft problem. Happened to see a topic on a Yahoo Forum titled "Yahoo Mail switches to Basic view after installing Windows 10 Anniversary Update" I've posted a screen shot of the post below. I did what was suggested and it worked immediately on both computers that had this problem. Tools > Compatibility View settings uncheck "Use Microsoft compatibility lists"

Now the problem is actually resolved thanks to Arcazeon on the Yahoo Forum *Biggrin