Windows 10: Windows as a service: Simplified and Aligned

Brink · Jul 26, 2017

As we announced back in April, Microsoft is aligning our servicing models with twice-per-year feature update releases targeting March and September, and 18-month servicing timelines for each release. While the first fully-aligned release will occur later this year with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update release and a corresponding Office 365 ProPlus release, we got a head start with the Windows 10 1703 release (a.k.a. Creators Update): It marks the first of our semi-annual releases, each of which will be serviced for 18 months.

As part of the alignment with Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus, we are also adopting common terminology to make it as easy as possible to understand the servicing process. The two most important terms to understand:

Semi-Annual Channel. These are the twice-per-year feature update releases, targeting March and September, designed for the broad population of general-purpose PCs used throughout organizations. Each of these releases will be serviced for 18 months from the date of release. (The Semi-Annual Channel replaces the Current Branch [CB] and Current Branch for Business [CBB] concepts.)

Long-Term Servicing Channel. These are less frequent releases, expected every 2-3 years (with the next one expected in 2019), designed for special-purpose PCs such as those used in point-of-sale systems or controlling factory or medical equipment. Each of these releases will be serviced for 10 years from the date of release. (The Long-Term Servicing Channel replaces the Long-Term Servicing Branch [LTSB].)

With each Semi-Annual Channel release, we begin deploying right away to targeted consumer devices and gradually ramp up to full deployment based on the telemetry that we receive. As John Cable discussed on the Windows Experience blog, we recommend that enterprises follow the same approach. Start with targeted deployments to validate that apps, devices and infrastructure used by the organization works well with the new release. When that validation is complete, begin broadly deploying.

Windows 10 1703 is ready for that broad deployment, based on feedback that we’ve received from organizations, ISVs, partners, OEMs, and consumers that have already done it. As a convenience to help organizations that haven’t yet begun this broad deployment, we are updating the Windows 10 1703 packages and ISOs on the Volume License Servicing Center, MSDN, Windows Update, Windows Update for Business, and Windows Server Update Services, integrating the July cumulative update into the original Windows 10 1703 packages.

For more information on the common terminology, see the as well as the corresponding Office 365 ProPlus servicing guidance. Today we have also made available a new Microsoft Mechanics video to help explain the servicing process:

[youtube]qSAsiM01GOU[/youtube]

With these new predictable releases and servicing timeframes, we are publishing the expected end of servicing dates for each of the Windows 10 releases. You can find this information on the Windows lifecycle fact sheet, which includes a table in the “Updates and service packs” section listing each Windows 10 release, its initial availability date, and its estimated end of servicing date.

Windows as a service is an ongoing process: New releases are deployed while old releases are retired. Today, many customers are broadly deploying Windows 10 1703 after successful pilot deployments. And many other customers are in the process of updating the last of their Windows 10 1511 PCs in preparation for the upcoming October 10th, 2017, end of servicing date.

For organizations implementing a servicing process for Windows, we suggest one with three main phases:

Plan and Prepare. Leverage the Windows Insider Program to follow along with the development of new Windows 10 features (so that you can prepare to deploy those features), while at the same time validating compatibility and providing feedback on any issues or concerns.

Targeted Deploy. Starting as soon as a new Semi-Annual Channel feature update is released, begin targeted pilot deployments to a targeted group of machines (we typically suggest around 10%) to validate app, device, and infrastructure compatibility.

Broadly Deploy. Once you are satisfied with the results of the pilot deployments, begin broadly deploying throughout the organization. For some organizations, broad deployment can begin quickly; for others it can take longer. It is up to each organization to determine when to make that transition.

This repeats every six months, starting with the first new Windows Insider Preview build that occurs after each Semi-Annual Channel release – it’s an ongoing process.

To help you implement Windows as a Service, we have tools like Windows Analytics to guide you through the feature update deployment process, Ready for Windows to tell you about ISV app support for Windows 10, Microsoft Edge and Enterprise Mode for Internet Explorerto make supporting modern and legacy web apps at the same time, System Center Configuration Manager and Microsoft Intune for enterprise-grade servicing and deployment, and great overall app compatibility. For those looking for more assistance, Microsoft FastTrack can also help.
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Source: Windows as a service: Simplified and Aligned Windows for IT Pros

:)

TrevorSandy · Jul 26, 2017

Region and language is not aligned as desired

Region Settings and MS Behaviour- Original Title

Hello why is this the case ?

If my region and language settings are not aligned, I am not able to use Cortana, shop at the Store, or use things I've purchased, like memberships and subscriptions, games, movies, TV, and music.

I live in France but I am American and I prefer to use my computing services in English.MSFT is a 400+Billion enterprise but, somehow, only offers French in the France region. In case you guys didn't know, English
is pretty much a global language. English is one of the official languages of the European Union and is one of the three 'procedural' languages of the European Commission . It baffles one's mind to understand why Microsoft has 'decided' that English is not
an available language in the European Union region.

Vanessa Sohtun · Jul 26, 2017

Region and language is not aligned as desired

Hi Trevor,

We understand your concern and we will provide the assistance required to help resolve your issue. We would like to apologize for the inconvenience caused for the same.

As you have mentioned that your PC language is in French, can I know which region/language did you set up your OS during installation.

To begin with, I would like to inform that if you have selected the region in which you currently are ,i.e, France the display language in your PC will be in French and you do not have the option to change it to France (English). To change your language
to the one you desire, you can follow the steps outlined below

Go to Settings > Time & language >
Region & language.

Choose one of your languages, then select Set as default.

Hope this helps

Regards

Windows 10: Windows as a service: Simplified and Aligned

Windows as a service: Simplified and Aligned

Windows as a service: Simplified and Aligned

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