Type of Update

Which is the better update. Feature or Cumulative?

Feature updates occur twice per year.

Better depends upon the tradeoffs.

For example, feature updates have new features.
The new features were only tested by Microsoft insiders.
After release new problems can occur that were not detected by insiders.


https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/win...indows-10-2004
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/win...indows-10-2004

neveready said:

Which is the better update. Feature or Cumulative?

The two are quite different and separate things.

A Cumulative Update (aka Quality update) contains patches and security fixes for your current build of Windows. There are no new features in a CU. When installed it increases the minor build number (the number after the dot) eg: the latest CU for 1909 or 1903 is an optional CU that will take you to build 18362.1110 (for 1903) or 18363.1110 (1909). The major build number 18362/18363 will not change.

A Feature Update installs the latest version of Windows 10, currently that is 2004. A feature update adds new features to Windows 10 and may also modify or remove old ones. This changes the major build number, the one for 2004 is 19042.

A Feature Update can take a long time to install because it is reinstalling Windows. Feature updates are optional. You can stay on your current version for as long as it it is in support, a feature update will only become automatic at or near end of support for your current version. Until end of support you will continue to get the latest security fixes and patches as cumulative updates. 1909 reaches end of support in May 2021.