I am still running Windows 10 Version 1903. How is that possible?

ions · 27 Jun 2020

Hi Windows 10 Expert,

It’s my understanding that Windows 10 forces their latest updates. https://www.triumphtech.co.uk/micros...lsory-upgrade/

Yet my machine still has Windows 10 Version 1903 from May 2019? (See Attachment) I’m confused by this. I bought my machine from Dell back in December of 2019 and I use the machine daily and it's connected to the internet. Why don't I have the Windows 10 Version 1909 or 2004 updates?

Thank you

The Pool Man · 27 Jun 2020

Have you tried to manually update it?

OldNavyGuy · 27 Jun 2020

As of version 1903, Microsoft no longer forces Feature Updates.

The lifecycle is 18 months.

However, when you get within a couple of months of End of Life, Microsoft will force update you to the current version.

1903 was released in May 2019, and reaches EOL in December 2020.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...cle-fact-sheet

dalchina · 27 Jun 2020

Hi, you have Pro - have you set feature updates to be deferred either in Settings or in Group Policy?
(Yes, these are available in 1903- I use them).

Or do you have updates set to 'Notify'?
Or have you disabled Windows Update by any means?
And is Windows Update working? (Check your Update History).
- from your recent build number, I assume it is.

1903 is a good build- the last one before MS made changes to file explorer search (and initially messed it up badly in 1909).

If you read the 'What's new' articles in the News section on 1909 and 2004, I doubt you'd find much you're missing.

You can manually upgrade by downloading the iso- better to have control, so you can create a disk image before upgrading in case something goes badly wrong. But note there are some bugs reported in 2004 which affect some people.

OldNavyGuy · 27 Jun 2020

dalchina said:

have you set feature updates to be deferred either in Settings or in Group Policy?
(Yes, these are available in 1903- I use them).

The settings are available, just no longer necessary.

ions · 27 Jun 2020

Thank you for all the Responses. I appreciate it.

dalchina · 28 Jun 2020

OldNavyGuy said:

The settings are available, just no longer necessary.

Have to disagree- example: 1 user complained about 'Edgium' being downloaded unexpectedly to 2 Home PCs, not to Pro with Notify set. User had connections set as metered. Just an example.. And for me, I presently don't want 1903 updated at all- not even updates, as the next breaks a 3rd party prog at present.

OldNavyGuy · 28 Jun 2020

Edge is not a Feature update.

Windows 10 2004 is.

If you want finer control of Quality and Security updates, look into Window Automatic Updates Manager.

1903 reaches EOL in December.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...cle-fact-sheet

Within a couple of months before that, Microsoft will force upgrade you to 2004, no matter what you have set in Group Policy.

dalchina · 28 Jun 2020

Edge is not a Feature update.
Windows 10 2004 is.

Not the point of what I was saying.

I'm aware of the EOL issues and feature updates thanks.

OldNavyGuy · 28 Jun 2020

So what was the point?

Quality and security updates can be controlled in Group Policy.

Essentially, that's what tools like Windows Update MiniTool and Windows Automatic Updates Manager do...they make the GP changes for you, which works well for those Windows Home users who don't have GP.

Since you were using the term "feature updates", which most understand as happening twice a year, that's what I addressed.

Since 1903, it is no longer necessary to delay feature updates, since it is now optional to download them when they are released.