How to get the Windows 10 October 2020 Update version 20H2 Win Update

Tweakfiend said:

After many searches over a week, all so called 20H2 downloads from Microsoft ( Inc media creation tool ) and all others are version 19041 iso not 19042
Please advise

Yes, the 20H2 install media will have 19041 as the build number. This is because 20H2 and 2004 share a common set of system files and will share cumulative updates, exactly as 1903/1909 do. Where 20H2 (and 1909) install media differ from their immediate predecessor is that they also install the enablement package. This is what turns on the dormant 'H2' features and increases the build number by one.

The 1909 ISO was 18362, but when used to install it gave you build 18363, as tested and demonstrated by Brink here:
Download Windows 10 ISO File -post #724

The same is true for 20H2, although it looks like it's 19041 you will get 19042 if you use it to upgrade or clean install. I know it's confusing, but that is how these minor feature updates in the second half of the year will work from now on.

Thanks Bree

So exactly how long will we able to hold off 20H2 until forced upgrade ?

Also, shouldn't the version update come out in november ? I remember they ussually release in may and november.

Will there be another one in november ?

Mikey89 said:

So exactly how long will we able to hold off 20H2 until forced upgrade ?

Also, shouldn't the version update come out in november ? I remember they ussually release in may and november.

Will there be another one in november ?

If you have 2004, you already have 20H2 - this update just enables it. It should be a very quick update

Eddie Doc said:

If you have 2004, you already have 20H2 - this update just enables it. It should be a very quick update

Sorry i don't understand... in WU it says "Download & install".

How can i have 20H2 if i have 2004 ? What do you mean i have to enable it ?

Mikey89 said:

Sorry i don't understand... in WU it says "Download & install".

How can i have 20H2 if i have 2004 ? What do you mean i have to enable it ?

Since the October cumulative update the 20H2 features are already present in your 2004, but are dormant. What you 'download and install' to get the 20H2 feature update is a small enablement package that turns them on.


It is an optional update, and should not be forced on you until at or near the end of service for 2004. That's not until December 14, 2021.

Mikey89 said:

Sorry i don't understand... in WU it says "Download & install".

How can i have 20H2 if i have 2004 ? What do you mean i have to enable it ?

If you click on 'download and install', a small 'enablement' package will be downloaded, and 20H2 will be 'switched on'. If you are worried that it will go wrong, make sure you have a system image backup you can restore from.

Bree said:

Since the October cumulative update the 20H2 features are already present in your 2004, but are dormant. What you 'download and install' to get the 20H2 feature update is a small enablement package that turns them on.


It is an optional update, and should not be forced on you until at or near the end of service for 2004. That's not until December 14, 2021.

So if let's say version 2018 (using just 2018 just an example) comes out next year in May then will WU just offer me version 2018 if i have not upgraded until then to 20H2 ?

Mikey89 said:

So if let's say version 2018 (using just 2018 just an example) comes out next year in May then will WU just offer me version 2018 if i have no upgraded until then to 20H2 ?

MS have dropped the YYMM naming convention in favour of YYHH (where HH says which half of the year it came out, H1 or H2). The next version is already with the Insiders and will be version 21H1.


Yes, if/when the next version is released around May/June 2021 Windows Update should stop offering the optional feature update to 20H2 and start offering 21H1 instead.

Bree said:

MS have dropped the YYMM naming convention in favour of YYHH (where HH says which half of the year it came out, H1 or H2). The next version is already with the Insiders and will be version 21H1.


Yes, around May/June 2021 Windows Update should stop offering the optional feature update to 20H2 and start offering 21H1 instead.

Ah ok, i see then. Thanks a lot for the info on this Bree.

Also thanks for your reply on the other thread, it was very helpful.