Windows 10 Feature Updates

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The Issue

Microsoft has said it will support Windows 10 security updates for 10 years. However, the way they do so is by releasing major "Feature Updates" twice yearly. Each feature update is only supported for about two years each.

Once your computer is running an out of support Feature Update of Windows 10, you will need to update to a newer version to continue receiving security updates.

The way Microsoft makes these feature updates available prevents them from being installed automatically over the network; they must be initiated by a computer user. 

Reference: Windows 10 - release information | Microsoft Docs

Fall 21/22 Note: To complicate matters further, Microsoft has broken printing and Windows Updates in Feature Updates older than 2004. So despite 2009 being officially supported it will nonetheless need to be upgraded to a newer Feature Update.

 

 

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Check What Windows 10 Feature Update You Have Installed

  1. Left-click the Start Button (typically in the bottom left hand of your screen.)
  2. Type on your keyboard to search for WinVer
  3. Left Click the WinVer option in the Start Menu search.

 

  1. The Feature Update you have installed is the Version listed on the About Windows screen.
    1. You can view the supported versions, and see if your version is supported at Windows 10 - release information | Microsoft Docs

 

 

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The Fix: Installing Feature Updates via Software Center

 

Note: Please start the update at a time when you can leave your desk; preferably for the day; while it takes only a minute to start this process, the actual process may run for an hour or more.
Please save open files and close your applications. 

 

  1. Left-click the Start Button (typically in the bottom left hand of your screen.)
  2. Type on your keyboard to search for Software Center
  3. Left Click the Software Center option in the Start Menu search.

 

  1. In the Software Center, left-click the Operating Systems tab on the left side of the screen. 
  2. Left-click the _Install Windows 10 Feature Update option on the right side of the Software Center.

 

  1. Left-click the Install button on the right side of the Software Center.

 

  1. Click the Install button on the confirmation dialog.

 

  1. The update is now installing.
    1. Please remember to save any open files and close open applications at this time. 
    2. Please leave your computer on for the duration of the update.
    3. If you so desire, you can lock: Ctrl+Alt+Delete on your keyboard, select Lock from the menu.

 

 

 

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