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<\/p>\nThe year\u2019s first of two major feature updates to Windows 10 will occur in April (the second will come in November). Microsoft allows some customers to delay major updates for up to a year. Are you among those chosen ones? Should you postpone major updates or let them happen on schedule? Read on to learn the answers to these and other burning questions about Windows 10 Spring and Fall updates… You’re asking yourself whats this got to do with Second Life? Well it’s always been my opinion that without proper running OS\/updated (operating software) Then the rest of the software\/hardware on your computer won’t work as well. So if you are still running Windows XP to 8 it’s about time you upgraded and update.<\/p>\n
First, if you activated Windows 10 less than 30 days before any major update is due to happen, you get a pass; the update will not come to such \u201cyoung\u201d Windows installations. Presumably, that\u2019s because infant Windows 10 installations are born current.<\/p>\n
Second, if you have not been updated to the last major update, then the next one will not be delivered to you, and you will not be able to install it manually. The 2017 Fall Creators Update is Version 1709 (Each Version number consists of the year [\u201817] and month [09 – September] of the update\u2019s scheduled release). It is important to have Version 1709, else Version 1803 will not install.<\/p>\n
(Yes, it looks like this 2018 Spring Creators Update slipped its schedule by one month; it should have started rolling out in March. Recall that Version 1709, scheduled for September, 2017, became known as the November Fall Creators Update.)<\/p>\n
You can check to see if Version 1709 is installed by typing \u201cwinver\u201d in the \u201cSearch Windows\u201d box and pressing Enter. You should see \u201cVersion 1709\u201d on the second line of small type, under \u201cMicrosoft Windows.\u201d<\/p>\n
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If you need to install Version 1709, use the Media Creation Tool to do an automated re-install of Windows 10; it\u2019s the easiest and most foolproof method. You can find instructions on Microsoft’s Download Windows 10 page<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you have the Home Edition of Windows 10, you cannot postpone major updates. Only users of Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education Editions are allowed to delay major updates, presumably because their IT departments carry more weight with Microsoft than your family does.<\/p>\n Should you defer major updates if your Edition of Windows 10 permits it? It depends on how well Version 1709 is serving you right now (or soon after you finally get it installed). I have few complaints or unfulfilled wishes; so I will defer the Version 1803 update a few months to give Microsoft time to iron out the inevitable wrinkles.<\/p>\n How-To Geek has an exhaustive (and exhausting) review of all new features coming in Version 1803. \u201cEasy Wireless File Sharing\u201d piques my interest. A new app called \u201cDiagnostic Data Viewer\u201d shows exactly what data Win 10 is transmitting back to Microsoft; it\u2019s \u201ctoo much information\u201d for all but the geekiest readers. \u201cQuick Pairing for Bluetooth Devices\u201d should have been here long ago.<\/p>\n \u201cProgressive Web Apps\u201d will run in their own windows, have their own taskbar shortcuts, and generally behave as desktop apps should; unfortunately, they work only with the Edge browser. But PWA is a new standard for apps that Google, Mozilla, Microsoft, and even Apple are supporting, so it\u2019s something you and I had better get used to. Just not at the same time as everyone else, please!<\/p>\n Better user control over the permissions granted to apps is a welcome security feature. So is the improved \u201cdon\u2019t let apps use my webcam\u201d option.<\/p>\n The Home-group concept is gone with Version 1803. Sharing files, printers, and other resources with a group of known or unknown users is better done with cloud storage and other modern solutions.<\/p>\n The list of new features gets a little tedious after the above. If you can live without paired Bluetooth devices for a few months, you might avoid the pain of a new version\u2019s bugs.<\/p>\n So let\u2019s see exactly how to defer the Spring and Fall updates, The following instructions assume you have Version 1709 installed.<\/p>\n Go to Settings > Update & security > Advanced options. You will see three options.<\/p>\n Option 1 lets you defer updates until Microsoft declares them \u201cbusiness ready.\u201d That\u2019s usually about four months after an update\u2019s initial release. To enable this deferment, simply change \u201cSemi-Annual Channel (Targeted)\u201d to \u201cSemi-Annual Channel.\u201d<\/p>\n Option 2 works only on Enterprise, Education, and Pro Editions of Windows 10. It lets you add additional time to the update delay set by Option 1. You can add as many as 365 days, in which case you won\u2019t see any major updates until mid-year, 2019.<\/p>\n Option 3 has nothing to do with Spring or Fall feature updates. Instead, it lets you defer security updates for up to 30 days after their release date. I would pick about one week, giving Microsoft time to fix any bugs while limiting the time my system remains vulnerable.<\/p>\n If you plan to ride out the (quite possibly imaginary) storm of the update, the first two weeks of April should be a time of heightened backup discipline. Create a new System Restore Point at least once a week until you get Version 1803. Make a system image file on an external drive, or store it in the cloud. (Did you make a backup on World Backup Day?)<\/p>\n Remember, 99% of the things we worry about never happen. Just be prepared in case they do.<\/p>\n Have a Great Week<\/p>\n Zi Staff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The year\u2019s first of two major feature updates to Windows 10 will occur in April (the second will come in November). Microsoft allows some customers to delay major updates for up to a year. Are you among those chosen ones? Should you postpone major updates or let them happen on schedule? Read on to learn … Continue reading What’s Coming in the Windows 10 Spring Creators Update?
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<\/h2>\nHow to Defer Windows 10 Updates
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