Windows 10 1909 feature updates will begin installing automatically on Windows 10 1809 devices.
From today, Microsoft is intending to start forcing Windows 10 1909 updates on Windows 10 1809 devices, in a bid to make the update process to the newer Windows 10 a bit smoother.
They say, “Beginning today, we will slowly start the phased process to automatically initiate a feature update for devices running the October 2018 Update (Windows 10, version 1809) Home and Pro editions, keeping those devices supported and receiving the monthly updates that are critical to device security and ecosystem health.”
They added that the rollout process is beginning months ahead of the end of service date to ensure the update process is as smooth as it can be.
Windows 10 1809 was first released on November 13, 2018, and the end of service date for it is May 12, 2020. That is the same for the Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, and Pro Education versions of the operating system. After the May 12, 2020 deadline, those devices still on the October 2018 update will not receive future security updates – so, you’ve been warned!
That said although it will be a very rare occurrence, Microsoft says they may still provide updates in cases of critical security vulnerabilities that could impact Windows versions no longer being serviced, such as Windows 10 1809.
They did this in May 2019 when they released a security update to patch the wormable Remote Code Execution Vulnerability for Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP. The worm was discovered in the RDS (Remote Desktop Services) platform and later given the name of BlueKeep.
Forcing feature updates onto Windows 10 devices that are at or near the end of their service dates is Microsoft’s chosen method of ensuring everybody stays under service and everybody gets those all-important updates.
In November 2019, for example, Microsoft began forcing updates on Windows 10 1803 Home and Pro versions right through to Windows 10 1903, after an end-of-service warning was given in October. However, the Redmond company did give customers the option of choosing when the update should be done – right now, it doesn’t look like that option will be given for Windows 10 1809 devices. That said, there may be a way of deferring the update using Advanced Update Settings:
- Click your Start button and head to Settings
- Go into Update & Security > Windows Update
You will see two options:
- Pause Updates for 7 Days
- Go into Advanced Options > Pause Updates, and choose a date from the dropdown menu
Pick one of those to put the update off but, be aware – there is a limit to how long the updates can be paused for. Once that limit is reached, that’s it – the updates will have to be installed, like it or not.
Once again, folks, you’ve been warned – update now or lose security in the future!
