Microsoft is trying something different. The company is making a key change to how updates are handled on Windows, and has some new elements in place to ensure that they go as smooth as possible.
If you have ever had a Windows 10 update fail to install, then you know the feeling.
And as spotted, Redmond has a key change in store to make sure that the cumulative updates for the operating system never fail to install — in theory, at least. This, the software titan, hopes will make these updates less prone to installation headaches.
The magic sauce here is something called a service stack update (SSU), which will regularly schedule cumulative updates starting with the one that is due out on March 9.
Redmond explains this as:
“This update makes quality improvements to the servicing stack, which is the component that installs Windows updates. Servicing stack updates (SSU) makes sure that you have a robust and reliable servicing stack so that your devices can receive and install Microsoft updates.”
Cumulative updates and service stack updates are two separate beasts, and they have been doled out separately. The former on the second Tuesday of every month as Patch Tuesday, and the latter whenever Microsoft sees fit.
One difference between the two is that SSUs tweak the actual update component in Windows, and fix issues that might prevent a patch from installing on your PC.
It is part of the reason why the software titan does not issue these types of updates on a monthly basis.
This all changes now, and starting with this release, Microsoft will combine the latest servicing stack update for your operating system with the newest cumulative updates. The takeaway here being that future Windows updates will slide in just fine.
Fingers firmly crossed.
