However, the update will automatically install if you’re running a version nearing the end of service. However, reinstallation depends on your device’s version and the update you have to install.įurthermore, these new versions of Windows 10 are optional, meaning they don’t install automatically until you manually trigger the process through Windows Update. Unlike quality updates, they include new features and improvements and require full reinstallation. The company also provides updates outside the regular schedule, which are called “on-demand updates.” Typically, these are emergency releases that contain fixes that can’t wait for the next update for Windows 10.įeature updates are released yearly (between October and November) and are technically new versions of Windows 10. These cumulative updates are optional and contain non-security fixes that the company is still testing and planning to release in the next Patch Tuesday update (the following month). In addition to the B release, Microsoft also pushes two more updates, known as “C” and “D” releases, during the third and fourth week of the month. The Windows 10 updates include security fixes and non-security fixes.

Usually, Microsoft releases these updates every second Tuesday of the month, which rollout date is referred to as “Patch Tuesday” or “Update Tuesday.” Also, internally, these updates are known as the “B” release because they roll out during the second week of the month. These updates are cumulative and include new fixes, improvements, and previously available patches. Quality updates (also called “cumulative updates”) are updates that Windows 10 downloads and installs every month automatically through Windows Update. You’ll also find the history of every Windows 10 update grouped by releases with information, such as build and knowledge base (KB) number, release date and number, and platform to help you stay informed. Since updates can be confusing and difficult to track, you’ll understand the difference between quality and feature updates in this guide. UPDATED 2/22/23: Windows 10 can receive different kinds of updates, including “quality updates” and “feature updates,” to patch security vulnerabilities, fix bugs and reliability problems, improve system performance, and introduce new features.

Windows 12 launch date