Once a year, in its second half, Microsoft ships a new Windows version; installing it upgrades the device and starts a fresh servicing lifecycle.
Read more: Microsoft Learn
In the Ultra Transcenders books
Each book explains Feature updates in context, with comparison tables and the common traps.
Related terms
- Microsoft Account Sign-In Assistant
Feature updates rely on this Windows service. If someone disables it, Windows Update stops offering them and subscription activation is unable to move the device up to a higher edition.
- Quality updates
Cumulative Windows fixes, both security and non-security, issued each month on the second Tuesday; feature updates are the other main kind.
- Servicing channels
Windows feature updates arrive at one of three paces: General Availability, LTSC (Long-Term Servicing) or via the Windows Insider Program.
- Update rings
Intune policies, targeted at groups of devices, that set Windows Update client options such as how long quality and feature updates are deferred and when they become mandatory.