[German]Microsoft has released the first Insider Preview of the so-called Autumn 2020 Update in the 20H2 development branch on June 16, 2020. Some innovations became known, such as the name of future function updates or the method of delivery. Here is an overview of what you should know.
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Preview Build 19042.330 (20H2) on Beta Channel
So far we were used to insider preview builds being released in rings. The new branch of development would thus have been released in the fast ring. But a few hours ago, in the article Windows 10: Microsoft changes name for insider channels, I explained that the names has been changed. The Fast Ring becomes the beta channel, where early builds are released by Microsoft for Windows Insider.
In the announcement on the Windows blog you can read that the build 19042.330 from the 20H2 development branch was made available in the beta channel. The specification 20H2 means that it will be the second Windows 10 feature update for 2020, which is expected in autumn.
This build contains the fixes from update KB4557957 (for Windows 10 version 2004) and the new Chromium Edge browser. After upgrading to this build, the new chromium-based Edge Browser will be available.
Only available by search
Build 19042.330 is available to Windows insiders in the beta channel who search in Windows Update. To do this, the insiders must make sure that the correct channel is set and then have them check for updates in the settings under Update & Security > Windows Update. Then a feature update should be offered as optional, which can then be downloaded and installed via a hyperlink.
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New features no more via A/B tests
Over the coming weeks and months, Microsoft plans to introduce new features and improvements through this process in the Insider Preview. In the announcement of the first 20H2 build 19042.330, Brandon LeBlanc gives some additional hints:
For 19H2, we released bits to some Insiders with features turned off and released bits to some Insiders with featured turned on. In response to Insider feedback, we are not doing that for 20H2.
Insiders who choose to download and install 20H2 on their PC will get new 20H2 features as they are delivered. Insiders in the Beta Channel who don't choose to download and install 20H2 won't see new feature..
The name is simple 20H2
In another blog post Microsoft provides some more details on the upcoming Windows 10 20H2 version. This is scheduled to be released in fall 2020 as Windows 10 20H2 (whether the name will change later, we'll see – John Cable writes that they're looking for a consumer friendly name). In general, however, the names H1 and H2 should be used for the first and second function update of a year – which I welcome.
Windows 10, version 20H2, according to Microsoft, will provide a comprehensive set of features to improve performance and quality. It will also be the first version of Windows 10 to include the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser.
Delivery as 'small' update
In Windows 10 version 1909, this feature update was activated by an optional enablement update. This enabled Microsoft to release joint updates for the 1903 and 1909 versions. I had described the technical details at that time in the blog post Insides: Windows 10 19H2 development/deployment (V1909). At the time it was unclear whether this approach would be maintained in future Windows 10 versions.
But later I wrote in Windows 10 20H2 will (probably) be a minor Update, that we will have a small 20H2 update. And I mentioned within the blog post Windows 10 V2004: Microsoft started to add 20H2 features, that Microsoft has already begun to integrate features that are scheduled for the fall update (development branch 20H2) into Windows 10 version 2004 (May 2020 update). This would have meant that the Windows 10 20H2 expected for autumn would again be a 'small update'. The blog post by John Cable now says:
Windows 10, version 20H2 will be delivered in an optimized way for anyone running the Windows 10 May 2020 Update. As a result, we will again deliver Windows 10, version 20H2 using servicing technology.
I now interpret this as the approach used in Windows 10 19H2. Windows 10 version 2004 and the 20H2 get the same updates. And in autumn there will be the Enablement Update, which makes the Windows 10 version 2004 the Autumn Update. For Windows 10 20H2 Enterprise and Education, there will then be 30 months of support with security updates as usual.
