[German]Microsoft has just released the Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.1070.0 for Windows Insider in the beta channel for testing. This indicates a major change that will dramatically alter the way new features are rolled out in Windows 10.The announcement was made in the Windows Blog, Microsoft still tests. Here's what you need to know.
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The old approach: Feature updates
Up to now it was so that twice a year a feature update was released as an upgrade for Windows 10. With this update new functions were rolled out.
But somehow Microsoft got out of step and users often refused these feature updates. Since 2019, the function updates can be postponed until the end of support.
New approach Feature Experience Pack
The announcement in the Windows Blog bringt a serious innovation. By releasing a Feature Experience Pack, Microsoft can upgrade new features in Windows 10,
- without exchanging the underlying structure of the operating system, Microsoft can release new features,
- and also take advantage of the opportunity to become independent of the semiannual feature updates.
Microsoft writes that they are currently testing a 'new way to deliver new feature enhancements' outside of the major Windows 10 feature updates. The Windows Feature Experience Pack allows developers to enhance certain features that are now being developed independently of the operating system.
Currently, only a limited number of features are being developed in this way. By testing the process with Windows Insiders, the developers hope to expand the scope and frequency of releases in the future.
Update KB4592784 for tests
The Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.1070.0 for the beta channel is rolled out as update KB4592784, requires an installed Windows 10 20H2 Build 19042.662 and contains two small improvements:
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- The Windows integrated screen snipping function can be invoked by pressing WIN + SHIFT + S to create a screen snip and save it directly to a selectable folder.
- Using the touch keyboard in portrait mode on a 2-in-1 touch device now supports split keyboard mode.
Windows Feature Experience Pack updates are made available to insiders such as builds and cumulative updates via Windows Update. Windows insiders in the beta channel can go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select the Check for Updates button to receive the Windows Feature Experience Pack update.
The master plan
Microsoft is thus changing its direction for Windows as-a-service, which has been rolling out innovations since 2015 only via feature updates. Now extensions may be rolled out at any time.
The big plan behind this new approach: At some point in time, the Windows Feature Experience Pack updates are to be integrated into the existing maintenance process for Windows 10. These would then be delivered to the systems as Windows Update. What do you thing about that? (via)
