[German]Microsoft has once again given itself a jolt and extended the supply of Windows 11 22H2 with optional (preview) updates. These preview updates for this version were actually due to expire in February 2024, as Windows 11 23H2 is now available. Due to "overwhelming" feedback from its users, these preview updates will be provided for 4 months or even until summer 2025 in certain versions.
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Preview updates should be phased out
Until now, it was "set in stone" by Microsoft that Windows 11 version 22H2 (all editions) would receive an optional, non-security update for the last time on 27 February 2024. I have pulled out the relevant page from 13 February 2024 as a screenshot.
Optional updates are now rolled out by Microsoft at the end of the month, in the fourth week (D-Week) as a preview. Preview because non-security-relevant fixes are incorporated as a preview for the following month's security update. This should give administrators in companies the opportunity to test the patches before the "patch day" of the following month. This also gives Microsoft the opportunity to exclude a fix from distribution in the event of serious problems or to make adjustments.
Preview updates until June 2024/2025
Microsoft has now announced a reversal of the above decision. The page Windows 11 22H2/23H2-Updates from Microsoft now contains a modified message (see screenshot below).
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There, Microsoft announces the new dates on which the supply of Windows 11 22H2 with optional, non-security-related (preview) updates is to end.
- The Windows Home, Pro, Pro Education and Pro for Workstations editions of version 22H2 will receive non-security preview updates until 26 June 2024.
- The Windows 11 Enterprise, Education, IoT Enterprise and Enterprise Multi-Session editions of version 22H2 will receive non-security preview updates until 24 June 2025.
Microsoft posted the entry Non-security preview updates will continue to be released for Windows 11, version 22H2 in the Release Health section of Windows 11 22H2 on 27 February 2024. The message informs users that the optional preview updates for Windows 11, version 22H2, only contain optional bug fixes and productivity improvements. The updates are offered every fourth week of the month as a preview of the next month's security update. It also confirms that the deadline of 27 February 2024 no longer applies. Instead, there will be optional preview updates for Windows 11 22H2 until the above dates.
Microsoft explains that this extension was granted based on user feedback. The fact that customers "can quickly benefit from our continuous innovation" sounds more like a threat to me in the context of the frequent annoyance with updates. After all, you don't have to install the updates – unless Microsoft makes a mistake and the optional updates are installed on the machines without user action (which has happened before).
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