Windows 10 Version 2004 Overview and Roadmap

• Windows 10 version 2004 is generally available and includes deployment improvements.
• Windows Enterprise and Education customers will want to test this version but deploy a version expected later this year.

Windows 10 version 2004, also known as 20H1, became generally available via the Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) on May 27, 2020. It contains changes and new features but will only be supported until Dec. 14, 2021 (18 months), regardless of the edition of Windows it is deployed on. Organizations deploying Windows Enterprise and Education editions should use this version to pilot and evaluate the features, but deploy the 20H2 version, because it will be supported for 30 months. Testing now allows an organization to maximize the 30-month support window available for version 20H2 when that version becomes generally available.

Windows Deployment and Linux Subsystem Lead Changes

Notable changes in version 2004 that may help organizations include:

Delivery Optimization now allows PowerShell management of the amount of bandwidth used to deploy Windows. A Microsoft hosted service can analyze downloads to prevent download storms, which occur when too many devices are downloading the updates simultaneously. The service can also help leverage local peer sources in the organization more effectively. The offline time for installation of a feature update has been reduced from 80 minutes with version 1703 to approximately 16 minutes with version 2004, including only a single reboot for most devices.