Windows 10 Release and Servicing Plans

Both consumers and enterprise customers have new options for how fixes and new features are delivered to devices running Windows 10. The new models for delivering servicing updates and feature upgrades to Windows bring both benefits and costs for businesses. The new models will likely continue with future Windows releases, but questions remain about the new options.

Windows 10 Feature Upgrade and Servicing Cadences

Windows 10 offers a range of options for how the OS is serviced and receives new features. Although Home and Pro editions qualify for a free upgrade to Windows 10, moving to the new OS brings new requirements for how the OS will be kept up to date. Only business editions of the OS have the ability to defer new feature upgrades, receive long-duration support, and the ability to leave mission-critical systems on the same build of Windows until the business is ready to upgrade their OS.

Fast-Track Servicing for Consumers and Testing

For consumers and organizations that want to deploy and test new features and updates quickly, there are two approaches to servicing the OS. These approaches are intended to allow Microsoft to compete with other rapidly evolving mobile device platforms by allowing the continual evolution of Windows throughout its life cycle, rather than needing to wait years between major releases. The two approaches are the Windows Insider Program (WIP) and the Current Branch (previously referred to as the Current Branch for Consumers).