Windows 10 Anniversary Update

Microsoft deems Windows 10 Anniversary Update enterprise-ready

Pro
(Image: PCWorld)

30 November 2016

Michael Niehaus at Microsoft has announced that Windows 10 version 1607 is now a Current Branch for Business release. Specifically, the update released on 8 November — Build 14393.447 — now takes its place on the list of builds that are stable enough for general deployment in enterprises.

The announcement makes it official, the Anniversary Update is ready for prime time, almost four months after its 2 August release and three weeks after the 14393.447 build appeared.

Import
For most, this official anointment does not mean much. If you are running Windows 10, it is not controlled by a corporate update server, and you may already be running the CBB build. If you checked the box in Win10 Pro version 1511 that says “Defer feature updates” (Start > Settings > Update & security > Windows Update > Advanced Options) you will likely receive the upgrade to 1607 shortly.

It is not clear what the Group Policy setting for deferring updates in version 1511 will do, but it is suspected to work like the “Defer feature updates” box in the Settings app. (In Win10 Pro version 1511, type gpedit, hit Enter, navigate to Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update and Enable Defer Update.) In version 1607, the Group Policy has changed completely.

For admins, the crowning of 14393.447 as a CBB build is largely ceremonial. It tells you that Microsoft now gives version 1607 a corporate-worthy clean bill of health. The upgrade mechanism has not changed, although Microsoft will be rolling out the ISOs through the normal distribution routes in January. Per Niehaus:

VLSC
“We do expect to publish updated media to the Volume Licensing Service Center and to Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) in January for those customers that need it, but this is primarily just for convenience.”

The shift is very much in keeping with Microsoft’s original rollout plans, that is new versions of Win10 twice a year or so, with each update given a chance stew for a few months before it’s anointed as CBB ready.

 

 

IDG News Service

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