Windows 10 Feature Updates
Easily deploy Windows Feature updates with Syxsense. View an accurate count of all your Windows 10 devices and what version of Win10 is installed.
THE PROBLEM
Microsoft has officially discontinued support for Windows 10 Feature Update version 1709.
Without a currently supported version installed on your workstations, you will not be able to patch your Windows 10 devices. IT departments face the daunting task of essentially installing a full OS upgrade to users' workstations. Feature updates are typically a manual install and validating with the end user is a constant struggle.
Understand your exposed risk.
Syxsense does an automatic inventory of all your OS versions. From the Feature Update Screen, you see an accurate count of all your Windows 10 devices, and what version of Win10 is installed. As Microsoft will only support OS 10 versions for 30 months, 1703, 1709 and 1803 will shortly be retired as well.
EFFICIENTLY TAKE ACTION
Bring your Windows 10 devices into compliance.
By clicking create from the Feature Update screen, Syxsense uses 3 simple steps to create a release.
Select the Windows 10 version that you would like to deploy
Notify employees before installation and allow them to defer installation
Choose your licensed install files from anywhere in your network
High performance.
Syxsense uses its high performance architecture to share and install the updates. You control maintenance windows to determine exactly when the update will occur and can monitor the progress from the task screen.
Document your success.
Once the task is complete, Syxsense offers summary reports and dashboards to keep you constantly aware of new threats to your security.
Start your free trial.
Get started with Syxsense and patch your IT environment with a powerful and easy-to-use IT management toolset.
Windows Feature Updates FAQ
What are Windows Feature Updates?
Windows Feature Updates are technically new versions of Windows 10 (or newer version of Windows Server), which are available twice a year in spring or fall. They are also termed “semi-annual releases” or “Windows 10 Upgrades” and are much larger in size and content than the typical monthly “quality updates.”
Microsoft has termed this new servicing strategy as ‘Windows-as-a-service’ instead of the additional overhead and process of rolling-out an entirely new image (i.e. reinstalling the entire operating system from scratch). This way, the image stays the same and end users keep their data, while the enhancements still get rolled in over time with lesser impact. Typically, Microsoft releases a new feature update every spring (18 month support) and every fall (30 month support). When the support timeline elapses, newer “quality (security) updates” from Microsoft will no longer be available so it’s crucially important to ensure the feature updates are deployed within their support timeline.
What Processes Make Up Windows Feature Updates?
The process of “feature updating” is a fairly easy one, except that it’s all about preparation and validation with end-users to ensure they “accept” the new version of the operating system they’re using. By pairing the installation process with end-user prompts and timers, the end-user can choose when and how to install the upgrade when the organization is ready.
What is the Future of Windows Feature Updates?
Windows Feature Updates are here to stay. If a feature version is out-of-date, Microsoft’s newer security updates will no longer be available and will leave the devices vulnerable. Ensuring that devices are current and upgraded is critical to a healthy environment.