Microsoft today, on July 1, is announcing the first Windows 10 19H2 build. Coming in at build 18362.1, this release will only be available to Windows Insiders currently enrolled in the Slow Ring. As part of Microsoft’s ongoing efforts in testing new ways of servicing Windows 10, there are no major changes or new features with this latest release. Only two “behind the scenes changes for OEMs” are included with today’s new build.
According to the head of the Windows Insider Program, Dona Sarkar, there are several key differences with Windows 10 19H2 builds. First, only Windows Insiders in the Slow Ring on the May 2019 Update will receive new 19H2 builds. This is because Windows 10 19H2 will be a minor release, and will install to PCs just as a standard Windows Update currently does.
In technical terms, that means that Windows 10 19H2 will be delivered as a Cumulative Update, and not as a typical full build update as we’ve seen in the past. This also means that future 19H2 updates to Insiders will also be cumulative with the latest May 2019 Updates. As an example, today’s build also includes last week’s KB4501375 patch.
More importantly, some Windows Insiders might not also see new features right away once updating to 19H2 builds. Microsoft is instead testing a new Controlled Feature Rollouts (CFR) system which will help the company get better feedback on build quality. According to Microsoft:
“Specific to CFRs, we may ship features in these updates turned off by default and turn them on independently of bits getting downloaded to Insiders’ PCs.”
These changes are definitely significant and shake up the Windows Insider program a bit, making the process of installing new builds a bit faster. Get downloading now, and let us know if you think Microsoft is making the right decision by dropping us a comment below.
