Evolution of operating systems

Diagram : Start Menu of Windows 10

Released to manufacturing : July 15,2015

General availability: July 29, 2015

Latest release : March 12, 2019

Release version

Diagram : Evolution of Windows 10

 Feature updates for Windows 10 are released twice a year, around March and
September, via the Semi-Annual Channel. Windows 10 will be serviced with monthly quality
updates for 18 or 30 months from the date of the release, depending on the lifecycle policy.
This will enable you to gain access to new features, experiences, and integrated security as
soon as possible.

Version 1511 (November Update)

The Windows 10 November Update (also known as version 1511 and

codenamed "Threshold 2") is the first major update to Windows 10 and the second version
of the operating system. It carries the build number 10.0.10586.

New features in this version of Windows 10 include:[181]

 Pre-installed Skype video, messaging, and phone apps

 Tab previews and syncing in Microsoft Edge
 Visual and functional tweaks

The first preview was released on August 18, 2015. The final release was made available to
Windows Insiders on November 3, 2015, followed by a public release on November 12,
2015. Unlike the initial release of Windows, this branch was also made available to
existing Windows Phone 8.1 devices and the Xbox One and as a preview release to Windows
Server 2016, and was pre-installed on new Windows 10 Mobile devices. Support of this
version for users of the Current Branch (CB) and Current Branch for Business (CBB) ended
on October 10, 2017. The last public update was released on April 10, 2018, for Enterprise
and Education versions only.
Version 1607 (Anniversary Update)

The Windows 10 Anniversary Update (also known as version 1607 and

codenamed "Redstone 1")is the second major update to Windows 10 and the first in a series
of updates under the Redstone codenames.[255][256][257] It carries the build number 10.0.14393.
The first preview was released on December 16, 2015. The final release was made available
to Windows Insiders on July 18, 2016, followed by a public release on August 2. This release
of Windows 10 is supported for users of the Current Branch (CB), Current Branch for
Business (CBB) and Long-Term Support Branch (LTSB).

Version 1703 (Creators Update)

The Windows 10 Creators Update (also known as version 1703 and codenamed "Redstone

2") is the third major update to Windows 10 and the second in a series of updates under the
Redstone codenames. It carries the build number 10.0.15063. The first preview was released
to Insiders on August 11, 2016. The final release was made available to Windows Insiders on
March 20, 2017, followed by a public release on April 5 via Update Assistant, and began to
roll out on April 11.
Version 1803 (April 2018 Update)

The Windows 10 April 2018 Update (also known as version 1803 and

codenamed "Redstone 4") is the fifth major update to Windows 10 and the fourth in a series
of updates under the Redstone codenames. It carries the build number 10.0.17134. The first
preview was released to Insiders on August 31, 2017. The final release was made available to
Windows Insiders on April 16, 2018, followed by a public release on April 30, and began to
roll out on May 8.

Version 1809 (October 2018 Update)

The Windows 10 October 2018 Update (also known as version 1809 and codenamed

"Redstone 5") is the sixth major update to Windows 10 and the fifth in a series of updates
under the Redstone codenames. It carries the build number 10.0.17763. The first preview was
released to Insiders on February 14, 2018. The update was originally made available to public
consumers on October 2, 2018, but its rollout was halted on October 6, 2018, due to a serious
bug that deletes users' personal files after updating. On October 9, 2018, Microsoft re-
released the update to Insiders, stating that all known issues in the update (including file
deletion bug) had been identified and fixed. On October 25, 2018, Microsoft confirmed the
existence of another bug which overwrites files without any confirmation, when extracting
from a ZIP file. The ZIP bug was fixed for Insiders on October 30, 2018, and the public
rollout of the update resumed on November 13, 2018.

Version 1903 (May 2019 Update)

The Windows 10 May 2019 Update (also known as version 1903 and codenamed "19H1")

is the seventh major update to Windows 10 and the first to use a more descriptive codename
(including the year and the order released) instead of the "Redstone” or "Threshold"
codename. It carries the build number 10.0.18362. The first preview was released to Insiders
who opted in to the exclusive Skip Ahead ring on July 25, 2018. The update began rolling out
on May 21, 2019. Notable changes in the May 2019 Update include:

 A new "light theme"

 Separation of Search and Cortana in the taskbar
 Windows Sandbox (not available in Windows 10 Home)
 Ability to pause updates for 35 days or under (incl. Windows 10 Home)
 New default wallpaper
 Recommended troubleshooting
 Notifications hidden while in full-screen
Version 1909 (November 2019 Update)

The Windows 10 November 2019 Update (also known as version 1909 and codenamed

"19H2") is the eighth major update to Windows 10. The update is delivered as cumulative
update to the May 2019 Update and carries the build number 10.0.18363. The first preview
was released to Insiders who opted in to the slow ring on July 1, 2019. The update began
rolling out on November 12, 2019.

Notable changes in the November 2019 Update include:

 Ability to create events from the Calendar fly-out on the taskbar

 Improvements to notification management, including thumbnails demonstrating
notification banners and the Action Center in application notification settings, and the
ability to access per-application notification settings from their displays in Action Center
 The Start menu's navigation sidebar icons expand into a drawer with text labels when
the cursor is hovered over them
 Support for using third-party digital assistants from the lock screen
 OneDrive integration with File Explorer's search
Version 2004 (May 2020 Update)

The Windows 10 May 2020 Update (also known as version 2004 and codenamed "20H1")

is the ninth major update to Windows 10. It carries the build number 10.0.19041. The first
preview was released to Insiders who opted in to the exclusive Skip Ahead ring on February
14, 2019. The update began rolling out on May 27, 2020. Notable changes in the May 2020
Update include:

 Faster and easier access to Bluetooth settings and pairing

 Improved Kaomojis
 Virtual Desktops are now renamable
 DirectX12 Ultimate improves graphics
 Introducing a chat-based UI for Cortana
 Greater integration with Android smartphones on the Your Phone app
 Windows Subsystem for Linux 2
 Ability to use Windows Hello without the need for a password
 Ability to use Windows Hello PIN while in Safe mode
 Cloud download option to reset Windows
 Accessibility improvements