Microsoft to Release Major Windows 10 Updates Twice Per Year

Microsoft said this week that, starting in September, it will roll out major updates to its Windows 10 platform twice per year, every March and September. 

The software company has always positioned Windows 10 as a "Windows as a Service" platform that can be updated and tweaked seamlessly and continuously. 

In a company blog post, Bernardo Caldas, Microsoft's general manager of Windows commercial marketing, said the updates will be on a predictable schedule, aligning with Office 365 ProPlus.

"Each Windows 10 feature release will be serviced and supported for 18 months. This is consistent with our current Windows 10 approach, but adds further clarity and predictability to organizations by aligning with Office 365 ProPlus," he adds. "In addition, System Center Configuration Manager will support this new aligned update model for Office 365 ProPlus and Windows 10, making both easier to deploy and keep up to date."

As ZDNet notes, this change will give more assurance to users of Office 365 ProPlus, its client Office suite available to many Office 365 subscribers. 

What should users expect in September? The Verge reports:

The next Windows 10 update will include power throttling for background apps, and we’re expecting to see the return of the people integration into the taskbar that was originally scheduled for the Creators Update. Beyond that, Microsoft is also expected to reveal some design changes, codenamed Project Neon, with the next major Windows 10 update. Microsoft has started teasing some of its design changes to Windows 10, and additional screenshots have also leaked showing off a redesigned Start menu and a focus on transparency. We’re expecting to hear more about the update at Microsoft’s Build developers conference in Seattle next month.