Too Much Confusion About So Many Windows 10 Versions

I have received so many emails from readers regarding this issue. People get confused by the names of different Windows 10 versions. They ask me which Windows 10 version is the latest? What are Windows 10 Update versions such as Anniversary Update, Creators Update, Fall Creators Update, etc? People can’t understand which Windows 10 version is 1703, 1709, 1803, etc?

Many people can’t understand the terms Threshold, Redstone, Insider Preview, etc. Recently one of my friends asked me what is this Redstone thing (RS3, RS4, RS5) and 19H1 which I mention in various topics. He was unable to understand which build of Windows is available for public and which one is meant for testing?

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So today I decided to post this article in which I’ll try my best to clear all these doubts. I’ll try to answer all questions related to various Windows 10 versions.

If you are also confused about so many Windows 10 versions, following points will help you:

POINT 1:

In past Microsoft used to regularly release new versions of Windows operating system such as Windows XP, Vista, Windows 7 and Windows 8/8.1. But when Microsoft released Windows 10 operating system, the company released it Windows as a service which means you’ll not see any new Windows version in future. There will always be Windows 10 as the latest OS from Microsoft.

But to add new features, fix bugs/issues and to improve the OS, Microsoft releases feature updates for Windows 10. Microsoft has announced in past that the company will release two feature updates for Windows 10 every year. One feature update will be released in March or April and the other feature update will be released in September or October month.

You can consider these feature updates as service packs for Windows 10 which bring new features and enhancements to the OS. It’s always advised to install and upgrade to the latest feature update.

Microsoft has released 5 feature updates for Windows 10 at the time of writing this article which are as following:

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  • Windows 10 November Update
  • Windows 10 Anniversary Update
  • Windows 10 Creators Update
  • Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
  • Windows 10 April 2018 Update

Initially the names of feature updates were confusing but now Microsoft has started naming these updates after their release month and year such as the recently released April 2018 Update. Now it’ll be very easy for people to understand which feature update is the latest. The upcoming feature update should be labeled as September 2018 Update or October 2018 Update most probably.

We have an exclusive topic which always provides information about the latest Windows 10 feature update. So if you want to know which is the latest Windows 10 feature update, just check out following topic:

Windows 10 Feature Update Available for Download and Upgrade

You can bookmark the above mentioned topic. We always update this topic whenever Microsoft releases a new feature update for Windows 10.

POINT 2:

Now let’s talk about version numbers. Every feature update is given a version number which is a combination of the year and month number of their release time. For example, Windows 10 November Update was released in November 2015, that’s why its version number is 1511. 15 was taken from 2015 and 11 was taken from 11th month i.e. November. Same thing applies to all Windows 10 feature updates version numbers.

  • Version number of Windows 10 November Update = 1511
  • Version number of Windows 10 Anniversary Update = 1607
  • Version number of Windows 10 Creators Update = 1703
  • Version number of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update = 1709
  • Version number of Windows 10 April 2018 Update = 1803

Version numbers are given at the time of development and testing and sometimes the release time may differ from the version number which happened to the recently released April 2018 Update which has version number as 1803 but was released in April 2018 instead of March 2018. Sometimes a last time bug or critical issue can postpone release of a feature update but since the version number is already given at the time of testing, it can’t be unchanged.

To know what is the version number of Windows 10 installed in your device, you can use winver command. Check out following tutorial for more details:

How to Check Which Windows Version is Installed in My Computer?

POINT 3:

Now let’s talk about Windows 10 Insider Preview builds, Threshold, Redstone, etc.

Microsoft is providing 2 different versions of Windows 10 side-by-side. One version is for public and the other for testers. The public version of Windows 10 is bug free and can be used in primary machines. The testing version of Windows 10 might contain bugs and issues and should not be used in working machines.

The testing version of Windows 10 is known as Insider Preview (previously called as Technical Preview). Microsoft releases new builds of Windows 10 Insider Preview version to testers almost every week. These builds come with new features which will become part of the upcoming feature updates. Testers help Microsoft in testing new features and fixing bugs by providing feedback and suggestions.

Microsoft always provides codenames to these Insider Preview builds such as Threshold, Redstone, 19H1, etc. That’s why we use these terms in our topics. When April 2018 Update was under development and testing, it was given codename as Redstone 4 (RS4) which is now known as April 2018 Update. In future, we’ll see more such codenames such as RS5 and some brand new codenames such as 19H1.

When a feature update is released to public, Microsoft starts releasing new Insider Preview builds for the next feature update to testers and after 6 months, when the feature update is finalized, it’s released to public and again Microsoft starts working on next feature update.

Since Microsoft releases many Insider Preview builds to testers, these builds are distinguished by their build numbers. Every build contains a build number such as 17134 was the build number of the recently released April 2018 Update.

Following topic always lists the latest Windows 10 Insider Preview build released to testers:

New Windows 10 Insider Preview Build for PC Available for Download

You can bookmark the above mentioned topic if you want to keep an eye on the latest testing build of Windows 10.

POINT 4:

When you purchase a new computer, it always comes with the public version of Windows 10 and you can upgrade it to the latest feature update.

On the other hand, Insider Preview builds of Windows 10 are available on opt-in basis. If you want to test drive new Windows 10 builds, you can join Windows Insider program and can install testing builds in your computer.

To join Windows Insider program, you’ll need to open Settings app, go to “Update & Security -> Windows Insider Program” section and follow the instructions.

Please remember, Windows 10 Insider Preview builds are meant for testing and might contain bugs and issues. So use them on testing machines.

You can anytime leave the Insider Preview program if you want.

That’s it. Now you should have a clear idea of all available Windows 10 feature updates, versions and builds. If you still have some doubts, feel free to ask in your comment…

Also Check:

[Guide] Things to Do After Installing Feature Update in Windows 10

Published in: Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Great article, although it is a shame that we’ll stick with Windows 10 as the name of the OS. Something not numerical would be better IMO, but I admit that 10 is easier to understand and remember altogether. I haven’t have the time to check all the features of April’s update, but I’ll do maybe during the weekend.

  2. Great article, no question.

    But why does Microsoft ASSUME that everyone will want all these “features”?

    Still don’t understand why things like xbox, as an example, is included in a PC OS?

    Why can they not release a version without all the “crap”?

  3. I gets far worse than you mentioned…

    1. Windows 32/64. We still have 32 and 64 bit versions of Windows 10. A 32-bit version may still refuse to run a certain drivers or applications.
    2. Windows 10S. We now have versions of Windows 10S shipping — meaning it may still refuse to download and run a program despite its build number.
    3. We have Windows Mobile, HUB, and XBox. Mobile is no longer supported, but you still have apps in the store which your machine may not be able to run.
    4. Windows on ARM. This is even more confusing. It will download and run most Win32 apps, but not all and it is emulated. You then have native Windows ARM 32 and Windows ARM 64 compiled apps. Again, you could download an .exe and it may or may not run. Worse… ARM compiled .exes will become available which won’t run under most PC (being x86 Win32 or Win64 apps).
    5. We have Windows Core coming out on Andromeda. Another version which will need CShell apps and likely to have its own range of limitations.
    6. We have Centennial (Win32/64) apps packaged in the Windows store.

    Worse… all these are now called Windows. You can search online for an application and spent the longest time reading about it, only to have to check a half-dozen things to see if it works on your “Windows” device.

    And of course for developers… its even worse. Search for basic API functions and you now find Win32/64 reverences, WinForms, .NET, UWP, Mobile, Phone (7.0/8.0), and then the various versions (XP, 7, 8, 8.1, 10). All this documentation will exist forever (despite the platform/product being desupported/obsolete/obscure) and nearly impossible to filter out.

    The amount of time I spend with lay people trying to explain why not to buy X is insane. The fragmentation within just Windows 10 itself is staggering. I used to wonder why lay people could stand iOS… and its simple — any program you can see in the store will run and you don’t have to ask questions.

  4. (It’s the same as with mobile devices – where, this one is missing one feature and another is missing that feature – all in order to sell, sell, sell more. Everyone can feel “special” about what they got, while in reality – everyone will be missing something, in the end, mostly money from their pockets. ;))

  5. Hi, Good article.
    Please mention how to upgrade from one version to another say i have 1603 and want to get 1803 ? is it possible how to do that offline ? which udpate needs to be installed. any licensing involved if i upgrade from 1603 to 1803 ?

  6. hi,

    thanx a lot for clearing my doubts abt versions … amazing article & site … appreciate ur efforts … thanx a lot …

    Neil

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