Of Windows 10, under the hood, Redstone and the future...

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Microsoft's Nathan Mercer has put up an interesting post talking about the 'under the hood' improvements for Windows 10 Anniversary Update, a.k.a. Redstone. Now, some of this is PC-specific, i.e. to do with enterprise deployment, Intel chipsets, and so on, but some is common. Plus there are a few other titbits to comment on.

From the Microsoft blog post, and I'll include the original hyperlinks just in case. Again, note that some of this is very much enterprise and Intel-related:

Today’s release of Windows 10, version 1607—also referred to as the Windows 10 Anniversary Update—continues our commitment to productivity, security, and privacy for all customers. You can read about the improvements for end users in the Windows Experience Blog.

Windows 10, version 1607 also offers a variety of new features and functionality for IT pros, such as:

For more details, see What’s new in Windows 10, version 1607.

He then introduces some educational stuff, before chatting about future plans:

Today’s release of Windows 10, version 1607 is initially considered the Current Branch (CB) and will become Current Branch for Business (CBB) in about four months from today. For a list of Windows 10 versions by servicing option, see Windows 10 release information. For more information about these servicing options, see Windows 10 servicing options for updates and upgrades. Windows 10, version 1607 is our third Windows 10 feature update released. Based on feedback from organizations moving to Windows 10, this will be our last feature update for 2016, with two additional feature updates expected in 2017.

Is it just me that finds it too confusing having these 'version' numbers AND 'build' numbers? When the two are demonstrably parallel, i.e. Version 1511 equals build 10586 and Version 1607 equals build 14394? Why have the two systems at all?

Anyway, we have confirmation here that the 'Redstone 2' version of Windows 10 (including Mobile) will come in 2017, along with 'Redstone 3'. Likely February/March and then September/October in that year. The cycle is theoretically based around six months per version, though delays inevitably creep in, so expect a month or two longer sometimes (as per Threshold to Redstone).

Nathan finishes up with a mention of the continuing Insiders programme:

We hope you enjoy the improvements we’ve made in this latest update, many of which are the direct result of the feedback we’ve received from early adopters and users around the world. To provide your feedback on how we can improve the features and functionality of Windows moving forward, and to get access to early preview builds, join the Windows Insider Program.

So, just to emphasise, the Insiders programme is the best place to be, whether talking about the desktop/tablet or, as here on AAWP, on mobile. The 'Release Preview' ring already moved from Threshold to Redstone a week or so ago, in the process drawing under a line under older, unsupported devices, and we're expecting the first 'Redstone 2' builds to appear for Windows 10 Mobile 'Fast ring' Insiders in the next fortnight - very exciting. And yes, this will probably appear before Redstone itself has even rolled out to production devices. Such is the pace of Windows 10 innovation (and I'm genuinely not sure if I'm being sarcastic there or not!)

Watch this space.

Source / Credit: Microsoft