Almost since its launch, specifically since 2017, Windows 10 has been receiving two versions a year . And since 2019, one of these versions was a big update, packed with changes, and the other a smaller one, focused only on bug fixes and minor changes. These versions were marked by two digits, which marked the year (17xx, 18xx, 19xx, 20xx), and another two digits that marked the month (xx03, xx09). This was a somewhat confusing numbering for some users, so the name (May 2020 Update) or technical name (20H1) of the update was usually used. However, Windows 10 versions may be about to change completely.
With the arrival of Windows 10 May 2020 Update, Microsoft encountered problems trying to use 2003 as it led to confusion with the Server edition, forcing it to change the version number to 2004. Now, the new October 2020 was expected Update out of Windows 10 version 2009. However, we may not see these numbers again.
| Windows 10 version | build | Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1507 | 10240 | RTM |
| 1511 | 10586 | November Update |
| 1607 | 14393 | Anniversary Update |
| 1703 | 15063 | Creators Update |
| 1709 | 16299 | Fall Creators Update |
| 1803 | 17134 | April 2018 Update |
| 1809 | 17763 | October 2018 Update |
| 1903 | 18362 | May 2019 Update |
| 1909 | 18363 | November 2019 Update |
| 2004 | 19041 | May 2020 Update |
| 20H2? | 19042 | October 2020 Update |
Windows 10 October 2020 Update will not carry a version number
On Friday of the week, Microsoft announced the name of the new Windows 10 update that will arrive in a few weeks: October 2020 Update . In addition, he announced that the new version was already available for Insider users who were targeted to the beta channel, so that anyone could install it on their PC more or less with some reliability.
Windows 10 May 2020 Update reached all users with version number 2004. Even the DEV branch of Windows Insider continues to use such numbering. However, the new Windows 10 October Update has changed the way of numbering, and we can’t find any system-wide version reference.
As we can see, in the version section of October 2020 the new update appears as 20H2 . It is not numbered like the other versions of the operating system. The only thing that helps us to differentiate it is the version number of the operating system, which is also known as the build.
This nomenclature can greatly simplify the identification of the version used. The first two digits correspond to the last ten of the year, while the second two correspond to half (H1, first half, H2, second half). This is much more informative than using the numeric versions. Although there may be something else behind this change.
Simpler, or less frequent updates
Microsoft may have in mind to change the way it updates its operating system and therefore the numbering used so far does not make sense. For example, starting in 2021, Windows 10 will likely only update once, and therefore we’ll only see a 21H1 version. And even some year in the future we may not see an update in spring and only update after summer, so that version would become 23H2 directly.
Anyway, Microsoft should give more information about this change very soon, either within the Insider channel , when the same numbering change is reflected, or when the new October 2020 Update will see the light of day for all users.
