Windows 10 October update is essential for business users

Since 2018, software giant Microsoft has been working diligently towards improving the delivery of Windows 10 updates, and the company feels that the time is right to release 19H2, a series of improvements and fixes that are particularly important to enterprise users. The first thing you should know about 19H2 is that business users will get a support lifecycle of 30 months; once installed, you will not have to worry about major updates until the year 2022, but you should expect minor fixes and security patches to be applied automatically.

Unlike the disastrous and embarrassing Windows 10 updates of last year, 19H2 has been developed with reliability instead of speed in mind. Microsoft has taken solid steps to avoid past mishaps. The Windows Insider program has been expanded to ensure that updates are thoroughly tested across a wide range of devices and networks; moreover, reported issues are being thoroughly vetted and tested ahead of release, which should roll out in the next few weeks. If you installed the ill-fated 1903 update, you probably will not notice major changes because 19H2 focuses on performance and security.

A MORE RELIABLE & FEATURE RICH WINDOWS UPDATE

What you can expect from the 19H2 update is an improvement in the way Windows runs some software packages. The Intel Turbo Boost option for CPUs with multiple cores will be interpreted at the operating system level, which means that workloads can be balanced evenly. Another CPU improvement is related to ARM chips, which are now covered by the Windows Defender Credential Guard; this is good news for users of tablets and hybrid devices.

Windows 10 users who manage networks through Azure Active Directory will be able to roll their data encryption keys, thereby increasing their overall BitLocker security. If your network extends to mobile devices, a lost smartphone or tablet will not compromise other devices as long as new keys are frequently generated. Users of Microsoft Intune cloud management services will find it easier to run legacy software after the 19H2 update is applied. Windows Hello is not being improved this time around, but you can expect Microsoft to continue pushing for the elimination of passwords from now until 2022.

The Windows Calendar will be integrated into the taskbar, thus allowing an easier scheduling of events right from the desktop or from open applications. The File Explorer is being augmented with a function that searches within OneDrive directories. You will also notice that indexing has been improved with auto-completion from the File Explorer search bar, which will include your cloud files. Finally, the Cortana virtual assistant will no longer be the only one you can use; Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant can now be added to the Lock Screen, and you will be able to issue voice commands without being logged into Windows.