Windows 10’s Latest Update
Microsoft has announced that from today computers running Windows 10 will start to receive the largest update to the OS since Microsoft launched it in the summer.
The update has the codename of Threshold 2, but will show as version 10586 (although MS calls it 1511) when it arrives on your computer. Type “winver” at the command prompt and you’ll be able to see which version you have. See above image
Microsoft says that if you’ve upgraded to Windows 10 in the last 31 days you won’t be offered the update to 10586 from 10240 just yet. The reason, it says, is so that you have the option to roll back to your previous operating system. Although this might frustrate some, there is a workaround that might get the latest version on your computer quicker
To do so, head over to the Windows 10 download page and hit the “upgrade” button. This will download Microsoft’s migration tool. While this might feel odd, this tool is prepped with the latest version of Windows 10, and will do an in-place upgrade of the OS for you.
I’ve updated my PC’s – the process runs very much like a new install, so the usual disclaimer about making sure you have a good backup is relevant here.
This might seem a bit heavy-handed but the update does all of the same stuff when it arrives naturally, so it’s just a matter of hurrying the process along slightly.
The reason, apparently, for this is that Threshold is such a massive upgrade to the core of Windows 10 that it isn’t like a patch, or even a service pack. This is essentially a whole new version of Windows 10. This is, obviously somewhat backed up by Microsoft’s claim that Windows 10 would be the “last” version of Windows. Because of this, we won’t really see service packs any more, but just a new version of the OS. This makes some things a lot easier though, like installing Windows down the line without having to patch or slipstream the latest updates into your build.
