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Microsoft: Fine, We'll Tell You What's in Those Windows 10 Updates

The company is now offering a more detailed change log when it updates its operating system.

February 10, 2016
Windows 10 Generic

What's in the latest Windows 10 update? Don't worry about it.

Windows 10 Bug Art That's the tactic Microsoft took with its latest operating system; update details are largely on a need-to-know basis. That didn't sit too well with Windows users, however. As PCMag's sister site ExtremeTech explains, "the ability to troubleshoot a problem with the operating system is crippled if the end-user or IT staff have no idea what an update did."

As a result, Microsoft is making moves to be more transparent about how its updates will affect your PC. The company launched a Windows 10 Update History page, which will show a summary of the changes its patches make to the operating system. "You'll see a summary of important product developments included in each update, with links to more details. This page will be regularly refreshed, as new updates are released," Microsoft says.

Complicating things is the fact that Microsoft currently offers two distinct "branches." Some users, in other words, are running the initial July-released version of Windows, while others are running the November-released version that was previewed to Windows Insiders at that time. While most Windows 10 users have since started running the November version, Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education users can "defer" the November update and stick with the July alternative.

Due to that branching issue, Microsoft's update page will include a changelog for the July and November versions, making it important for users to know which one they're running in order to see what's actually changing on their machines.

Meanwhile, Microsoft would really like you to upgrade to Windows 10 if you're still on Windows 7 or 8. So much so that it might trick you into upgrading if you're not paying attention. Recently, it got even more aggressive, as ET reports, so make sure you keep an eye on those pop-ups.

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About Don Reisinger

Don Reisinger is a longtime freelance technology journalist and product reviewer. He covers everything from Apple to gaming to start-ups. You can follow him on Twitter @donreisinger.

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