Windows 10 updates: We're now using AI to push 1803 users to 1903, says Microsoft

Microsoft appears ready to begin pushing PCs running Windows 10 version 1803 and earlier up to the latest feature release, Windows 10 version 1903. 

In May, Microsoft announced that come June it would begin updating PCs running these versions automatically. Version 1803 reaches end of service on November 12, 2019.  

SEE: 20 pro tips to make Windows 10 work the way you want (free PDF)    

Microsoft's @WindowsUpdate Twitter account has now flagged a new machine-learning approach to updating devices running the Windows 10 version 1803 aka the April 2018 Update and prior to version 1903. 

"We are now beginning to build and train the machine learning (ML) based rollout process to update devices running the April 2018 Update, and earlier versions of Windows 10, to ensure we can continue to service these devices and provide the latest updates, security updates and improvements," Microsoft notes.

Microsoft has also offered up fixes for Windows 10 users affected by a bug that didn't give them the option of choosing key privacy settings during setup and didn't provide instructions for how to change those privacy settings. 

Microsoft says a "small fraction" of Windows 10 devices have been impacted by the privacy settings bug, and the company has released updates to address it in Windows 10 version 1709, Windows 10 1803, and Windows 10 1809. 

Windows Update will offer the updates if it detects that the device has been impacted by the bug. Affected users will see a notification that provides extra information about the privacy settings that were affected and guidance to change those settings. 

Settings affected include Location Diagnostic data, and Improve inking and typing. 

Microsoft doesn't state exactly what the issue is other than it affects the "display of the privacy settings screen" and that customers "should have been presented with an option to choose settings related to their privacy while setting up their device". They should have also got information about how to change the settings by going to Start > Settings > Privacy.

The company has worked to improve Windows 10 privacy settings under the scrutiny of European privacy regulators, who weren't satisfied with how Microsoft informed consumers about what data it was collecting from them.   

Microsoft is encouraging customers to review their Location privacy setting and notes that both the Diagnostic data and Improve inking and typing settings have been "updated to [their] lowest setting to ensure your device has the most privacy-friendly setting". 

Additionally, Microsoft rolled out a new update for Windows 10 version 1809 with dozens of quality improvements and bug fixes. 

The update bumps up version 1809 to OS build number 17763.592 with fixes for Edge, the command line tool cmd.exe, the Calculator app, and the Your Phone app. 

There are also fixes for glitches in mouse behavior, a non-response UI under certain conditions, and a weird bug that caused a loss of audio if Windows hadn't been restarted for more than 50 days. 

SEE: 10 tips for new cybersecurity pros (free PDF)

There are also a few security-related improvements and fixes. There was an issue that prevented Windows Information Protection from enforcing encryption on a removable USB. 

Windows 10 also prevented antivirus filters from attaching to DirectAccess volumes. Microsoft has also improved isolated browsing when using Windows Defender Application Guard in the Microsoft Edge browser. 

Finally, it fixes a lingering bug affecting Realtek Bluetooth devices from pairing after installing the May 14, 2019 update.

More on Microsoft's Windows 10 updates

• Windows 10 yields more secrets: Microsoft plan to split OS from shell takes shape
• Microsoft adds more Your Phone app features; rolls out another Windows 10 20H1 test build
• Use iPhone and Windows 10? Microsoft, Apple may have just made your life easier
• Microsoft kicks off the rollout of the Windows 10 May Update, version 1903
• No more passwords? Windows 10 1903 is close to that goal, claims Microsoft
• Windows 10's built-in Linux kernel lands: New preview lets you try out WSL 2  
• Windows 10 20H1: You'll get better predictive typing on physical keyboards
• Windows 10 will soon let you choose exact Windows update download speeds
• How to delete the Windows 10 paging file on every shut-down TechRepublic
• Test Microsoft's Chrome-like Edge browser for Windows 10 CNET