What Is the Latest Version of Windows 10?
The latest version of the Windows 10 operating system is the October 2020 Update. This is Windows 10 version 2009, and it was released on October 20, 2020. The codename of this update is “20H2”, as it was released in the second half of 2020. Its final build number is 19042.
After this release and future releases, the Windows 10 release nomenclature is changing from a year and month pattern (YYMM) to a year and half-year pattern (YYH1, YYH2).
These kinds of Windows operating system major updates can take some time to reach your PC since Microsoft and PC manufacturers are finishing, extensive testing.
Now, let’s checked what version you have on your Windows PC
To do this you can just Right Click on your start button and select “System” like below;
Then you can check your Windows version like below;
Now, let’s learn what’s included in this latest version of the Windows 10 operating system
Windows 10 October 2020 update mainly focused on bug fixes to the previous Windows 10 May 2020 Update. But it still includes some important major changes to the operating system.
These are the changes that you can find in your news Windows 10;
“System pane” like below image in the Control Panel has been Removed. from now on don’t search bellow system pane in your Windows 10.
Instead, now you should use Settings > System > About. You can also open your Start menu, search for “About,” and launch the “About Your PC” tool.
The new Microsoft Edge browser is now built-in, and Alt+Tab now shows Edge browser tabs by default as shown in the below image. This release automatically includes the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser instead of the legacy version of Edge.
- Several changes help improve the security of devices that scan Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) for updates.
Starting with Windows 10, version 20H2, LCUs and SSUs have been combined into a single cumulative monthly update, available via Microsoft Catalog or Windows Server Update Services.
- Enhancements to Windows Autopilot since the last release of Windows 10 include:
Windows Autopilot for HoloLens: Set up HoloLens 2 devices with Windows Autopilot for HoloLens 2 self-deploying mode.
Windows Autopilot with co-management: Co-management and Autopilot together can help you reduce cost and improve the end-user experience.
Enhancements to Windows Autopilot deployment reporting are in preview. From the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center (endpoint.microsoft.com), select Devices > Monitor and scroll down to the Enrollment section. Click Autopilot deployment (preview).
- There is no new ADK for Windows 10, version 20H2. The ADK for Windows 10, version 2004 will also work with Windows 10, version 20H2.
- Modern Device Management (MDM) policy is extended with new Local Users and Groups settings that match the options available for devices managed through Group Policy.
- This release includes improved support for non-ASCII file paths that have been added for Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Auto Incident Response (IR).
The Disable AntiSpyWare parameter is deprecated in this release.
- Microsoft Defender Application Guard now supports Office: With Microsoft Defender Application Guard for Office, you can launch untrusted Office documents (from outside the Enterprise) in an isolated container to prevent potentially malicious content from compromising your device.
- With specialized hardware and software components available on devices shipping with Windows 10, version 20H2 configured out of the factory, Windows Hello now offers added support for virtualization-based security with supporting fingerprint and face sensors. This feature isolates and secures a user's biometric authentication data.
- New policies for Windows Sandbox are available in this release. For more information, see Policy CSP - WindowsSandbox.
- Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD)
Note: WVD is not tied directly to a Windows 10 release, but it is included here as an evolving capability of Windows.
New capabilities in WVD were announced at Ignite 2020. For more information, see Announcing new management, security, and monitoring capabilities in Windows Virtual Desktop.
Besides, Windows Virtual Desktop is now generally available in the Azure Government cloud.
- Windows Shell
Some enhancements to the Windows 10 user interface are implemented in this release:
With this release, the solid color behind tiles on the Start menu is replaced with a partially transparent background. Tiles are also theme-aware.
Icons on the Start menu no longer have a square outline around each icon.
Notifications are slightly updated in appearance.
You can now change the monitor refresh rate on advanced display settings.
Alt+Tab now shows Edge browser tabs by default. You can edit this setting under Settings > System > Multitasking: Alt+Tab.
The System control panel under System and Security has been updated to the Settings > About page. Links to Device Manager, Remote desktop, System protection, Advanced system settings, and Rename this PC are moved to the About page.
- 2-in-1 PCs
On a 2-in-1 device, Windows will now automatically switch to tablet mode when you detach the screen.
- Surface
Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise are now available on Surface Hub 2.
- Desktop Analytics
Desktop Analytics is a cloud-connected service, integrated with Configuration Manager that provides data-driven insights to the management of Windows endpoints in your organization. Desktop Analytics requires a Windows E3 or E5 license, or a Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 license.
Stay tuned with us for more updates.