Windows 10 In-Place Feature Update

General Info

Current Build

Windows 10 Version 1809 is also known as The October Update. These semi-annual updates are sometimes referred to as "feature updates."

Deployment Dates

This version of Windows 10 will be available to download from Software Center starting May 6th.

Beginning May 22nd the download will become mandatory just like all other standard, monthly Windows update patches.

To avoid possible disruptions, please perform this update before May 22nd.

Notifications

You will receive regular reminders to install the update via e-mail and via notifications on your computer. Here is a screen shot of the notification window.

Notable Improvements

• Task Manager displays more information including GPU activity.
• Action Center now incorporates fluent design and gets performance improvements.
• Cortana and search settings are now incorporated inside the settings app.
• Better integration for mixed reality applications.
• Photos app can now support 3D animations.
• Many other under the hood tweaks, fixes, and security patches.

New Features

• Power Throttling – Windows now includes a power slider that allows users to quickly and easily maximize performance or maximize battery life on the fly. This can be accessed via the battery icon in your task bar.

• Fluent Design – Various Windows apps and settings now have a design theme that complements Windows metro design focus. It looks nicer!

• Paint 3D – Windows now has a default, built-in application that simplifies the process of creating and manipulating 3D art, drawings, and models.

• Mixed Reality Viewer – A new, default application to view 3D models in an augmented reality space.

• Emoji Picker – Emoji are now accessible in the onscreen keyboard that is accessible via touchscreen devices.

• People App – Pin contacts to your taskbar for fast and seamless communication.

• Windows Subsystem for Linux – It is now possible to run Linux on Windows without a dedicated Virtual Machine (VM). Please contact Tech Support for assistance setting this up.

• Where’s my Pen? – If you use a Surface Pen device, Windows can now locate the device should it be lost or misplaced.

External links for more information

What's New in Recent Updates

FAQ

How do I prepare for the update?

You can perform these step at any time.

• Ensure that you have at least 20GB of free disk space. If you need assistance freeing up disk space, feel free to contact Tech Support and we can help.
• Make sure to keep important documents backed up and in a location other than on your computer. For example, on a flash drive, external hard drive, or in OneDrive.
• While the update process preserves your settings, documents, and applications, it is always a good idea to have multiple copies of important files in secure backup locations.
• This update is more significant than usual updates. As such, please plan for a minimum of 1.5 hours without the use of your computer. For this reason, we recommend beginning the update just before you leave work for the day.
• Launch Software Center from your Start Menu or system tray to view and install this update. If your Software Center application doesn’t load or you do not see the update, contact Tech Support and we will assist.

I’m ready to update!

Starting May 6th, 2019 this update will be available to download from Software Center.

• Check Windows Update to ensure there are no pending updates. If there are, please install them prior to installing this feature update.
• Restart your machine to ensure there are no pending Windows updates or other pending software updates, as these may prevent the feature update from installing correctly.
• Plug in your device's power cord and leave it plugged in. The update will fail if you don't plug in your power cord!!
• Make sure to save any open files or documents.
• Close all open programs or applications
• Go to Software Center and select the Feature Update
• The update will take a while. This is a great opportunity to stretch your legs!

Why is this update such a big deal?

Microsoft has changed the way it supports its operating systems to improve security while seamlessly delivering new features. New versions of Windows 10 come out two times a year and each new version is supported for 18 months. Cyber-attacks (such as the WannaCry ransomware attack) frequently target computers with older versions of Windows, so this frequent update cycle helps protect users from emerging threats.

Older versions of Windows (Windows XP, Windows 7, etc.) were typically supported for five years or more. That slower update cycle allowed IT departments to upgrade computer equipment (desktops, laptops, tablets) without the need to perform an operating system upgrade on existing hardware. The 18-month life-cycle of Windows 10 (also referred to as "Windows-as-a-Service") is shorter than the life-cycle of our current Windows hardware, so we now support and encourage in-place operating system upgrades.

How long will the upgrade take?

In general, around 90 minutes. Users may experience a range in times depending on which computer model they have, how many programs they have installed, network speed, and how much free space they have on their hard drive.

Will I be able to choose when to install the upgrade?

Yes! We understand that your time is valuable, and we don’t want this upgrade to get in the way of your job or course work. To that end, users will have four weeks to perform the upgrade at a time that is convenient for them. Due to the more frequent update cycle from Microsoft, the version of Windows 10 on many laptops is at the end of its life and is no longer supported by Microsoft, so we must upgrade our computers to stay protected against emerging threats.

What happens if I don’t perform the upgrade?

At the end of that four week optional upgrade period any computers that have not yet been updated will be upgraded automatically.

Will this erase my hard drive or will I lose my data?

No. The entire purpose of an in-place upgrade is to preserve a user’s data and programs while updating the operating system. But accidents can happen, so it is always a good idea to back up your data before performing any major upgrade.

If I have issues with my computer, will this update fix them?

This is a core operating system update and may not automatically resolve/repair existing issues with your computer. If something is wrong with your system please contact WSU Tech Support before starting this upgrade.

Support Video

Update Walk-through

Technical Support

• If you need assistance backing up your data you can go to the Digital Learning Commons in Krueger Library 105 where one of our DLC STARS will be happy to assist. If backing up to a flash drive please remember to bring your own flash drive as these are not provided by Tech Support or the DLC STARS.
• If your upgrade doesn't work or you have other questions about the upgrade you can email AskTech@winona.edu or call Phone Support at 507-457-5240.