Whether you know it as the Windows 10 April Update or the Windows 10 Spring Creators Update, this week it's being rolled out to your PC. We've got everything you need to know about the new update, including the new features, the stuff they've got rid of, and what could cause you problems.
How long is this update going to take?
Windows 10 April Update is a beefy download - 4GB to be exact - but how long it takes to install depends on the age and power of your PC. Some machines are taking as little as 30 minutes, but on average we expect this update to take about an hour. Unless you have a download limit (which in general, businesses won't) this installation shouldn't cause you too many problems.
Windows has a feature called Active Hours. This ensures that your PC won't update while you're working (unless it absolutely has to) and instead will update outside the hours of 8am and 6pm. You can change these hours by going to Settings > Updates and Security > Windows Update. If you're planning on doing this update overnight, make sure your machine is plugged in and connected to the internet. Luckily, you should be able to start working as soon as you log in after the update; there's no 'Welcome to Windows' screen to bypass.
What new features are there?
There is a useful little feature being introduced, Timeline, which is going to be beneficial for home users and business users alike. It's essentially a log of everything you've been doing on your PC - the documents you've opened, spreadsheets you've been working on - along with dates. So there's no need to browse folders to find the file you were working on a week ago - just head to Timeline, and you'll be able to find it faster.
Outside of Timeline, there aren't a ton of new features to get excited about - although as always, there are a lot of patches, fixes and security updates. You can view all the new features on Microsoft's website here.
What are Microsoft getting rid of?
Some features have been removed, but most businesses should not be affected by these changes. The most notable removal is Home Groups, a program to make file sharing easier. Organisations will generally use servers to share files, so Home Groups isn't something that you're going to miss.
Is this update going to cause me any problems?
There is a “known compatibility” issue which has come to our attention, which is causing problems for machines with specific Intel SSD drives. Annoyingly, these problems aren't discovered until the April Update installation is around halfway through. We'd recommend having a word with your IT support team before installing this update, to help identify this potential issue. Microsoft have confirmed that they are working on a fix.
Additionally, if your business has any custom applications, make sure that you check with your application developers before allowing the update to install - just to confirm your apps are still compatible. Otherwise, the Windows 10 April Update shouldn't cause you too many problems - it's a pretty straightforward download.
If you're worried about custom applications or Intel SSD drives, there is a way to delay or block the installation. However, we'd still encourage you to get in touch with us before you block the April Update.
My PC's running fine, I don't want to install this update!
Unfortunately, when you click 'I Accept' on Microsoft's license agreement, you're agreeing to always install the latest update. This is so Microsoft don't have to support lots of older systems.
But even if your PC is running fine, you should be updating your machine regularly anyway. These updates are packed full of security fixes, and will keep your PC protected against the latest viruses and malware.
However, you do have the option to rollback an update if something goes wrong, and your PC starts running oddly. We strongly recommend that you discuss this with your IT support team. There is no guarantee that the rollback will be successful, and it could lead to further complications.
Worried about the update? Give us a call on 0191 482 0444
