Joe Belfiore Says Windows 10 Cumulative Updates Are Just What We need

Belfiore: internal testing proves this is the right choice

If you’re an early Windows 10 adopter, you surely know that since July 29, Microsoft has released several cumulative updates for the new operating system, as part of a new approach that’s supposed to always keep computers up-to-date at any given moment.

Basically, cumulative updates include all the previously-released patches for the platform, so if you install the last one, you pretty much get everything Microsoft has launched until that very moment. But what happens if one of the fixes included in the full update is broken?

“The result you get is better”

Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore says this shouldn’t be the case because they have conducted internal tests and talked to several companies and organizations to determine the better approach for Windows 10. And cumulative updates are by far the preferred choice for everyone, although he still hasn’t explained what happens in the case of updates that are causing trouble on Windows 10 PCs.

“We've involved a lot of companies and real-world IT management organizations in talking through the implications ... and our feeling talking with them is that the net result that you get is better,” he was quoted as saying in an interview by CW.

“We've seen lots of examples of situations where end users experienced lower reliability or unpredictable system performance because of a relatively untested combination of updates. So our net intent is to improve the quality overall, for everybody. And we believe that this method will deliver that.”...

Microsoft's Joe Belfiore Says Windows 10 Cumulative Updates Are Just What We Need - Softpedia

I wonder, will the media creation tool be updated as well, in other words will you be able to create instillation media that has all the latest updates on ?

I wonder, will the media creation tool be updated as well, in other words will you be able to create instillation media that has all the latest updates on ?

In principle, after you install the from the media creation tool, you should only get one update, not an endless series. I think that may be what they think is better.

But how big are cumulative updates going to get? Eventually you would think they would be the size of the whole operating system.

I haven't noticed any improvements or anything different after any of these cumulative updates. Although I haven't really had any problems, other than my sound going out now and then. The fix is to restart the Windows Audio service and to sign out of my Microsoft account and sign back in.

He has taken a year off to sea travel. I think he needed a break after windows 10. Maybe Gabe Aul will row the boat..LOL

But how big are cumulative updates going to get? Eventually you would think they would be the size of the whole operating system.

The November CU is the entire OS. You have ESP. Just wait until one of these behemoths crashes. Consider what happens when you are 3-4 years into W10. Then consider how all the new features and components are now integrated into the OS. Maybe you will not be able to 'fix' it by uninstalling the CU because not all system changes can be rolled back that easily. After W7/8 extended support ends, 4.5 yrs from now it will be W10 or leave it. These cumulative updates are going to be so complex and so enormous, one update could be in the gigabit range. All those minimum entry level W10 PCs are going to be vibrating, bellowing smoke and even shooting flames. Of course I am joking - you believe that, right?

I suspect what they will do is release cumulative updates alongside service packs (or thresholds as they seem to be calling it)

so you will install

1) Windows 10 (maybe with the latest SP/Threshold installed via media creation tool)
2) Service pack X (unless its already in with the original media)
3) Latest cumulative update(s)

It seems like they are moving closer to an Apple update model where everybody is updated about 5 times a year ( one major and four minor updates) with some tiny updates to fix what they broke. I like update Tuesday and I hope that MS will at least keep that going. Its predictable, Apple's system really isn't.

Eventually the build number for the consumer release will change, new ISO's will be released then for sure. The Windows 8.1 MCT download was updated to 8.1 with update(1). I would expect the Windows 10 MCT to follow suit. MSDN lists ISO's for Windows 8.1 and 8.1 with update. I would think the same thing will happen to Windows 10 ISO's.