I've very recently jumped on the W10 bandwagon but realised that I don't know for sure exactly what happens or what to expect when a new build comes along.
1/ For example, when a new build is released, is it the whole OS that gets replaced (a bit like doing an upgrade install) or is it just the appropriate lines of code within the existing OS that get updated to change whatever the new build is set to offer ?
2/ I have my W10 pro install set to 'defer' upgrades simply because this PC has to be guaranteed stable and trouble free.
So I'm wondering what sort of timescale I might see new builds appear. Would it be days, weeks... or months even after general release that they would appear for me ?
3/ And finally... does a new build just download silently in the background and install automatically or is there warning that its going to occur, and warning that its going to install ?
And thoughts that keep running through my head... if a new build replaces the entire OS then I assume that all the updates and so on that were relevant to the previous build are deleted as well. A new fresh start with each build in in other words. Or does it not work quite like that
It works exactly like that. An upgrade to a new build is exactly like a upgrade install or upgrade from 8 to 10. Windows directory is renamed Windows.old and new Windows directory takes its place. Your tweaks are reset to default but programs (except default store apps) and data are not affected.
All Windows updates are lost (and in last upgrade don't show in update history any more) as they are either included in the new build or are re-released in another patch through Windows update which you'll get after the new build.
Apart from the Insider program there have only been 2 builds - 10240 and then 4 months later 10586. Who knows if this will continue at this pace. The insider program has seen (unless I missed one) 11 builds since the first on in October last year and the upgrade process is the same. Both 10240 and 10586 were first offered to insiders and then once released to public you could leave the insider program and your build would be the same as public release.
If you defer updates they are delayed for I think one month (this applies to non-security updates). Upgrades (where the build changes) are also delayed (for "several months") but you will get them eventually. You can see this thread for more details Meaning of the option - Windows 10 blog.
By default both upgrades and updates will be downloaded and installed automatically. You can change this as described here Windows Update Automatic Updates - Enable or Disable in Windows 10 - Windows 10 blog. I have mine set to "notify" which means it downloads automatically but doesn't install until I tell it (or rather it tells me).
Many thanks for the explanations and links (very helpful).
Its 'defer upgrades' that I have selected, I haven't tweaked anything to defer updates as yet apart from changing the default 'auto restart' to 'notify to restart'. In all my previous Windows versions I did always use the 'notify only' option. I guess as long as I don't run into any problems, I'll probably keep the default settings rather than use the method outlined in your link.
Interesting that you say any tweaks will be reset though, lol, I'll have to keep a note of any specific things I change.
I went for the 'notify' setting but then I check every day if there is an upgrade...Many thanks for the explanations and links (very helpful).
Its 'defer upgrades' that I have selected, I haven't tweaked anything to defer updates as yet apart from changing the default 'auto restart' to 'notify to restart'. In all my previous Windows versions I did always use the 'notify only' option. I guess as long as I don't run into any problems, I'll probably keep the default settings rather than use the method outlined in your link.
Interesting that you say any tweaks will be reset though, lol, I'll have to keep a note of any specific things I change.
Lots of people moaned about resetting tweeks (i.e. registry edits). That makes sense to me as it will correct problems and if you made registry changes one time you can presumably remember how to do them again.
What doesn't make sense (and is also annoying) is default programs are reset. So if you want to use Sumatra PDF as your default PDF program it will be reset to Edge after upgrade. This is annoying but it is what it does. Complain to MS - no point complaining here
With a bit of luck next public build (not for several months) will fix some of this.
Run winverand see what version you are on. If you are on version 1511 (or build 10856 which is the same) then most likely nothing to do until early summer. If you are still on 10240 it might jump on you at any time so better to install it and get it over with.
Lol, I'm beginning to get the picture here.
OK, it seems like I'm on build 10586.36 according to winver, (it was clean installed a couple of weeks ago). I'm going to be very interested to see just how it all works out in practice and can see myself using the arrival of a new build as an excuse to clean install (well, maybe), which is no hardship when there aren't millions of updates as in previous versions. Fascinating times ahead then.
And one more question on this
Do driver updates get carried over when a new build appears ? This is of particular importance to me should I update my old Acer to W10 because the initial install sees W10 use a buggy driver. In practice that makes the install take over 5 hours because it takes that long to get to device manager and disable it before replacing it with another. That's something I obviously wouldn't want to go through each time.
