Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (1709) fully available

I’m happy to announce the Fall Creators Update (version 1709) is fully available for all compatible devices running Windows 10 worldwide! Full availability is the final phase of our rollout process. When a new feature update is released, we begin by targeting a select set of devices that we believe will have the best update experience based on device characteristics and testing done by us and our device partners. We then monitor feedback for issues around application and device compatibility and make adjustments along the way, if necessary.  Actively listening for and responding to issues as they emerge helps us confidently expand the release to additional devices while maintaining a quality experience.  We’re pleased to announce that the Fall Creators Update was the fastest Windows 10 release to reach 100M devices, all while achieving higher customer satisfaction ratings compared to prior updates!

Enterprise customers following this same targeted approach for the Semi-Annual Channel can also fully deploy when ready.  As an IT administrator, you decide when to broadly deploy once you have validated the apps, devices, and infrastructure in your organization work well with this release. You no longer need to wait for our signal – deployment control and choice is yours.* IT admins can leverage Windows Analytics tools that help you plan, test and deploy Windows 10 to your organization, and help accelerate Windows 10 migration. You can learn more about Windows Analytics tools and best practices for deployment and servicing the Semi-Annual Channel releases.

We’re thrilled to be offering the Fall Creators Update to all our customers, and we expect commercial customers to have the same level of confidence based on quality from their own broad deployments. As always, we will continue to evolve our releases based on your feedback.

Windows updates help keep systems current and safer 

Protecting your device and your information is critical. Recent reports about “Meltdown” and “Spectre,” a new class of critical vulnerabilities disclosed last week, underscore how rapidly the global security landscape is evolving. These threats highlight the importance of having devices running the latest Windows 10 feature update and the latest monthly quality updates.  We build the latest security technology deep into the Windows operating system to provide defense-in-depth features that prevent evolving malware and other vulnerabilities from impacting your device, and layer on monthly quality updates that help your machine keep pace with the evolving threat landscape.

For these new vulnerabilities, we’ve provided updates to customers with the latest security protections available.  Because these vulnerabilities start at the processor level, however, having the latest Windows operating system (OS) updates is not sufficient to be fully protected; you will also need to install related firmware updates from your device manufacturer. Lastly, ensuring your antivirus products are up-to-date (for example, Windows Defender is available in-box for free and updates automatically) and that you are backing up critical files to the cloud remain best practices.

The most secure device is an up-to-date device

For those with automatic updates enabled, Windows 10 will continue to provide the latest monthly security updates to help keep your information and your device protected. Windows 10 is configured for automatic updates except over metered connections (where charges may apply), in which case we’ll only download those updates required to keep Windows running smoothly. To enable automatic updates, go to Windows Update> Advanced options> Choose how updates are installed to make sure they are turned on for you.

In order to help you get the latest defense-in-depth security protections that come in the Fall Creators Update, we’ve improved the experience to allow you to update your device faster and with greater confidence. If you’re running the Anniversary Update (version 1607) or Creators Update (version 1703), we’ll send you a reminder that the feature update is ready to install. You can schedule the right time: just pick a time that works best for you or set a new reminder for tomorrow. If you’re running an even older version of Windows 10, you’ll need to install the Fall Creators Update using Update Assistant on our Software Download site.

If you choose not to update your device when notified, your system will try to identify a time outside of your device’s active hours to install the update when you’re not actively using your machine.  If you’ve already scheduled an installation date and time, the update will install automatically at your specified time.  A final reminder alerts you 15 minutes before your device is scheduled to reboot, so you can properly save and close out of what you are doing.  If you’re still not quite ready to take a break at that time, you can choose to restart later.

To ensure devices in enterprise environments are running the most current and secure version of Windows with the latest security updates, any device on Windows 10 Enterprise edition or Windows 10 Pro edition that is configured to receive updates automatically from Windows Update will be automatically offered Windows 10, version 1709 after January 18, 2018.  This does not apply to long-term servicing editions.

Start the new year more safe and secure

Bring your devices up to date with the Fall Creators Update, now available for all customers globally – consumer and commercial alike.  If you haven’t yet updated, simply click the Update Now button on the Software Download Site to manually update your device. You can also update your device or personalize your settings including your active hours, restart options and other advanced options in the Windows Update settings menu.

As always, we’re actively listening. If you have feedback, please share it with us via the Feedback Hub app.

*Refreshed media will be published to Windows Update, Windows Update for Business, WSUS, and VLSC starting the week of January 22, 2018.