Microsoft Announces Windows 10 May 2019 Update And Gives Users Control Over Updates

The latest update to Windows 10 will bring new sandbox functionality and will decouple the Cortana digital assistant from Windows Search. However, perhaps one of the biggest changes to Windows 10 will come in how much granular control that users will have over the update process. This latest move is no doubt a side effect of the immense negative backlash that was unleashed on the Windows 10 October 2018 Update after a laundry list of epic fails.

Under previous Windows 10 versions, Microsoft would automatically push a major update to systems when its telemetry data “gave us confidence that device would have a great update experience.” However, instead of continuing to force updates on its users, Microsoft says that it will instead provide a popup notification to let users know that a new major update is available and if the install is recommended based on your current system configuration.

The actual option to install the update will be left completely up to the user – in most cases. Microsoft will still force an install of a major feature update for Windows 10 if your current version will soon be reaching end-of-support status. While users will be able to hold off on installing major updates, Microsoft will still automatically push monthly security updates to ensure that systems are protected against fresh threats.

Microsoft will also enable users to pause all updates for up to 35 days (a week at a time, up to five times). This will apply to all versions of Windows 10.

In addition, Microsoft is taking big steps to ensure that the quality of its Windows 10 releases is improved over previous releases (**cough** October 2018 Update **cough**). 

“The final May 2019 Update build will spend increased time in the Release Preview Ring of the Windows Insider Program, allowing us to gather more feedback and insights on compatibility and performance at scale before making the update more broadly available,” Microsoft writes. “With a more robust and longer Release Preview and further investments in machine learning for both high-severity issue detection and our next generation of intelligent rollout, our goal is to provide the best, transparent Windows update experience.”

According to Microsoft, the Windows 10 May 2019 Update will be made available on the Release Preview ring starting next week, and will be available to the general public next month.