What Does All This Mean?

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BobH
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What Does All This Mean?

Post by BobH »

Win10 11dec2020.PNG
Could someone please explain for me what the OS Build number and Experience Pack number mean?

Is there some way I can determine whether or not this means my updates are current?
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HansV
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Re: What Does All This Mean?

Post by HansV »

Each version/update of Windows has a "build". It consists of a build number (19041 in your screenshot, this is the build number of Windows 10 version 2004) plus a revision number that corresponds to the latest cumulative update that has been installed (685 in your screenshot, for the December 8, 2020 cumulative update).

The Windows Feature Experience Pack is a new way of Microsoft for rolling out new/improved features independently of the major version updates (confusing, isn't it?)
Best wishes,
Hans

PJ_in_FL
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Re: What Does All This Mean?

Post by PJ_in_FL »

So is this a current update for Bob's computer?
PJ in (usually sunny) FL

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HansV
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Re: What Does All This Mean?

Post by HansV »

Bob has the most recent cumulative update for version 2004. Version 20H2 was released in October - it currently has OS Build 19042.685.
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Hans

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BobH
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Re: What Does All This Mean?

Post by BobH »

Thank you for the explication, Hans!

That gives me the information I wanted. I'm very much aware of using build numbers but wasn't sure how to interpret the MS numbers. The Experience Pack info was new to me. I couldn't find much about it searching the web. Apparently MS hasn't released a lot of info about it yet.
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Jay Freedman
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Re: What Does All This Mean?

Post by Jay Freedman »

The build numbers, release notes, and other information about updates are on the MS support site. The latest one for versions 2004 and 20H2 is https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4592438, and earlier ones are listed in the left column under the heading "In this release".

JoeP
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Re: What Does All This Mean?

Post by JoeP »

Not much is known about Microsoft's full intentions with the Windows Experience Pack updates. It seems that Microsoft may be changing the Windows 10 servicing model yet again. WEP updates appear to service features that are not part of the core operating system and therefore can be changed without a major release. There is speculation that business uses may have the option to defer or reject WEP updates while normal users will not. However, Microsoft has not yet said anything official.
Joe