Earlier today, Microsoft quietly updated its documentation to confirm that Windows 10 May 2020 Update has entered the next phase of the rollout. In addition, Microsoft has begun the process of herding those still running the unsupported version of Windows 10 into upgrading to Windows 10 version 2004.
The same thing had happened to those running Windows 10 version 1709 or 1803 when Windows 10 version 1903 was launched last year.
According to the Windows lifecycle fact sheet, devices running Windows 10 version 1809 will reach the end of servicing on November 10, delayed from May 12, and version 1903 will be reaching the end of servicing on December 8.
Windows 10 version 1809 should be the one that will get automatically upgraded in the coming months. Later, Windows 10 version 1903 is expected to join the machine learning-based forced upgrade list.
Microsoft did say that it will use “the machine learning-based (ML-based) training” to increase the number of devices selected to “update automatically to Windows 10 version 2004”. It’s likely that initially, not everyone will be force upgraded to the May 2020 Update.
The reason for forcing Windows 10 May 2020 Update is security – because the end of the service for version 1809 or older is on the horizon. This applies to Windows 10 Home and Pro editions only as Enterprise and Education edition will remain supported until May 2021.
“Using the machine learning-based (ML-based) training we have done so far, we are increasing the number of devices selected to update automatically to Windows 10, version 2004 that are approaching end of service,” Microsoft noted.
The company also clarified that it plans to use its machine learning through all phases to delivery a smooth update experience for users running any version of Windows 10.
If you’re on Windows 10 version 1903, you won’t be force upgraded to Windows 10 May 2020 Update yet. However, later this year, the machine learning-based forced upgrade will also apply to those running Windows 10 version 1903.
Support for version 1903 is scheduled to end on December 8, 2020.
