Don't delay any longer updating Windows 10

{This was taken from ZDNet.com.  I'm republishing the whole article.  I stayed on a previous, but not even out of date, version on one of my computers for longer than I should have and I got caught in a situation where the update program would not work any more.  My only option was to reinstall the operating system.  This underlined a flaw in the release process used my Microsoft, but there is nothing a user can do but take it on the chin.  The information below warns that you had better be on version 1803 by the end of September.  If you need help let me know.  To see what version you are on, assuming it is Windows 10, click on the "start" icon and type "about".  Up should pop a couple of selections, one of which is "about your pc."  Click on that.  Your version will be under the heading "Windows specifications." }

With Version 1703 of Windows 10 servicing ending on October 9, 2018, Microsoft has decided to remind users visiting the Microsoft Store that it's time to "Update your PC by October 9, 2018. Join the millions of people who are up to date".

And by that the company probably means joining the 250 million of the nearly 700 million Windows 10 PCs now on the April 2018 Update or Windows 10 1803, released in April.

Windows 10 Version 1703, the Creators Update, was released in May 2017 and reaches end of service in just over three months, about the time Microsoft will be putting out the Redstone 5-codenamed version of Windows 10. In October 2017, it gave the world the Fall Creators Update, 1709.

In June, Microsoft declared Windows 10 April 2018 Update generally available, meaning it is available to all the devices in the world that support Windows 10, so in theory users should be safe to make the upgrade.


For a variety of reasons, including the sheer size of major version updates, some people put off these updates.  (One of the most common is that the updates seem to be buggy when installed, and it is costly and difficult to back out.  DGL)

With the April 2018 Update, Microsoft started alerting people that updates are pending but also for the first time gave them the option to reschedule a restart time, begin the update immediately, or delay the decision until later.

Although the default position of Microsoft is to push Windows 10 out as fast as possible, in 1703 there was an option to avoid the update by stating that your connection was metered and it would not install.

The latest update message, spotted by Windows Latest, tells all users not on the latest version of Windows 10 that they're running an outdated version and then sends them to a Microsoft page that promotes the latest security built-in enhancements to Windows 10.

But the message is intended solely for users on version 1709: "Your device is running an older version of Windows 10. To continue to receive security updates and enjoy the latest features Windows 10 has to offer, you need to update your device to a newer version of Windows 10," Microsoft says.

Users get an option to Update Now, which will install the Windows 10 Upgrade Advisor app if clicked.

For those who have held off upgrading to subsequent Windows 10 versions, now would be a good time to update, given that "end of servicing" means no more security patches.

Microsoft releases hundreds of important Windows security patches each year, and if they're not already under attack at the time of release the chance they will be increases over time.

Besides that, Microsoft has taken on the role of releasing Intel's Meltdown and Spectre patches, which 1703 machines won't be getting after October 9 either.

Unfortunately for Microsoft, this initiative won't help its ambition to get Windows 10 across the "nearly" 700 million mark that's been touted for the past few months.