Windows 10 versions 1909 and 2004 are "ready for broad deployment"

[harlan4096]

Microsoft changed the status of the Windows 10 operating system versions 1909 and 2004 to broad deployment on February 3, 2021. The new status changes how the operating system versions are offered on customer devices.

Up until now, users had to install the updates manually, e.g. by selecting the "check for updates" button in the Windows Update settings, or by installing the upgrade using the Windows Update Assistant. Updates to a new version of Windows 10 are only offered to systems if no known update blocks are in place.

Update blocks prevent the installation on devices with potential or known issues.

New updates are released under the "targeted deployment" status initially which limits the availability to devices that are the most likely to be fully compatible with the new release

The new "broad deployment" status unlocks the update for all users via Windows Update.

Windows 10 version 1909 was released in 2019, and consumer editions of the operating system version, Windows 10 Home, Pro, Pro Education and Pro for Workstation, will run out of support in May 2021. Enterprise edition support runs out in May 2022 thanks to extended support.

Windows 10 version 2004 was released in May 2020 to the public. Availability was limited in the beginning, and a number of upgrade blocks were set by Microsoft to block the upgrade from being offered to incompatible devices. The release was not as catastrophic as that of Windows 10 version 1809, arguably the worst Windows 10 version release in history as it had critical issues that could cause data loss, unbootable systems, and other issues. Microsoft even had to pause the release for an extended period before it offered it again to its customers.

Support for Windows 10 version 2004 will run out on December 14, 2021 for all supported operating system editions, consumer and Enterprise alike).

Windows 10 version 20H2 is the newest version of Windows 10. It is not ready for broad deployment yet, but systems can be upgraded to it via Windows Update or manual installation. The operating system version is supported for 18 months on consumer devices and for 30 months on Enterprise devices.

Upgrades from Windows 10 version 2004 to 20H2 won't cause as many issues on devices as updates from a previous year's release because of the minor nature of the update.

Windows 10 version 2004 has two issues listed on its Health Dashboard. The issues affects devices with Conexant ISST audio drivers, and might cause stop errors, blue screens and other, unmentioned issues, after updating devices to the version of Windows 10.

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