Microsoft's data-focused approach to Windows Updates requires an update

[harlan4096]

 

Microsoft uses a data-focused approach to determine if updates are ready for wider distribution and it appears that the company is very content with the approach.

Issues of recent updates suggest that Microsoft may need to rethink its strategy when it comes to Windows Updates.

Microsoft started a new series on the official Windows Experience blog some time ago in which company representatives lift the veil in regards to the company's strive for quality.

Microsoft told the public that update quality is better than ever, and that the same is true for the quality of released device drivers.

In "Data, insights and listening to improve the customer experience", information is provided on how Microsoft uses data to determine the quality of updates.

The fundamental question that Microsoft asks for each release is "Is this Windows Update ready for customers?". Updates go through different stages during development:  

1. Automatic and manual testing of updates.
   
2. Evaluation of quality based on diagnostic data and feedback from Microsoft engineers.
   
3. Distribution to Windows Insiders and further evaluation of updates.
   
4. Distribution to the general Windows population.
   

The metrics that Microsoft gathers and monitors need to be equal to or better than the metrics of the previous update.

By the time we are ready to ship to our customer base, our metrics must be, at a minimum, at or above the quality levels for the previous release, the idea being that every update should make the Windows 10 experience better.

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