Windows 10 Update History – Version 1703 (Creators Update)

April 12, 2017

Summary:  Microsoft web site for the latest and past released feature and security updates for Windows 10 Version 1703 Creators Update

Comments:

  • Reference site for Windows 10 Version 1703(Creators Update) Build 15063 updates
  • Contains updates for each  released KB(Knowledge Base) update by Build number.Subversion number
    • e.g. 15063.138 = Build number 15063 Subversion number 138  (Initial Release, April 11th, 2017)
      • Subsequent updates will be deployed via Windows Update and only modify the ‘Subversion number’
  • Each KB contains(when applicable) a section describing:
    • Information and Fixes
    • Known issues
    • How to obtain the update (including Update Replacement and File Information)
      • Update Replacement identifies if the KB replaces or doesn’t replace a prior update
      • File Information is provided by linking to a downloadable *.csv file

 

 

Revisions:

April 11, 2017:  Initial Draft Date

April 12, 2017: Initial Publish Date

 

Filed under Windows 10 Tagged with , ,

Windows 10 – Creators Update Available April 5th

April 8, 2017

Summary:  Microsoft makes Windows 10 Creators Update available early on April 5th, 2017

Comments:

  • Windows 10 Creators Update, the next version major release for Windows 10, is now available as of April 5th
  • Microsoft previously announced the Windows 10 Creators Update would be rolled out in stages on April 11th
  • A variety of methods/options are available to obtain the Creators Update in advance of the previously announced scheduled deployment date.  The primary consumer methods are noted below. Also see the ‘How-To’ section for specific information on each method.
          • Media Creation Tool
          • Upgrade Assistant
          • Windows 10 Windows Update
          • Windows 10 Refresh option
  • The above methods are primarily intended for early adopters interested in installing the Windows 10 Creator’s update in advance of the scheduled staged rollout starting on April 11, 2017
      • Note: Staged rollout = Not everyone will receive the new Windows 10 Creator bits at the same time

How To:

  • Media Creation Tool – (Microsoft tool on the Windows 10 Software Download web page for creating Windows 10 USB/DVD media and optionally an ISO file for mounting or creating media)
    • Visit the Windows 10 Software Download web page, download and save the Media Creation Tool executable file(MediaCreationTool.exe), close all open applications, and Run the executable in Admin mode
  • Update Assistant
    • Visit the Windows 10 Software Download web page and choose the ‘Upgrade Now’ option
  • Windows Update
    • Windows 10 – Settings/Update and Security/Windows Update)
  • Windows 10 Refresh Option
    • Windows 10 – Settings/Update and Security/Recovery/More Recovery Options)

Additional Information:

Revisions:

April 6th, 2017:  Initial Draft Date

April 7, 2017:  Draft Published

April 8, 2017: Initial Publish date with final edits

Filed under Windows 10 Tagged with , , ,

Windows 10 – Creators Update Rollout April 11

March 30, 2017

Summary:    Microsoft will begin rolling out the Windows 10 Creators Update on April 11, 2017

Comments:

  • Microsoft will begin to deploy the Creators Update on April 11, 2017
  • The Creators Update will be deployed via Windows Update
  • Deployment will, as in the past for major o/s feature updates, be a measured/staged rollout
      • i.e. not everyone receiving the new bits at the same time
  • The Creators Update is Version 1703 with an expected Build Number of 15063
  • Installation of 1703 will most likely download additional fixes and patches(during or immediately after installation)
  • On or shortly after the April 11th rollout the Media Creation Tool should be updated to allow Windows 10 end-users to create USB/DVD installation media and/or an ISO file for creating DVD media or mounting
    • Note: if creating a DVD then Dual Layer DVD media will most likely be required
  • Notable new features included in the Creators Update are Paint 3D, improved Start Menu, Windows Defender Security Center, and additional Personalization options
  • Highly recommended to backup your operating system and data prior to installing the Creators Update
        •  ===> Image your operating system and backup your data to external media

Additional Information:

Revisions:

March 30, 2017:  Initial Draft and Initial Publish Date

Filed under Windows 10 Tagged with ,

Windows 10 – Media Creation Tool – Creating Installation Media

March 28, 2017

Summary:  How to create Windows 10 installation media using the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool

Comments:

  • This article provides a text and graphical overview of the steps to create Windows 10 USB installation media using the available (free) Microsoft Windows 10 Media Creation Tool
  • The information shown is for using the latest available Windows 10 Version 1607 Media Creation Tool
    • The digital signature of the latest version is ‎Thursday, ‎December ‎8, ‎2016 1:14:04 AM
  • When creating Windows 10 Version 1607 media the following media capacities are required
    • USB Flash Drive – 8 GB
    • DVD disc – Dual Layer DVD – 8.5 GB
        • Note: When creating Windows 10 media containing both 32 bit (x86) and 64 bit (x64) architectures for both both Home and Pro editions you should use USB media with a 16 GB minimum size
  • Windows 10 Version 1607 created media by design includes both Home and Pro editions
        • If desired, the option to create media for Windows 10 Home- Single Language is available, but only select this option is you are running Windows 10 Home Single Language
  • Direct link to download the Media Creation Tool (MediaCreationTool.exe)

Media Creation Process:

    1. Download and save the Media Creation Tool executable file (MediaCreationTool.exe)
    2. Right click the Media Creation Tool executable file and select ‘Run as Administrator’
    3. Connect a USB Flash Drive – As noted above an 8 GB size drive is required
    4. Accept the License Terms
    5. Choose ‘Create Installation media for another pc’; Click Next
    6. Choose a language, edition, and architecture; Click Next
    7. Select ‘USB Flash Drive’ on the ‘Choose which media to use’ page; Click Next
    8. Select and verify the correct USB Flash Drive; Click Next
    9. The tool will proceed to download, verify and create Windows 10 Version 1607 media
    10. Once Complete, the final screen will inform that your ‘USB Flash Drive ‘is Ready’

Graphical Overview of the Media Creation Process:

P1   

P2 

P3

P4

P5

P6

P7 P8 

P9

P10

 

Additional Information:

 

Revisions:

August 3, 2016: Initial Draft and Initial Publish Date

October 31, 2016:  Added more detail for clarification in the ‘Comments’ section

January 31, 2017: Added ‘Graphical Overview’ section

March 28, 2017: Rewrote entire article, added and updated information, deleted original from blog, republished

Filed under Windows 10 Tagged with , ,

Windows Essentials 2012– Installer File Officially Removed from Microsoft Servers

March 26, 2017

Summary:  Microsoft officially removed the ability to download the Windows Essentials 2012 Full Version installer file from their servers.

 

Comments:

  • Last week Microsoft officially discontinued the ability for end-users to obtain(download) the Full version installation file for Windows Essentials 2012. (The web version installer was removed some time ago)
  • The removal of the installer file has been expected since Microsoft ended all support for Windows Essentials 2012 in January 10, 2017.   Windows Live Essentials 2011 and 2009 installer files were removed and ceased support quite some time ago.
        • End of support means no further updates(patches/fixes/compatibility), no security updates, no Junk Mail filter updates, and no support for use on current Microsoft supported operating systems(Windows 7/8.1/10)
  • The Windows Essential 2012 installer file may be available from other avenues(friends, third party sources) though caution is warranted from obtaining installation files from outside sources.
          • [Editor note: Not recommended and proceed at your own risk]
  • It would be prudent, if still using a Windows Essentials 2012 products(Mail, PhotoGallery/Movie Maker, Writer) to consider investigating and/or switching to an alternative program for your computing needs and experience.
        • Continued use of Photo Gallery(which is primarily a Photo Viewing application with some editing capability) may be acceptable from a risk standpoint
        • Open Live Writer, compliments of Microsoft, a replacement for Writer remains available as an open source program and has been since 2015
        • Windows Live Mail and its continued use as a mail/news client is feasible but do note that no future security updates will ever be released for the product(nor have any been released for some time) or definition updates for its built-in Junk Mail filter thus always practice safe computing when opening/previewing email and ensure a resident Anti-virus/Anti-malware client is running on your chosen operating system(e.g. Windows Defender on Windows 10)
  • It would also be a good idea to consider archiving any important data to an external source outside of Windows Essential application programs(e.g. email messages and Contacts exported/backed-up to an external thumb or hard drive).
  • FYI – The Windows Essentials suite of products (fka Windows Live Essentials) had a lifespan of just short of 10 years(first released in May 2007 as ‘Windows Live Installer’ comprising of the unified(web based) installers for Messenger, Mail, and Writer)

 

Revisions:

March 24, 2017: Initial Draft Date

March 26, 2017: Initial Publish Date

Filed under Windows Essentials, Windows Live, Windows Live Downloads, Windows Live Mail Tagged with ,

Windows 10 Update History – Version 1607 (Anniversary Update)

February 2, 2017

Summary:  Microsoft web site for the latest and past released feature and security updates

Comments:

  • Reference site for Windows 10 Version 1607(Anniversary Update) Build 14393 updates
  • Contains updates for each  released KB(Knowledge Base) update by Build version.Subversion number
    • e.g. Version 1607 Build 14393.10  (1607’s initial release)
  • Each KB contains(when applicable) a section describing:
    • Information and Fixes
    • Known issues
    • How to obtain the update (including Update Replacement and File Information)
          • Update Replacement identifies if the KB replaces or doesn’t replace a prior update
          • File Information is provided by linking to a downloadable *.csv file

Additional Information:

Revisions:

February 2, 2017:  Initial Draft and Initial Publish Date

 

Filed under Windows 10 Tagged with , ,

Windows 10 Update History – Version 1511 (November Update)

February 1, 2017

Summary:  Microsoft web site for the latest and past released feature and security updates

Comments:

  • Reference site for Windows 10 Version 1511(November Update) Build 10586 updates
  • Contains updates for each  released KB(Knowledge Base) update by Build version.Subversion number
    • e.g. Version 1511 Build 10586.3  (1511’s initial release)
  • Each KB contains(when applicable) a section describing:
    • Information and Fixes
    • Known issues
    • How to obtain the update (including Update Replacement and File Information)
          • Update Replacement identifies if the KB replaces or doesn’t replace a prior update
          • File Information is provided by linking to a downloadable *.csv file

 

Additional Information:

 

 

 

Revisions:

February 1, 2017:  Initial Draft and Initial Publish Date

 

Filed under Windows 10 Tagged with , ,

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