Microsoft releases large Windows updates 10. The operating system gets new features that users ask for, and also gets rid of the remnants of Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 8, which did not justify themselves or do not fit into new concept Windows. In October, all computers are under Windows control 10 will receive update number 1809. It includes some interesting innovations, which we will look at later in this article.

Saving a portion of the screen

In Windows, it was always in one form or another. Windows users XP pressed the PrtSc button and saved the screenshot via Paint, in later versions operating system used the Scissors tool to create a screenshot. With the Windows 10 October Update, Microsoft has decided to go further and preinstall the new Snip & Sketch app by default, which lets you quickly take a screenshot and edit it.

To take a screenshot, you must use the keyboard shortcut Win + Shift + X... After that, the screenshot creation panel will open, which contains 3 tools: a screenshot of the entire screen, a rectangular cut and an arbitrary cut. The user gets the opportunity to create a screenshot of the zone he needs, which is immediately saved to the clipboard. Then you can insert it into the required application, or open the "Fragment and Sketch" program through the notification center with this screenshot in order to quickly edit it.

Clipboard "with memory"

Another major innovation that Microsoft has implemented at the system level with the Windows 10 October Update is the Memory Clipboard. That is, the user can use the information that he sent to the clipboard several times.

Please note: Clipboard is synced between Microsoft devices with one account... This allows you to save information on one computer, and insert it into a document on another, which is extremely convenient.

To use the new clipboard “with memory”, you must first enable it. This can be done in two ways:

After activating the work of the journal, you can fully use it. By saving text, images and other information to the clipboard, you can access it for pasting at any time. To do this, it will be enough to press the Win + V combination on the keyboard, and then use one of the log elements presented in the list.

Adjusting the text size

A feature that Microsoft has long been asked to implement in the operating system. Windows users before the October update could, if necessary, change the scale of all elements of the system using the settings. After the 1809 update, it became possible to change only the text size, which can be useful.

To change the text size in Windows 10, you need to go to "Options" - "Accessibility" - "Display" and select the desired text size.

New taskbar search

Another major innovation in Windows 10 October 1809 Update is Search. In the lower left corner of the interface, there is a magnifying glass icon that launches a search. If you click on it, you will notice that the search box has become much larger in size.

Now the search allows you not only to find the program, but also to immediately perform some actions with it. For example, a, pin or go to the folder with the files location.

Linking your phone to Windows 10

Another one new function is being implemented. Through it, the user can bind the phone (on iOS or Android) to the computer. After creating the binding, the user will be able to view the photos stored on the phone from the computer, as well as receive information about calls and SMS messages.

Please note: You can only link your Android phone to Windows 10 if it has Android 7.0 or higher installed.

Other changes in Windows 10 October 1806 Update

In addition to the changes discussed above, the update also brought some less significant innovations, including:

The above are the main new Windows capabilities 10, which were added with the October OS update. Among other things, the stability of the system has increased, and a number of its functions began to work faster.

Despite the fact that Windows 10 has been on the market for quite some time, it is still considered a "young" operating system. The developers are working on its improvements every day to make the user experience more comfortable. All the changes made, no matter how useful they are, are carefully packed and come to the computer in the form of constant updates, so it is so important to know what they are and how to install them correctly.

Do I need to update Windows 10

The question of the need for Windows updates has always been acute, and for good reason. There is still no consensus, so all the pros and cons must be considered before deciding whether to upgrade the system.

Why you don't need to update Windows 10

The meaningfulness of updates for the line of Windows operating systems has always been questionable.

When it comes to operating rooms Windows systems 7, 8 and 8.1, then almost all updates did not bring anything new or made changes to functions that for ordinary users were unclaimed. With the release of Windows 10, this tradition has been partially preserved. Most updates to this OS add only new corporate, server and other narrowly focused functions, as well as fix old and add new small bugs.

Windows 10 updates take a long time to install and require a computer restart. This would be okay if they came out less often than once every two weeks. For the most part, Microsoft's corporate policy is to blame for this frequency, thanks to which everything new is immediately packed and sent to work without thorough checking and testing.

Windows 10 updates take a long time to install at the most inopportune moment

Windows 10 doesn't ask users if they need an update or not, and installs everything automatically when the system restarts. This can take the user by surprise when they decide to reboot the computer quickly. Some Windows 10 updates can take up to two hours to install, depending on device specifications. In addition, downloading them can eat up all Internet traffic, and sometimes computer resources.

Also in Windows 10 there is such a thing as ads. And on free versions system, it is often accompanied by forced installation unpopular and low-grade software from Microsoft. Updates to services responsible for advertising are also included in the general Windows update.

Why you need to update Windows 10

It is imperative to install the first update immediately after installing the system. The fact is that there are many more varieties of Windows 10 than it might seem at first glance.

First, a generic non-personalized version of the system is installed. After installing the drivers and the first update, the OS changes to the version that most closely matches the hardware configuration, which can improve the overall performance of Windows 10 and its compatibility with your computer.

Now let's talk about the advantages of regularly updating Windows 10. You've probably heard about the spyware features of this system. In many ways, these services work with a single purpose: collecting and sending statistics to the center technical support... This allows developers to monitor Windows work 10 on different computers and in different conditions in order to regularly improve the system by releasing updates. It is through the active collection of information that some Windows 10 updates are truly valuable and make the user experience more comfortable.

Separately, it should be said about the security system update. Every second Windows 10 update brings improved system protection against viruses and other external threats.

Taking into account the high activity of ransomware and cyber attacks, the update of security systems is relevant recently. Even if the computer has good antivirus that you fully trust does not provide guaranteed protection against threats aimed at vulnerabilities in Windows itself.

Windows 10 general update includes vulnerability fixes and security updates

Windows 10 updates are especially important for owners of older hardware. After Windows installations 10 most drivers are downloaded automatically: this procedure often includes some compatibility improvements to further ensure the best performance of your computer. Unfortunately the base Microsoft data is far from complete, which especially affects the outdated hardware. But such information is collected very quickly, and with the next update a package may come, designed exclusively for one of the computer components.

All kinds of Windows 10 updates and misconceptions associated with them

By "updating the operating system", many users sometimes mean completely different things. To avoid confusion, for a start it is worth taking a closer look at a couple of points: what is an update, what it can be, and what it cannot.

The confusion over the types of updates is pretty serious. It arose due to inaccurate translation of English words into Russian. For example, version is the version, edition is the version, build is the version, and the like.

Table: what is called "Windows 10 Update"

What is meant by "Windows 10 Update"

Windows Update is responsible for updating the system in Windows 10. When it starts, it starts automatically checking for new assemblies and additional resources, and if something is found, it starts downloading and installing immediately. There are other ways to start an update, but the procedure is always the same.

Windows 10 Update is Windows 10 Build Update plus Windows Additional Resources Update. This procedure is indivisible and unique possible option updating your system.

Updating Windows 10 means updating the operating system and some of its components

There are no ways to update

Due to various misconceptions and user memory about Windows 7, you can very often find mention of update methods that do not actually exist.

Selective update

Many users mistakenly believe that Selective System Updates are acceptable in Windows 10. Once upon a time, there was indeed information that Microsoft would make such an opportunity for owners of the release of Windows 10 Professional. However, this idea has not been continued, and no choice is expected for users in the near future.

All updates for Windows 10 are downloaded as a single package, and there is no way to separate what you need from the rest. There are also no special programs or utilities to implement this function. And although there are ways to update the system to a certain version, excluding the subsequent ones, it will not work to choose what to install from this update and what not.

All updates for Windows 10 are packaged in one package that cannot be separated in any way

Manual update

Manual Windows 10 update can be considered a synonym for selective: that is what it implies. Windows 10 only has automatic updates that you can manually start. It's just that it either starts itself, or at the request of the user, and Windows 10 is always updated the same way.

A manual update can be called an offline update via the MSU file downloaded from the Microsoft update catalog

Upgrade to Game Mode

Game mode is enabled in the settings:

1. Click on the "Start" button and click on the gear-shaped icon to open the "Options".

   Click on the "Start" button and click on the gear to open the "Options"

2. In the window that appears, click on "Games".

   In the window that appears, click on "Games"

3. On the left side of the window, click on "Game Mode" and activate the only switch.

   On the left side of the window, click on "Game Mode" and activate the only switch

If game mode you will not have it in the settings, just update the system using any of the proposed methods and try again.

Installing a specific update

It is recommended that you only download the latest Windows 10 update, which is what the system itself does. Any service pack is fully installed and includes changes from all previous OS updates. You won't be able to skip a specific update.

Service packs include changes from all previous ones, if they were not excluded by newer ones. Also if problems occur after upgrading to latest version, you can upgrade to any previous one. How to do this is described in the chapter "Upgrading to a Specific Version". However, remember that any subsequent system update will revert all changes back.

How much updates do and how long does it take to install

Update Center downloads only the most recent update, which is sufficient to update the operating system. Several packages are downloaded at the same time only if there is a change in the internal Windows versions 10. In this case, their weight is added up. The updates themselves do not accumulate in any way, but simply replace each other. Their sizes are approximately 500 MB for x86 systems and 1 GB for x64 systems.

After applying the changes, the service pack itself is removed, but the size free space on the hard disk will change:

• the size of the operating system can change within 1 GB up or down (the weight of the update itself does not affect this);
• on the C drive, the update cache will remain, which by its weight is 50–80% of the update itself.

The update cache is designed to restore the system in case of failure. Usually it is removed on its own after a while if there is not enough free disk space. The update cache is located at C: \ Windows \ SoftwareDistribution \. This is the only trace left. To remove it, you need to disable "Update Center" and start the system in safe mode... How to do both is written in the chapter "How to stop updating Windows 10".

Removing the update cache will not harm the system in any way

The time it will take for the system to update is difficult to predict, since it depends on the capabilities of the computer and the speed of the Internet. The update can take anywhere from 15 minutes to two hours.

If you run the update check yourself, the weight of the update will be shown before downloading it. If the system starts the process itself, and there is little space on the computer, it will notify the user about this. The table below shows the sizes of the latest service packs for all internal versions of Windows 10 that the system will load.

Table: package weights for the latest Windows 10 updates

How to update Windows 10

Typically, a Windows 10 update is launched without the user's knowledge. Either the system receives a message about the appearance of something new, or it checks for updates on a timer on its own. If the information about the availability of updates is confirmed, they will start downloading in the background, and the user will only know about this after restarting the computer.

However, you can also request an update check yourself.

The main way

The easiest way to run the scan is through Windows Update, which is located in the Options window.

1. Click on the "Start" button and open "Settings" by clicking on the gear icon.

   Click on the "Start" button and open "Settings" by clicking on the gear

2. In the window that opens, click on "Update and Security".

   In the window that opens, click on "Update and Security"

3. Click on the "Check for Updates" button.

   Click on the "Check for Updates" button

Video: How to Check for Updates in Windows 10

Through the "Command Line" (forced)

Checking for updates can be disabled through various settings systems. If this is the case, you will not be able to update in a general way. In this case, you should use the "Command Line" to force the search for updates to start.

Through utilities

Windows 10 can also be updated via special programs designed for just this purpose.

The utilities will not provide special features. They do not contain the updates themselves, but only redirect the system to the Microsoft server to search for them.

Both applications described below are located on the official Microsoft website in the "Software Downloads" section.

Utilities for updating Windows 10 can be downloaded from the official Microsoft website

Media Creation Tool

Windows10Upgrade (+ upgrade to Windows 10)

It is even easier here, since in the application itself you have to press only one button, but it will be installed on your computer. It also allows you to upgrade to Windows 10 from 8.1 and earlier.

Download the application from the official Microsoft website, run it as administrator and click "Update Now".

Run Windows10Upgrade as administrator and click "Upgrade Now"

Upgrading to a specific version

These methods can also be thought of as upgrading without an internet connection. They differ from the previous ones in that now the search for the current version of Windows 10 will be carried out not on the Microsoft server, but on the Windows 10 image or a special file.

Through ISO image

Video: how to download the official Windows 10 image

Via CAB or MSU file

Files with the CAB and MSU format are special Windows 10 updates that are designed to update systems that do not have access to the Internet. You can download them from the official Microsoft website. The update files should open like regular files.exe format, but if this does not happen, you can run them through the "Command line".

Run Command Prompt as administrator and enter one of the following commands:

Change Windows 10 edition (no reinstallation and no data loss)

Changing the edition of Windows 10 is possible only for a more "expensive" version of the system. If you want, for example, to change Enterprise to Professional, only a complete reinstallation of the system will help you: Enterprise is the most expensive edition. But from the Home version, the transition is more than possible.

1. Click on the "Start" button and click on the gear to go to "Options".

   Click on the "Start" button and click on the gear to go to "Options"

2. In the window that opens, click on the "Update and Security" section.

   Click on the "Update and Security" section

3. On the left side of the window, select Activation and click Change Product Key.

   Select the Activation tab and click Change Product Key

4. Enter one of the following keys (conditional keys: they allow you to change the version, but do not activate it):
   
5. If the update does not start automatically, select Windows Update on the left side of the window and click Check for Updates.

   Select the "Winodws Update Center" tab and click "Check for Updates"

How to stop Windows 10 update

If you need to urgently interrupt a Windows 10 update that has begun, quickly disconnect your Internet connection. Now you need to run "Command Prompt" as administrator and enter the following commands in turn: net stop wuauserv, net stop bits and net stop dosvc.

Open the "Start" menu, search for "cmd", click on " Command line» right click mouse and select "Run as administrator"

If you want to prevent downloading updates, the easiest way to do this is through services.

1. Open the "Start" menu, type "services.msc" and run the found utility.

   Go to "Options"

2. Go to the Update & Security section.

   Open the "Update and Security" section

3. Expand the Troubleshoot tab and select your problem. Further instructions the system will give you itself.

   Expand the Troubleshoot tab and select your problem

Regular updating of Windows 10 is a useful thing, but not always convenient. Nevertheless, periodic updates for this system are almost vital. It is better to endure an hour-long system update once again than to try to cope with more serious computer problems later.

Available for manual loading... Users could have installed Windows 10 (version 1809) by manually checking for updates in Windows Update, using the Media Creation Tool and the.

Stopped distribution of Windows 10 October 2018 Update

October 6 all official ways for manual update before Windows 10 (version 1809) stopped working.

• When trying to manually check for an update in Windows 10 (version 1803) by selecting Check for Updates from Options> Update & Security, Feature update to Windows 10, version 1809 not found.
• When launching Media Creation Tool version MediaCreationTool1809.exe the utility tells you to download and run the latest version. After going to the official site by the link "Download the updated media creation tool" is downloaded old version tool - MediaCreationTool1803.exe.

• The Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant, when launched on Windows 10 (version 1803), also reports that the computer already has the latest version of the system.

Thank you for updating to the latest version of Windows 10.

• The ability to download Windows 10 October 2018 Update ISO images has also been removed from Microsoft's official website.

Note... Download Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) from official servers Microsoft can still use Windows ISO Downloader and TechBench by WZT service

Microsoft is investigating file update incidents

Microsoft has officially confirmed the suspension of the update:

We have paused rolling out the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) to all users as we are investigating individual reports of user files being deleted in some cases after the update.

If you manually downloaded ISO- windows image 10 October 2018 Update, please do not install the system, but wait for the new installation files to appear.

Discontinued distribution for the following platforms:

• Windows 10, version 1809
• Windows Server, version 1809
• Windows 10 IoT Core, version 1809
• Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019
• Windows 10 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2019
• Windows Server 2019

Earlier it was reported that when upgrading to Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809), documents and other files in the user profile may be deleted.

How to roll back a Windows 10 update

Official recommendations from Microsoft on the need for a rollback have not yet been received. But when faced with serious problems, some users will want to go back to the previous version of Windows 10, which was stable and smooth. After installation new version Windows 10 all users have 10 days to test it and, if desired, roll back:

As a reminder, Microsoft planned to begin automatic deployment of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) via Windows Update for all supported systems on October 9th. Perhaps plans will change now.

Found a typo? Highlight and press Ctrl + Enter

Everyone knows that the newer the OS version is installed, the better it is often, because each Windows Update contains new features, as well as fixes for old bugs present in earlier assemblies. Therefore, it is important enough to always keep an eye on latest updates and install them on your PC in time.

Before you start updating the system, you need to find out its current version, since it is quite possible that you already have the latest OS installed (at the time of this writing, this is version 1607) and you do not need to perform any manipulations.

But if this is not the case, consider a few simple ways with which you can refresh your OS.

Method 1: Media Creation Tool

Media Creation Tool is a utility from Microsoft, the main task which is to create bootable media. But it can also be used to update the system. Moreover, it is quite simple to do this, because for this you just need to follow the instructions below.

Method 2: Windows 10 Upgrade

Windows 10 Upgrade is another tool from the developers of Windows OS with which you can upgrade your system.

This process looks like this.

Method 3: Update Center

You can also use the standard system tools. First of all, you can check for a new version of the system through "Update Center"... It must be done like this.

In Windows 10, as you know, update tools are not located in the "Control Panel", as in previous versions system, and in the section "Settings" (that is) OS. In addition, unlike previous versions, Win 10 also lacks the option to view and install custom updates.

So, earlier Windows allowed you to selectively install updates of the system itself, its individual applications, as well as third-party programs... It was convenient.

Currently, in this mode, only Intel and Microsoft Silverlight drivers can be updated. The rest of the software can also be selectively updated, but in other ways, in particular, by manual loading required programs or drivers, which is more troublesome in itself.

what updates in Windows 10 can be installed selectively

Obviously, you need to start by finding out what updates are available in general. this moment... IN Windows 10 no longer displays this data, which means that you need to look for it elsewhere.

Alternatively, you can simply download and install additional package troubleshooting tools " Show or hide updates ", Which Microsoft has been offering on its corporate website for some time now in the Support section... The program checks and shows, including available updates for Win 10, installed applications and new versions of drivers for the hardware used.

As an alternative (and simpler) solution to the same question, you can try Windows application Update MiniTool ( link ). It's free, works even without installation, and looks for updates just as well as the Microsoft software tool mentioned.

Software updates and fresh versions drivers MiniTool groups into separate lists. With "firewood" it is especially convenient, because then you just need to select the one you need from the list, open " »Windows 10 and therefore start the procedure for updating the driver of the corresponding device. Not anyhow, of course, but in general it allows you to save time quite well.