News

Windows 10 Spring 2020 Update Hits Release Preview Stage

• By Kurt Mackie
• April 20, 2020

The first of two Windows 10 feature updates planned for this year is near completion.

The Windows 10 "May 2020 Update" (also referred to as "version 2004" and "20H1") is now at build number 19041.207 -- possibly its final build, according to a recent Microsoft announcement. It's currently available for Windows Insider Program testers using the "Release Preview ring." Microsoft typically releases two feature updates to Windows 10 per year, one in the spring and one in the fall, which essentially are new operating system releases.

Notable Features in May 2020 Update
Microsoft lists the new features in the May 2020 Update in this "What's New" document. Windows 10 version 2004 will add Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL 2) support, which will improve memory handling aspects, although an improved File Explorer access to Linux distros experience is expected to arrive with a later Windows 10 release. Also, version 2004 will open up the use of Windows Subsystem for Linux on ARM64-based Windows 10 machines.

It'll be possible to reset PCs from the cloud with Windows 10 version 2004 by either downloading Windows or using a local reinstall option to recover a PC, although it'll also wipe any installed programs. This release also will let end users use Microsoft accounts on PCs without passwords via Windows Hello biometric authentication, fingerprints or PINs.

Windows Sandbox, a lightweight virtual machine that runs programs in isolation in a temporary environment without affecting the host, is getting the ability to use configuration files. It apparently opens scenarios for running an application or script in the sandbox, according to this Microsoft blog post.

Windows Search's excessive disk and CPU use will get addressed in Windows 10 version 2004. It'll be possible to rename a virtual desktop. Also, users will be able to see the temperature of their PC's graphics processing units.

Two-in-on PCs, which are laptops that can convert to tablets, will have a similar screen appearance when users switch to the tablet mode with Windows 10 version 2004.

Lots more features are listed in Microsoft's "What's New" document.

Free Support for Windows 10 Version 2004
Microsoft's announcement also included a note that Microsoft will provide free support for Windows Insider Program for Business testers of the Windows 10 May 2020 Update.

Free support is available for users deploying Windows 10 version 2004 (Enterprise or Pro editions) via Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or for those using the "slow ring" or "release preview ring."

Here's how Microsoft expressed the free support offer:

Windows Insider Program for Business participants who are running May 2020 Update (also referred to as version 2004) builds from WSUS or in the Slow or Release Preview ring. can now request Microsoft Support. This support offering is intended to help resolve issues with business use case scenarios and is limited to Windows 10 Enterprise and Pro editions customers. If you run into a severe issue that prevents you or other users in your organization from using a device or compromises security or personal data, you can use our online form to request assistance directly from Microsoft Support­ -- at no cost to you.

Microsoft's new leader of the Windows Insider Program, Amanda Langowski (replacing Dona Sarkar), explained how the team will primarily interact with Windows 10 testers in a Friday blog post. She and the team plan to interact using the @WindowsInsider Twitter handle mainly, Langowski noted.