Microsoft announces to pause all optional non-security releases (C and D updates) for Windows

Microsoft has just announced that it will provide support for corporate IT administrators during the outbreak, so Microsoft has decided to temporarily pause all optional non-security releases (C and D updates) for Windows.

Generally, Microsoft releases C/D type cumulative updates at the beginning and end of each month. Such cumulative updates are beta and will only be installed on some users’ devices.

The routine cumulative update released in the middle of each month belongs to the type B update, which is the stable version update. The stability of the type B update is relatively better than that of the C/D type.

Microsoft wrote:

“We have been evaluating the public health situation, and we understand this is impacting our customers. In response to these challenges we are prioritizing our focus on security updates. Starting in May 2020, we are pausing all optional non-security releases (C and D updates) for all supported versions of Windows client and server products (Windows 10, version 1909 down through Windows Server 2008 SP2).

There is no change to the monthly security updates (B release – Update Tuesday); these will continue as planned to ensure business continuity and to keep our customers protected and productive.”

The test updates released by Microsoft each month are actually prepared for the next month’s stable version updates, and most users will not install updates with test nature.

Test updates only appear when a small number of users manually click the Check for Updates button, so if users do not manually check for updates, they will not be installed.

On the enterprise side, administrators usually deploy test-based cumulative updates based on stability considerations to ensure that there are no compatibility issues before deploying stable releases.

This time Microsoft has decided to suspend the release of cumulative updates that are beta in nature. Starting in May, Microsoft will only release regular security updates to fix known vulnerabilities.

Of course, in fact, Microsoft will also fix some known errors in the system through such security updates. Microsoft said that such release plans will not be suspended due to the coronavirus epidemic.