Microsoft reveals what's next for Windows 10


Although it’s causing a bit of a trail of destruction in its wake for some users, the latest Windows 10 feature update -- version 2004, or the May 2020 Update -- is currently rolling out to compatible machines, and Microsoft is turning its attention to the follow up.
Windows 10, version 20H2 -- the next feature update’s official name -- will be released in the second half of this year, and Microsoft says it will be "delivered in an optimized way for anyone running the Windows 10 May 2020 Update". In other words, the next version will install like a monthly update for those on 2004.
Future Windows 10 builds to be served up based on quality, not frequency


Windows Insiders currently have a choice of three test rings -- Fast, Slow, and Release Preview. The Fast ring sees the most releases -- typically one new build a week -- and these tend to be the least stable. Slow ring flights come out much less often, and are more reliable and less buggy. Release Preview is for those who want early access to servicing updates on released versions of Windows 10.
That’s how it’s been for years, but now Microsoft is gearing up to make a big change that focuses on the quality angle of builds and better supports parallel coding efforts.
Windows 7 returns with the stunning 2020 Edition


Microsoft pulled the plug on Windows 7 five months ago, giving users a pretty stark choice -- switch to Windows 10, or stick with an aging operating system that the software giant is no longer supporting.
While the more sensible choice would be to upgrade to Windows 10, there are plenty of people who have avoided doing so for various reasons, not least that they just prefer how Windows 7 does things -- no Cortana, no forced Bing integration, no invasive telemetry…
Windows 10 being upgraded to the May 2020 Update without user consent


Who can forget the bad old days when Microsoft decided it knew best and forced Windows 10 upgrades on users without their consent? Windows 7 owners who left their systems alone for any length of time often returned to find they’d been 'upgraded' to Windows 10.
Thankfully those days are behind us, and now when Microsoft rolls out a Windows 10 feature update that’s compatible with your system, you can choose when to install it. Except, that is, when Windows 10 goes rogue and installs the latest update without warning.
Tweaking Windows 10 to remove features and lock down your privacy? You're violating Microsoft's copyrights


Although Windows 10 doesn’t spy on its users in the way it did when first launched, and people now have much greater control over their privacy settings, the truth is many users would prefer to tighten their control over the operating system further than Microsoft allows.
There are a number of great free third-party tools which let you boost your privacy and make various changes to the software, including removing annoying bundled software. That’s fine right? Not according to a lawsuit in which Microsoft says this is a breach of its license.
Internet Archive to close its National Emergency Library two weeks early following legal action


Three months ago, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdown, the Internet Archive created a National Emergency Library with over 1.4 million books that you could borrow immediately.
By suspending waitlists for books in its lending library, the Internet Archive hoped to best serve the nation’s displaced learners. The plan at the time was to offer this Emergency Library "through June 30, 2020, or the end of the US national emergency, whichever is later".
Microsoft releases Windows 10 Build 19645 with changes to Linux kernel servicing


It’s been a couple of weeks since Microsoft began rolling out the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, and it’s fair to say progress has been slow, with more issues coming to light.
Still, it’s full steam ahead on Windows 10 development as the software giant today releases a new build for Insiders on the Fast ring.
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Microsoft releases Windows 10 Build 19640


The Windows 10 May 2020 Update is currently rolling out to users of compatible systems, although Microsoft is blocking it for some with a 'your device isn’t quite ready' message.
That’s not a problem for Insiders on the Fast ring though who today get another new build to play around with.
How to boost your privacy and remove unwanted features from Windows 10


Windows 10 comes with lots of features that you might not need, or want. These include Cortana, Bing in Windows Search, and the Game Bar. In addition, Microsoft’s operating system spies on you in a number of ways.
Thankfully, disabling unwanted features and locking down your privacy just got way easier.
Here are all the features Microsoft removed or deprecated in Windows 10 May 2020 Update


Microsoft began to roll out the latest big feature update for Windows 10 a couple of days ago, and you can get it via Windows Update, or force the update if it’s not yet showing up for you, although that’s probably not a great idea given the current number of known issues.
With each new OS update, however, some existing features get dropped, or stop being actively developed. Here’s what’s missing in Windows 10 2004, the May 2020 Update.
Microsoft releases Windows 10 Build 19635


Microsoft began the rollout of the Windows 10 May 2020 Update yesterday, although it won’t be available to all for a while as there are still a number of known issues to be aware of.
Today the software giant releases a new test build for Insiders on the Fast ring.
8GB Raspberry Pi 4 now available


When the Raspberry Pi Foundation launched the Raspberry Pi 4 last year it described it as a "complete desktop computer", but the truth is it isn’t powerful enough to run many of the tasks you’d use a desktop computer for, even if you opted for the 4GB model.
Today however, the Raspberry Pi 4 gets an upgrade with a new 8GB version joining the ranks.
Wow! Windows 10 May 2020 Update has a LOT of issues


Microsoft had previously warned that the latest feature update for Windows 10 would be released with one known issue, but it turns out it has a lot more than that.
The Windows 10 May 2020 Update, also known as Windows 10 version 2004, started rolling out to users yesterday, being first made available to users running Windows 10 version 1903 or 1909.
Wayne's Bio
Wayne Williams is BetaNews' managing editor. He has been writing about computers, technology, and the web for over 20 years now. He’s written for most of the UK’s PC magazines, and launched, edited and published a fair few of them in his time also. If you like what you read, you can Buy Me a Coffee!
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