Windows 10, revealed: You'll get more information from Microsoft in future updates
With the 10586.104 update Microsoft released Tuesday, the two sides are on more equal ground. Microsoft now provides a “changelog” of what each Windows 10 rollup brings via a new Windows 10 Update History webpage.
“We’re committed to our customers and strive to incorporate their feedback, both in how we deliver Windows as a service and the info we provide about Windows 10,” the company wrote. “In response to this feedback, we’re providing more details about the Windows 10 updates we deliver through Windows Update.”
Microsoft said it's currently delivering Windows updates on two distinct branches: the build 10240 that the company launched Windows 10 with, as well as build 10586, the “Threshold” release that most consumers have migrated to. (Customers who have bought or licensed Enterprise, Business, or Education versions of Windows 10 have the option of remaining on the older build 10240, up to 10 years for some customers.)
The language Microsoft has used to explain the releases for those builds has been rather vague. If you wanted to know what the Update for Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems (KB3116278) released on Feb. 6 contained, for example, Microsoft’s support page for it revealed that it merely “improves the Windows 10 Version 1511 out-of-box experience (OOBE).”
As of today, however, the Windows 10 Update History page changes that. Specifically, here’s what the KB3116278 update includes :
Why this matters: Let’s face it: Microsoft already has an image problem with some users, who fear that that company is siphoning all of their personal information for some nefarious purpose. Paranoia aside, we can all appreciate more transparency. But it’s also important that Microsoft reveal exactly what bugs the rollup fixes, because it creates a virtuous circle--encouraging users to report bugs that the company can then acknowledge by fixing them. That’s the attitude that helped engender so much goodwill toward Microsoft during the development phase of Windows 10, and can certainly benefit Microsoft again during its post-release stage.