Annual Windows 10 Upgrade Guide

Why ITS Upgrades Windows 10 Annually

Microsoft, the creator of Windows 10, is not releasing updates the same way they have in the past. In Windows 10, Microsoft has decided to release large 'Feature' upgrades/updates alongside the regular, small monthly updates. Unlike the monthly updates, these large 'Feature' updates are not released very frequently. Microsoft only sends two of them out per year.

To interrupt the end-user as little as possible we have made the decision to push the updates back as far as possible and skip one of these 'Feature' updates each year. Unfortunately, Microsoft will only allow us to push these updates off for a set amount of time. If the upgrade is not installed within Microsoft's timeframe then the computers will be a security risk and vulnerable to attack. Because of this, ITS releases one of these 'Feature' updates each year to stay current and keep our computers and users safe.

Deadline and Installation Info

ITS is releasing this year's 'Feature' update at the beginning of March. This update will not install on its own though and will only start when you specifically choose to do so. Because of the size of this update, we wanted to make it so that you can control when it will start. This full guide explains how to start the update, but in brief, you manually click install, and then the process will begin. We highly recommend starting the installation at the end of the day and then letting it run so that it will have completed when you use the computer the next morning.

There will be two months in which the update is available for installation and then at the end of that timeframe the update will install automatically. The specific deadline for user-controlled installation is May 4th. To reiterate: From the start of March you will be able to choose when the update is installed by following the instructions below but if it has not been installed by May 4th the update will automatically start on your computer. Any computers that fail to transition one month from the designated automatic update date will become a security threat and will be removed from MVNU’s domain, which will prevent anyone from using the computer on campus without involving ITS. Once removed from the domain, ITS will need a day to reconnect and update the computer to the latest version.

How to Start the Upgrade

Go to the Windows search bar and search for the Software Center app.

Click to open the app.

In the app click on the Operating Systems section on the left.

You should then see the Windows 10 Update - Version 20H2. Click on the update and it will take you to the install screen.

Once at the install screen click the Install button.

You will then be given a brief overview of the update. Click this Install button to begin the process.

The Windows update will then begin to install. You may continue to use your PC while the update downloads, but it will reboot automatically to finish the installation. Also, if you do use your PC while the update downloads you will notice it will run slower; this is normal. It will take some time to complete so please do not reboot your computer during the upgrade process unless prompted to do so!

Once the update is complete you will see the normal Windows login screen. You are then free to log into your PC and use it like normal.

Things to Note

• You cannot perform this update from home, you will need to have the computer on MVNU’s network to do so.

• We recommend starting this upgrade when you are done with work for the day and then when you start the next morning it will be completed.

• If you have any problems installing the update, please reach out by creating a ticket or emailing  thehub@mvnu.edu and we will assist.