Since the release of Windows 10 in 2015, Microsoft has
introduced a major update to the Operating System every 6 months.
They are named by year and month.
1703 was introduced Spring 2017
1709 Fall 2017
1803 Spring 2018
1809 Fall 2018
And the latest so far, 1903 was introduced in May 2019 (though it was
delayed for some users as there were some bugs that needed ironing out)
These are complete Operating System Updates (like installing
a new version of Windows) and this doesn’t count the regular weekly or bi-weekly
small updates and security updates that still happen behind the scenes as long
as you have automatic Windows Updates turned on.
As a side note to that, it’s good practice to turn on your
computer at least once a week, and leave it on for a couple of hours, or those
updates don’t get a chance to finish. That means that when you finally do need
to use your computer for a more extended time, you can be way behind in updates
– and worse, your antivirus is out of date.
A Fall 2019 version has not yet been announced, as far as I am aware as of writing this, and there is
talk that Microsoft is ready to change to an annual major update with a minor
update possibly in between.
This new upgrade system is superior to the old system, whereby,
when the Operating System was no longer supported and became insecure, like
Windows XP did, and Windows 7 will as of January 2020, the end user needed to buy a
new version of Windows and go through a major overhaul.
Those people who tended to hold on to an Operating System
for many years would end up using something insecure, or face a 10 year newer upgrade
with HUGE changes. Many just gave up and bought a new computer with the latest
version already installed, but the learning curve getting used to that new system
could still be daunting to some.
Doing upgrades incrementally is easier to manage, and it will
become clear when your aging computer is no longer going to be able to handle
the latest update.
Of course, new and improved features are not important to
all people, and many would prefer not to have to change anything, but bear in
mind that these new versions also improve and tighten security, which is becoming
more and more important in today’s internet connected world.
Also, incremental updates are less jarring as they don’t make
too many changes all at once so it can be an easier transition.
So the short answer to the question is yes, you should
upgrade, however, after a couple of these big upgrades caused unexpected issues
to some users, Microsoft introduced an option in the Windows Update section to
delay updates for up to 35 days – so you can wait until it’s clear there are no
major bugs.
If doing these kind of big updates makes you nervous, ask
someone you trust, someone with computer experience, to check your computer in
Spring and Fall, and upgrade when necessary. Sometimes an upgrade requires a
few “tweaks” once installed so someone in the know can make sure it’s all done
properly.
For some people updates are eagerly awaited and enthusiastically embraced, for others they are a necessary evil - but it IS better to keep up to date.
