Differences between Windows 10 Feature Update and Cumulative Update

Microsoft regularly releases security updates, also known as Cumulative Updates, to fix security vulnerabilities created by third-party applications, which contain security improvements and Fix bugs to keep your device safe and secure.

The latest Windows 10 will automatically download and install updates to ensure your device is secure. This means you receive the latest security fixes and updates, helping your device run efficiently and protected.

Also with Windows 10, Microsoft made some changes to the entire operating system. Now Windows 10 acts as a service. Every 6 months, the operating system introduces a new function, called Feature Update.

Differences between Windows 10 Feature Update and Cumulative Update Picture 1

In today's article, TipsMake.com will read readers to discuss cumulative updates and Windows 10 feature updates, as well as what is the difference between Feature Update and Cumulative Update.

  Cumulative Update (cumulative or security update ) Feature Update (feature update) Type A set of hotfixes that address security and performance issues in the operating system. Technically, these are completely new versions of Windows 10. Maintenance Purpose to keep Windows 10 free from vulnerabilities and reliability issues. Add new features in the operating system and remove rarely used features. Release Cycle Every month Every 6 months Release time Tuesday, the second week of the month, also known as Patch Tuesday Update Spring and fall annually, around April and October Available Windows Update, Microsoft Update Catalog Windows Update, ISODownload size Approximately 150MB Minimum 2GB Delay From 7 to 35 days From 18 to 30 months

Windows 10 Cumulative Update

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Cumulative Update (CU), also known as quality update, is a mandatory update that provides security and reliability fixes that your device downloads and installs automatically each month through Windows Update. Typically, cumulative updates are released on Tuesday, the second week of each month - also known as Patch Tuesday. But sometimes you may also see releases distributed outside of the monthly schedule.

These types of updates do not include new features, visual changes or significant improvements. Instead, they are maintenance updates that fix bugs, fix security holes, and improve reliability with the current version of Windows 10.

They also increase the capacity each month, because their nature is cumulative, meaning that each update includes the changes available in previous updates. To help you reduce the burden on network bandwidth and still get the same update, Microsoft designed three different types of updates:

- Full update has all the necessary components and files that have changed since the last feature update. This is called the latest cumulative update or LCU. It can quickly grow to over 1GB, but usually stays that size throughout the life of the supported Windows 10 version.

- Express update creates various downloads for all components of the full update, based on some historical basis.

- Delta update only includes components that have changed in the most recent quality update. Delta updates will only install if a device installed last month's update. Delta updates including the full component (not just individual files) have changed. As a result, they are bigger than quick updates, usually about 300-500 MB in size.

Microsoft allows Windows 10 Home and Pro users to postpone quality updates for up to 7 and 35 days, respectively.

Windows 10 Feature Update

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Feature Update (FU), also known as the Semi-Annual Channel (SAC) update, is the main update, similar to upgrading Windows 7 to Windows 8. Microsoft releases 2 feature updates in a year to refresh Windows 10 with new features and improvements.

Before releasing these feature updates, Microsoft will release a Windows 10 build preview for Insider users to use to gather feedback. Once the update proves to be reliable, it will roll out to consumers and then corporate customers.

Windows 10 feature updates are also downloaded and installed automatically on compatible devices. You can get these major updates through Windows Update or manual installation. ISO files are also provided for users who want to install 'clean' on their system.

Differences between Windows 10 Feature Update and Cumulative Update

Feature updates often include new features, visual and performance enhancements, changes and improvements to the operating system's overall user experience.

By contrast cumulative updates do not carry features, visual changes or even any significant enhancements to Windows 10 - they are simply maintenance updates. Therefore, quality updates provide bug fixes, not new functionality during feature updates.

In terms of capacity, the feature update is much larger than the quality update. Download sizes can range from 2GB for 32-bit versions to 3GB for 64-bit versions and even 4GB if you use installation media. Cumulative updates also increase capacity with each release.

Windows 10 Pro users may delay feature updates for up to 18 months after release. Your device will continue to receive cumulative and quality updates, but newer versions of the operating system will not be installed. Microsoft allows Windows 10 Home and Pro users to postpone quality updates for up to 7 and 35 days, respectively.

Starting with Windows 10, version 2004, feature updates for Windows 10 Enterprise and Education editions (expected September) will be available for 30 months from the date of release.

Quality updates are downloaded and installed faster than feature updates, as they are smaller and they do not require reinstalling the operating system.

Installing the Windows 10 feature update changes the operating system version (for example, Windows 10 May 2020 Update version 2004) and installing the quality update only changes the build number (such as OS build 19041.264) .