In theory this is a great approach, as users can get their hands on new features faster than ever before. The problem is that during the development of a new update, Microsoft needs to restructure and make other changes to the operating system to integrate new features and improvements, which often times results in unpredictable behavior — even in the final release. I’m actually referring to bugs and things not working correctly, as it’s a very complex task to design an operating system that works flawlessly across thousands of hardware configurations.
Windows 10 update rollout problems
Take the Windows 10 Anniversary Update as an example. During the initial rollout many users have reported a large number of issues with the update. Some of which included installation failure, Windows 10 freezing issues, problems with software and Windows components, webcams not working, and many others. Microsoft knows about possible hiccups, which is one of the reasons major updates roll out slowly to devices. Usually, the company pushes out a new versions of Windows to its Surface line, followed by devices that came originally with Windows 10, and then the rest.
Just wait, don’t force it
In addition, on every rollout, Microsoft also checks whether the new release will work with your hardware configuration. If the new version is not optimized for your device, the update won’t download until tweaks and improvements are made. This is one of the main reasons why it takes too long for certain devices to get a big update. This pops another problem, as many users who don’t see new versions downloading right away quickly want to manually force the installation. And this isn’t a good thing, as many users aren’t aware that chances are the new update isn’t ready for their system configuration, and then we start to see the complaints. If you’re not getting the new version of Windows 10, such as the Anniversary Update, there is a good chance the operating system is not fully compatible for your device. While you can manually download and install new versions of Windows 10 on your computer, if you’re not ready to deal with possible issues, you shouldn’t force the install, you’ll eventually get the new version in due time.
Things to consider before installing a new update
Here are a few things you should do before installing a new major release of Windows 10:
Be patient and wait until it’s your turn. Research the Microsoft forums and on the internet to see if other people are having issues, especially with your hardware configuration. Check your computer manufacturer support website to see if your device is known to support the new release. Wait for the follow up update. After a new version of Windows 10 comes out, Microsoft always releases a follow up update within days to fix bugs. However, sometimes it takes 2 or 3 cumulative updates to address most of the issues.
In my opinion, even if the update is available for download on your device as soon as it releases, you should defer Windows 10 upgrades anyway at least for a couple months until you know for sure the operating system is rock solid. If after 3-4 months your device still didn’t get the new feature update, then you should be thinking in forcing the install. Whatever you choose, always remember to make a full backup before making any significant modifications to your system. If you really can’t wait and you’re a tech-savvy user ready for the unpredictable, you can force a new Windows 10 update in a number of ways. All content on this site is provided with no warranties, express or implied. Use any information at your own risk. Always backup of your device and files before making any changes. Privacy policy info.
