Windows and Office align feature release schedules to benefit customers

Windows and Office align feature release schedules to benefit customers

 We’re thrilled that Windows 10 continues to be the fastest-adopted version of Windows ever, with more than 400 million monthly active devices and ever growing adoption in the enterprise. Our customers tell us a big part of that is because Windows 10 is the most secure version of Windows ever released and they see greater economic impact of their investment. A key part of that economic impact is staying current with Windows 10 with feature and security updates. This approach has made large-scale, costly wipe-and-replace Windows deployments every few years a thing of the past.

We’ve also heard our customers want more predictability and simplicity from this update servicing model to help make deployments and updates of Microsoft products easier.

Based on this feedback, I am excited to share today that we are aligning the servicing models for Windows 10, Office 365 ProPlus and System Center Configuration Manager for our customers, particularly those with Secure Productive Enterprise.

Here are more details.

• Windows is committing to a predictable twice-per-year feature release schedule, targeting September and March of each year, aligning with Office 365 ProPlus. The next Windows 10 feature update will be targeted for September 2017.
• Each Windows 10 feature release will be serviced and supported for 18 months. This is consistent with our current Windows 10 approach, but adds further clarity and predictability to organizations by aligning with Office 365 ProPlus.
• In addition, System Center Configuration Manager will support this new aligned update model for Office 365 ProPlus and Windows 10, making both easier to deploy and keep up to date.

These changes reflect our commitment to help make it easier to deploy and service Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus. The Windows, Office and E+MS teams will continue to seek more ways to make deployment easier, and we look forward to your continued feedback to help us with that process.

If you have questions about these changes, join the Microsoft technical experts for a Windows as a Service Ask Me Anything (AMA) session on the Microsoft Tech Community.

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