What is the difference between Windows Update and Upgrade

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When it comes to Windows Bone, Update and Upgrade terms may be confusing to some. Every fourth dimension Microsoft rolls out a ready of new features, many of us retrieve its an upgrade while it could have been an update only.

Just speaking:

Update: Set Operation issues, Security holes, gear up bugs & known issue, add together hardware back up and introduce minor features or changes in the Bone. It does not modify the version of Windows.
Upgrade: It introduces major new features including UI changes. It changes the version of Windows.

The aforementioned applies to Windows x as well. Let'south go into the details.

Difference between Update & Upgrade in Windows OS

When Microsoft rolls out a major version of Windows, then its chosen an Upgrade. This usually happens when there a jump from 1 version to another. Windows 8 was an upgrade to Windows seven. The same happened with Windows 10 rollout. Information technology became an upgrade to Windows 8.1 and Windows 8. Microsoft non only added new features merely also revamped the UI and so on. Now in Windows x, they are referred to every bit five 1809, v1803, and so on.

Windows Upgrades is normally rolled out through the Windows Update/Upgrade Banana. It makes sure that your estimator is compatible with the next major update.

Windows Update, on the reverse, is a minor update. It can bring small new features which were not there in the start release of a major version – but information technology doesn't change anything on a larger calibration. Practise notation that when I say "minor", I don't mean that update is very small; information technology is smaller compared to a major upgrade.

For Windows 10, Microsoft rolls outFeature Updates. They are typically released twice per year. They include new functions, capabilities also every bit potential fixes and security updates. A Feature update can be farther separate into categories, which includes security, service pack, and so on. Microsoft rolls these updates to the device through Windows Update Service.

Windows 10 v1511, v1803, v1809, etc. are Feature Updates. In Windows x they can be considered as 'Upgrades'.

Read: Different types of Windows Updates.

There volition be no new 'version' of Windows in future

There will be no new version of Windows. That is there will be no Windows 11. Microsoft has adopted the path of a continuous update. This means that you get an improved Windows with new features every 6 months instead of waiting for iii+ years for the next version. This became possible through the Windows Insider Program. A lot of people share feedback and help in shaping Windows 10.

Microsoft is slowly moving towards Windows x as a Service model. While it makes existing consumers don't have to pay for Windows anymore, and new customers simply buy information technology once. Specially with Microsoft account tied to Windows 10 License.

However, when the time comes, Microsoft may start charging for some features, and that can become a revenue model for them. Since there is no more paying for Windows ten, one time you purchase information technology, and keep using it, y'all become role of the ecosystem. This helps Microsoft in long-term every bit people stay onboard. Afterwards, if the in-app purchase model rolls out, and so customers will be gratuitous to buy what is useful and skip rest.

Hope this clarifies the difference betwixt Update and Upgrade in Windows.

Anand Khanse is the Admin of TheWindowsClub.com, a 10-year Microsoft MVP (2006-16) & a Windows Insider MVP. Please read the entire post & the comments first, create a System Restore Point before making whatsoever changes to your system & be careful nigh whatsoever tertiary-party offers while installing freeware.