[Software] Microsoft gives you the opportunity to skip the line and gamble with Windows 11 updates

[HeWhoRemains™]

Any upgrade can be a huge hit or miss: is it worth the risk?

Windows 11(opens in new tab) has just received an optional update in which Microsoft has introduced a small but important change to how the updates themselves work.

With the KB5025305(opens in new tab) patch, there is now an option that allows you to request that your PC be prioritized (put to the top of the queue) for non-security related updates. That is, updates that add features (like the new Microsoft Moments, for example, although we still hate that name) rather than those that fix security flaws.

You'll find this option, called "Get the latest updates as soon as they're available," on the Windows Update page of the Settings app (after you install KB5025305).

You may have already seen this change in test builds, but now it's present in the release build of Windows 11, albeit still in preview update form.

However, this optional update will soon be a reality for all Windows 11 PCs as it will reach all users as a May Cumulative Update (on May 9).

In addition to this new ability to get ahead of the Windows update queue, KB5025305 introduces another tweak, this time on the aesthetic front, with some added animations for the Widgets icon on the taskbar.

Minimize your risk profile
First of all, we have to say that it's always good to have choice, so we applaud the decision to at least give the user a chance to receive (feature) updates right away. After all, if some feature has been added that you're desperate for, it's frustrating when an update doesn't show up on your PC for what seems like a while (for no apparent reason, even if you keep checking manually).

We understand what Microsoft is doing here, but personally, we'd avoid this option, and we'll tell you why (naturally).

The problem with getting updates immediately is that you're potentially running into a bug (maybe a nasty one if you're really unlucky).

Now, it could be said that Windows 11 (and Windows 10) updates are mostly correct and useful, and the chance of receiving an error for any individual user is pretty low. Sure, we see a lot of Windows 11 problem reports on a regular basis, but they don't affect everyone, and some can be very niche issues. You may never find out about an error if you don't visit a certain corner of the operating system, if you don't use a specific app or game, or if you don't have an unusual device or operating system configuration.

But no matter what your point of view is about the general dangers of Windows update errors (admittedly, we're probably more careful than most) the fact remains that there's still a small chance of something unwanted happening. , You look at them where you are looking. And the important thing here is that if you wait a bit for an update, that chance is further reduced as early adopters run into roadblocks and Microsoft solves them.

Waiting a bit seems sensible to minimize the risk profile, especially in the case of feature updates. Because the only reason you want to take advantage of them early is because of impatience, let's face it, unlike security updates, where there's a more compelling argument for doing it sooner than later, since they fix potentially nasty security holes that could get you in trouble in some cases.

Finally, we must remember that this is a preliminary update, but we would be very surprised if Microsoft did not introduce this change in next month's cumulative update. (Though theoretically it's possible that any changes will be scrapped at the last minute, if problems are discovered in this final testing period.)

For us, the biggest change Microsoft could make to Windows Updates is to address those issues of installation failures with weird and nonsensical error messages, a fix that there's a small chance it's just rolled out (although we don't count on it). with it in the short term).

https://global.techradar.com/es-es/news/microsoft-te-da-la-oportunidad-de-saltarte-la-cola-y-tirar-los-dados-en-las-actualizaciones-de-windows-11

 

Edited May 3, 2023 by Phoenix™
Add Link