Microsoft is getting ready to change the way it provides updates for Windows 11, which will impact how users receive security updates and new features. Instead of the traditional method of delivering a single, cumulative update every month, Microsoft is introducing “checkpoint cumulative updates.” This new approach aims to make the update process smaller, faster, and more sustainable, especially for large organizations.
Under this new system, Microsoft will release cumulative updates as checkpoints periodically. Subsequent updates will consist of smaller packages that contain incremental changes from the last checkpoint. This means that over the lifecycle of a Windows release, there will be several checkpoints. Starting with Windows 11, version 24H2, the servicing stack will be able to merge all checkpoints and only download and install the necessary content.
Although this new update system might seem confusing at first, users have time to understand it as it won’t be available to the public until the end of the year. The first release using this format is part of the current Windows Insider Dev Channel release.
Here are four key details about the new update format that Windows PC owners should be aware of:
1. Checkpoint updates will be smaller and easier to manage than the current cumulative updates. Currently, monthly updates contain all previous fixes and new features, making the packages larger each month. With checkpoint updates, subsequent packages will be smaller, reducing the overall download burden significantly.
2. The new update packages are currently only available to beta testers in the Windows Insider Dev Channel. Members of the Beta or Release Preview channels will not see these changes until later.
3. Most users managing their PCs using Windows Update will not notice a significant change in the update process. However, IT professionals and network administrators may need to adjust their update management strategies to accommodate the new checkpoint updates.
4. Windows 10 users will not be affected by this change, as they will continue to receive traditional cumulative updates until the end-of-support date in October 2025. After that, users can choose their update strategy, but it will not involve checkpoint updates.
Overall, the new checkpoint cumulative updates aim to streamline the update process for Windows 11 users, making it more efficient and manageable. While the system may seem complex initially, Microsoft is working to ensure a smooth transition for users when the new update format becomes available later this year.
