Dec 22, 2024 | Updated: 11:35 AM EDT
Apr 24, 2017 06:53 PM EDT
Microsoft has announced in its blog post about its new feature update schedule. Starting September 2017, there will be two new feature updates to Windows, along with Office 365 ProPlus.
Till now, the time when Microsoft would roll out its new feature upgrades to Windows 10 and Office was only a game of conjectures. The latest blog post on Microsoft's official site has now shown some clarity on the matter. General Manager for Windows Commercial Marketing, Bernardo Caldas confirms this twice-a-year update schedule. The company is aiming at rolling the updates in March and September of every year.
Microsoft says nearly 400 million users have Windows 10 currently. According to Indian Express, the Creators Update released this April has several new features. These include the 3D Paint app, used to create 3D and mixed reality content with Windows 10. Also added was better tab management, which helps users get preview thumbnail of all their open tabs.
Microsoft officials confirmed that the next feature update to Windows 10, Redstone 3, will roll out this September. Hence, the next upgrade, Redstone 4 should be scheduled for March 2018.
Before this, Microsoft's client Office suite- Office 365 Pro Plus had been annually receiving three feature upgrades. This suite, available through subscription licensing only, includes apps like Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Access, Skype, and OneDrive.
Positive news from Microsoft is that the support period for Windows 10 feature updates and Office 365 Pro Plus updates has been extended. The initial 12 month period has now been increased to 18 months. This will give users the freedom to choose whether they want to update once or twice a year.
According to ZDNet, starting 13 October 2020, the Office 365 Pro Plus will be the only up-to-date, fully featured client suite to connect to Office 365 users. Users of the perpetual Office apps and clients may not get the features at the same time as Office 365 Pro Plus users.
Not much is known of the new features to be introduced in Redstone 3. However, users have high anticipations for the September release and will be looking.
