Why Microsoft put in a ‘secret’ replace on some Home windows 10 and 11 PCs

Microsoft not too long ago launched preview updates for Home windows 11 and likewise introduced that Home windows 11 25H2 is coming together with the modifications it would convey. Some dynamic updates have additionally been delivered. However on prime of all this, Microsoft has quietly “force-installed” one other replace on Home windows 10 and 11 PCs, based on Neowin.

The “secret” patch with replace code KB5001716 has already arrived for some customers, however others are apparently nonetheless ready. (We now have not but found it on our personal Home windows 11 PCs.)

What’s within the KB5001716 replace?

Replace KB5001716 isn’t an “replace” within the basic sense. It’s extra of an auxiliary replace for Home windows Replace itself. The discharge be aware for the patch explains how KB5001716 works:

“When this replace is put in, Home windows could try to obtain and set up characteristic updates to your machine whether it is approaching or has reached the tip of help to your at present put in Home windows model. Characteristic updates provide new performance and assist maintain your machine safe.”

“After this replace is put in, Home windows could periodically show a notification informing you of issues that will forestall Home windows Replace from conserving your machine up-to-date and guarded towards present threats. For instance, you might even see a notification informing you that your machine is at present operating a model of Home windows that has reached the tip of its help lifecycle, or that your machine doesn’t meet the minimal {hardware} necessities for the at present put in model of Home windows.”

In different phrases, it seems the primary function of replace KB5001716 has largely to do with the approaching finish of help for Home windows 10 and is meant to assist ship characteristic updates to PCs with Home windows variations which have already expired or will quickly expire.

What this implies for you

Microsoft not too long ago introduced that Home windows 10 will obtain one other 12 months of free safety updates below some circumstances. However, warnings concerning the approaching finish of help will proceed to be proven on affected Home windows PCs. In accordance with Microsoft, notifications will “respect full display screen, recreation, quiet time and focus help modes.”

Customers can even proceed to verify whether or not their {hardware} is ample for Home windows 11 and contemplate switching. In the meantime, Microsoft is attempting to persuade customers of the improved efficiency of Home windows 11 and level out that the person expertise just isn’t solely safer however higher.

Should you obtain the KB5001716 replace, it means your model of Home windows will quickly expire or will not be supported. That features variations Home windows 10 22H2 and 21H2 in addition to Home windows 11 21H2.

Additional studying: save your PC at Home windows 10’s finish of life