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Microsoft Launches Windows 10 Update History Site To Share Update Release Notes (betanews.com)

Posted by yaelk on from the windows-updates dept.

Mark Wilson writes: Keeping up to date with the latest updates for Windows 10 can be something of a full time job, particularly if you're signed up to get Insider builds. To make it easier to keep track of what changes each update brings, Microsoft has launched the Windows 10 update history site.The site is in response to feedback from Windows 10 users who have been looking for an accessible way of learning about updates. The site provides details of exactly what the updates delivered through Windows Update. It is something of a work in progress at the moment, but one of the recent updates featured fixes a bug that meant browsing sessions in Microsoft Edge's InPrivate mode were not necessarily completely private.

56 comments

  1. Take that job and shove it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    "Keeping up to date with the latest updates for Windows 10 can be something of a full time job"

    Or don't move to Windows 10

  2. It's a nice start by Striek · · Score: 5, Insightful

    But what is sorely lacking is mention of specificaly which issues were fixed - a CVE number would be nice, where possible, for example "Fixed issues with authentication, update installation, and operating system installation" still doesn't really tell me much. How many issues? Which issues? Am I experiencing these issues, and therefore should prioritize this update? But at least it's a step in the right direction from them.

    Now, if we could get them do do something similar for all the encrypted telemetry data, we'd be getting somewhere...

    --
    "Government is like fire; a handy servant, but a dangerous master." -- George Washington
    1. Re:It's a nice start by bigdady92 · · Score: 2

      Does MS even track CVE's internally or externally? I honestly don't know if they do/don't and would love to see what they were doing in the past.

      Right now ANY information is better than NO information as I'm trying to push updates to clients and these fixes are all a Mystery of what could be a fix for an issue and something that I want to wait for awhile.

      --
      Wheel of Time: Book by Book and Sumview (summary review) Bigdady92 style: http://bigdady92.blogspot.com/
    2. Re:It's a nice start by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      But what is sorely lacking is mention of specificaly which issues were fixed - a CVE number would be nice, where possible, for example "Fixed issues with authentication, update installation, and operating system installation" still doesn't really tell me much. How many issues? Which issues? Am I experiencing these issues, and therefore should prioritize this update? But at least it's a step in the right direction from them.

      Marketing: You're getting all the updates whether you like them or not, you no longer own a general-purpose computing device, your desktop shall be managed externally like a mobile phone. You don't need to know all that stuff you think you need to know.

      (Sadtly, I agree with you, but Marketing and Telemetry have held sway over the entire Win10 process. It's not an OS, it's an OS "as a Service," which means you don't get to make any tradeoffs, let alone informed ones.)

    3. Re:It's a nice start by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      I really don't understand why so many people appear to be complaining about now knowing what is in each update. For most updates Microsoft publishes a decently detailed description in the knowledge base. There is a reason why a lot of updates include the knowledge base article number in the name.

      Sometimes the knowledge base article is published a few days after the update is released but I can't remember the last time I went looking for the knowledge base article associated with an update and couldn't find it within a week or so.

      You could argue whether or not the knowledge base articles are detailed enough but they usually at least tell you what services are impacted and what files are modified by the update and updates for security issues almost always reference a separate knowledge base article that describes the vulnerability that is fixed.

    4. Re:It's a nice start by wbo · · Score: 1

      Microsoft doesn't usually reference security vulnerabilites by CVE numbers but use their own tracking system. They usually publish knowledge base articles for security updates that detail what vulnerabilities are fixed. A recent example can be found at KB3135173

      Indeed security updates obtained via WSUS almost always have the KB article number included in the title and updates downloaded manually via Windows Update usually have the KB number listed somewhere in the description as well.

    5. Re:It's a nice start by HideyoshiJP · · Score: 1

      But what is sorely lacking is mention of specificaly which issues were fixed - a CVE number would be nice, where possible, for example

      Or maybe like, some sort of knowledgebase article, "KB" if you will, that informed the specific issues that were fixed, and perhaps which files were included with the update. A person can dream, right? Sadly, the science just isn't there yet.

    6. Re:It's a nice start by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · · Score: 1

      Assuming that was intended to read "...complaining about not knowing..." the answer seems pretty clear: Microsoft have been serving up updates for all recent versions of Windows with little to no detail of what is actually in them for some time, and lately some of those updates have been outright user-hostile, and consequently a lot of power user or professional sysadmin types simply don't trust them any more.

      Just about the one barrier they haven't crossed yet is serving up user-hostile updates under the guise of security updates rather than just recommended ones, which means you can still assume that something marked as a security update is likely to be worth installing with due diligence. Being more explicit about these issues on Win10 goes at least a little way towards maintaining that confidence.

      --
      If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
    7. Re:It's a nice start by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Within the drill-down of the update it includes a link for additional detail at the bottom. An example:
      "For more info about the security fixes in this update and a complete list of affected files, see KB3135173."

      Following that link takes you to a page about each of the updates with more detail and links for even further detail.

      Clicking through the path for a few of the items will get you as far as the CVE - for example this one about a RADIUS update in the most recent update:
      https://technet.microsoft.com/library/security/MS16-021

      That provides quite a bit of detail (as well as the CVE link), admittedly it is a few clicks deep, but it's there.

    8. Re:It's a nice start by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And yet... Would it REALLY be so difficult to include the knowledge base article with the patch?

    9. Re:It's a nice start by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They publish the CVEs in the monthly summary.
      https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/security/ms16-feb.aspx

  3. Launched or vaporware? by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: -1, Offtopic

    >> Microsoft has launched the Windows 10 update history site.
    >> It is something of a work in progress at the moment

    Well, which is it? Really launched and ready to be useful or is this just vaporware?

    1. Re: Launched or vaporware? by n0creativity · · Score: 1

      Well the website is there and publicly accessible. In that way, I suppose one could consider it 'launched'. OTOH, the number updates currently listed on there seems incomplete at best, so we can assume that's the 'work in progress' part of it. All in all, it's a typical MS rollout. Premature, incomplete, and initially gets your hopes up until you actually attempt to use it and realize that you should have waited until the 'SP1' release...

    2. Re:Launched or vaporware? by sexconker · · Score: 0

      It's there for lip service only, like Obama's "we The People" site where you could petition the white house for stuff and they would respond after x signatures.

    3. Re:Launched or vaporware? by SirSlud · · Score: 1

      It must get exhausting to be so obtuse.

      --
      "Old man yells at systemd"
  4. Windows 10 is spyware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    Windows 10 is spyware. Why would anyone with even half a working brain use or care about it ?

    1. Re: Windows 10 is spyware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They have tremendous lock in. That's the only thing that keeps them alive.

    2. Re:Windows 10 is spyware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Because the spying is kind of tolerable (nope, it does not send your files or keystrokes to Microsoft) and if we don't take the datamining into account, it's actually a great operating system. Also laptop features like suspend/hibernate and brightness keys work properly, unlike in Linux.

    3. Re:Windows 10 is spyware by spacepimp · · Score: 0

      They have back ported the spyware to Win 7 and Win 8, and are also forcing the upgrade with a heavy hand even if you say no, or roll back then you are forced with daily hammering of update pressure. I am not certain why it is legal for them to force telemetry and ignore the settings of privacy and to change your settings on a whim.

    4. Re:Windows 10 is spyware by johanw · · Score: 1

      At the moment, I clean all windows 7 computers from those spy and nagware infestations with this script:

      wusa /uninstall /kb:3035583 /quiet /norestart
      and the same with KB's
      3035583
      2952664
      3022345
      3068708
      3075249
      3080149
      3021917
      3083324
      2977759
      3112343
      3123862

      (stupid /. doesn't let me post the entire script, complains about repetition).

      After that, I reboot, let windows update run again and hide the mentioned updates. Until they get updated and apear again.

    5. Re:Windows 10 is spyware by sexconker · · Score: 1

      We already know for a fact keystroke data is sent to MS, under the guise of improving spell checking etc.
      The user has no knowledge of when or where it happens or what is actually sent.

    6. Re:Windows 10 is spyware by justthinkit · · Score: 1

      c:\>wusa
      'wusa' is not recognized...

      --
      I come here for the love
    7. Re:Windows 10 is spyware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      We already know for a fact keystroke data is sent to MS, under the guise of improving spell checking etc. The user has no knowledge of when or where it happens or what is actually sent.

      This would be the case for any kind of spellchecking functionality of a newer type than the ones running off CD-ROM.

    8. Re:Windows 10 is spyware by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Microsoft is certainly doing some very dubious things lately, but it does no-one any good to exaggerate or distort what they're doing. Please stop doing that.

      In particular, they have issued telemetry updates for earlier Windows versions, and they have aggressively promoted the update to Windows 10, but they have not forced users of earlier Windows versions to update if they say no.

      --
      If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
    9. Re:Windows 10 is spyware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      *Please insert brain to continue*

      Windows 7:

              C:\>where wusa
              C:\Windows\System32\wusa.exe

    10. Re:Windows 10 is spyware by lhowaf · · Score: 1

      That's why date-rape drugs are so cool...bitches never say no!

    11. Re: Windows 10 is spyware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Microsoft has always been pretty much synonymous with dubious anyway, the point being that they've not just crossed but jumped gleefully over the line now. What little trust or respect they managed to garner for themselves since their various exposed criminal activities is wasted, and its not coming back any time soon. It may be true that the Win10 spyware doesnt install if you've said "no" (except when it does), but it certainly does if you haven't, and you had to know in advance to say "no".

      Having said that, even if Win10 were a standard new OS release without forced updates or spyware, why anyone would choose to use it is beyond me. Applications have huge stability issues just trying to stay running on it, the interface is geared toward touch screen consumption making producing anything with it a joke, and seeing " flight mode" on a desktop PC indeed makes me want to throw it out the window.

      Basically Microsoft have misstepped and given two bad OS releases in a row, its only a matter of time now before they die. Goodbye, you will not be mourned by anyone who remembers your behaviour.

    12. Re:Windows 10 is spyware by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      but they have not forced users of earlier Windows versions to update if they say no.

      No they haven't, but they put a gun in your hand, put your finger on the trigger, put the gun to your head and then really suddenly slammed a door in your face.

  5. Animals escaped, close barn door by QuietLagoon · · Score: 3, Insightful
    Too little, too late, Microsoft.

    .
    Now that you've infected most non-Windows 10 PCs with the upgrade malware, now, NOW you decide to tell people what the updates will do to their PCs?

    Sorry, Microsoft, you've already completely lost what little trust you had going into the Windows 10 upgrade cycle.

    What's the expression? It takes at least ten times as long to regain trust as it does to lose it.

    1. Re:Animals escaped, close barn door by gstoddart · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I think you meant:

      There's an old saying in Tennessee - I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee - that says, fool me once, shame on - shame on you. Fool me - you can't get fooled again.

      They've certainly gone out of their way to mask what those updates really are ... "this update addresses issues in Windows" ... like, injecting telemetry they won't ask your permission for or care even if you say no.

      So many of their updates are entirely self serving to try to force you to upgrade. I'm not sure they can regain that much lost goodwill.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    2. Re:Animals escaped, close barn door by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      good riddance , Microsoft lost you! go away, mountain troll

    3. Re:Animals escaped, close barn door by johanw · · Score: 1

      No, they only do that for windows 10 updates, which are mandatory anyway. Not for windows 7 updates.

    4. Re:Animals escaped, close barn door by Dunbal · · Score: 1

      Trust is not a factor when there is no viable alternative.

      --
      Seven puppies were harmed during the making of this post.
    5. Re:Animals escaped, close barn door by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are so right, they should just give up and go out of business. No one is using Win 10. /roll-eyes

      You are in the minority, go away, they won't miss you.

  6. Great! by Parker+Lewis · · Score: 3, Insightful

    It'll be full of clear and descriptive updates, like "Update for Windows 10 for x64-based Systems - Recommended Update - Install this update to resolve issues in Window."

  7. What about telemetry/spying features? by Artem+S.+Tashkinov · · Score: 2

    I'd like to get a changelog of those as well. From their first revision (approximately starting at the time when Windows 8.1 was released).

    Alternatively I'd love to get an official how-to on how to disable tracking in Windows 10 entirely. While we're at it, I'd love to know how to fully disable Metro features and Windows defender.

    1. Re:What about telemetry/spying features? by gstoddart · · Score: 1

      Alternatively I'd love to get an official how-to on how to disable tracking in Windows 10 entirely.

      You're joking right? Do you really think MS is going to officially support that? I get the distinct impression tracking and eventually ads is something they've decided you're getting whether you like it or not.

      Nobody builds an ad platform into the OS unless they plan on using the hell out of it -- Google has you on the web? That won't compete with knowing every single damned thing you do and monetizing it -- and I find it unlikely that even if you turn it off they won't later say "too bad, we've enabled it". You don't build that as a one off to promote some apps for a little while.

      It's their computer, you just paid for it and have the right to use it for a while.

      For non-enterprise customers, they don't even get a say in when/if updates are applied. It's all remote management all the time, and too bad for you.

      --
      Lost at C:>. Found at C.
    2. Re:What about telemetry/spying features? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This stuff is why they suspended the release notes in the first place. Had it been made plainly obvious what they were pushing, no one would have installed any of it.

    3. Re:What about telemetry/spying features? by johanw · · Score: 1

      Oh well, on Android you can disable all Google ad services when you're rooted. I'm sure such manuals will apear for windows 10 also, given some time.

    4. Re:What about telemetry/spying features? by Anonymous+Brave+Guy · · Score: 1

      Had it been made plainly obvious what they were pushing, no one would have installed any of it.

      Ironically, I suspect that's not true. It seems quite realistic that if they'd pushed telemetry transparently as a recommended update, the average home user would have just said yes with all the others anyway, yet Microsoft would not have lost the confidence of the techie crowd and gained the unwelcome reputation for being deceptive and manipulative that they've managed to cement over the past few months.

      --
      If you disagree, post your argument. (-1, Overrated) isn't your personal censorship tool for views you don't like.
  8. What about liability? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    The main thing that interests me and keeps me from upgrading to Windows 10 is whether Microsoft agrees to be held fully accountable and liable for any damage or loss that results from an automatic update.

    That, or allow manual updates.

  9. Lot of fanfare for what's essentially a readme.txt by JoeyRox · · Score: 1

    What's next, a help file that's actually included with the application rather than launching a slow and cumbersome web search?

  10. What you NEED to know you WON'T know by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Because that's the way, uh-huh uh-huh I like it.

    Ms is doing me ... a favor. Always looking out ... for my best interest. And they say ... THERE IS NO GOD!

  11. Prediection by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    KB6546861: telemetry and information gathering (some ambiguous wording about fixing a bug that might effect performance and will enhance user experience)
    KB8678672: telemetry and information gathering (some ambiguous wording about fixing a bug that might effect performance and will enhance user experience)
    KB7867883: telemetry and information gathering (some ambiguous wording about fixing a bug that might effect performance and will enhance user experience)
    KB7686786: telemetry and information gathering (some ambiguous wording about fixing a bug that might effect performance and will enhance user experience)
    KB5675675: telemetry and information gathering (some ambiguous wording about fixing a bug that might effect performance and will enhance user experience)
    and so on

    1. Re:Prediection by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Woops, that should read "prediction". How do I keyboard?

  12. Updates by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    The most important update for Windows 10 is called Linux.

  13. actual link by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/update-history-windows-10

  14. splling doge by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1

    wow english such good!

  15. Hope this is just the first step by ErichTheRed · · Score: 1

    The site does appear to list more details than traditionally were provided, but I'm hoping they're planning on giving more details. It's great to know "something" was fixed with "some component" but previous granular Windows Update packages often had references to the KB articles prompting the release of the hotfix.

    I know the goal is to get customers on a completely stateless iPhone-style device, but there are a lot of use cases that need the power and control of a traditional PC for whatever reason. Legacy code isn't going away, and sometimes you just need to run things locally because of network constraints or security. Knowing that "applying this KB fixes X, but will break your application because of a dependency" is a very useful thing when you're supporting thousands of PCs.

  16. Do they have a clue? by ITRambo · · Score: 1

    I wonder if the powers that be at Microsoft realize the deep extent of distrust that they have brought to PC consumers. Our shop has a lot of customers that have been asking about Macs and even Chromebooks, since their kids use them in school. In the meantime, MS has been building resentment for their OS. That's going to have a negative long term effect on them. Maybe they haven't noticed how few Windows phones there are and considered that the same thing could also happen to Windows PC's market share over time.

  17. Re:Lot of fanfare for what's essentially a readme. by sexconker · · Score: 1

    In 2016 releasing actual patch notes and actual READMEs warrants a fucking ticker tape parade.

  18. Re:Lot of fanfare for what's essentially a readme. by The-Ixian · · Score: 1

    Yes, and what a fanfare it was... this day will live on in memory as one of the most trumpeted announcements of all time... everyone will be able to tell you where they were when they heard the news such was the exuberance!

    --
    My eyes reflect the stars and a smile lights up my face.
  19. The actual site by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    http://windows.microsoft.com/e...

  20. Windows 10 is a disaster by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This so-called "operating system" has destroyed our productivity at work and bricked two fully useful laptops.

    Never again.

    We are rolling back to Windows 7 and porting over to Linux - somehow.

    I understand all these tech companies want to sell "features" but here is a novel feature customers like - leave us alone!

    Between all the creep-ware and turning on all kinds of things nobody wants or needs it has turned a working computer into a twinkling Christmas Tree of spyware, advertisements and endless upgrades that erode productivity to a standstill.

    These guys want everyone turned into a gag-chicken pecking at colored squares at some county fair tic-tac-toe game.

  21. ah the web by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    When we put stuff on the web, its so it can be quickly taken down or changed if need be. If you release a press release or i would assume microsoft update description, its baked in to the timeline in some form. People may get the update and notice the message. But by putting it on a webpage, 99% of people will not go to the extra effort to look at it, and if the engineers write something in that MS doesnt like, well then its as simple as two seconds in a cms to fix.

    The reason why people choose the web is to be dynamic. Patch notes should not change so much to put it on a web page instead of in the OS where they belong..

  22. Can I Reproduce Those Update Builds? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    No? Get off my computer.