Post by Rick on Mar 28, 2018 18:59:35 GMT -6
Microsoft to ditch Windows 10 Redstone codenames in favor of ones that reflect the date:
In a related story:
Microsoft to move away from 'Redstone' codename for Windows 10 updates in 2019
Microsoft is retiring its use of the codename "Redstone" for Windows 10 releases next year, moving on to codenames that might prove a little more useful.
Thus far, Microsoft's Windows 10 codenames have been pretty straightforward. Originally, it was called Threshold, and that ended up being broken into two parts to meet a July, 2015 release, with Threshold 2 being released in November as version 1511. The next wave was codenamed Redstone, and that's the name we've known ever since with Redstone 2, Redstone 3, Redstone 4, and the upcoming Redstone 5.
But after Redstone 5 is released this fall, Windows 10 codenames will have a new format, according to a report from Windows Central. Moving forward, we'll see names like 19H1, 19H2, 20H1, and 20H2.
The codenames are actually pretty similar to the way that Windows 10 version numbers work. With version numbers, the first two digits are the year and the last two are the month, so version 1803 is finalized in March, 2018. Microsoft doesn't have a set date for when something will be done as soon as it starts working on a feature update though, so the month is replaced by H1 and H2, reflecting the first and second halves of the year.
It also leaves some flexibility. While the upcoming Windows 10 spring update is most certainly version 1803, the Xbox One update will be version 1804. While they have different version numbers and won't be done at the same time, they both run Windows 10, and they'll both be done in the first half.
This change only reflects internal codenames, and the build string that you see when a new build is installing on your PC. Once the update is finalized, it will still have a regular version number. According to the report, this also won't affect product names, like Anniversary Update and Creators Update. Unfortunately, Microsoft still hasn't released an official name for version 1803, which should be out within weeks, so it's entirely possible that the company is ditching those names anyway.
All you really need to know is that there won't be a Redstone 6. Redstone 5 will be finalized this fall, and we'll see Insider builds for 19H1, which will ship in the first half of 2019.
But after Redstone 5 is released this fall, Windows 10 codenames will have a new format, according to a report from Windows Central. Moving forward, we'll see names like 19H1, 19H2, 20H1, and 20H2.
The codenames are actually pretty similar to the way that Windows 10 version numbers work. With version numbers, the first two digits are the year and the last two are the month, so version 1803 is finalized in March, 2018. Microsoft doesn't have a set date for when something will be done as soon as it starts working on a feature update though, so the month is replaced by H1 and H2, reflecting the first and second halves of the year.
It also leaves some flexibility. While the upcoming Windows 10 spring update is most certainly version 1803, the Xbox One update will be version 1804. While they have different version numbers and won't be done at the same time, they both run Windows 10, and they'll both be done in the first half.
This change only reflects internal codenames, and the build string that you see when a new build is installing on your PC. Once the update is finalized, it will still have a regular version number. According to the report, this also won't affect product names, like Anniversary Update and Creators Update. Unfortunately, Microsoft still hasn't released an official name for version 1803, which should be out within weeks, so it's entirely possible that the company is ditching those names anyway.
All you really need to know is that there won't be a Redstone 6. Redstone 5 will be finalized this fall, and we'll see Insider builds for 19H1, which will ship in the first half of 2019.
In a related story:
Microsoft to move away from 'Redstone' codename for Windows 10 updates in 2019
Microsoft is retiring its use of the codename "Redstone" for Windows 10 releases next year, moving on to codenames that might prove a little more useful.
The codename "Redstone" has been with us for quite some time now. It was put into use during development of the Windows 10 Anniversary Update back in 2016 and has been the main codename for Windows 10 releases since. However, it appears that is about to change, as our sources have suggested that Microsoft will be retiring the Redstone codename later this year.
This change means that Redstone 5, the next feature update for Windows 10 coming in the fall, will be the last Windows 10 update to feature the Redstone codename. According to our sources, Microsoft will be moving to a new codename format starting in 2019 with what would be Redstone 6, now known internally as 19H1.
Believe it or not, there's some logic behind this new codename. It's formatted so that engineers can more easily pinpoint when a feature is or was released. The "19" stands for the year in which the update is released, and the "H1" stands for the first update of that year. It avoids the all too common scenario of "ah, when did RS2 come out again?"
So, following that format, the update coming after 19H1 would be codenamed 19H2, beginning in the fall of 2019, followed by 20H1, 20H2, and so on. It's not as glamorous as, say, "Redstone," but at least it lends itself useful for those that need it. Now we can quickly pinpoint whether a release was the first or second one of whatever year, instead of trying to remember based on a standalone Redstone number.
Of course, this doesn't change the "pretty" names or version numbers of these updates. Microsoft will very likely continue with its trend of terrible public facing names such as "Fall Creators Update," as well as keep with the simple "Version 1803" format as well. The codename change is more internal than external, but refreshing nonetheless!
This change means that Redstone 5, the next feature update for Windows 10 coming in the fall, will be the last Windows 10 update to feature the Redstone codename. According to our sources, Microsoft will be moving to a new codename format starting in 2019 with what would be Redstone 6, now known internally as 19H1.
Believe it or not, there's some logic behind this new codename. It's formatted so that engineers can more easily pinpoint when a feature is or was released. The "19" stands for the year in which the update is released, and the "H1" stands for the first update of that year. It avoids the all too common scenario of "ah, when did RS2 come out again?"
So, following that format, the update coming after 19H1 would be codenamed 19H2, beginning in the fall of 2019, followed by 20H1, 20H2, and so on. It's not as glamorous as, say, "Redstone," but at least it lends itself useful for those that need it. Now we can quickly pinpoint whether a release was the first or second one of whatever year, instead of trying to remember based on a standalone Redstone number.
Of course, this doesn't change the "pretty" names or version numbers of these updates. Microsoft will very likely continue with its trend of terrible public facing names such as "Fall Creators Update," as well as keep with the simple "Version 1803" format as well. The codename change is more internal than external, but refreshing nonetheless!