1. Windows 10 Download
2. New Edge Windows 10 Update

Describes that the new Microsoft Edge is available for Windows 10, version 1803, 1809, 1903, 1909, and 2004. This new Microsoft Edge runs on the same Chromium web engine as the Google Chrome browser, offering you best in class web compatibility and performance. The new Chromium based Microsoft Edge is supported on all versions of Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows Server (2016 and above), Windows Server (2008 R2 to 2012 R2), and macOS. In this guide, we’ll help you download and install the new Chromium Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 and Windows 7. Back in December 2019, Microsoft said they’re adopting Chromium in its Edge. Apr 23, 2020 Windows 10 PC users who were earlier using Microsoft Edge rivals now appreciate the new Edge browser. The new Edge has most of the features and options offered in Google Chrome and likely to gain a good amount of browser market share in the coming months.

Applies to

• Windows 10, version 20H2

This article lists new and updated features and content that is of interest to IT Pros for Windows 10, version 20H2, also known as the Windows 10 October 2020 Update. This update also contains all features and fixes included in previous cumulative updates to Windows 10, version 2004.

Note

With this release and future releases, the Windows 10 release nomenclature is changing from a year and month pattern (YYMM) to a year and half-year pattern (YYH1, YYH2).

As with previous fall releases, Windows 10, version 20H2 is a scoped set of features for select performance improvements, enterprise features, and quality enhancements. As an H2-targeted release, 20H2 is serviced for 30 months from the release date for devices running Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Education editions.

To download and install Windows 10, version 20H2, use Windows Update (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update). For more information, including a video, see How to get the Windows 10 October 2020 Update.

Microsoft Edge

This release automatically includes the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser instead of the legacy version of Edge. For more information, see the Microsoft Edge documentation.

Servicing

Windows Update

There are several changes that help improve the security of devices that scan Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) for updates. For more information, see Changes to improve security for Windows devices scanning WSUS.

Starting with Windows 10, version 20H2, LCUs and SSUs have been combined into a single cumulative monthly update, available via Microsoft Catalog or Windows Server Update Services. For more information, see Simplifying on-premises deployment of servicing stack updates.

Deployment

New guidance is available to help prepare a servicing strategy and move your devices to the latest version of Windows 10 quickly and as seamlessly as possible.

Activities are grouped into the following phases: Plan > Prepare > Deploy:

Plan your deployment by evaluating and understanding essential activities:

• Create a phased deployment plan
• Assign roles and responsibilities within your organization
• Set criteria to establish readiness for the upgrade process
• Evaluate your infrastructure and tools
• Determine readiness for your business applications
• Create an effective, schedule-based servicing strategy

Prepare your devices and environment for deployment by performing necessary actions:

• Update infrastructure and tools
• Ensure the needed services are available
• Resolve issues with unhealthy devices
• Ensure that users are ready for updates

Deploy and manage Windows 10 strategically in your organization:

• Use Windows Autopilot to streamline the set up, configuration, and delivery of new devices
• Use Configuration Manager or MDT to deploy new devices and update existing devices
• Use Windows Update for Business with Group Policy to customize update settings for your devices
• Deploy Windows updates with Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
• Manage bandwidth for updates with Delivery Optimization
• Monitor Windows Updates with Update Compliance

Windows Autopilot

Enhancements to Windows Autopilot since the last release of Windows 10 include:

• Windows Autopilot for HoloLens: Set up HoloLens 2 devices with Windows Autopilot for HoloLens 2 self-deploying mode.
• Windows Autopilot with co-management: Co-management and Autopilot together can help you reduce cost and improve the end user experience.
• Enhancements to Windows Autopilot deployment reporting are in preview. From the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center (endpoint.microsoft.com), select Devices > Monitor and scroll down to the Enrollment section. Click Autopilot deployment (preview).

Windows Assessment and Deployment Toolkit (ADK)

There is no new ADK for Windows 10, version 20H2. The ADK for Windows 10, version 2004 will also work with Windows 10, version 20H2. For more information, see Download and install the Windows ADK.

Device management

Modern Device Management (MDM) policy is extended with new Local Users and Groups settings that match the options available for devices managed through Group Policy.

For more information about what's new in MDM, see What's new in mobile device enrollment and management

Security

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

This release includes improved support for non-ASCII file paths for Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) Auto Incident Response (IR).

The DisableAntiSpyware parameter is deprecated in this release.

Microsoft Defender Application Guard for Office

Microsoft Defender Application Guard now supports Office: With Microsoft Defender Application Guard for Office, you can launch untrusted Office documents (from outside the Enterprise) in an isolated container to prevent potentially malicious content from compromising your device.

Windows Hello

With specialized hardware and software components available on devices shipping with Windows 10, version 20H2 configured out of factory, Windows Hello now offers added support for virtualization-based security with supporting fingerprint and face sensors. This feature isolates and secures a user's biometric authentication data.

Virtualization

Windows Sandbox

New policies for Windows Sandbox are available in this release. For more information, see Policy CSP - WindowsSandbox.

Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD)

Note: WVD is not tied directly to a Windows 10 release, but it is included here as an evolving capability of Windows.

New capabilities in WVD were announced at Ignite 2020. For more information, see Announcing new management, security, and monitoring capabilities in Windows Virtual Desktop.

In addition, Windows Virtual Desktop is now generally available in the Azure Government cloud.

Windows Shell

Some enhancements to the Windows 10 user interface are implemented in this release:

• With this release, the solid color behind tiles on the Start menu is replaced with a partially transparent background. Tiles are also theme-aware.
• Icons on the Start menu no longer have a square outline around each icon.
• Notifications are slightly updated in appearance.
• You can now change the monitor refresh rate on advanced display settings.
• Alt+Tab now shows Edge browser tabs by default. You can edit this setting under Settings > System > Multitasking: Alt+Tab.
• The System control panel under System and Security has been updated to the Settings > About page. Links to Device Manager, Remote desktop, System protection, Advanced system settings, and Rename this PC are moved to the About page.

2-in-1 PCs

On a 2-in-1 device, Windows will now automatically switch to tablet mode when you detach the screen.

Surface

Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise are now available on Surface Hub 2. For more information, see What's new in Surface Hub 2S for IT admins.

Desktop Analytics

Desktop Analytics is a cloud-connected service, integrated with Configuration Manager that providess New in Windows Server: New and updated features in Windows Server.
Windows 10 Features: General information about Windows 10 features.
What's New in Windows 10: See what’s new in other versions of Windows 10.
Announcing more ways we’re making app development easier on Windows: Simplifying app development in Windows.
Features and functionality removed in Windows 10: Removed features.
Windows 10 features we’re no longer developing: Features that are not being developed.

Summary

Microsoft has released a new Chromium-based version of Microsoft Edge. This new version provides best in class compatibility with extensions and websites. Additionally, this new version provides great support for the latest rendering capabilities, modern web applications, and powerful developer tools across all supported OS platforms.

To learn more about the new Microsoft Edge, see the following resources:

Improvements and fixes

This update includes the following quality improvements:

• Start menu pins, tiles, and shortcuts for the current version of Microsoft Edge will migrate to the new Microsoft Edge.

• Taskbar pins and shortcuts for the current version of Microsoft Edge will migrate to the new Microsoft Edge.

• The new Microsoft Edge will be pinned to the taskbar. If the current version of Microsoft Edge is already pinned, it will be replaced.

• The new Microsoft Edge will add a shortcut to the desktop. If the current version of Microsoft Edge already has a shortcut, it will be replaced.

• By default, most protocols that Microsoft Edge handles will be migrated to the new Microsoft Edge.

• The current version of Microsoft Edge will be hidden from UX surfaces in the OS. This includes settings, applications, and any file or protocol support dialog boxes.

• Attempts to start the current version of Microsoft Edge will redirect to the new Microsoft Edge.

• The First Run Experience (FRE) will auto-launch the first time that a device restarts after the new Microsoft Edge is installed.

• Data from earlier versions of Microsoft Edge (such as passwords, favorites, open tabs) will be available in the new Microsoft Edge.

• This new Microsoft Edge does not support uninstalling of this update.

• To view supported features, please see the Microsoft Edge Platform Status.

Known issues in this update

We are currently not aware of any issues with this update.

How to get this update

Manual download

If you want to download the new Microsoft Edge, go to https://www.microsoft.com/edge.

Windows 10 Download

Prerequisites

For Windows 10, version 1909:

• No additional updates are required.

For Windows 10, version 1903:

You must have one of the following updates or a later update installed to apply this update:

• Recommended: October 8, 2019—KB4517389 (OS Build 18362.418)

• Optional: September 26, 2019—KB4517211 (OS Build 18362.387)

File information

File attributes

The English (United States) version of this software update installs files that have the attributes that are listed in the following tables.

File verification

File hash information

For all supported x86-based versions

New Edge Windows 10 Update

For all supported x64-based versions

References

Learn about the terminology that Microsoft uses to describe software updates.