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Microsoft releases Windows 10 May 2020 Update to developers

Consumers will have to wait till the end of the month, but developers can get their hands on it now

13 May 2020

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The Windows 10 May 2020 Update, also known as Windows 10 2004, is now available to developers via the Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN).

There were reports that the update was going to be pushed back to end of the month due to the discovery of a zero-day flae, but it appears that developers are getting it sooner.

The final master was sent out to OEMs on 5 May, was released to developers on 12 May, and looks set to arrive consumer machines starting on 28 May. Developers with a MSDN subscription can download the ISO for both the consumer and business versions of the update.

Windows updates have followed this phased approach for the past few releases, with the latest version having been tested by insiders since February 2019. There is a suggestion that Microsoft has held back on its release due to previous updates causing a number of performance issue.

It's also worth noting the impact of the global pandemic has disrupted many services, including Microsoft's. Windows development, for example, was put on lockdown back in March, and the company was forced to delay the end of support for older Windows 10 releases.

"The Windows 10 SDK for Windows 10, version 2004 is now available with a go-live license," as Microsoft said in a blog post. "A Go-Live license gives developers and organisations authorisation to begin deployment of their applications using pre-RTM code."

The update reportedly comes with new APIs, and, according to Aria Carley, a Microsoft program manager, the update is also being made available to IT administrators using Windows Server Update Service (WSUS).

"This is the next step in our efforts to provide your organisation with the ability to validate line-of-business (LOB) applications, business-critical functionality, and policies, as well as evaluate new business features, prior to an update's official release."