Microsoft is releasing Windows 10 November 2019 Update (v1909) in the coming weeks but the next version is apparently already finalized - at least internally. Windows 10 2020 (20H1 branch) will be the next major upgrade for the operating system after the May 2019 Update or version 1903. [The upcoming version 1909 is only a minor update focusing entirely on bug fixes and performance improvements.]
Coming back to Windows 10 20H1, reports suggest that Microsoft is potentially changing the entire release schedule to align Windows 10 with Azure. Up until now, Microsoft has finalized feature updates in March and September, but that will change to June and December starting with the version 20H1.
Reports from WindowsCentral suggest that the public will still get this update in March/April, but internally the company is already done with Windows 10 2020 and the RTM build will be delivered to Insiders in December. Release Preview ring will get the RTM build in January, from where it will eventually release to the public in Spring. This sounds likely especially because Microsoft has almost stopped sending any new features to the Fast ring Insiders who are currently testing Windows 10 20H1.
This doesn't mean that Microsoft hasn't taken enough time on the development process. As a reminder, Microsoft had started working on this particular build even before version 1903 was released to the public. At the time, the company had hinted that some things in this particular update require longer development time.
Azure's development schedule and Windows 10X release has pushed Microsoft to start working on Windows 10 20H2
Windows 10 20H2 (codenamed Manganese) is also reportedly under development internally. The publication added that Insiders "should" start receiving 20H2 builds in the next couple of weeks. As mentioned earlier, the new schedule means Windows 10 20H2 will hit RTM in June, next year.
This will be at least 3 months ahead of the previous Windows 10 fall versions, giving Microsoft enough time to ship 20H2's Windows 10X copy on the foldable devices like Surface Neo, expected to be released in Holiday, 2020.
To break all of this down...
- v1909 release for the public is expected in the next two weeks
- version 20H1 is internally finalized and will reach RTM status in December
- version 20H2 previews should start coming to the Fast ring in the next two weeks
- version 20H2 will RTM in June, 2020 probably being the first Windows 10X version
As Windows is now under Azure's development schedule, it means the internal and Insider development process starts sooner than earlier. However, it is yet to be seen if Microsoft also delivers new versions in, say, January and August or sticks with the usual April/May and October/November schedule for the public.
