What’s new for IT pros in Windows 10, version 1809
Published Oct 02 2018 02:00 PM 152K Views
Microsoft

I’m happy to announce that Windows 10, version 1809 is now available for download from Visual Studio Subscriptions (formerly MSDN Subscriptions) and the Software Download Center (via Update Assistant or the Media Creation Tool)—as well as through Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) and Windows Update for Business. This new feature update will begin rolling out globally via Windows Update in the coming weeks to ensure the best possible update experience for our customers. For more details on our rollout plans and the improvements we’ve made to the update experience, please see John Cable’s blog post.

For commercial customers, today’s October 2, 2018 release of Windows 10, version 1809 marks the start of the servicing timeline for the Semi-Annual Channel (“Targeted”) phase. If you’re using Windows Update for Business and have configured updates for Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) deferral, your updates will be based from this date. If you do not use Windows Update for Business, the Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) designation has no impact on you. 

We recommend that you begin rolling out Windows 10, version 1809 today, in phases across your organization, to validate that your apps, devices, and infrastructure work well with this new release before broad deployment. Additionally, if you aren’t yet using Windows Analytics to monitor your rollout of this feature update, we encourage you to do so.

To support this release, we have updated the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK) for Windows 10 and published a draft of the Security baseline for Windows 10, version 1809. We are also updating the Windows 10 Enterprise Evaluation, a free 90-day evaluation designed to help IT pros test Windows 10 Enterprise in their environments.

When will Windows 10, version 1809 be available on the Volume Licensing Service Center? 

Windows 10, version 1809 will be rolling out globally to Volume License customers via the Volume Licensing Service Center (VLSC) in the coming weeks.

When will Windows 10, version 1809 be available to Microsoft partners? 

Windows 10 Enterprise, version 1809 will be available to those with Microsoft Action Pack Subscriptions (MAPS) via the Microsoft Partner Network (MPN) on October 5th. All other editions for MAPS will be available on October 22nd.

What’s new and what’s changed for IT pros?

Windows 10, version 1809 is the sixth feature update for Windows 10. You’ll notice that much of what has changed since the last update is the result of our effort to help you holistically and more easily manage your devices and deployments with Microsoft 365.

Security

  • Windows Defender ATP: General
  • Windows Defender ATP: Attack surface reduction
    • Security administrators can configure devices with advanced web protection and define allow and deny lists for specific URLs and IP addresses.
    • Attack surface reduction controls have been extended to protect from ransomware, credential misuse, and attacks that are transmitted through removable storage.
    • New tamper-proofing capabilities use virtualization-based security to isolate critical ATP security capabilities away from the OS and attackers.
  • Windows Defender ATP: Next generation protection
    • Improved antivirus capability with advanced machine learning and AI models to protect against Apex attackers using innovative vulnerability exploit techniques, tools, and malware.
    • Improved emergency outbreak protection will automatically update devices with new intelligence when a new outbreak has been detected. This prevents devices from needing to wait until the next scheduled interval for an intelligence update.
    • Antivirus capability has been certified ISO 27001 compliant, which means that its cloud service has been analyzed for threats, vulnerabilities, and impacts, and that risk management and security controls are in place.
    • Antivirus capability has been updated to support geolocation and sovereignty of sample data as well as configurable retention policies.
  • Password-less login – Take advantage of secure, multi-factor authentication—without passwords—for your Windows 10 devices using Windows Hello with FIDO2, Web Authentication (WebAuthn), and Microsoft Authenticator. Learn more.
  • Windows Defender Application Guard inside Windows Security App – Configure Application Guard or check and update your configuration in the same place as other Windows security features.
  • Firewall support for Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) – Add specific rules for a WSL process in Windows Defender Firewall, and receive notifications (like access prompts) just as you would for any Windows process.

Deployment and management

  • Windows Autopilot
    • Windows Autopilot for existing devices – Offers configuration support so you can migrate existing devices from Windows 7 to Windows 10 as part of the normal user-driven deployment process. See part two of our Modern deployment with Windows Autopilot and Microsoft 365 session from Microsoft Ignite to learn more.
    • Supports Hybrid Azure Active Directory (AAD) Join, enabling users to join Active Directory joined devices to Azure AD during user-driven deployments.
    • Windows Autopilot self-deploying mode – Provides truly zero-touch provisioning (plug in, turn on, automatically provisioned) and is a great option for shared devices, kiosks, and digital signage.
  • Desktop App Assure (Preview) – New service offered at no additional cost[i] to Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education customers that helps address issues you encounter with Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus application compatibility.
  • Servicing improvements
    • Compact update packages – We are introducing a new update package delivery design for monthly quality updates that creates a compact update package for easier and faster deployment. Users will benefit from the new small update size when installing applicable quality updates as they are 40% more efficient.
    • Reduced download package size for x64 systems – Standalone ESD files will be offered for x64 systems to save bandwidth for those using Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) or Configuration Manager to manage updates.
    • Longer servicing windows – Beginning with Windows 10, version 1809, all feature updates of Windows 10 Enterprise and Education editions with a targeted release month of September will be supported for 30 months from their release date.
    • Further alignment with Office 365 – Adoption of common terminology (Semi-Annual Channel, Long-Term Servicing Channel)
  • Microsoft Edge policies and kiosk mode – New and updated management policies, including quickly creating and deploying a tailored browsing experience for kiosk devices or digital signage.
  • Fast sign-in for shared devices – Enable fast sign-in for users of shared PCs or tablets using the Authentication and EnableFastFirstSignIn policies in the Policy CSP.
  • Streamlined local experience delivery – Language Interface Packs (LIPs) will be supported as Local Experience Packs (LXPs) only (i.e. there will no longer be any lp.cab files for LIP), which are faster to install and have a smaller OS footprint.
  • Windows Analytics in the Azure portal – Consolidates and streamlines device monitoring and management by integrating all the features formerly found in Operations Management Suite (OMS) into the Azure portal.
  • Microsoft 365 Admin Portal – Manage and monitor your Windows 10 devices along with your Office 365 applications and Enterprise Mobility + Security solution from a single admin console.
  • MSIX Packaging Tool – Cross-platform, down-level compliant, enterprise-class installer that enables you to modernize app deployment and distribute LOB apps through the Microsoft Store, Microsoft Store for Business, and other methods

And, just around the corner:

  • Windows Virtual Desktop (Preview) – Deploy and scale virtualized Windows and Office experiences on Azure, and support a multi-user Windows 10 experience, in minutes.
  • Desktop Analytics (Preview) – Incorporates Windows Analytics to offer a new cloud-based service, integrated with System Center Configuration Manager, that will: a) create an inventory of apps running in your organization; b) assess compatibility with the latest feature updates of Windows 10 and Office 365 ProPlus; c) help you create pilot groups that represent your entire application and driver estate across a minimal set of devices.

Productivity

  • Microsoft Search – A new unified search experience, powered by AI insights, that enables you to find content across Windows, Office.com, Office apps, SharePoint, OneDrive, and select third-party ecosystems directly from your search bar.
  • Microsoft Learning Tools in Microsoft Edge – Built-in tools help improve reading and focus: utilize reading mode for web pages, access an offline dictionary, or identify parts of speech with custom colors.
  • Your Phone app[ii] – Get instant access to photos and texts from your Android phone on your computer and send texts from your computer.
  • PowerPoint + digital pen[iii] – Design your slides with a pen, then easily convert them into a polished presentation.
  • Timeline on your phone[iv] – Pick up where left off, wherever you left off. Scroll back in time to find the websites and Office documents you were using on your computer, tablet, and phone[v].

Is there a new LTSC release?

Yes. For those customers utilizing the Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC), we have also released Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC 2019. This is the third feature update for Windows 10 for the LTSC, and it has many benefits for all Windows 10 devices, including the special-purpose devices in your environment.

Where can I learn more about what’s new in this update?

Updated 10/30/2018: To ensure that you have the ability to experience the latest features and capabilities for yourself and your organization, we are rescheduling the webcast for 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, Wednesday, November 28, 2018. Click here to register! We are also rescheduling the AMA, which will now be on Thursday, December 13th from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Pacific Time.

On Wednesday, October 31st, On Wednesday, November 28th, my colleague Nic Fillingham and I will be hosting a one-hour webcast on "What’s new in Windows 10, version 1809 for IT pros." From 10:00-11:00 a.m. Pacific Time, we’ll take you through the changes in this feature update, the logic behind them, and, most importantly, how to use these improvements to speed up your deployments and more easily manage your Windows 10 devices. 

We won’t have much time for Q&A during the webcast, so we are also hosting a Windows 10 IT Pro AMA on Tech Community from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Pacific Time on Wednesday, December 13th the following day, November 1st.

An Ask Microsoft Anything (AMA) is a live, text-based Q&A event like a "YamJam" on Yammer or an "Ask Me Anything" on Reddit. During the AMA, members of the Windows, Windows Defender ATP, Microsoft Intune, and System Center Configuration Manager product and engineering teams will be standing by to answer your questions. Out of respect for our international IT pro community, we’ll open the AMA space right after the conclusion of the webcast so that everyone has a chance to ask a question.

If you haven’t attended one of our AMAs before, here’s a quick explanation of how it will work:

  • The Windows 10 AMA space on Tech Community will open at 10:00 a.m. PT on December 12th.
  • To submit a question, click Start a new conversation—and do this for each new question.
  • Engineering and members of the product teams will be answering questions live during the actual AMA event, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. PT on December 13th.
  • At the end of the AMA, the Windows 10 AMA space will close and become a read-only resource. We will post a final recap within 72 hours.

To participate in the AMA, you must be a member of the Microsoft Tech Community. If you aren’t already a member, it only takes a minute to sign up:

  1. Visit https://techcommunity.microsoft.com.
  2. Click Sign In in the top right corner and sign up using your Microsoft account.
  3. Join the Windows 10 community, and any others you like. (Click See all for the full list.)
  4. Accept the terms and click Register.

What if we haven’t migrated to Windows 10 yet?

If you are still using Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 in your organization, I strongly encourage you to take advantage of Upgrade Readiness, a no-cost Windows Analytics service that helps you streamline and accelerate the Windows upgrade process by identifying compatibility issues that can block your upgrade and proactively suggesting fixes. You can use Upgrade Readiness standalone or integrate it with System Center Configuration Manager.

Learn more

For help with configuring and deploying updates, please see the following resources: 

To see a summary of the latest documentation updates, see What’s new in Windows 10, version 1809 IT pro content on Docs.

For information on what’s new for developers, see What's New in Windows 10 for developers, build 17763. For a full list of new namespaces added to the Windows SDK, see New APIs in Windows 10, build 17763. And, for a list of features and functionality that have been removed from Windows 10, or might be removed in future releases, see Features removed or planned for replacement starting with Windows 10, version 1809.

And, for the latest updates on new releases, tools, and resources, stay tuned to this blog and follow us @MSWindowsITPro on Twitter.

  


Continue the conversation. Find best practices. Bookmark the Windows 10 Tech Community.

Looking for support? Visit the Windows 10 IT pro forums.


[i] With an eligible subscription.

[ii] Users must link their mobile phone to their PC in PC settings or through Your Phone app from the Microsoft Store. Users will receive an app from Microsoft which they must download to their mobile phone and follow the setup prompts. Requires Android 7.0+.

[iii] Pen capable tablet or PC required. Pen accessory may be sold separately. Office 365 subscription required and sold separately.

[iv] For Android, Timeline can be accessed through the Microsoft Launcher Beta starting October 10, 2018. Users will need to sign-up to be a Beta user for Microsoft Launcher in the Google Play store. For iOS, Timeline can be accessed through the Microsoft Edge Beta starting October 8, 2018. Users need to request to join the Microsoft Edge Beta program via Feedback in the app.

[v] Timeline on phone shows seven days of past activities, including activities done on a tablet and laptop when users are signed into their Microsoft accounts.

18 Comments
Silver Contributor

Checked WSUS today and 1809 appeared in feature updates section. But there are no separate x64 EDS packages for it. So, you have released x64 packages for 1703-1803, but not for the latest version? How come? When will you add x64 packages for 1809? Can't really start testing without them.

Copper Contributor

Could you correct the link for the "Windows Defender ATP’s functionality has been extended to support Windows 7 and 8.1 with both Endpoint Detection (EDR) and Endpoint Protection Platform (EPP) capabilities." section.

Copper Contributor

Hi Bruno,

Could you please clarify why you are referring to Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) when Michael Niehaus said a while back there will be no more difference between Targeted and Broad? Is this not the case anymore? Or is this just being used for the internal reference (e.g., SCCM)?

Thanks, Hannah

Copper Contributor

hello, I`m downloaded update 1809 - I do install, the computer is operating normally, but I don`t have dark theme. why??

Copper Contributor

Fast first sign in

 

Mentions the following

"This policy is intended for use on Shared PCs to enable a quick first sign-in experience for a user. It works by automatically connecting new non-admin Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) accounts to the pre-configured candidate local accounts."

 

What are the "pre-configured candidate local accounts." ??? there is no mention of what this is....A mandatory account? 

Copper Contributor

This article is out of date.

 

As of 10/31/2018, the Win 10 1809 (Business Edition) ISO has still not been released in either the Visual Studio Subscription site or the Volume License Center.

 

I see the blog was updated for the webcast date change, but not the download information??

 

Unable to find any information from Microsoft regarding a possible release date. The VLC just says that the 1809 edition is on pause, which is the message that was put up when the update was pulled from release.

 

Can Microsoft please let its business customers know whats going on. (Even a TechNet / VLC aimed email would be good.)

 

Cheers.

Brass Contributor

I registered for the webinar weeks ago, but I haven't received any emails with the webinar info.  I checked the spam filter and our email system and no emails from usevents2@microsoft.com were seen in the past 30 days.

 

How do we participate in the webinar that's happening in a few minutes?

Brass Contributor

Is the webcast cancelled?  Is it rescheduled?  Please let us know.  Thanks.

Copper Contributor

I am wondering about the webcast as well, I didn't receive any connect info, just a note that said my seat was reserved.

Thanks

Copper Contributor

I'm in the same boat - I've registered for the webinar (multiple times now) and still haven't seen any email of information regarding how to join. 

Thanks

Brass Contributor

I think this is Microsoft's way of collecting data....as if Windows 10's telemetry isn't enough.

 

Much like the promised cake, the Webcast is a lie.

Copper Contributor

No notice was sent out to folks that this was re-scheduled, though it was. https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Windows-IT-Pro-Blog/New-date-December-13th-Windows-10-version...

Edit: Disregard, this was just for the AMA, not the webinar.

Copper Contributor

Reading the original webinar sign-up page, I see it says "This will be a fast-paced webinar, so make sure you also attend our Windows 10, version 1809 AMA to ask any questions you have about this latest release." 

I thought this meant that there'll be an AMA outside of this webinar. 

Thoughts?

Brass Contributor

As far as I know, that's for the AMA.  The Webcast was still for today right now (noon CST for me).

Copper Contributor

I agree, 2 different meetings, I had signed up for both.  The AMA is more of a question and answer, and they said to make sure you went to this webinar first before attending the AMA.

Copper Contributor

Since I missed the webinar, can I access the video/slides somewhere? The e-mail I received has a link which is not working for me, I cannot view anything past the first slide.

Brass Contributor

@Vlatko Danchev: The Webinar should be available on demand from this link: https://info.microsoft.com/en-us-landing-whats-new-in-windows10-version1809-for-it-pros.html, but maybe something's wrong with it (?).

 

Brass Contributor

When I go to that link, I just get this:

 

Thank you for registering!

You will receive a confirmation email shortly from Microsoft US Online Events () that includes a link to view this on-demand webcast.

If you do not receive the confirmation email, please check your clutter and junk mail folders.

For questions, please email .

 

Cache is cleared.  I tried a different browser, and even a different PC.  Why it says this, I don't know - I'm not even logged in.

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Last update:
‎Oct 30 2018 07:43 PM
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