Windows 10 October 2020 Update arrives: Nothing that will drop your jaw, but we've had enough of 2020's fun surprises anyway

The Register ^ | Oct 21, 2020 | Richard Speed

[dayglored]

Steady as she goes for Microsoft as Edge turns up and Start gets a buffing

Good news for Windows fans, the October 2020 Update is here, for some people at least, and the known issues list isn't as bad as the last one.

After lurking in the beta and release preview channel of the Windows Insider program for what seemed like an age, the Windows 10 October 2020 (aka 20H2) has arrived, bringing with it Microsoft's new Chromium-based Edge browser and, frankly, precious little else.

The glorified update follows the pattern established in 2019, where a major update hit during the spring, and something that felt a whole lot like a cumulative update arrived in the autumn. While the approach might be a little frustrating for Windows enthusiasts, those looking for stability on the desktop will welcome a repeat of the approach - certainly after the mayhem unleashed by the infamous Update of the Damned back in 2018.

Things are altogether more sober this time around, and many of the toys lurking in the update are likely already on users' PCs, requiring only a flick of a switch from Microsoft to activate them rather than a bandwidth-destroying download. That's assuming, of course, those PCs are on the Nice list: as before, Microsoft is "throttling availability" and restricting devices to which the update is offered.

As for what is actually in it, other than the new Edge, there isn't a huge amount. The Start Menu has been given a lick of paint, as Microsoft gingerly applies dressings to the self-inflicted wounds of Windows 8, Alt+Tab will flick through Edge tabs as well as apps and logos on notifications will make it easier to identify where they are from.

The overall interface has been polished up a bit, but nothing that will frighten the horses, with minor improvements when the screen is detached on 2-in-1 devices, and a decluttering of the taskbar for new logins.

These "H2" updates tend to attract the attention of the commercial world since not only do they benefit from the fixes rolled out after the "H1" release, they also enjoy 30 months of servicing (longer for a Long Term Servicing Channel version) rather than the 18 months of the latter.

This time around, those commercial customers saw updates to the Mobile Device Manager (MDM) with a Local Users and Groups policy that gives administrators the same options as on-premises Group Policy, a more secure biometric sign on and beefed up protection for Microsoft 365 and Edge via the Windows Defender Application Guard.

Despite the lengthy gestation of the build (and the fact that much of the codebase is shared with May's update), there are still issues. One, where Windows throws up an error during the installation of third-party drivers, has been resolved, while others (related to Conexant drivers) remain.

Enthusiastic users wondering why Windows 10 20H2 is refusing to put in an appearance on their kit would be advised to check out Microsoft's helpful health dashboard for pointers with regard to what is blocking an update. Otherwise it may simply be a case that you have yet to migrate to Windows Update's Nice list. ®

[MikelTackNailer]

And 15 hours later it got done. I'd been waiting for an update where the screw-ups were corrected - hope that was worth it. Meanwhile I continue the transition to Linux Mint, which is surprisingly awesome the more I learn and mess with it. Getting off a plantation other than Democrat!

"Ain't goin' to work on Bill Gates' farm no more."

[dayglored]

Well, he puts his cigar out in your face just for kicks
His bedroom window it is made out of bricks
The National Guard stands around his door.
I ain't goin' to work on Bill Gates' farm no more.

[deoetdoctrinae]

And don't forget...

[MikelTackNailer]

LOL! Rally round the family...with a pocket full of shell (commands). Rock on, DayGlo.

But I'm stumped trying to get my Firefox bookmarks from the Windows puter to the Linux one intact. Warpinator, I read, only works among Linux. Any suggestions?

[dayglored]

> I'm stumped trying to get my Firefox bookmarks from the Windows puter to the Linux one intact.

Firefox bookmarks on any OS can be saved (exported) to an HTML file, which can be read (imported) by any other instance of Firefox on another OS. In fact that's how I back up my bookmarks every so often.

On the Windows Firefox top menu bar (you may have to make it visible using View or right-click), under "Bookmarks", select "Show All Bookmarks". (It's also Ctrl-Shift-B) That opens another window. Among the tools on the Toolbar in that window is "Import and Backup". Click that.

Select "Export Bookmarks to HTML". Specify where the file is written. Copy that file to your Linux machine, and do the same thing again on Linux Firefox, except this time select "Import Bookmarks from HTML".

It will create a new bookmarks folder in the Bookmarks Library, place all your Windows Firefox bookmarks in it, and you can then move them to wherever you want them.

[MikelTackNailer]

Thank you. Thought I did that right before but all I got was empty folders. Here in “Flyover Nashville” we’d say we were holding our mouth wrong.

BTW, we’re thrilled having tonight’s debate in a college that’s been resisting the PC contamination. Hopefully Trump will get that junkie son’s laundry aired despite media and info tech covering up for them.

[deoetdoctrinae]

I don't mean to be a thread hijacker, but I have a question you may be able to help me with.

We just changed from old copper lines to fiber, with AT&T. Our old service was crawling along at 6Mbps. The new service is giving 100Mbps (was actually close to 120 when the installer checked after completing the install).

Our laptops go a few years back and are only able to get about 45Mbps max. A great improvement to be sure, but we'd like to take advantage of the speed available.

So here's the question. If I do a little computer shopping/comparing, what should I look for that would likely fill the bill? Our current Toshiba laptops say they have Intel Celeron N2840, 2.16Ghz. I know, dinosaurs right? LOL

Your expertise would be greatly appreciated.

[glennaro]

So long as the update arrives Covid Cooties-free so I don’t have to wear a mask or stand two yards away from my desktop, I’m good with it (virus-checking has taken on a whole new meaning in 2020, y’know.)

[dayglored]

There are a handful of factors that go into realizing high internet speed.

First of course is what your ISP (AT&T) provides in the contract. Call that 100Mbps.

Second is what your modem is capable of. The modem itself is presumably matched to the incoming fiber line, so let's assume it's good for 100Mbps.

Third is what your WiFi access point (the wireless radio in the modem) is capable of. For this you can check the specifications on the modem. See this chart: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi-Fi#Versions for the maximum speeds of various WiFi generations. Hopefully you have 4th gen (802.11n) or better, such as 5th gen (802.11ac).

Fourth is what the WiFi adapter in the laptop is capable of. If you're looking to buy a new one, you're almost certain to get at least 802.11n, but I recommend 802.11ac or better.

After all that comes the processing speed of the CPU. You're right that a 2.1GHz Celeron is a dinosaur. :-) I'd recommend an i5 or i7 over an i3 (if you're going with Intel), and at least 2GHz. 2.5GHz or higher is better, of course.

[deoetdoctrinae]

Thanks for the info. You were right on the mark on points one and two. For point three, I looked on the back of the new modem and it is a model # BGW320-500, which apparently is a 6th Gen 802.11ax.

It looks like AT&T did their part, so the ball would now be in my court to make sure any replacement laptops we consider would have the WiFi capability and processor speed to take full advantage.

Thanks again for your fine help. Knowledge is power.

[piroque]

Same here ,,,, when you figure out how to stop the up-dates let us know. /s