On August 2nd, Microsoft officially releases the Anniversary Update (aka Redstone 1 and Version 1607) for Windows 10. With over 350 million devices running Windows 10, Microsoft is betting big on this new update, which adds numerous new improvements to the Microsoft Edge browser, Cortana, and other key features across the operating system. The August 2nd release is scheduled to be a “global rollout” and not everyone will receive it on that day, but you have nothing to worry about if you are a part of the Windows Insider program.
As an Insider, you will have the Anniversary Update on August 2nd without any further action required. In fact, if you are running Windows 10 build 14393, you already have the Anniversary Update installed. Microsoft will be releasing additional updates and fixes to build 14393 like the recent KB3176925 which bumped the build number slightly from 14393 to 14393.3.
Those of you still enrolled in the Windows Insider program after August 2nd will begin to receive Redstone 2 builds. Redstone 2, for those curious, is the next big update to Windows 10 slated for Spring of 2017, news we exclusively revealed back in March of this year. Redstone 2 is slated to add new improvements and features that did not make the cut in Redstone 1 (aka the Anniversary Update).
Here’s what a Microsoft spokesperson told us:
“Windows Insiders will have the Anniversary Update on August 2nd, no further action will be required. We expect the build number to not change; however, additional updates and fixes are likely for both OS and Apps. After August 2nd, Windows Insiders will continue to receive new builds related to their choice of fast or slow rings.”
For those of you who are not enrolled in the Windows Insider program and are running Windows 10 version 1511, you will be able to download the Anniversary Update beginning August 2nd. It’s going to take time, so don’t freak out if you do not see the update available right away.
As August 2nd nears, we’ve got quite a bit of feature stories lined up for those of you who are new to the update and looking to learn more about what’s new. Stay tuned for that! We also have a hand-on video review of the Anniversary Update in the works.
