What you need to know

• Microsoft today launched another cumulative update for Windows 10 PCs on the May 2020 Update.
• There's the usual batch of fixes here, including some related to Windows Mixed Reality headsets.
• Windows 10 May 2020 Update PCs can grab this update now via Windows Update.

We're still a ways off from October's Patch Tuesday, but Microsoft has a new cumulative update available for PCs running the Windows 10 May 2020 Update. As is typical of cumulative updates, there are no new features to see here. Instead, you'll get a raft of fixes across the board. Notably, this is also an optional update.

Here's a rundown of all of the fixes included OS build 19041.546, from the release notes:

• Adds a notification to Internet Explorer 11 that informs users about the end of support for Adobe Flash in December 2020. For more information, see KB4581051.
• Addresses an issue with Microsoft Edge IE Mode that occurs when you enable Configure enhanced hang detection for Internet Explorer mode in Microsoft Edge.
• Addresses an issue that, in some instances, prevents the Language Bar from appearing when the user signs in to a new session. This occurs even though the Language Bar is configured properly.
• Addresses an issue that fails to recognize the first East Asian language character typed into a Microsoft Foundation Class Library (MFC) DataGrid.
• Addresses an issue the prevents you from reconnecting to a previously closed session because that session is in an unrecoverable state.
• Addresses an issue that causes games that use spatial audio to stop working.
• Addresses an issue that prevents the deletion of stale user profiles when you configure a profile cleanup Group Policy object (GPO).
• Addresses an issue in which selecting I forgot my Pin from Settings>Accounts>Sign-in options fails in a Windows Hello for Business On-Premise deployment.
• Updates 2021 time zone information for Fiji.
• Addresses an issue that affects the Microsoft's System Centre Operations Manager's (SCOM) ability to monitor a customer's workload.
• Addresses an issue that causes random line breaks when you redirect PowerShell console error output.
• Addresses an issue with creating HTML reports using tracerpt.
• Allows the DeviceHealthMonitoring Cloud Service Plan (CSP) to run on Windows 10 Business and Windows 10 Pro editions.
• Addresses an issue that prevents the content under HKLM\Software\Cryptography from being carried over during Windows feature updates.
• Addresses an issue that causes an access violation in lsass.exe when a process is started using the runas command in some circumstances.
• Addresses an issue in which Windows Defender Application Control enforces package family name rules that should be audit only.
• Addresses an issue that displays an error that states that a smart card PIN change was not successful even though the PIN change was successful.
• Addresses an issue that might create duplicate Foreign Security Principal directory objects for Authenticated and Interactive users in the domain partition. As a result, the original directory objects have "CNF" added to their names and are mangled. This issue occurs when you promote a new domain controller using the CriticalReplicationOnly flag.
• Updates the configuration of Windows Hello Face recognition to work well with 940nm wavelength cameras.
• Reduces distortions and aberrations in Windows Mixed Reality head-mounted displays (HMD).
• Ensures that new Windows Mixed Reality HMDs meet minimum specification requirements and default to a 90Hz refresh rate.
• Addresses an issue that causes a stop error on a Hyper-V host when a virtual machine (VM) issues a specific Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) command.
• Addresses an issue that might cause attempts to bind a socket to a shared socket to fail.
• Addresses an issue that might prevent applications from opening or cause other errors when applications use Windows APIs to check for internet connectivity and the network icon incorrectly displays "No internet access" in the notification area. This issue occurs if you use a group policy or local network configuration to disable active probing for the Network Connectivity Status Indicator (NCSI). This also occurs if active probing fails to use a proxy and passive probes fail to detect internet connectivity.
• Addresses an issue that prevents Microsoft Intune from syncing on a device using the virtual private network version 2 (VPNv2) configuration service provider (CSP).
• Suspends uploads and downloads from peers when a VPN connection is detected.
• Addresses an issue that prevents Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) management tools, such as IIS Manager, from managing an ASP.NET application that has configured SameSite cookie settings in web.config.
• Addresses an issue with ntdsutil.exe that prevents you from moving Active Directory database files. The error is, "Move file failed with source [[ original_full_db_path ]] and Destination [[ new_full_db_path ]] with error 5 (Access is denied.)"
• Addresses an issue that incorrectly reports that Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) sessions are unsecure in Event ID 2889. This occurs when the LDAP session is authenticated and sealed with a Simple Authentication and Security Layer (SASL) method.
• Addresses an issue that might cause Windows 10 devices that enable Credential Guard to fail authentication requests when they use the machine certificate.
• Restores the constructed attribute in Active Directory and Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) for msDS-parentdistname.
• Addresses an issue that causes queries against large keys on Ntds.dit to fail with the error, "MAPI_E_NOT_ENOUGH_RESOURCES." This issue might cause users to see limited meeting room availability because the Exchange Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI) cannot allocate additional memory for the meeting requests.
• Addresses an issue that intermittently generates Online Certificate Status Protocol (OSCP) Responder audit events (5125) to indicate that a request was submitted to the OCSP Responder Service. However, there is no reference to the serial number or the domain name (DN) of the issuer of the request.
• Addresses an issue that displays strange characters before the day, month, and year fields in the output from console commands.
• Addresses an issue that causes lsass.exe to stop working, which triggers a restart of the system. This issue occurs when invalid restart data is sent with a non-critical paged search control.
• Addresses an issue that fails to log events 4732 and 4733 for Domain-Local group membership changes in certain scenarios. This occurs when you use the "Permissive Modify" control; for example, the Active Directory (AD) PowerShell modules use this control.
• Addresses an issue with the Microsoft Cluster Shared Volumes File Systems (CSVFS) driver that prevents Win32 API access to SQL Server Filestream data. This occurs when the data is stored on a Cluster Shared Volume in a SQL Server failover cluster instance, which is on an Azure VM.
• Addresses an issue that causes a deadlock when Offline Files are enabled. As a result, CscEnpDereferenceEntryInternal holds parent and child locks.
• Addresses an issue that causes deduplication jobs to fail with stop error 0x50 when you call HsmpRecallFreeCachedExtents().
• Addresses an issue that causes applications stop working when they use Microsoft's Remote Desktop sharing APIs. The breakpoint exception code is 0x80000003.
• Removes the HTTP call to www.microsoft.com that the Remote Desktop Client (mstsc.exe) makes at sign out when using a Remote Desktop Gateway.
• Addresses an issue with evaluating the compatibility status of the Windows ecosystem to help ensure application and device compatibility for all updates to Windows.
• Adds support for certain new Windows Mixed Reality motion controllers.
• Addresses an issue that causes apps that use Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE) to stop responding when you attempt to close the app.
• Adds an Azure Active Directory (AAD) Device Token that is sent to Windows Update (WU) as part of each WU scan. WU can use this token to query for membership in groups that have an AAD Device ID.
• Addresses an issue with setting the "Restrict delegation of credentials to remote servers" Group Policy with the "Restrict Credential Delegation" mode on the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) client. As a result, the Terminal Server service tries to use "Require Remote Credential Guard" mode first and will only use "Require Restricted Admin" if the server does not support "Require Remote Credential Guard".
• Addresses an issue in Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) that generates an "Element not found" error when you try to start WSL.
• Addresses an issue with certain WWAN LTE modems that might show no internet connection in the notification area after waking from sleep or hibernation. Additionally, these modems might not be able to connect to the internet.

If you're running a PC with the May 2020 Update installed, you can check for this optional update now via Windows Update.

What you need to know

• Microsoft has placed a compatibility hold on several PCs with LTE.
• The issue causes some PCs with WWAN LTE modems to not connect to the internet when waking from sleep or hibernation.
• Microsoft states that a fix is on the way and should arrive in late September.

Microsoft placed a compatibility hold on several devices to temporarily prevent them from updating to the Windows 10 May 2020 Update (Windows 10 version 2004). The hold is in place because some Windows 10 PCs with LTE modems fail to connect to the internet when waking up from sleep. Affected PCs will state that they don't have an internet connection after waking from sleep or hibernation.

Microsoft outlines the issue and some steps to mitigate the problem in an updated doc (via ZDNet). Microsoft does not share a list of every type of device that's affected by this issue, instead stating, "Certain WWAN LTE modems might not be able to connect after waking from sleep." Several of the best Windows laptops have LTE connectivity, so some well-known devices could be affected.

"After waking from sleep or hibernation, certain WWAN LTE modems might show no internet in the Network Connectivity Status Indicator (NCSI) in the notification area and might be unable to connect to the internet," reads the updated doc from Microsoft. It continues by explaining that Microsoft has "applied a compatibility hold on Windows 10 devices with affected WWAN LTE modems drivers installed from being offered Windows 10, version 2004 until the issue has been resolved."

Microsoft is working on a resolution for the issue that should be available in late September. Microsoft warns that people should not manually update affected systems to the Windows 10 May 2020 Update until the issue is fixed.

If your PC is affected by this issue, you can mitigate it by enabling and then disabling Airplane mode. This can be done through the Notification and Actions area or through the Start Menu by searching for "Airplane mode."

This recent issue is only the latest problem that's prevented Windows 10 version 2004 from shipping to PCs. Microsoft placed a similar hold on several Surface devices earlier this year.

What you need to know

• The Windows 10 May 2020 Update will automatically roll out to more PCs.
• Microsoft is using machine learning to determine which devices will receive the update.
• Windows 10 version 1809 is the next version of Windows 10 scheduled to reach end of support.

Older PCs are now more likely to receive the Windows 10 May 2020 Update (Windows 10 version 2004). Microsoft updated the current status of Windows 10 version 2004 earlier this week. According to the company, it is increasing the number of devices that will receive the latest major Windows 10 update automatically.

Microsoft explains that it's using machine learning-based training to determine which devices are about to reach end of service. The doc does not explain which specific versions of Windows 10 will receive the update, though ZDNet highlights that Windows 10 version 1809 is the next version scheduled to reach end of support.

Here's the complete statement from the Microsoft support doc:

Microsoft began using machine learning in mid-June to determine which PCs should receive Windows 10 version 2004.

If you're running a newer version of Windows 10, such as version 1903 or 1909, you can manually check for the update. It's worth noting that some devices, including some Surface devices, are still blocked from receiving the update regardless of which version of Windows 10 they're running.

What you need to know

• A bug has emerged that causes connectivity issues with Windows 10 version 2004.
• The issue seems to allow web browsing but stops certain apps from connecting to the internet.
• Microsoft is investigating the issue.

Some people's PCs have an odd connectivity bug that can cause issues with certain apps on Windows 10. An issue in Windows 10 version 2004 (Windows 10 May 2020 Update) causes some PCs to show an error stating "No Internet Access." The bug is odd because it clearly states that a device doesn't have internet access but PCs showing it can still access the internet in certain cases.

One user named AndyJefferson shared an experience with the issue on a Microsoft answers page. The post reads, "Since updating my Dell Iaptop to Windows 10 Version 2004, Network and Internet settings is showing that my home wifi network has "No Internet Access" when in fact it is working fine. I've rebooted my laptop, reset the router and reinstalled the network wireless adaptor but still same message."

According to Windows Latest the issue doesn't seem to stop people from browsing the web but can cause certain apps that rely on an internet connection to not work. Apps including Spotify, Cortana, the Microsoft Store, and the Feedback Hub seem to have issues reaching servers through the web when this bug affects a system.

A report in a Microsoft answers forum shares one person's issues with Cortana that seems connected to the same issue. It's worth noting that report was from months ago by a system on the Windows Insider Program. The PC was running Windows 10 Enterprise version 2004.

Microsoft is aware of the issue, according to Candy Luo, a Microsoft contingent Staff member. Luo states that the issue is currently being investigated by Microsoft.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is still blocking some Surface devices from receiving the Windows 10 May 2020 Update.
• It appeared as if the blocks were removed last week, but Microsoft has since updated its availability page.
• Microsoft has not specified which other safeguards are causing the block of the update.

Updated July 10, 2020: We've added a note that the blocks could be related to issues with OneDrive.

Microsoft continues to block Surface devices from receiving the Windows 10 May 2020 Update (Windows 10 version 2004). At the end of June, Microsoft updated a page on Windows 10 version 2004 availability. That update stated an issue was resolved and that the safeguard hold had been removed. Now, Microsoft has added text into that post stating that other safeguards might still prevent your device from receiving the update.

ZDNet spotted the words that Microsoft added on July 8. Here is what the page stated before.

You can see an archived version of that page courtesy of the Wayback Machine.

Here is the new wording, with emphasis added by ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley:

Microsoft has not specified which other safeguard holds could block devices from receiving the Windows 10 May 2020 Update. The Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 were blocked previously, but Foley reports that people with several devices have been blocked from the update, including those with a Surface Laptop 3, Surface Pro 7, Surface Go 2, Surface Book 2, Surface Book 3, and Surface Pro X.

There's a chance that the blocks are related to OneDrive issues. Some on Reddit have had to uninstall OneDrive in order to upgrade Surface devices to Windows 10 version 2004.

Forcing an upgrade to the latest version of Windows 10 on blocked device can result in issues. We recommend holding off at least until Microsoft states that these issues are resolved, and holds are completely removed.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is lifting the block on some Surface devices for the Windows 10 May 2020 Update.
• The block was in place for devices with multiple Always on, Always Connected capable network adapters.
• The block was removed on June 29 but may take up to 48 hours to be offered to devices.

Microsoft removed the block for several Surface devices from the Windows 10 May 2020 Update (via ZDNet). The blocks were in place because previously affected devices could run into unexpected shutdowns, restarts, and other errors. The issue was resolved with the KB4557957 update that rolled out on June 9, but Microsoft waited until the end of June to lift the block, presumably to make sure the issue was truly resolved. The Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 are among the devices no longer blocked from the update.

As outlined in a Microsoft online doc, some devices with more than one Always On, Always Connected network adapter could run into issues, including the Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3.

When Microsoft updated the doc explaining the resolution, it noted that it could take up to 48 hours before the update is offered to PCs that were previously blocked. As noted by BleepingComputer that update occurred on June 29, so the update should be rolling out to unblocked Surface devices now.

BleepingComputer also points out that there are still seven update blocks in place for Windows 10 version 2004 (the Windows 10 May 2020 Update). That means that some devices are still blocked from receiving the update.

What you need to know

• Microsoft confirmed an issue with Storage Spaces on PCs running the Windows 10 May 2020 Update.
• The issue causes some PCs to not be able to access Storage Spaces.
• There is currently no fix, but you can mark Storage Spaces as read only.

Microsoft recently confirmed an issue affecting some PCs running the Windows 10 May 2020 Update. The update causes some PCs to not be ableto access Storage Spaces. Additionally, some configurations cause a partition of Storage Spaces to show RAW in Disk Manager. Right now, there isn't a fix for the issue, but Microsoft is investigating it.

The issue was first spotted by Windows Latest and we reported on the issue earlier this week alongside several other problems with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update.

Microsoft does not specify how many PCs are affected by this issue. It does, however, specify that there is no workaround for the issue right now. Instead, you can mark Storage Spaces as read only. Here are the steps to do so, as outlined by Microsoft.

1. Select Start and type: powershell
2. Right click or long press on Windows PowerShell and select Run as administrator.
3. If prompted by a User Access Control dialog for Windows Powershell, select yes.
4. Within the PowerShell dialog, type the following command and press enter: get-virtualdisk | ? WriteCacheSize -gt 0 | get-disk | set-disk -IsReadOnly $true
5. Your Storage Spaces should now be set to read only, meaning you will not be able to write to them. Your device will still be usable, and any volume not seen as RAW should be readable.

Microsoft notes that it does not recommend running the chkdsk command on any device affected by this issue.

What you need to know

• Microsoft shipped a new set of cumulative Windows 10 updates today.
• The updates correct printer errors that are plagueing some versions of Windows 10.
• The updates are currently available for versions 1909, 1903, 1809, and 1803.

Microsoft today released a new set of cumulative updates intended to correct an issue that has been plaguing every version of Windows 10 since the release of June's cumulative updates. Currently, the updates are only available for Windows 10 versions 1909, 1903, 1809, and 1803. However, once installed, they should correct errors encountered when trying to print something, whether to a physical printer or software-based printer.

Here's a look at the release notes for each update:

Microsoft recommends that you only install one of these updates if you're having issues with printing after applying the updates released on June 9. For more, you can find the release notes for each cumulative update at Microsoft's support site.

The Windows 10 May 2020 Update (version 2004) officially launched on May 27, 2020, to compatible devices. This is the ninth feature update and the first semi-annual update of the year that introduces a new set of features and enhancements to improve the overall experience.

For instance, in this release, Microsoft is including an option to download a fresh image from the cloud to reset Windows 10. You can now take advantage of the Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 (WSL 2). Cortana becomes a regular app that updates through the Microsoft Store. The Settings receives a slew of tweaks, including new mouse and cursor settings, and a lot more.

Although the new version of Windows 10 doesn't include significant changes, and Microsoft has been spending more time smashing bugs and trying to make the release as stable as possible, the feature update seems not to be quite ready, since users and media outlets have been reporting a lot of issues.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll highlight the biggest complaints and problems during and after the upgrade to the May 2020 Update.

Windows 10 May 2020 Update problems and complaints

These are some of the complaints and problems that users are reporting moving to the new version:

• Installation problems with May 2020 Update
• Apps problems with May 2020 Update
• System problems with May 2020 Update
• Patching problems with May 2020 Update
• Confusion problems with May 2020 Update

Installation problems with May 2020 Update

A significant number of users have been complaining about random installation problems with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update even after the company placed a temporary compatibility block.

For instance, a small group of users had reported that the installation of Windows 10 version 2004 completes close to 90 percent, and then setup fails.

At the official Microsoft forums, Lynnetted reported:

Also, user JohnLebett at the Microsoft forums explained:

On Reddit, user naiiytom and Ricardette shared a similar story installing the update:

Although the company is blocking devices that may have a compatibility problem with apps and drivers using specific versions of "aksfridge.sys" or "aksdf.sys," some users managed to come across the known issue.

On Reddit, user Blarzor reported:

The user didn't share the method used to upgrade, indicating the possibility that the Media Creation Tool or another similar method was used as using the Windows Update settings could have blocked the installation to prevent the problem. However, Blarzor also shared that these steps helped to resolve the issue.

Also, on Reddit, user kekekmacan complained about a similar issue and shared a possible solution:

Apps problems with May 2020 Update

Since the update was made available to devices, there's been frustrations regarding some apps not working as expected with the new version.

Chrome login

For instance, after installing version 2004, several users have been reporting (via WindowsLatest) that certain apps, such as Google Chrome, OneDrive, and others lose their credentials on every reboot.

In the case of Google Chrome, it appears that the update is breaking the authentication mechanism as Reddit user reported:

The same issue has also been found at the Google Chrome Help forums.

Also, other people are saying that the May 2020 Update also breaks the syncing engine in Chrome. At the Google Chrome Help forums user hunned reports:

Furthermore, the update seems to be preventing Chrome from saving cookies every time the browser is closed:

OneDrive login

The authentication problem is also happening with OneDrive, according to Reddit user njtallguy:

Cortana app

Starting with the May 2020 Update, Windows 10 introduces a new version of Cortana that is no longer part of the OS and becomes a regular app that updates from the Microsoft Store. However, it appears that it is causing some frustrations among users.

On Reddit, Buck_Ranger and many other users complained about Cortana continue to run in the background after closing:

Although this might seem like a bug, it would appear that the app needs to run in the background to listen to the "Hey Cortana" command as pointed out in the Windows 10 May 2020 Update review.

In addition to design frustrations, some users have been reporting Cortana not working in their region, when the digital assistant was working in the previous release.

On Reddit, user Vansh-Sengar share:

The reader also shared an image showing the "Sorry, but Cortana is not available in English (India) at this time" error message.

At the Microsoft forums, user HyP-40 highlight the same issue, but when using the UK version of Windows 10:

Microsoft hasn't acknowledged this as a problem with the Cortana app, but if you're dealing with this issue, reseting or reinstalling the app may fix the problem.

Firefox

After installing the first semi-annual update, multiple users have been experiencing flickering when watching videos using Mozilla Firefox.

On Reddit, user Nessnesn64 shares:

The same user also shared a short video show casing the issue and reported the problem to Firefox:

from r/firefox

System problems with May 2020 Update

In addition to some problems with apps, the new feature update for Windows 10 has some system-related issues that are causing frustration to a small number of users.

Optimize Drive

Shortly after the May 2020 Update became available to the masses, some users spotted a bug with the legacy defragmentation tool that reports scan was never run on the hard drive after a system restart.

At the Microsoft forums, user GKD_799 noted:

In the Feedback Hub, some users also filed multiple bug reports explaining:

You should check this workaround, if you're having this problem.

Fresh Start

Fresh Start is a handy feature that allows you to reinstall Windows 10 without the applications and settings bundled pre-configured by the device manufacturer. However, since the May 2020 Update launched, the feature no longer works through the Windows Security app.

At the AskWoody forums (via WindowsLatest and Techdows) user Microfix points out the following:

While this might seem like a problem, according to documentation update at the Windows support website (via Techdows) Microsoft is now relocating the "Fresh Start" functionality to the Reset this PC feature.

VPN connection

In the early days of the Windows 10 version 2004, a small group of users has also encountered problems establishing a VPN connection.

At the Microsoft forums, rijocumo reports:

And it appears this is not the only case as the forum page marks close to 30 people with the same problem.

Drivers loop

After upgrading to Windows 10 version 2004, a small number of users filed complaints about problems installing drivers using Windows Update.

On Reddit, user WizardB (via WindowsLatest) shared:

And the Reddit post wasn't the only case, at the Feedback Hub someone reported:

Bluetooth disconnects

Some users also had some frustrations with Bluetooth after upgrading to the new feature update of Windows 10.

For instance, Reddit user DaveBeBrave said:

Storage Spaces

After installing the May 2020 Update, some users reported error 0X00000057 with the message of trying to create a storage pool using Storage spaces.

At the Microsoft forums, user Doug Koontz explained:

On Reddit, user skiippy shared a similar problem, which also caused data corruption:

If you rely on Storage Spaces, you are better rolling back to the previous version until there's a permanent fix for this problem.

No internet access

Also, some users have been complaining about internet access problems after upgrading to version 2004.

For example, on Reddit, user steve8ero said:

And this user wasn't the only one, Fallingdamage also had the same issue and shared the workaround in the same thread:

Intel Optane

According to many reports and then acknowledged by Intel, the Windows 10 May 2020 update is confirmed to have problems with Intel Optane memory modules.

On Twitter, user @Krishna31160902 reported to Microsoft:

At the Feedback Hub someone reported:

Although Intel is working on a permanent fix, it's unclear when an update will arrive to resolve this issue. In the meantime, you can use these instructions to get around this issue.

Patching problems with May 2020 Update

Soon after the release of the new version, Microsoft made available the first quality update for the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, which was supposed to improve the overall experience, but instead, it brought additional issues.

Printing problem

For example, on Reddit, user surfaceprox reported:

In the same thread, user NaworHD responded:

Also, user printers, on Reddit, posted highlighting many media outlets reporting the same problem:

In the same thread, user FJ98119 expressed:

At the Microsoft forums, user puttycoat said:

Also, Jason Tran reported at the Microsoft forums:

According to the Windows support website, Microsoft is aware of the issue, and the company is expected to resolve the problems in future update releases.

Tablet mode problem

Also, after the release of KB4557957, some users have been reporting that Windows 10 will force them into the tablet mode experience (via TechRadar), instead of the regular desktop interface.

For instance, on Reddit, user brainandforce reported:

At the official Microsoft forums (via WindowsLatest) some users also reported the same problem:

Confusion problems with May 2020 Update

Finally, alongside the many problems with the new version of Windows 10, a lot of users shared their frustration and confusion finding out the May 2020 Update wasn't available on their devices.

At the Microsoft forums, user maxwilkes92 posted:

User Steve Richter asked:

Also, user heshie shared his frustration saying:

You can also find the same complaints across the internet, and on Reddit:

Although the message letting users know version 2004 is currently blocked on their devices is a welcome addition, it appears that some users felt disappointed to find out that they can't upgrade. Also, many others didn't feel the message was clear since the notification doesn't specify the reason the device isn't compatible.

Wrapping things up

While some issues are expected during the early days of a new release of Windows 10, since the company spent several months testing and patching the May 2020 Update before the official launch, it's surprising to see so many users with this many problems.

Alongside the user complaints, Microsoft has also published a long list of known issues with the new feature update that is forcing the company to place a temporary compatibility block on affected devices to prevent additional problems.

It's worth noting that some of the issues are only affecting a small number of users, but when you see the large number of problems, it makes you wondered if the feature update was ready for the masses, or if it needed more development time.

If your computer hasn't received version 2004, it's recommended to wait until you receive the notification automatically, and even then, it's best to wait a few months until the release gets more stable.

If you stumble upon issues with the new feature update, share them in the comments, or use the Windows Central forums to get help. You can also use our comprehensive guide to troubleshoot and fix virtually any problems with the May 2020 Update.

What you need to know

• The Windows 10 May 2020 Update is causing several issues for PCs.
• Issues include printer problems, Tablet Mode popping up randomly, and issues with Google Chrome.
• The problems appear to be caused by the Windows 10 May 2020 Update and subsequent security updates.

Microsoft started rolling out the Windows 10 May 2020 Update at the end of last month, and several issues have become apparent since its release. With Windows 10 running on so many PCs, some issues are normal. Also, we don't know how many PCs have seen these issues. But the breadth of the issues is starting to pile up and cause frustrations. Several outlets reported issues with Windows 10 recently, ranging from PCs failing to print documents to Windows 10 Tablet Mode popping up on its own. Tom's Guide gathered several of the issues together that have plagued PCs with the update.

Over the weekend, Engadget reported on security updates to Windows 10 causing printer issues. Updates KB4560960 and KB4557957 appear to be behind the issues, which affect HP, Canon, Panasonic, Brother, and Rico printers. Microsoft acknowledged the issue and shared details in a doc earlier this month. The company is working on a solution, but there is not one at this time. In addition to people not being able to print physical documents, some have run into issues "printing" documents as PDFs.

An odd bug appeared on Windows 10 that Tech Radar highlights which causes Windows 10's Tablet Mode to randomly pop up on PCs. The issue seems connected to the KB4557957 update of the Windows 10 May 2020 Update and the KB4561600 update of the Windows 10 November 2019 Update. People have complained about these issues on a Microsoft Answer forum and Reddit (via Windows Latest.

Windows Latest reported issues with the Storage Spaces feature for Windows 10 over the weekend. People pointed out issues with Storage Spaces, which lets people combine hard drives such as SSDs and HDDs into a virtual drive. The problem prevents people from creating new spaces and issues when dealing with current spaces. Some people have experienced data loss and file corruption.

Google Chrome's key feature also seems to have an issue with the latest update of Windows 10, according to Windows Latest. The bug causes Chrome to sign you out of your Google account when you restart your PC.

Windows 10 also has issues with its Fresh Start feature, as reported by Forbes. For some, the option to perform a Fresh Start doesn't appear. As a result, people can't perform a Fresh Start on their PC.

When compounded with the fact that many Lenovo PCs aren't getting along with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, a growing number of devices are experiencing issues with the latest version of Windows 10. As noted earlier, Windows 10 is on so many PCs that issues can affect a small subset of users, but the wide range of issues noted by people over the last two weeks could be worrying for Microsoft.

Microsoft has begun the gradual rollout of the May 2020 Update for Windows 10 with a bunch of new changes and several new features to enhance the experience of laptops and desktop computers. This is the ninth feature update, and it's the first semi-annual update of 2020 available for supported devices.

Although the company is now finalizing the development earlier and spending more time testing and addressing as many problems as possible before the final release, as a result of version 2004 including significant code changes, it also means a lot of potential compatibility problems, issues with drivers, unexpected errors, and more.

In addition, because the May 2020 Update requires full reinstallation, you can also come across other issues that aren't the result of the new development. Usually, upgrades could fail to apply because of storage problems, incompatible programs, damaged or outdated drivers, custom configurations, and problems with physical components.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll highlight some of the problems you are likely to encounter trying to install the May 2020 Update and possible solutions.

Get help to fix issues installing the May 2020 Update for Windows 10

Good to know – When a new version of Windows 10 becomes available, you may run into two types of problems. For instance, you can come across errors that are known during and after an upgrade, such as issues with activation, storage, features, and system update, which aren't necessarily problems with version 2004.

Then, there are issues caused by bugs in the feature update. Some of these problems can be related to drivers, compatibility with apps or third-party security solutions.

This guide focuses on resolving common upgrade problems as well as methods to get around specific known issues (if available) during and after the installation using Windows Update, Update Assistant, or Media Creation Tool.

• How to fix Windows Update problems with the May 2020 Update
• How to fix Media Creation Tool problems with the May 2020 Update
• How to fix USB media problems with the May 2020 Update
• How to fix Windows 10 setup problems with the May 2020 Update
• How to fix Update Assistant problems with the May 2020 Update
• How to fix storage problems with the May 2020 Update
• How to fix hardware and software compatibility problems with the May 2020 Update
• How to fix after installation problems with the May 2020 Update
• How to fix memory integrity blocking install of the May 2020 Update
• How to fix problem with older Nvidia GPU drivers on the May 2020 Update
• How to fix Cortana won't close on the May 2020 Update
• How to fix DISM corruption report on the May 2020 Update
• How to fix Cortana not available on the May 2020 Update
• How to fix Intel Optane problems with the May 2020 Update
• How to fix Storage Pool problem after the May 2020 Update
• How to fix Optimize Drives tool problem after the May 2020 Update
• How to fix problems on Lenovo PCs after the May 2020 Update
• How to fix Google Chrome problems with May 2020 Update
• How to fix driver update loop with May 2020 Update
• How to fix no internet access problem with May 2020 Update
• How to fix tablet mode problem with May 2020 Update
• How to minimize problems upgrading to Windows 10 May 2020 Update

How to fix Windows Update problems with the May 2020 Update

Although using Windows Update is the recommended method to upgrade to a new version of Windows 10, it's not a flawless mechanism, and sometimes you may run into errors that will prevent your computer from getting the update.

Resolve unexpected errors using Windows Update

If Windows Update isn't working, you can use the troubleshooter feature to resolve the most common issues.

To fix Windows Update to download version 2004, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Troubleshoot.
4. Under the "Get up and running" section, select the Windows Update option.
5. Click the Run the troubleshooter button.

6. Click the Apply this fix option (if applicable).Quick note: If you don't see the option to apply a fix, it's okay. The troubleshooter will apply fixes automatically. Then if the problem needs user approval, you'll see the option.

7. Continue with the on-screen directions.
8. Restart your device.

Once you complete the steps, Windows Update should now be able to download and install the new May 2020 Update.

In the event that you get the error 0xc1900223, it means that there's an issue downloading the update, and there's nothing else you need to do. At a later time, Windows Update will try to upgrade again.

Resolve error 0x80073712 using Windows Update

If, during the upgrade to Windows 10 version 2004, you see error 0x80073712 message, then it means that one or more of the required files are either missing or damaged.

To resolve this issue, you can use the Deployment Servicing and Management (DISM) tool with Command Prompt to restore the system files to a known good state.

To use DISM to fix Windows Update, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command and press Enter:dism /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

After you complete the steps, the required files will be repaired, and Windows Update should start working to download and install the first semi-annual update of Windows 10.

Resolve error 0x800F0922 using Windows Update

The error 0x800F0922 could appear when using Windows Update, if your device can't connect to the Microsoft update servers, or if the System Reserved partition doesn't have enough free space.

Disconnecting VPN session

Typically, you'll see the error 0x800F0922 if you're trying to upgrade to the May 2020 Update, and a VPN connection is active.

To fix this problem, disconnect the VPN session using these steps:

1. Click the network icon in the taskbar.
2. Select the VPN connection.
3. Click the Disconnect button.

These steps will work when using the Windows 10 VPN settings. If you're using another application, check its documentation for more specific instructions.

Resizing System Reserved partition

If third-party security software (such as antivirus) stores data in the System Reserved partition, then there's a good chance that the new version of Windows 10 won't install.

When this happens, you may need to use a third-party tool to resize the resevered partition to make it equal or larger than 500MB. Alternatively, you can choose to perform a clean installation with version 2004, which will not only fix the problem, but you'll start with a new fresh installation that can resolve previous issues and improve performance.

How to fix Media Creation Tool problems with the May 2020 Update

The Media Creation Tool is a utility designed primarily to perform fresh and upgrade installations of Windows 10, but it also has problems of its own, especially during the early days of the May 2020 Update.

Resolve Media Creation Tool stuck downloading

As part of the upgrade process, the Media Creation Tool downloads the installation files as well as any additional updates.

The only caveat is that the tool can get stuck downloading those additional updates, and it'll prevent you from continuing the upgrade to version 2004.

If it stays on the "Getting updates" stage for a long time, you can use these steps to get around the problem:

1. Click the Close button.
2. Start the Media Creation Tool one more time.
3. Continue with the on-screen directions.
4. As soon as the installation files finish downloading, unplug the network cable from your computer or disconnect from the Wi-Fi network.

Once you complete the steps, the download for updates will time out, and the setup will continue with the process. After the upgrade, Windows Update will install any remaining updates.

Resolve Media Creation Tool not starting setup

In the event that the installation process doesn't start downloading the installation files, then you may need to begin the setup manually.

To launch the Windows 10 version 2004 setup manually, use these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Navigate to the following path:C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources
3. Double-click the Setupprep.exe file to launch the setup wizard.

After you complete the steps, you should now be able to continue with the upgrade process to the May 2020 Update.

In the case that you're still dealing with the same problem, then you should upgrade using the Update Assistant.

How to fix USB media problems with the May 2020 Update

When the installation fails using a USB bootable media, then there's a good chance that the flash drive has some damaged or missing files. You can quickly resolve this problem, recreating the installation media with the Media Creation Tool.

To create a USB bootable media to install Windows 10 version 2004, use these steps:

1. Open this Microsoft support website.
2. Under the "Create Windows 10 installation media" section, click the Download tool now button.
3. Save the installer on your computer.
4. Double-click the MediaCreationTool2004.exe to start the setup.
5. Click the Accept button.
6. Select the Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC option.

7. Click the Next button.
8. Select your language, architecture, and edition settings, if different from the default selection.

9. Click the Next button.
10. Select the USB flash drive option.

11. Click the Next button.
12. Select the removable drive from the list.

13. Click the Next button.
14. Click the Finish button.

Once you complete the steps, you'll end up with a new installation media with fresh files that you can use to upgrade your device.

If the bootable media fails again, try the steps one more time, but from another computer. Or use another application, such as Rufus to create the installation media.

How to fix Windows 10 setup problems with the May 2020 Update

As you begin the upgrade of the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, the setup process can fail with many error messages depending on the problem that is blocking the process.

Resolve Windows Setup errors 0x8007042B 0x4000D and 0x800700B7 0x2000A

If the setup fails with error 0x8007042B 0x4000D or error 0x800700B7 0x2000A, then it means that another process is running in the background.

Usually, these processes are from applications and services that run at startup, such as from system processes, third-party antivirus, and other desktop applications.

If you're performing an in-place upgrade, you can use Task Manager to terminate the process or application. Here's how:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Task Manager and click the top result to open the app.
3. Click the More details button.
4. Select an app.
5. Click the End task button.

6. Repeat steps No. 3 and 4 to terminate the remaining apps.

After you complete the steps, start the setup again and continue with the upgrade.

Alternatively, you can perform a clean boot of Windows 10 to start the upgrade, or you can temporarily remove the program in question.

To uninstall apps (such as antivirus and legacy programs) that might be conflicting with the upgrade, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Apps & features.
4. Select the app and click the Uninstall button.

5. Continue with the on-screen directions.

Once you complete the steps, you should no longer see error "0x8007042B 0x4000D" or error "0x800700B7 0x2000A," and you should now be able to complete the version 2004 installation.

Resolve Windows Setup error 0xC1900107

The 0xC1900107 error message indicates that the device was recently upgraded to a newer version. However, the previous installation files are still pending for deletion before you start the new upgrade process.

Restarting the computer usually fixes the problem, but if the error persists, use the Storage Sense to remove the previous version manually.

To clean up the previous installation files, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Storage.
4. Click the Configure Storage Sense or run in now option.

5. Under the "Free up space now" section, check the Delete previous versions of Windows option.

6. Click the Clean now button.

After you complete the steps, the previous installation will be removed, fixing the error "0xC1900107."

Resolve Windows Setup install completion problems

Whether you're trying to install a new feature update or cumulative update, you can run into two error messages:

• Error: We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer.
• Error: Failure configuring Windows Updates. Reverting changes.

These are generic messages, and you'll need to determine the error code to find a solution or workaround.

To find out the exact error preventing you from installing version 2004, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click the View your update history option.

5. Check the error code next to the failed update.

Once you complete the steps, you'll have to research the message online. You may be able to find a solution at the official Microsoft forums or using the Windows Central forums.

You can also check the Windows 10 update history support page to find if a specific update has a problem and whether Microsoft has a workaround to mitigate the issue (if applicable).

Resolve Windows Setup updates problem

If you're getting the Error: The update doesn't apply to your computer message, it means that your device is missing updates, and you won't be able to upgrade to version 2004 until the required updates are installed.

To check for updates, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click the Check for updates button.

Once you complete the steps, you can use any of the supported methods to upgrade to the May 2020 Update.

Resolve Windows Setup error 0x80200056

The error 0x80200056 is not a critical problem. The message only indicates that the device accidentally restarted during the update process.

To fix this issue, after the device restarted, restart the Windows 10 setup.

How to fix Update Assistant problems with the May 2020 Update

In addition to Windows Update and Media Creation Tool, Microsoft also provides the Update Assistant, which is a tool designed to force an upgrade when Windows Update isn't working correctly. However, like with any piece of software, it's not a flawless tool, and some times, you can run into problems.

If you're having issues with the tool, such as stuck downloading the May 2020 Update files, then it's likely to be a networking related problem.

To fix the Update Assistant tool, use these tips:

• Disconnect the device from the network unplugging the network cable or disabling Wi-Fi. Once you do that, wait about one minute, and reconnect the network, and relaunch the Update Assistant.
• Restart the device and open the Update Assistant again.
• Re-download the tool again.

If you continue with the same problem, use the Media Creation Tool to perform an in-place upgrade to the May 2020 Update.

How to fix storage problems with the May 2020 Update

Although Windows 10 now ships with Reserved Storage, a feature that sets aside part of the hard drive space for updates and temporary files, you can still stumble upon some storage related error messages:

• 0x80070070 – 0x50011
• 0x80070070 – 0x50012
• 0x80070070 – 0x60000

The minimum hardware to install Windows 10 version 2004 requires at least 16GB of available storage to upgrade a 32-bit version or 20GB for the 64-bit version. If your computer doesn't have enough space, you'll not be able to install the new version.

To fix storage problems trying to upgrade to the May 2020 Update, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Storage.
4. Under the "Local Disk" section, click the Temporary files option.

5. Select the items to clear to free up space.Quick tip: You don't need to select the "Windows Setup temporary files" or "Windows ESD installation files" option, as these are the files required to update your computer.
6. Click the Remove files button.

After you complete the steps, you should now be able to go through the installation of version 2004. However, if you continue without enough space, you should consider adding an external storage (such as a USB flash drive or external hard drive) with at least 16GB of space that the system can use as temporary storage automatically.

You can use this guide with a lot of tips to free up storage space on your computer.

How to fix hardware and software compatibility problems with the May 2020 Update

Hardware and software compatibility can sometimes block the upgrade process, and you won't be able to continue until you determine and repair the root of the cause.

Resolve error 0x80070002 0x20009

As you try to upgrade from an older version to the May 2020 Update, you may see error 0x80070002 0x20009 that indicates that the setup can't find specific files.

This is another common problem upgrading to a new version of Windows 10, and you can quickly get around it by disconnecting any drive connected to your device, including USB flash drives (excluding the media installation drive) and external drives. Once you removed the peripheral, rerun the setup to continue with the upgrade.

Resolve error 0xC1900101

Whether you're attempting to install version 2004 or another release, you can see a number of errors starting with 0xC1900101 or 0x80090011 that could indicate a problem with one or more drivers.

These are the different "0xC1900101" error codes:

• 0xC1900101 - 0x2000c
• 0xC1900101 - 0x20017
• 0xC1900101 - 0x30017
• 0xC1900101 - 0x30018
• 0xC1900101 - 0x3000D
• 0xC1900101 - 0x4000D
• 0xC1900101 - 0x40017

If you're dealing with any of the error codes mentioned above, you can use the tips below to troubleshoot and fix them.

Disconnect peripherals

To minimize errors during the upgrade of the Windows 10 May 2020 Update is a good idea to disconnect non-essential peripherals, such as external drives, printers, Bluetooth devices, USB devices, cameras, and others.

After the installation, you can reconnect them again.

Update drivers

Updating the device drivers to the latest release can also resolve any of the error codes.

To check for device driver updates on Windows 10, use these steps:

Important: If you're getting the update from your manufacturer support website, then follow their instructions, and skip the steps below.

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager, and click the top result to open the app.
3. Expand the branch with the device causing issues. (Typically, it'll be marked with a yellow exclamation sign.)
4. Right-click the device and select the Update driver option.

5. Click the Browse my computer for driver software option if you previously downloaded the new driver package. (Or click the Search automatically for updated driver software option to check for updates automatically.)

6. Click the Browse button.

7. Select the location with the driver files (unzipped).
8. Click the Next button.
9. Continue with the on-screen directions.

Once you complete the steps, you should no longer see in an "0xC1900101" or "0x80090011" error message during the version 2004 installation.

You can also check this comprehensive guide with everything you need to know updating drivers on Windows 10.

Optimize storage

If you see one of the "0xC1900101" errors, you can use the Storage settings, uninstall non-essential apps and games, and migrate personal files to another location to free up space.

You can use this guide with a lot of tips to free up storage space on your computer.

Repair installation

An error message starting with "0xC1900101" can also indicate a problem with the current setup, and as a result, you won't be able to continue.

You may be able to fix this problem using the Deployment Servicing and Management (DISM), System File Checker (SFC), and System File Checker (SFC) utilities to repair issues with the installation.

You can use this guide with the instructions you need to follow to resolve this issue.

Fresh installation

If you can't get around the error, then use the Media Creation Tool to start fresh with a clean installation of Windows 10.

Resolve hardware error 0xC1900200, 0xC1900202, 0x80300024

If your device is already running any version of Windows 10, then it's likely that you won't see these errors. However, if you see error 0xC1900200 – 0x20008, 0xC1900202 – 0x20008, or 0x80300024, then your computer doesn't meet the minimum system requirements.

These are the minimum hardware requirements to install Windows 10 version 2004:

• Processor: 1GHz.
• Memory: 2GB for 32 bit or 64 bit.
• Hard drive: 16GB for 32 bit or 20GB for 64 bit.
• Graphics: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver.
• Display: 800x600.

You can check this guide to understand the hardware specifications of your device. However, if you see one of these errors, then it's likely that you may need to upgrade the system memory.

Resolve driver error 0x800F0923

The error message 0x800F0923 refers to a compatibility problem with a driver or program on your computer. When upgrading to a new version of Windows 10, this error usually points out an issue with the graphics driver, legacy program, or third-party antivirus.

One method to find out the issue is to run the Update Assistant or Media Creation Tool, and during the setup process, if there's a compatibility problem, the tools will report it more clearly.

In the case that it's a driver problem, you should download and install a newer version from the manufacturer support website using their instructions. If available, try to download a beta version of the driver, as during the early days of a new version of Windows 10, the manufacturer is in the testing phase of new drivers to make them fully compatible with the latest release.

Remove incompatible driver

Alternatively, you can remove the driver, proceed with the upgrade, and then reinstall the device (if applicable).

To remove a driver causing upgrade problems, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager, and click the top result to open the app.
3. Expand the branch with the device having issues.
4. Right-click the component and select the Uninstall device option.

5. Click the Uninstall button again.

After you complete the steps, you should now be able to complete the upgrade of the May 2020 Update.

In addition, you may see error 0x80070490 - 0x20007, which also indicates incompatible driver, and error 0x80070003 - 0x20007 that refers to an upgrade failure during the driver installation stage.

If you receive either of these errors, you should the device drivers causing the problem, and then try the upgrade process one more time.

Resolve app error 0xC1900208

During the upgrade to version 2004, it's also possible that you'll see the error 0xC1900208 – 0x4000C. This message could signal that an app installed on your device isn't compatible and is blocking the process. Usually, the apps causing the problem include legacy desktop programs and third-party antivirus.

To remove incompatible apps to complete the upgrade, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Apps & features.
4. Select the incompatible program.
5. Click the Uninstall button.

6. Click the Uninstall button again.
7. Continue with the on-screen directions (if applicable).

Once you complete the steps, you may need to repeat the instructions to remove other conflicting apps.

How to fix after installation problems with the May 2020 Update

Although the installation of Windows 10 version 2004 may have completed successfully, you can still come across a number of issues, such as black screen, network connectivity, and activation.

Resolve black screen problems after upgrade

Black screen during and after an upgrade is not uncommon. Usually, it indicates a problem with the graphics driver, hardware, or it could suggest that the new version didn't apply correctly.

The quickest resolution is to remove the May 2020 Update from your computer using the Advanced startup settings:

1. Turn on your computer.
2. As soon as the Windows logo appears on your screen, press the power button. (This will immediately interrupt the boot sequence.)
3. Repeat steps No. 1 and 2 two more times.
4. Click the Advanced options button.

5. On the Advanced startup settings, click on Troubleshoot.
6. Click on Advanced options.

7. Click on Uninstall Updates.

8. Click on Uninstall latest feature update.

9. Sign-in with your Windows 10 account.
10. Click the Uninstall feature update button.

After you complete the steps, Windows 10 version 2004 will be removed, restoring the previous installation and fixing the black screen problem. Also, it's recommended not to upgrade again until a new patch becomes available that fixes the problem.

Resolve network problem after upgrade

After installing the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, there's a chance that you experience networking problems, such as slow wireless connectivity, intermittent connection, no connection at all, or the adapter isn't available.

Troubleshoot network problem

To fix problems with a network adapter after installing version 2004, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Security.
3. Click on Status.
4. Under the "Advanced network settings" section, click the Network Troubleshooter button.

5. Continue with the on-screen directions (if applicable).

Once you complete the steps, the network should start working again.

Reset network adapters

If the problem persists, then resetting the networking stack will uninstall, reinstall, and set the default settings that could fix the problem.

To reset Wi-Fi as well as wired network adapters after upgrading to version 2004, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Security.
3. Click on Status.
4. Under the "Change your network settings" section, click the Network reset button.

5. Click the Reset now button.

6. Click the Yes button.

After you complete the steps, Windows 10 will remove and reinstall all the network adapters, and it'll reset the settings to their factory defaults fixing the connectivity problem.

In the case that you're experiencing networking issues, remember that there could be a lot of reasons, including problems with the adapter, driver, settings, signal, cable, router, internet service provider (ISP), and of course, a bug with version 2004.

Resolve activation problem after upgrade

On Windows 10, once you activate the installation, the device will be reactivated automatically after an upgrade or clean installation without the need to type the license key. However, there will be times that the reactivation won't work, and you'll receive a "Windows not activated" message with error 0x803F7001 in the Activation settings page.

If this ever happens, be patient and wait, Windows 10 will reactivate later automatically. However, if it's been a few days, you can use the activation troubleshooter to activate your device running the May 2020 Update.

How to fix memory integrity blocking install of the May 2020 Update

If you're trying to upgrade to the May 2020 Update, you're likely to see the "Your PC settings need to be adjusted before upgrading to the latest version of Windows 10. Turn off memory integrity protection to continue" message that will prevent you from continuing the installation.

According to the company, there's a compatibility problem with certain display drivers, and it's recommending to update the graphics drivers to the latest version. However, the quickest way to mitigate this problem is to disable the memory integrity feature.

To resolve this issue, you need to disable the memory integrity feature using these steps:

1. Open Windows Security.
2. Click on Device security.
3. Click the Core isolation details option.
4. Turn off the Memory integrity toggle switch.

Once you complete the steps, you should be able to run the setup of Windows 10 again install version 2004.

How to fix problem with older Nvidia GPU drivers on the May 2020 Update

If during or after the installation process of version 2004, you receive a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD), it's likely because you're using an older graphics driver from Nvidia. According to Microsoft, there's a compatibility issue with some versions of Nvidia display adapters, and the company recommends to check and update the video drivers to the latest version (if possible).

To install the latest graphics drivers, you can use these instructions.

Alternatively, if you're still on a previous version of Windows 10, it's best not to upgrade until a solution is available. However, if you already upgraded, and you're experiencing problems, you can try rolling back to the previous version using these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Recovery.
4. Under the "Go back to a previous version of Windows 10" section, click the Get started button.

5. Check any of the reasons available.

6. Click the Next button.
7. Click the No, thanks button.

8. Click the Next button.

9. Click the Next button again.

10. Click the Go back to earlier build button.

Also, the company is working closely with Nvidia to find a permanent resolution, which is expected to release in future updates.

How to fix Cortana won't close on the May 2020 Update

Starting with the May 2020 Update, Cortana becomes a regular app that updates through the Microsoft Store, and it's no longer integrated into Windows 10. However, after installing version 2004, some users are reporting that Cortana doesn't fully close when they close it, as you'll still see the app when opening Task View or use the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut.

It's unclear if this behavior is bug or if the app has been designed that way, but if you need to close the app, you can use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Task Manager and click the top result to open the app.
3. Click the Processes tab.
4. Select the Cortana process.
5. Click the End task button.

Once you complete the steps, Cortana will fully close on Windows 10.

If you want to prevent Cortana from launching on startup, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Startup.
4. Turn off the Cortana toggle switch.

After you complete the steps, Cortana will no longer start automatically when you sign in to Windows 10.

How to fix DISM corruption report on the May 2020 Update

According to Microsoft, after using the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command with the

/restorehealth

option there's a chance of the tool reporting corruption even if the problem has been resolved running the command.

If you're having this issue, you can quickly resolve this issue by running the same command again to confirm the current state of the system or using the the

/ScanHealth

option with these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command and press Enter:DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth

Once you complete the steps, you should no longer receive the message that corruption still present.

How to fix Cortana not available on the May 2020 Update

Alongside the new features and improvements, starting with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, Cortana becomes a regular app and it's no longer integrated into the OS. However, some users are complaining that after upgrading to version 2004, they receive a "Cortana is not available" at this time message.

If you're facing this issue on a supported region, you can try reseting or reinstalling the app on Windows 10.

Reset Cortana app

To reset the Cortana app, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Apps & features.
4. Under the "Apps & features" section, select the Cortana app.
5. Click the Advanced options link.

6. Under the "Reset" section, click the Reset button.

7. Click the Reset button again.

Once you complete the steps, you can try to set up Cortana one more time.

Reinstall Cortana app

In the rare case that you still continue to see the same "Cortana is not available" message, then you can try reinstalling the application with these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to remove Cortana from Windows 10 and press Enter:Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.549981C3F5F10 | Remove-AppxPackage

4. Open the Cortana app page.
5. Click the Get button.
6. Click the Open button.
7. Click the Install button.

After you complete the steps, Cortana will reinstall on Windows 10, and it should now work as expected.

How to fix Intel Optane problems with the May 2020 Update

If you try to install the Windows 10 May 2020 Update (version 2004) on a device using an Intel Optane memory module, you're likely to run into compatibility issues.

According to multiple reports at the Intel forum, Feedback Hub, and Twitter (via WindowsLatest), the Optane Memory Pinnings don't transfer successfully to the new version making it impossible for Windows 10 to load a specific module resulting on a "Unable to load DLL 'iaStorAfsServiceApi.dll': The specified module could not be found. (Exception from HRESULT: 0x8)" error message.

Although Microsoft is currently placing a temporary block on device likely to run into one of the many issues with the May 2020 Update, it's possible to upgrade to the new version using the Media Creation Tool. In the case that you have a device with an Intel Optane memory module, it's recommend to skip the feature update until there's a permanent solution. However, if you have already upgrade to version 2004, there is a workaround that might help to mitigate the problem.

To fix the Intel Optane problem with version 2004, use these steps:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click on Programs.
3. Click the Programs & Features option.
4. Select the Intel Optane Pinning Explorer Extensions item.
5. Click the Uninstall button.
6. Continue with the on-screen directions (if applicable).
7. Disable Intel Optane.
8. Restart your computer.
9. Enable Intel Optane.
10. Restart your computer.

Once you complete the steps, you should no longer see the error on Windows 10.

If the same issue continues to happen, it's best to roll back to the previous version of Windows 10 with these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Recovery.
4. Under the "Go back to a previous version of Windows 10" section, click the Get started button.

5. Check any of the reasons available.

6. Click the Next button.
7. Click the No, thanks button.

8. Click the Next button.

9. Click the Next button again.

10. Click the Go back to earlier build button.

Microsoft has yet to acknowledge this as an issue with the May 2020 Update, as a result, it's unclear when the company or Intel will release a permanent fix.

How to fix Storage Pool problem after the May 2020 Update

After installing the Windows 10 version 2004, a small number of users have reported error 0X00000057 with the message "Can't Prepare Disks, Close all apps that are accessing the drive and try again" trying to create a storage pool using Storage spaces. The problem appears to happen even when no application is running and after trying different drive combinations and configurations.

At the time of this writing, Microsoft has yet to acknowledge the problem with the May 2020 Update. If you're experiencing this issue, one workaround that seems to allow you to use the Storage Spaces is to rollback to the previous version, create the storage tool, and then upgrade to the new version.

To uninstall the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Recovery.
4. Under the "Go back to a previous version of Windows 10" section, click the Get started button.

5. Check any of the reasons available.
6. Click the Next button.
7. Click the No, thanks button.
8. Click the Next button.

9. Click the Next button again.
10. Click the Go back to earlier build button.

If you're planning to do more work with Storage Spaces, instead of upgrading again, it's best to stay on the previous version until there's a permanent solution to the problem.

How to fix Optimize Drives tool problem after the May 2020 Update

If you decided to upgrade to the new version of Windows 10, and you're still using a traditional rotating platters hard drive, you may run into a reported issue using the defragmentation tool.

According to a Feedback Hub report (via WindowsLastest), the Optimize Drives tool to defragment hard drives to improve performance reports that scans were never run on the device after a system restart, even though the optimization have been processed earlier.

The feature isn't broken, as you can still use it to optimize a hard drive, but the only issue is the output report that resets to "never run" after a restart.

If you see this issue on your May 2020 Update installation, you can confirm the actual status of the defragmentation using the Event Viewer:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Event Viewer and click the top result to open the tool.
3. Expand the Windows Logs branch.
4. Right-click the Application item and select the Filter Current Log option.
5. Select the Defrag option.

6. Click the OK button.
7. Select the event indicating the details of the last defragmentation.

This is not an unknown issue, Microsoft already fixed this problem in the preview build of Windows 10 available through the Fast ring, but it's unclear if the company will release an update to resolve the issue, or if you'll have to wait until the next major refresh of the OS.

How to fix problems on Lenovo PCs after the May 2020 Update

It would appear that the Windows 10 May 2020 Update has a fair amount of issues with many Lenovo laptops, and the computer maker posted a support website revealing a number of problems and mitigation steps.

Fix yellow warning on drive

If a yellow warning marking appears on a drive is because of limitation with Windows 10, and you can resolve the issue using these steps:

1. Right-click the affect hard drive.
2. Turn on BitLocker.
3. Right-click the affect hard drive.
4. Turn off the BitLocker.

This issue affects the ThinkPad X1, Extreme Gen2, ThinkPad P53, ThinkPad E14, ThinkPad E14 Gen2, ThinkPad E15 Gen2, and ThinkPad T490.

Fix UltraNav driver issue

If you recover your computer from a system image and see the error "Failed to load Apoint.DLL, Alps Pointing device application has stopped" message, then use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager and click the top result to open the tool.
3. Expand the Mice and other pointing devices branch.
4. Select the Think UltraNav device.
5. Right-click the device and select the Update driver option.
6. Restart your computer.

According to Lenovo, this problem affects the ThinkPad E570p and ThinkPad L570.

Fix F11 function key

If the F11 key isn't working after a system recovery, then use these steps:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click on System and Security.
3. Click on Lenovo.
4. Select the Keyboard Manager option.

This problem may affect ThinkPad X1 and Tablet Gen 3 devices.

Blue Screen of Death (BSoD)

If you have a ThinkPad P70 laptop, you may see a Blue Screen of Death after resuming from hibernation or sleep. It's yet unclear the cause of the problem, but the computer maker suspects that it could be an issue related to the BIOS.

The company isn't saying when a permanent solution will be available. If this issue affects your experience, you'll need to roll back to the previous version using these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Recovery.
4. Under the "Go back to a previous version of Windows 10" section, click the Get started button.

5. Check any of the reasons available.
6. Click the Next button.
7. Click the No, thanks button.
8. Click the Next button.

9. Click the Next button again.
10. Click the Go back to earlier build button.

Green border on Movies & TV app

In the case that you have a ThinkPad X395 laptop, you may see a green border when resizing the Movies & TV app on Windows 10. According to the company, this is a problem with the AMD video driver, and a fix is expected to arrive on June 15.

Lenovo is working closely with Microsoft to offer a more permanent solution for all these problems.

How to fix Google Chrome problems with May 2020 Update

If you use Google Chrome on Windows 10, after installing the May 2020 Update, the browser may lose your credentials on reboot. In addition, the browser may also lose the ability to sync content and save cookies as you close the browser.

Microsoft hasn't yet confirmed that these are problems with the new version, but Google is aware of the problem, and it's working on a permanent solution. In the meantime, the company is offering a workaround:

1. Close the Chrome browser.
2. Use the Windows key + L keyboard shortcut to lock the device.
3. Sign back into the account again.
4. Open Google Chrome.

Once you complete the steps, the problems should be resolved. If you see the same problem again, you may want to repeat the steps.

How to fix driver update loop with May 2020 Update

After installing Windows 10 version 2004, a small number users have been complaining about the Windows Update continue to try to apply an older version of the Intel display drivers, even when the most up-to-date version of the driver is already installed in the device.

According to the company (via WindowsLastest), the issue might be caused by the update cache, and you can try to resolve it in two ways. You can use the Windows Update troubleshooter, and you can delete the update cache.

To run the Windows Update troubleshooter, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Troubleshoot.
4. Click the Additional troubleshooters options.
5. Under the "Get up and running" section, select the Windows Update option.
6. Click the Run the troubleshooter button.

7. Continue with the on-screen directions (if applicable).

Once you complete the steps, the driver should no longer try to download automatically.

To delete the update cache, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Services and click the top result to open the console.
3. Right-click the Windows Update service and select the Stop option.

4. Open File Explorer.
5. Copy and paste the following path in the address bar and press Enter:C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
6. Select all the files and folders (Windows key + A).
7. Click the Delete button from the "Home" tab.

8. On the Services console, right-click the Windows Update service and select the Start option.

After you complete the steps, you can check for updates again, and the older Intel driver should no longer try download and install.

How to fix no internet access problem with May 2020 Update

According to some users on Reddit, after installing the May 2020 Update, Windows 10 no longer connects to the internet, even though the internet service is functional.

If you happen to come across this issue, it has been suggested that modifying the registry can fix this issue until there's a permanent solution.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky and can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. It's recommended to make a temporary full backup of your PC before proceeding.

To fix no internet access on Windows 10 version 2004, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for regedit and click the top result to open the Registry.
3. Browse the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NlaSvc\Parameters\Internet

    Quick tip: On Windows 10, you can now copy and paste the path in the Registry's address bar to quickly jump to the key destination. 4.Double-click the EnableActiveProbing DWORD and set the value from 1 to 0.

5. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, you should now be able to connect to the internet.

How to fix tablet mode problem with May 2020 Update

It has been reported by a number of users (via Tech Radar) that many users that after installing the first cumulative update KB4557957, Windows 10 version 2004 will force the tablet mode experience, instead of the regular desktop interface.

If you're facing this problem, use these steps without the need to remove the update:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Tablet.
4. Click the Change additional tablet settings option.

5. Under the "When I'm not using tablet" section, turn off all the toggle switches.

6. Restart your computer.

After you complete the steps, you should now see the normal desktop experience on your desktop running Windows 10.

How to minimize problems upgrading to Windows 10 May 2020 Update

The development of Windows 10 to accommodate thousands of hardware and software configurations is a complex process, which means that there will always be the chance of problems during and after an upgrade.

However, when you prepare accordingly, you can reduce and, most of the time, eliminate any type of issues as you move to a new version, such as the Windows 10 May 2020 Update.

Create backup

A backup of your entire computer is one of the best steps you can take to prepare before an upgrade. The Windows 10 setup process includes a safeguard mechanism to restore the previous installation in case of a problem, but it doesn't always work as expected.

Before clicking the install button, take the time to create a temporary backup. You can use any third-party tool, or you can use the legacy system image backup tool available on Windows 10.

In addition to the backup, it's also recommended to create a file backup to an external hard drive or cloud storate service, such as OneDrive.

Remove non-essential apps

Legacy desktop apps and third-party antivirus solutions are usually the reason an installation will fail. This means that it's a good idea to remove these apps before proceeding with the upgrade. You can reinstall them after installing the May 2020 Update.

To remove apps on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Apps & features.
4. Select the app you want to remove, and click the Uninstall button.

5. Click the Uninstall button again.
6. Continue with the on-screen directions (if applicable).

Once you complete the steps, you may need to repeat the instructions to uninstall additional apps that may cause conflicts.

Disabling security software

In addition to removing conflicting apps, you should also consider uninstalling third-party antivirus and other security software temporarily. (After the update, you can install them again.)

Although it's unlikely, if the problem is Windows Defender, you won't be able to remove it, but you can disable it to continue with the upgrade.

Important: Uninstalling or disabling a security solution temporarily has low-to-none security risks. However, it's assumed that you understand that it's never recommended to leave your device without protection. Proceed with caution. You've been warned.

To temporarily disable Windows Defender Antivirus, use these steps:

1. Open Windows Security.
2. Click on Virus & threat protection.
3. Under the "Virus & threat protection settings" section, click the Manage settings option.

4. Turn off the Real-time protection toggle switch.

After you complete the steps, the antivirus should not conflict with the upgrade process, and it'll re-enable automatically after the installation of Windows 10.

Free up space

If the device is running low on storage space, the new version won't install. As such, another good tip is to free up space to make sure the setup will run as expected.

You can use this guide to find out the best options to free up space on your computer.

Remove non-essential peripherals

Usually, non-essential peripherals connected to your computer can cause an installation to fail. Before proceeding with the May 2020 Update installation, disconnect USB flash drive, SD cards, external hard drives, printers, scanners, dongles, and Bluetooth devices.

Also, if you're using a laptop connected to a docking station, undock it before proceeding.

Only keep the components you need, including mouse, keyboard, monitor, and internet connection. Then after applying the update, you can reconnect all your peripherals.

Disable firewall

The firewall can also cause problems if it has a custom configuration, or you're using a particular solution that doesn't play well with Windows 10.

If you're using a third-party firewall, refer to the developer's instructions to disable the software. In the rare case that the problem is the Windows Firewall, to disable the feature, use these steps:

1. Open Windows Security.
2. Click on Firewall & network protection.
3. Click the "active" network.

4. Turn off the Windows Firewall toggle switch.

After you complete the steps, Windows 10 version 2004 should download without interruptions.

Disable metered connection

If you previously configured a network connection as metered, the Windows 10 version 2004 won't download on your device.

If you're using a limited internet connection, it's recommended to connect to a regular uncapped network , remove the settings, and continue with the upgrade.

To remove the metered setting for a connection, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Security.
3. Click on Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
4. Select the active network connection.

5. Under the "Metered connection" section, turn off the Set as metered connection toggle switch.

Alternatively, you could create a USB bootable media on another computer that's connected to a different network, and then use that media to perform an offline in-place upgrade.

Use clean installation

If you want to minimize the chances of problems, the better option is to perform a clean installation.

A clean installation will delete everything on the main drive and will install a fresh copy of Windows 10, which also helps to fix existing issues.

If you want to go with a clean installation, you have to create a flash drive bootable using the Media Creation Tool, and then use it to start your device and continue with the fresh installation.

Although it's a straightforward process, you have to execute a lot of steps. If you need assistance, use this guide that includes everything you need to know to perform a clean installation of Windows 10.

Wrapping things app

Microsoft has been working proactively to improve and ensure that users go through a good experience upgrading to a new version of Windows 10, but with such a complicated system, there will always be a chance of something going wrong.

If you're upgrading to the new version of Windows 10, this guide covers a lot of ground to resolve virtually every known problem during and after the installation of the Windows 10 May 2020 Update.

However, remember that's never recommended to upgrade as soon as the feature update is ready, as it may still contain unknown issues and bugs that could negatively affect the experience. Usually, it's best to wait until after a few cumulative updates become available to make sure that you're installing a more stable release.

Did you have any problems upgrading to Windows 10 version 2004? Let us know in the comments and tell us the fix you used.

What you need to know

• The Windows 10 May 2020 Update has a long list of issues with several Lenovo laptops.
• Lenovo and Microsoft both acknowledged the issues.
• Lenovo posted a support page with fixes for many of the issues.

Microsoft's Windows 10 May 2020 Update has a long list of issues on a wide range of Lenovo laptops (via Windows Latest). Lenovo posted a support page which goes through several of the issues and how to fix them. While many of the issues have fixes, not every problem has a solution right now, so you might have to uninstall the latest Windows 10 update.

Both Microsoft and Lenovo are looking for fixes to these issues that are more permanent, but for now, here are some of the fixes available.

UltraNav driver issue

This issue affects the ThinkPad E570p and ThinkPad L570. If you recover your PC from a system image, you'll see an error message which reads, "Failed to load Apoint.DLL, Alps Pointing device application has stopped." This is related to the UltraNav driver. Here's how to fix it, according to Lenovo:

1. Open Device Manager by pressing Windows+X.
2. Expand Mice and other pointing devices.
3. Select Think UltraNav device.
4. Right click the device and select Update driver.
5. Restart your computer.

Yellow warning mark appearing on disk drive

This issue affects the ThinkPad X1, Extreme Gen2, ThinkPad P53, ThinkPad E14, ThinkPad E14 Gen2, ThinkPad E15 Gen2, and ThinkPad T490. It's caused by a limitation of the operating system. You can fix it with these steps, as outlined by Lenovo:

1. Right-click on the disk drive that has the yellow warning mark.
2. Turn on BitLocker and then turn off the BitLocker.

Green border appearing around Movies & TV app

This issue causes a green border to appear when resizing the Movies & TV app on your PC. It affects the ThinkPad X395. This is related to the AMD video driver. Lenovo states that a new driver will come out on June 15, 2020 which will fix the issue.

F11 hotkey not working normally

This issue causes the F11 hotkey to not work normally after a system recovery. It affects the ThinkPad X1 Tablet Gen 3. Lenovo states that you can use this function normally by going to the keyboard manager with the steps below:

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Select System and Security.
3. Select Lenovo.
4. Select Keyboard Manager

Lenovo's target fix date for this issue is June 29, 2020.

Blue Screen of Death

This issue causes the Blue Screen of Death to appear occasionally after a PC resumes from sleep or hibernate mode. It affects the ThinkPad P70. Lenovo suspects that the issue is related to BIOS but is still investigating. Lenovo suggests rolling back to a previous version of Windows 10 to prevent this issue. If you need help uninstalling a Windows 10 update, you can use our complete guide.

Windows 10 May 2020 Update (version 2004) is now available for compatible devices known to have a smooth upgrade experience, and it's another major refresh with a slew of tweaks, improvements, and a small set of new features.

This is the ninth feature update that Microsoft is rolling out for Windows 10 since the original release, and even though it's a small incremental update, you're still getting some welcome enhancements. For example, you can now download a fresh image from the cloud to reset Windows 10. You can control more mouse and cursor options from the Settings app. There's a new version of Cortana that splits from the OS and becomes a regular app. The Settings app gets a bunch of tweaks, and a lot more.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll highlight everything you need to know to upgrade and start using the new improvements available with the May 2020 Update.

Windows 10 May 2020 Update resources

Here's everything you need to know to start using the new features and enhancements in the latest version of Windows 10.

• How do I install the Windows 10 May 2020 update?
• Why isn't the Windows 10 May 2020 Update available for my device?
• Can I block the Windows 10 May 2020 Update on my device?
• Can I reclaim storage after upgrading to the Windows 10 May 2020 Update?
• Are there any problems with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update?
• What's new with the Settings app starting with the May 2020 Update?
• What's new with system recovery with the May 2020 Update?
• What happened with the Data Usage settings on the May 2020 Update?
• What's new with Cortana with the May 2020 update

How do I install the Windows 10 May 2020 update?

The May 2020 Update for Windows 10 is now ready for anyone to download and install through Windows Update on any device known to be fully compatible.

If you're planning to perform an in-place upgrade or a clean installation of the latest version, you can download the Media Creation Tool to complete the task.

If the device is already using an earlier release of Windows 10, you can also use the Update Assistant to perform an in-place upgrade when the current installation is having problems with Windows Update and you know the hardware configuration is compatible with the May 2020 Update.

Why isn't the Windows 10 May 2020 Update available for my device?

Although the new version of Windows 10 became available on May 27, 2020, Microsoft is first rolling out the new update only to compatible devices running version 1909 and 1903, and it's placing a temporary block on systems known to have issues with the May 2020 Update. For example, the Surface Laptop 3 and Surface Pro 7 are among the devices currently not getting the update.

If you have a computer that's not receiving the first semi-annual update of 2020, it's likely that the hardware or software configuration is not yet compatible, and there's a temporary compatibility hold. If this is the case, you should not force the May 2020 Update using alternative methods as there's a good chance that you'll run into problems.

Can I block the Windows 10 May 2020 Update on my device?

The Windows 10 May 2020 Update is available as an optional update, which means that once you receive the notification, you'll have to initiate the installation manually from Windows Update.

However, the option to install new feature updates manually is only available for devices running newer versions of Windows 10. If your installation is nearing the end of service, Windows Update will eventually try to install the May 2020 Update automatically to keep the device supported.

If you want to make sure the new version doesn't download automatically, you can delay version 2004 up to 18 months on your device using various options available in the Settings app.

Can I reclaim storage after upgrading to the Windows 10 May 2020 Update?

When you start an in-place upgrade using one of the supported tools or Windows Update, the process creates a copy of the previous installation in case there's an issue and the system needs to revert the changes.

The only caveat is that even if the upgrade completed without problems, Windows 10 will keep the previous installation inside the "Windows.old" folder for some time in case that for any reason you need to downgrade.

Although, after 10 days, the system will delete the previous installation files automatically. If you have a device with limited storage, after the upgrade, you can delete the files manually using these steps.

Are there any problems with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update?

Yes, even though the update was finalized several months ago and Microsoft has been proactively working to resolve bugs and many other problems before the official launch, the May 2020 Update qas released with a number of issues. For example, there have been reports of users unable to complete the installation due to conflicts with the memory integrity feature, which resulted in the "Your PC settings need to be adjusted before upgrading to the latest version of Windows 10. Turn off memory integrity protection to continue" error message.

Some NVIDIA graphics drivers are also causing a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) during or after the installation.

There's a new version of Cortana with version 2004, and a small number of users have reported issues closing the application. Some other people have been complaining about the service not being available in their region when it was supported before.

After upgrading to the May 2020 Update, a small number of users have noticed compatibility issues with Intel Octane memory modules.

In addition to these problems, Microsoft is investigating several known issues available in the initial rollout, including problems with integrated graphics cards, DISM command tool, audio drivers, Thunderbolt docks, and more.

If you're having any issues with Windows 10 version 2004, check our comprehensive guide, where you'll find instructions to resolve almost anything that can cause problems with the new version.

What's new with the Settings app starting with the May 2020 Update?

Starting with version 2004, Windows 10 is introducing a slew of tweaks and new options to the Settings app.

In this new release, the app to customize the experience is adding new mouse settings, including options to enable a new text indicator to find the cursor anywhere on the screen. Also, you can now control the mouse-pointer speed from the Settings app instead of using Control Panel.

The "Notifications & actions" settings have been updated with a new option to disable the "Get even more out of Windows" prompt to finish setting up new features on Windows 10.

The "Reset This PC," in the "Recovery" settings, is getting a new "Cloud Download" feature that allows you to grab a fresh installation image from the cloud to reinstall Windows 10.

In the "Networking & Internet" settings, the "Status" page has been tweaked to show your current active connection as well as data usage information, and the "Data usage" page is no longer available from the left pane.

Also, the "Backup" page now ships with an option to set up a file backup using OneDrive. You can now enable an option to ditch your password in favor of a Windows Hello authentication method, and much more.

You can learn more about the new enhancements with the Settings app on Windows 10 version 2004 in this guide.

What's new with system recovery with the May 2020 Update?

Windows 10 includes a recovery feature known as "Reset This PC," which in the event of problems, you can use it to rollback your device to the factory default settings. However, if the locally available image becomes corrupted, the reset option won't complete successfully One solution to this problem is the addition of a new cloud download option.

In version 2004, "Cloud Download" is a new option designed to download the installation files from the Microsoft servers to reinstall Windows 10, instead of using the image locally available on your device.

However, the new option isn't meant to upgrade the device to the latest release of Windows 10. When you use the cloud download option, the recovery feature will download the same edition and version already installed on your computer.

What happened with the Data Usage settings on the May 2020 Update?

On Windows 10, the "Data usage" page is where you can monitor data consumption and configure limits to receive warnings if you get closer to your data limit and prevent overcharges.

Although you'll no longer find the "Data Usage" page within the "Network & Internet" settings, the feature hasn't been removed. Instead, it's now part of the "Status" page, and it's where you'll now see the current option along with an option to view more granular information and the option to set data limits.

What's new with Cortana with the May 2020 update?

Perhaps one of the biggest surprises with this feature update is the new version of Cortana. Starting with the May 2020 Update, the digital assistant no longer shares a deep integration with Windows 10. Instead, it's an app that updates through the Microsoft Store and focuses exclusively on productivity features.

As a result, you now get a chat-based interface primarily for typing questions, opening apps and managing calendar events, but you can always use voice commands (currently not available).

Also, you can now drag it around and resize like a regular app, and because of the new changes, all the settings are available through the app rather than from the Settings app.

Furthermore, since Cortana is now an app, you can repair and reset the experience through the Settings app. You can even use PowerShell commands to remove the experience from your Windows 10 installation.

For even more information, you can check our dedicated Windows 10 May 2020 Update page.

What you need to know

• CISA issued a warning that attackers are targeting unpatched systems through the security flaw known as Eternal Darkness and SMBGhost.
• Microsoft patched the security flaw in March, but some people haven't updated their PCs.
• Attackers can utilize the vulnerability to gain remote access to a system and do damage.

Unpatched PCs running Windows 10 are being targeted by attackers utilizing a security vulnerability known as Eternal Darkness and SMBGhost. The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued a warning about the security flaw and the fact that attackers are still using it (via PC Gamer). Microsoft issued a patch for the vulnerability in March, but some people haven't updated their systems. As a result, attackers can gain unauthorized remote access to unpatched PCs and to damage.

When Microsoft sent out the patch in March, it was an "out-of-band patch," which means that it came separately from Microsoft's usual Patch Tuesday updates. These types of updates generally fix security issues, though Microsoft also issued an out-of-band update for a bug involving VPNs blocking Office apps from accessing the internet in March.

The Eternal Darkness or SMBGhost security vulnerability involves the Server Message Block (SMB) protocol. This is a protocol that allows PCs on a network to share files, printers, and other elements. Version 3.11 of the SMB protocol is affected by the security flaw.

CISA points out that while the flaw has been patched, there are still systems at risk:

To protect your system from the Eternal Darkness/SMBGhost security flaw, you can check for an update through Windows Update. You can also update your PC to the May 2020 Update for Windows 10 (version 2004), as the security flaw does not affect the latest version of Windows 10. Microsoft also has a security advisory that breaks down the vulnerability and outlines which PCs and versions of Windows 10 are affected.

On Windows 10, Cortana has been undergoing a lot of changes in the past several years. Starting with the May 2020 Update (version 2004), you're now getting a new version that leaves behind many of its functionalities and shifts focus to help you be more productive. The new chat-based interface will interact primarily using the keyboard, but you can continue to use voice.

In addition to removing many non-productive features (such as Skills and Notebook), one of the most significant changes with Cortana is that it's no longer part of Windows 10. Instead, it's a regular app that you can move around and update through the Microsoft Store. More importantly, it opens the option to uninstall it.

Although Windows 10 allows you to remove system apps (such as Mail, Weather, and Voice Recorder) through the Settings app, Microsoft isn't making it a straight forward process to uninstall Cortana. However, if the digital assistant isn't for you, it's possible to remove the app using PowerShell commands.

In this Windows 10 guide, you'll learn the steps to uninstall the Cortana app on the Windows 10 May 2020 Update and higher. In addition, we even show you steps to install the app again if you change your mind.

• How to uninstall Cortana on Windows 10
• How to install Cortana on Windows 10

How to uninstall Cortana on Windows 10

To remove Cortana from Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select the Run as administrator option.
3. Type the following command to uninstall Cortana from Windows 10 and press Enter:Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.549981C3F5F10 | Remove-AppxPackage

Once you complete the steps, Cortana will be removed from Windows 10. The button on the taskbar will remain, but you can right-click the taskbar and clear the Show Cortana button option.

How to install Cortana on Windows 10

Want to reinstall Cortana? Follow these steps:

1. Open the Cortana app page.
2. Click the Get button.

3. Click the Open button.
4. Click the Install button.

After you complete the steps, the Microsoft digital assistant will install on Windows 10.

Will you be removing Cortana on Windows 10? Let us know in the comments.

What you need to know

• PCs with Intel Optane memory are throwing up errors when updated to the Windows 10 May 2020 Update.
• Intel has now confirmed the issue.
• The company says it's working with Microsoft on a fix.

The Windows 10 May 2020 Update is causing an issue with types of Intel Optane memory, Intel confirmed today. Reports of errors emerged on Twitter and Intel's support forums (via Windows Latest) of Optane errors appearing after Windows 10 users installed the May 2020 Update, and now Intel has confirmed the problem to PCWorld.

"We are aware of this issue," the spokesperson told PCWorld. "We are talking with Microsoft right now, and will soon have a response, which will include a site where users can get assistance with this issue." The spokesperson added that the issue applies to Intel Optane Memory H10 and M10.

The cause of the error, as noted by Windows Latest, is that the update removes an Optame Memory pinning file from the PC on which it is installed. However, when downloading a file, Windows still attempts to use the pinning file, causing it to throw and error.

If you're running into the issue, we've outlined a method to fix it in our guide to common May 2020 Update problems and their fixes.

Microsoft has put blocks in place to prevent the May 2020 Update from installing via Windows Update if a PC is affected by any one of a set of known issues. However, as PCWorld notes, there are currently no known issues listed related to Optane memory.

Windows 10 May 2020 Update review: Welcome improvements to everyday essentials

What you need to know

• Microsoft is blocking several devices from receiving the Windows 10 May 2020 Update.
• The block is due to known issues that result in a "compatibility hold."
• The Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 are among the affected devices.
• Microsoft is working on resolutions for the issues.

Microsoft is blocking a wide range of devices from receiving the Windows 10 May 2020 Update. The blocks are due to known issues that caused Microsoft to put a "compatibility hold" on affected Windows 10 devices. The Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 are among the devices that will not receive the latest version of Windows 10 through Windows Update at this time.

The list of known issues from Microsoft includes nine issues that result in a compatibility hold. That type of hold means that the latest version of Windows 10 won't appear through Windows Update. You can still force Windows 10 to install on these systems using the Microsoft Update assistant, but Microsoft recommends against it. We also recommend against installing Windows 10 on systems that can be affected by these discovered issues.

Windows 10 May 2020 Update common problems — and the fixes

If you check Windows Update on affected devices, you won't see an update to install. Microsoft also added some text to Windows Update to clarify the situation, which reads:

One issue affects Always On, Always Connected devices, including the Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3. The issue can cause errors, unexpected shutdowns, and restarts. Another issue can break mouse input with apps and games that use GameInput Redistributable.

As pointed out by The Verge, Microsoft is also throttling the availability of the Windows 10 May 2020 Update through Windows Update. As a result, even devices unaffected by these issues might not see the update at this time.

Microsoft is finally shipping the Windows 10 May 2020 Update (version 2004) for compatible devices with a slew of improvements and several small new features, as well as a new version of Cortana, which is significantly different.

Starting with version 2004, Cortana no longer has a deep integration on Windows 10. Instead, it becomes a regular system application that receives updates through the Microsoft Store. This means that the company can now release new features and improvements without having to wait until the next feature update.

As part of the design changes, there's a new experience in which you can move around the desktop, and it offers a chat-based interface designed primarily to interact with Cortana using the keyboard, but you can always use voice.

Also, since Cortana didn't become as popular as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, Microsoft has decided to shift focus to make the assistant a tool exclusively for productivity that will work best with a Microsoft 365 subscription. As a result, many non-productivity features have been removed, including skills and the Notebook.

This means that Cortana will now only be useful at helping you manage meetings, tasks, surfacing Office documents, and other work-related tasks.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll take a closer look at the new Cortana experience available with the May 2020 Update.

Cortana app features and improvements

Starting with the May 2020 Update, Cortana introduces a new interface, simplified settings, and options to quickly fix problems with the app.

Cortana new interface

Although the new interface looks familiar to the old experience, the new design is clean and simple. When you first open the Cortana app, you'll be prompted to sign in with your Microsoft or work account. Once signed in, you'll access the new interface that's no longer attached to the taskbar, and because it's an app, it behaves like one, and you can drag it around the desktop, resize, or full screen like any other modern app.

The app has also been designed to make typing the primary method of interaction. Something that makes a lot of sense, since most people use devices with a keyboard and mouse, and many do not prefer talking to a computer. However, you can still use your voice to interact with Cortana using the mic button or the hands-free option.

Above the text box and voice control, Cortana also provides query suggestions to help you get familiar with interacting with the assistant. Then there's the main chat canvas that shows your text interaction in a threaded conversation, similar to the text interface on your phone, which you can also scroll to revisit certain information at a later time.

You can also right-click every one of your text or response from Cortana to access the context menu with options to ask again, copy text, delete a specific text, or clear the thread history.

Cortana now updates automatically through the Microsoft Store, but sometimes, you'll see a New version available notification in the experience, which you can click to update the app manually.

The new experience also supports the light and dark modes, but you can't change the mode independently within the app, the color mode will change automatically when you switch modes on Windows 10.

Cortana functionalities

Since Cortana now has an emphasis on productivity, moving forward, the assistant will focus only on managing your work life.

If you're in the United States, the digital assistant will continue to assist you in managing tasks and schedules. You can ask for Office files or people using typing or voice. You can also check calendar events and create and search emails.

You'll also be able to create reminders and add tasks to your lists inside Microsoft To Do.

Similar to the previous version, Cortana is connected to Bing, which means that you'll continue to have the ability to ask for the weather, jokes, and other information. And it'll help you set alarms timers, change settings, and open apps.

The app will be available outside the United States, but initially, the experience will be limited to answer questions using Bing and interactions with the assistant using chat. However, Microsoft says that it has plans to bring more functionalities in future releases.

Alongside the new visuals and improvements, Cortana is losing noticeable features. For example, starting with this new version, the left rail has been removed, and the Notebook is no longer available either. In addition, because the new assistant is now focused on productivity, Microsoft has also removed some of its core functionalities, such as skills.

Finally, for security reasons, Microsoft is ending support for Cortana in older versions of Windows 10 that have reached the end of support, so you'll only be able to access the assistant on the most recent releases.

Cortana app settings

The Settings app no longer includes a section exclusively to control the Cortana experience on Windows 10, but you can still adjust settings within the app.

The settings are available, clicking the main (three-dotted) menu button from the top-left and selecting the Settings option.

This device

In the Talking to Cortana page, you'll find the "Activating Cortana" section, which you can use to turn on the Wakeword toggle switch to allow the assistant to respond when you say "Cortana." (This option may or may not be available.)

Also, under the "Keyboard shortcut preference" section, you can choose whether you prefer to Type or Speak or type when activating Cortana.

In the Permissions page, you can control device permissions, but the options available are links to customize related features using Settings. For example, clicking the Microphone option opens the Settings app to allow or deny Cortana access to the microphone.

The Speech option opens the settings page to allow or deny sending speech information to the cloud to improve speech recognition when using the assistant. And the Voice activation option will enable you to control Cortana access to voice activation on Windows 10.

Account

The Privacy page includes the Revoke permission and sign out option to disable Cortana (in a sense) by removing Cortana access to your calendar, contacts, emails, and other information as well as to sign out of the experience.

Similar to the previous version of the digital assistant, there's a "Clear your data" section with an option to open the Microsoft Privacy Dashboard on your Microsoft account online to review and delete Cortana data.

You'll also see a Clear history feature that you can use to delete all the information about Cortana and you on the device.

Hardware

Finally, the "Hardware" section includes a page to add, remove, and control devices that support the digital assistant, like the Surface Headphones, Xbox One, and Amazon Alexa devices.

When you open the page, you'll see any device already connected to Cortana. You can click the available options to manage the device.

If you recently purchased a new accessory, you can click the Add a device button to open the Cortana Device Setup app to complete setting up the device.

Cortana repair options

If you're having problems with Cortana, you don't get an option to remove and install the app again, but since it's now a regular app, you can now access the tools to reset or repair the app using Settings on Windows 10.

You can access the new options from Settings > Apps > Apps & features, selecting the Cortana app, and clicking the Advanced options link.

Once inside the page, under the "Reset" section, click the Repair button, which runs an option designed to fix the app without affecting the data in the app.

However, if Cortana doesn't start or is not working correctly, you can use the Reset button to reset the app and delete the data from the app store on your device.

The page also includes an "App permissions" section to grant or deny the app access to the camera, microphone, or the ability to let the app run in the background without the need to change those same settings from the "Privacy" section.

If you don't want the digital assistant to run on startup, under the "Runs at log-in" section, you now have a toggle switch to decide whether Cortana should launch automatically as you sign in to Windows 10.

Alongside these changes, Microsoft is also introducing some other additional features, such as Play My Emails and the ability to receive an Outlook "Cortana Briefing" email for Microsoft 365 Enterprise customers.

What are your thoughts on the new features and changes rolling out with Cortana? Let us know in the comments.

On Windows 10, after you upgrade to a new version (such as the May 2020 Update), restart your device, or you simply sign out and back into the desktop, you may now see a new "Get even more out of Windows" notification surfacing additional features that you can configure on your device.

Usually, these can be existing or new features or privacy settings available with the latest version of Windows 10. However, if you know that your installation is set up just the way you want it, or you're not interested in configuring new features or services, such as OneDrive, Timeline, Windows Hello, and others, you can disable this prompt using the Settings app.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to disable the setup for additional features and settings after upgrading to the May 2020 Update.

How to disable prompt to finish setting up Windows 10

To stop the prompt to complete setting up on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Notifications & actions.
4. Under the "Notifications" section, clear the Suggest ways I can finish setting up my device to get the most out of Windows option.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will no longer nag you to set up Windows Hello, OneDrive, Timeline, Microsoft 365, and other features you may not want to use on your device.

On the page, you can also clear the Show me the Windows welcome experience after the update, and occasionally when I sign in to highlight what's new and suggested option to stop Windows 10 from opening Microsoft Edge to display information about the new version that you recently installed.

Starting with the May 2020 Update, Windows 10 is tweaking the Backup settings page with a new option to leverage OneDrive to back up your important files stored in the default account folders (Desktop, Documents, and Pictures) to ensure they're protected in the cloud against malware, ransomware, and viruses. Also, if you use multiple devices, then OneDrive will keep these files in sync.

The ability to backup vital folders to OneDrive has been available for some time, but the Windows 10 May 2020 Update will make the feature easier to discover and configure, now that users without a first backup solution will begin to receive reminders to protect their data.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to set up a file backup to OneDrive with the settings available starting with version 2004.

• How to back up files to OneDrive on Windows 10
• How to manage OneDrive file backup on Windows 10

How to back up files to OneDrive on Windows 10

To start backing up files to OneDrive, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Backup.
4. Under the "Back up files to OneDrive" section, click the Back up files option.

5. (Optional) Click to clear the folder that you don't want to backup in the cloud.
6. Click the Start backup button.

Once you complete the steps, OneDrive will begin backing up the files on the Desktop, Documents, and Pictures user folders in the cloud while keeping a copy on your device and syncing them across your devices.

If you're using the free version of OneDrive, you can only store up to 5GB worth of files. However, you can upgrade to the 1TB option getting an Office 365 subscription.

How to manage OneDrive file backup on Windows 10

To manage the OneDrive backup settings, use these steps:

1. Click the OneDrive icon in the notification area.
2. Click the More menu.
3. Select the Settings option.

4. Click the Backup tab.
5. Click the Manage backup button.

6. Select the folders you want to backup in the cloud.
7. Click the Start backup button.

After you complete the steps, OneDrive will backup your files depending on your configuration.

If you're having issues syncing the files to OneDrive, use this guide that includes over a dozen tips to fix most problems with the Microsoft cloud storage service.

On Windows 10, if you connect to the internet with a capped connection, "data usage" is a useful tool that you can use to monitor your data consumption and receive a warning as you're getting close to the limit to prevent exceeding your data plan and avoid extra charges.

Although data usage has been around for a long time, starting with version 2004 (May 2020 Update), Windows 10 is making some settings reorganization and bringing the feature to the "Status" page, instead of its dedicated entry under the "Network & Internet" section changing the way you configure the feature.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to view, configure, and reset data usage settings on version 2004 to prevent exceeding your data allowance using a limited network connection.

• How to see data usage on Windows 10
• How to reset data usage on Windows 10
• How to set up data usage limit on Windows 10

How to see data usage on Windows 10

Out of the box, Windows 10 monitors the network traffic of every adapter on the device, and you can view your current usage from the Status page.

To view your current data usage, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Internet.
3. Click on Status.
4. Confirm total data usage in the active network connection.

5. (Optional) Click the Data usage button.
6. Use the "Choose a network" drop-down menu and select the network you want to review.
7. See the data usage per application.

Once you complete the steps, you'll have an understanding of the overall data usage of the entire system and per application for the last 30 days.

How to reset data usage on Windows 10

To reset the data usage history, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Internet.
3. Click on Status.
4. Under the active connection, click the Data usage button.

5. Click the Reset usage stats button at the bottom of the page.

After you complete the steps, the usage stats will reset, and the count will start again.

How to set up data usage limit on Windows 10

On Windows 10, you can configure a data usage limit to get a warning when you're getting close to your plan limit. Once everything is set up, you can also view the remaining data, edit the limit information, or remove the limit if you no longer need it.

Setting up data usage limit

To set up a data usage limit on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Internet.
3. Click on Status.
4. Under the active connection, click the Data usage button.

5. Click the Enter limit button.
6. Choose the limit type. For example, Monthly, but you can also select "One Time" or "Unlimited."

7. If you selected the "Monthly" option, then you'll have these settings to configure:
   • Monthly reset date — Select when the data usage should reset on the device. (Usually, you want to specify the first day of your internet billing cycle.)
   • Data limit — Specifies the data plan allowance.
   • Unit — Specifies the data limit unit. Options available, including megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB).
   Quick tip: Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Windows 10 may calculate data usage differently. This means that it's a good idea to set the limit to a lower value than the specified on your plan to avoid surprises.
8. Click the Save button.

Once you complete the steps, the feature will start monitoring your data usage for the time range and amount you specified, and you'll receive a warning as you get closers to your allowance limit to prevent extra charges.

Also, because the system understands that you're using a limited data plan, it'll also set the current network connection as metered, which means that some apps may work differently to reduce data usage. For instance, Windows 10 will no longer download and install updates automatically, unless, it's a critical update, and OneDrive will pause uploads and downloads.

Viewing remaining data

To review the remaining data allowance, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Internet.
3. Click on Status.
4. Under the active connection, click the Data usage button.

5. Under the "Data limit" section, confirm the remaining data allowance.

After you complete the steps, you'll have an understanding of the data left before going over your current plan.

Editing data usage limit

To edit the data usage limit, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Internet.
3. Click on Status.
4. Under the active connection, click the Data usage button.

5. Under the "Data limit" section, click the Edit limit option.

6. Specify the new data usage settings.

7. Click the Save button.

Once you complete the steps, the feature will continue to monitor your data usage with the new parameters.

Removing data usage limit

To remove a data limit configuration, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Internet.
3. Click on Status.
4. Under the active connection, click the Data usage button.

5. Under the "Data limit" section, click the Remove limit button.

6. Click the Remove button.

After you complete the steps, the data limit will be removed, you'll no longer get warning notifications, and the metered connection will be disabled, resuming normal activities for all the apps and system.

The Windows 10 May 2020 Update (version 2004) is now available for compatible devices. Alongside the new features and changes, the first semi-annual release includes a bunch of tweaks and improvements for the Settings app.

In version 2004, the Settings experience is getting some incremental changes, such as reorganization and tweaks for several settings. For instance, you can now customize more mouse settings, including pointer speed and text cursor indicator. The "Reset this PC" feature now includes an option to download a fresh image from the cloud to reinstall Windows 10. The Status page has a new view of the active connection and data usage. There's an option to make it easier to backup files to OneDrive and much more.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll show you the improvements and significant changes with the Settings app shipping with the May 2020 Update.

What's new in the Settings app

On Windows 10 version 2004, the Settings app isn't changing significantly. Still, you'll find some cosmetic tweaks, new options, some existing settings have been reorganized, and the homepage header introduces a new notification to complete the setup after an upgrade.

Full review: May 2020 Update brings welcome improvements to everyday essentials

Also, the Cortana settings are no longer available since it is now a separate app that focuses only on productivity, and some of its support (music controls, smart home, and third-party skills) will soon be removed.

These are all the new improvements you'll find in the Settings app in more detail:

• System
• Devices
• Network & Internet
• Apps
• Accounts
• Time & Language
• Ease of Access
• Search
• Privacy
• Update & Security

System

On Settings > System > Sounds, in the App volume and device preferences section, the settings are getting some minor tweaks to make sure the experience is more usable.

On Settings > System, the Notifications & actions settings page includes a new Suggest ways I can finish setting up my device to get the most out of Windows option, which allows you to continue with the post-upgrade process of Windows 10.

On Settings > System > Focus assist, the Customize your priority list has been updated to include options to manage notifications for calls, texts, and reminders.

On Settings > System, the Storage settings page doesn't introduce additional options, but you can now access the backup settings with a new View backup options link under the "More Storage settings" section.

Devices

On Settings > Devices, the Mouse settings now includes a slider option to configure the cursor speed of the mouse.

Network & Internet

On Settings > Network & Internet, the Status page is getting some important design changes. Starting with Windows 10 version 2004, the Status page not only shows if you're connected to the internet, but it now includes a new view of the active connection with an option to access the interface properties.

If you have multiple network interfaces, the one currently connected to the internet will show up on the page.

You'll also notice that the "Data usage" page is no longer available from the left pane, and this is because Windows 10 is relocating the feature under the new connection view.

If you're concern about the data that you're using, you can always access the stats from the Status page, where you can also restrict data usage for a particular network to get a warning when you're getting close to your allowance limit. Also, the page displays the amount of data that apps have been using from a particular network.

Finally, the Status page no longer includes the option to access the "Network and Sharing Center" in Control Panel, and the "Show available networks" option is now a button with a description instead of a plain link.

Apps

On Settings > Apps > Apps & features, the Optional features settings page is getting a bunch of improvements starting with the May 2020 Update. For example, you can use the new box to search through the installed apps, and there's even a "Sort by" menu to sort the listing by name, install date, and install size. Also, the page now shows the features that you recently installed, uninstalled, or canceled within the optional features history page.

Also, beginning with this release, you can select and install multiple features at once.

The Notepad, WordPad, and Paint apps become optional features, which means that you can now remove them from this page. And Windows 1o now includes feature dependencies for the description of each feature available for installation.

Accounts

On Settings > Accounts, the Sign-in page has been updated on version 2004 with a new option called "Require Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft account," which is a new feature that removes the need to sign in using a traditional password.

When you enable the new feature, the ability to sign in using a password will be removed from the device, and you'll need to use one of the available Windows Hello authentication methods like PIN, face recognition, fingerprint, or security key.

Also, with the May 2020 Update, Windows 10 is splitting the "Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update or restart" setting into two options. As a result, you'll see a new Restart apps toggle switch to decide whether apps can restart automatically after signing in.

Time & Language

On Settings > Time & Language, the Language page is getting some visual tweaks to make it easier to understand the settings. Starting with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, you'll see a summary of your current language configuration, including the default display language for Windows 10 as well as for apps and websites, and the ongoing regional format, keyboard layout, and speech language.

If something doesn't look correct, you can click each icon to adjust the settings.

Finally, when adding a new language package, you can hover over a feature to view its description.

Ease of Access

On Settings > Ease of Access, the Cursor & pointer page has now been divided into two pages, including Mouse pointer and Text cursor.

The Mouse pointer includes the same settings as previously available in the "Cursor & pointer" page, but without the cursor settings.

On Settings > Ease of Access, the Text cursor is a new page in the app with Windows 10 version 2004, and it includes the setting to make the text cursor appear thicker and a new option to enable the new text cursor indicator.

If you enable the indicator, you can also use the slider to scale it up or down as needed. Also, you can change the color scheme using one of the suggested colors, or you can create a color using the "Pick a custom color" button.

On Settings > Ease of Access, the Magnifier page has been updated with a new option to keep the text cursor centered or within the edges of the screen.

Also, there's a new "Reading" section that includes an option to change the configuration of the Magnifier modifier key to "Control + Alt," "Caps Lock," "Insert," and "Caps Lock or Insert." Also, you'll no longer find the "Collapse Magnifier window to a floating transparent magnifying" option on this page.

Microsoft is even shipping some changes to the Magnifier interface. For instance, with the May 2020 Update, the experience now includes support for the system dark theme, remembers the window position after closing, and there are three ways to start reading, including "play," "select next," and "read from here."

Finally, the menu (gear) button now gives you direct access to control the speed and voice rather than jumping directly to the Magnifier settings.

On Settings > Ease of Access, the Narrator is receiving new changes, including a setting to change how capitalized text is read (options available include "Don't announce," "Increase pitch," and "Say cap").

Under the "Change what you hear when reading and interacting" section, there's a new experimental Have Narrator be more efficient in Outlook option. And in the "Change what you hear when typing" section, this version of Windows 10 removes the Change when you receive Caps lock warnings while typing setting.

At the bottom of the page, you'll notice that the "Sync my settings" section now is called Manage your data and services, and it includes an option to sync your Narrator configuration to the cloud.

Also, there is a new option to get image descriptions, page titles, and popular links. Once the feature is enabled, the system will send images and links to Microsoft to analyze them so you can see their information.

Search

On Settings > Search, the Permissions & History page, under the "History" section, the option to improve search suggestions, "My device history," has been renamed to Search history on this device. And at the bottom of the page, you'll find links to view and delete your search history on the web as well as a link to view your Bing search history to include or exclude web searches from search suggestions.

Finally, beginning with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, the "More details" page is no longer available.

Privacy

On Settings > Privacy, the Diagnostic & feedback page isn't getting new settings, but you'll no longer find the option to adjust the settings for "Recommended troubleshooting."

Update & Security

On Settings > Update & Security > Delivery optimization, the Advanced settings page introduces new options to limit bandwidth for background or foreground downloads using absolute values.

On Settings > Update & Security, the Backup page is getting updated with a new option to configure a file backup using OneDrive.

When using the new "Back up files" option, the OneDrive file backup settings will open, allowing you to select the local folders (Desktop, Documents, and Pictures) you want to upload and keep secure in the cloud service.

On Settings > Update & Security, the Troubleshooting settings page removes the troubleshooters to fix an internet connection, printer, Windows Update, and other problems on the main page. However, you can still find them under the new "Additional troubleshooter" page.

Also, the page now includes the "Recommended troubleshooting" settings previously available in the "Diagnostics & feedback" page.

On Settings > Update & Security, the Recovery page includes an updated version of the "Reset this PC" feature that includes a new Cloud Download option, which has been designed to download a clean image of Windows 10 from the Microsoft servers to perform a reset, instead of using the local image stored on the computer.

The "Cloud Download" option is not meant to upgrade your device to a new release of Windows 10. Instead, it's to reinstall the same version, edition, and build running on your device.

If you need to reset your computer using "Cloud Download," then all the apps will be removed, and you'll have to reinstall them later, and if you select the "Remove Everything" option, then it'll delete your apps as well as files.

The new option is to complement the recovery feature. If you don't have an internet connection or you prefer using the existing image, you can use the "Local reinstall" option.

On Settings > Update & Security, the For developers page with the May 2020 Update is not getting a lot of changes. However, you'll notice that the "Use developer features" option now becomes Developer Mode, and the setting has been simplified with a single toggle switch to choose whether to install apps from any source.

What do you think on the changes the May 2020 Update brings to the Settings app? Let us in the comments.

Although the Windows 10 May 2020 Update won't reinvent the way we use computers, it ships with a bunch of incremental changes and features, such as the new cloud download option available for the "Reset this PC" recovery experience.

If you're not familiar with it, "Reset this PC" is a feature of the recovery experience that allows you to rollback your device to the factory settings to resolve performance, startup, memory usage, and virtually any software related problems.

The process is done using a locally-available image, but there's a caveat. If this image gets damaged, the reset won't complete successfully, and you'll need to use an alternate method to reinstall Windows 10.

Full review: May 2020 Update brings welcome improvements to everyday essentials

To overcome potential issues resetting a device, the May 2020 Update for Windows 10 introduces a new option for the recovery feature to download the installation files from the Microsoft servers, instead of using the local image.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to use the Reset this PC feature to restore your computer to a working condition using a fresh image and the cloud download option available with the May 2020 Update.

• How to use cloud download and keep files with Reset this PC
• How to use cloud download and erase files with Reset this PC

How to use cloud download and keep files with Reset this PC

To reset your computer while keeping your files using the cloud download option, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Recovery.
4. Under the "Reset this PC" section, click the Get started button.

5. Click the Keep my files option.

6. Click the Cloud download option.

7. Click the Next button.
8. Click the Reset button.

Once you complete these steps, the Reset this PC feature will download a fresh image from Microsoft, and it'll reset your device, preserving your files and settings.

How to use cloud download and erase files with Reset this PC

To reset your computer removing everything on your device using the cloud download option, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Recovery.
4. Under the "Reset this PC" section, click the Get started button.

5. Click the Remove everything option.

6. Click the Cloud download option.

7. Click the Change settings option.

8. Turn off the Clean data toggle switch to remove the files quickly. Or turn on the Clean data switch toggle to remove files and erase the hard drive (recommended when you're trying to get rid of the device).

9. Click the Confirm button.
10. Click the Next button.
11. Click the Reset button.

After you complete the steps, the Reset this PC feature will download a fresh image from the cloud, erase the hard drive, and install a copy of Windows 10.

If you're keeping the device, then once the reset using cloud download completes, you'll need to restore files from backup and reinstall all your applications.

While this option makes it possible to start fresh with a copy of Windows 10, it's not meant to upgrade to a new version. When you use the cloud download option, the recovery feature will download the same version and edition currently installed on your device. If a new version of Windows 10 is available, you'll need to use the Windows Update or other supported methods, such as the Media Creation Tool or Update Assistant.

When you're upgrading to a new version of Windows 10, such as the May 2020 Update, the setup backs up the previous installation automatically as a safeguard, in the event that the upgrade fails, and the system has to revert the changes to original state, or the new version isn't working as expected, and you need to roll back to an older release.

Although this approach can make sure that you always have a way to undo the changes, the previous installation files stored inside the "Windows.old" folder can take up a lot of space, even after the upgrade completes successfully.

If, after installing a new release of Windows 10, you're suddenly running of space, deleting these files can reclaim anywhere from 8GB to 12GB of storage. The amount of storage may not seem like much when we have drives with multiple terabytes, but on devices with limited space could be a significant gain.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to remove the previous installation files consuming valuable space after upgrading to the May 2020 Update.

• How to free up space after May 2020 Update using Storage sense
• How to free up space after May 2020 Update using Temporary files
• How to free up space after May 2020 Update using Disk Cleanup

Important: After removing the previous installation files, the option to rollback will no longer be available in the Settings app. In the future, if you want to downgrade, you'll need to perform a clean installation using the version of Windows 10 that you want to use.

How to free up space after May 2020 Update using Storage sense

If you performed an in-place upgrade to the May 2020 Update, you could use Storage sense to remove the previous installation files.

To reclaim space after installing the May 2020 Update, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Storage.
4. Under the "Storage" section, click the Configure Storage Sense or run it now option.

5. Under the "Free up space now" section, check the Delete previous version of Windows option.

6. Click the Clean now button.

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 will remove the "Windows.old" folder that stores your previous installation reclaiming several gigabytes of storage for more important files.

How to free up space after May 2020 Update using Temporary files

Alternatively, you can also use the Temporary files settings to delete the previous Windows 10 installation files.

To delete the previous setup to free up space, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Storage.
4. Under the "Local Disk (C:)" section, click the Temporary files option.

5. Check the Previous Windows installation(s) option.Quick tip: You can also select other temporary files (such as Delivery Optimization Files and Windows update log files) to recover even more space.

6. Click the Remove files button.

After you complete the steps, the previous installation files will be deleted along with any other temporary files that you may have selected to remove using these settings.

How to free up space after May 2020 Update using Disk Cleanup

In addition to using the Settings app, you can also use the legacy Disk Cleanup tool to delete the folder with the previous installation of Windows 10.

To free up space after the installation of version 2004 with Disk Cleanup, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Disk Cleanup, click the top result to open the experience.
3. Click the Clean up system files button.

4. Check the Previous Windows installation(s) option.Quick tip: You can also select other temporary files (such as Delivery Optimization Files and Windows update log files) to recover even more space.

5. Clear the Downloads option to avoid deleting downloaded files inside the "Downloads" folder.
6. Click the OK button.

Once you complete the steps, the folder with previous installation files will be deleted from your computer, freeing up storage on the main drive.

Microsoft is expected to start rolling out the Windows 10 May 2020 Update (version 2004) on May 27. This is the ninth major update and is a significant release that ships with a slew of improvements and several new features.

Similar to the previous year releases, Microsoft will try to push the first feature update of 2020 as the most significant, and the second feature update as a smaller service pack with a collection of improvements to complement the previous rollout.

As a result, in the first semi-annual update, you're going to find the most changes, some of which include, a new "Cloud download" option to reset your device using a fresh installation image of Windows 10. Option to remove your password and continue with a secure experience using only Windows Hello. Cortana becomes a regular app that will update from the Microsoft Store and focuses only on productivity. Windows Defender Antivirus gets renamed to "Microsoft Defender Antivirus." The Settings app receives a lot of tweaks, such as text cursor indicator and OneDrive file backup options, the Status page has been updated to display more info about the active connection, and much more.

The only caveat is that nothing guarantees you that your device will receive version 2004 as soon as it becomes available.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll talk about the rollout process that Microsoft is likely to use to make sure every device has a smooth upgrade to the May 2020 Update.

What PCs are initially getting the May 2020 Update?

Using the same rollout template of previous years, Microsoft is planning to offer the May 2020 Update as an optional update, which you'll be able to decide when to download and install.

Starting on May 27, using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), devices detected to be fully compatible and running the November 2019 Update or May 2019 Update will receive the notification in the Windows Update settings with an option to start the upgrade manually. Typically, devices with modern hardware (such as Surface and other popular brands like Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, etc.) will be among the first to receive the update. Of course, that's as long as they originally came with Windows 10 pre-installed.

While you'll have the choice to decide when to upgrade, it'll all depend on the version you're running. If your computer is using a version nearing the end of service, then it'll get the May 2020 Update automatically to ensure the continuity of support. However, this doesn't happen on day one. The automatic update usually occurs several weeks after the official release.

Once the feature update begins to roll out, Microsoft will continue to monitor and collect telemetry data and real-time feedback from consumers and manufacturers to detect and prevent problems from making their way to more devices. Then when the May 2020 Update is considered more stable, it'll expand more broadly and on devices running an older release (such as version 1809 and 1803).

If an issue is detected, the software giant will enforce a block to prevent devices that could be affected from getting the update, and the safeguard will stay in place until the issue is resolved. If this is the case, you'll find more information about known problems and notifications in the Windows 10 health dashboard website (select the version of Windows 10 from the left pane).

Also, other factors can prevent your computer from receiving the Windows 10 May 2020 Update. Some of the factors could be a specific hardware component or peripheral connected to your device, incompatible drivers, legacy programs, security software (such as third-party antivirus), and your physical location can play a role when the new feature update is available to you.

How do I upgrade to the May 2020 Update manually?

After version 2004 releases, it's recommended to wait until the update becomes available automatically. However, if it's been a long time or you don't want to wait, there are multiple options to upgrade manually, including using the Update Assistant or Media Creation Tool.

Update Assistant

The Update Assistant is a tool that allows you to perform an in-place upgrade when the Windows Update service isn't working correctly, but you can also use it to force the new version as soon as it becomes available.

After the assistant has been updated for the new version, you only need to download the tool from this Microsoft support page. Then it's a matter of launching the tool, and clicking the Update now button to install the new version.

Media Creation Tool

Also, you can use the Media Creation Tools to upgrade your computer to Windows 10 version 2004 without having to wait. This Microsoft tool works like the Update Assistant, but you'll have the choice to perform an in-place upgrade or clean installation.

Once the utility has been updated, you can download it from this Microsoft support page and clicking the Download tool now button. When launching the tool, select the "Upgrade this PC" option and continue with the on-screen directions to complete the installation.

Whatever method you use to upgrade to Windows 10 version 2004, it's always recommended to create a temporary backup in case you need to revert the changes because of problems or any other reason.

On May 27, Microsoft is expected to launch the Windows 10 May 2020 Update in every supported market. However, if you don't see the "Feature update to Windows 10, version 2004" message in Windows Update, then your device may have a compatibility issue, and Microsoft is blocking the update until it's known that you'll have a good experience moving to the new version.

If this is the case, it's not recommended to force the upgrade as you could end up with errors and other problems. You can always stay informed on the latest developments on Windows Central and the Windows 10 health dashboard website.

The Windows 10 May 2020 Update (version 2004) is available to everyone starting on May 27. This is the ninth major release, and it's ready for compatible devices with a new set of features, improvements, and visual changes.

For instance, in this update, you'll find a slew of incremental improvements, such as the ability to rename virtual desktops and an option to reset your device to the factory settings downloading a clean image from the cloud. The Settings app gets a bunch of tweaks and new settings, Cortana becomes a regular app on Windows 10, and much more. (You can check the full review of the May 2020 Update here.)

As usual, the new version will start rolling out gradually as an optional upgrade, beginning with more modern hardware, and then it'll expand more broadly. Typically, users will receive the notification to trigger the upgrade manually within the first several weeks, but it can take months for the May 2020 Update to reach every device. Also, once the update goes through more testing, it'll be available automatically for computers running a version nearing the end of life to prevent disruption of service.

If you can't wait, you can always force the upgrade in at least three ways using Windows Update, Media Creation Tool, or Update Assistant.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to download and install the May 2020 Update (version 2004) on your desktop, laptop, or tablet.

• How to download the Windows 10 May 2020 Update with Windows Update
• How to download the Windows 10 May 2020 Update with Media Creation Tool
• How to download the Windows 10 May 2020 Update with Update Assistant

Important: While this is a non-destructive process, there's always a chance of something going wrong during and after the upgrade, which means that you should consider creating a temporary backup before proceeding. You've been warned.

How to download the Windows 10 May 2020 Update with Windows Update

To upgrade to the May 2020 Update with Windows Update, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click the Check for updates button.
5. Under the "Feature Update to Windows 10, version 2004" section, click the Download and install now button.

6. Click the Restart now button.

Once you complete the steps, the device will restart and install the new version of Windows 10, similar to a quality update, but with the only difference that the process will take around 30 minutes or so, depending on your hardware configuration.

In the case that the option to upgrade isn't available in the Windows Update settings after clicking the button to check for updates, then Microsoft may be blocking the upgrade because of a compatibility problem. In this case, it's recommended to wait as you may run into issues during or after the installation.

How to download the Windows 10 May 2020 Update with Media Creation Tool

To perform an in-place upgrade of version 2004 with the Media Creation Tool, use these steps:

1. Open this Microsoft support website.
2. Click the Download tool now button.

3. Save the file to your device.
4. Double-click the MediaCreatorTool2004.exe file to launch the upgrade process.
5. Click the Accept button to agree to the terms and continue.
6. Click the Upgrade this PC now option.

7. Click the Accept button again to agree to the notice and license terms.
8. Confirm the Keep personal files and apps option is selected.Important: If the option isn't selected, click the Change what to keep option to choose the option to preserve your files, settings, and apps during the process.

9. Click the Install button.

After you complete the steps, the Media Creation Tool will apply version 2004 on your computer, keeping your files, apps, and most settings.

How to download the Windows 10 May 2020 Update with Update Assistant

If you know that the system is compatible with the new version, but there are problems with Windows Update detecting and downloading the new files, then you can use the Update Assistant tool to install the Windows 10 May 2020 Update.

To install Windows 10 version 2004 with the Update Assistant, use these steps:

1. Open this Microsoft support website.
2. Click the Update now button.

3. Save the file to your device.
4. Double-click the Windows10Upgradexxxx file to launch the tool.
5. Click the Update Now button.

6. Click the Next button.

Once you complete these steps, the Update Assistant tool will download the new files, and it'll install the May 2020 Update similar to the Windows Update process preserving your files, apps, and most of the settings. The time of completion will depend on your internet connection and device hardware.

If you're having trouble upgrading to the new version using any of these methods, you may want to consider using the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable media to perform a clean install of Windows 10 with the latest update.

What you need to know

• The Windows 10 May 2020 Update is now available.
• The update includes a new Cortana UI, updates to Virtual Desktops, and streamlined Swift Pair.
• The update also moves more options to the Settings app.

The Windows 10 May 2020 Update is rolling out now. Microsoft pushed it a bit close to having to be renamed the June 2020 Update, but the update officially started rolling out before May ended. The May 2020 Update, also known as Windows 10 version 2004, is a more substantial update than Windows 10 version 1909 which rolled out as a cumulative update. The May 2020 Update has a new Cortana UI, improvements to Virtual Desktops, changes to the Settings app, streamlined Swift Pairing, and some other meaningful changes.

As Windows 10 has been out for years in some form, even major updates don't have the laundry list of new features that we used to see. Instead, updates like the May 2020 Update focus on specific changes and improvements as well as bug fixes.

One of the biggest changes in the latest update is Cortana. It's now a system app that can be updated independently from Windows 10, similarly to the Mail and Calculator apps. The new Cortana focuses on typing, though voice is still an option.

Review: Windows 10 May 2020 Update packs improvements to existing features

Following the update, you'll be able to rename Virtual Desktops and save them across reboots. This improves workflows that utilize Virtual Desktops quite a bit as you no longer have to set things up every time you reboot your PC.

The Windows 10 Settings app gained some features, including cursor speed controls. Microsoft is moving all settings into that app over time, and that movement continues in this update.

Microsoft also made improvements to Swift Pair, the Task Manager, and made changes to Windows Search. You can read all about the changes in our complete breakdown of the Windows 10 May 2020 Update.

Microsoft's next Windows 10 feature update is here! Known as the May 2020 Update (and version 2004), this new version of Windows 10 is all about fit and finish. There's not a whole lot new here in regards to features, but there are plenty of changes and enhancements to features that have already been part of the OS for some time. In this review, we'll be taking a look at all the notable new changes and improvements, good and bad.

This release will be delivered as a full OS update, and not as a cumulative update like Windows 10 version 1909. This is because the changes at release are a little more substantial, even if that may not seem like the case on the surface. So without further ado, let's dive into the Windows 10 May 2020 Update.

• Video walkthrough
• Cortana
• Virtual Desktops
• Settings
• Swift Pair
• Task Manager
• Windows Search
• Conclusion

Video walkthrough

Prefer your content in video form? Check out our 15-minute video guide showcasing all the notable new changes in this release of Windows 10!

Windows 10's new Cortana

Cortana, believe it or not, is the one area that has seen the most significant changes in the Windows 10 May 2020 Update. It's now a system app that can be updated independently from the operating system via the Microsoft Store, just like other in-box apps like Mail and Calculator. This means Microsoft can keep Cortana updated with new features and changes without having to wait for a new version of Windows 10 to roll around first.

The new Cortana has a new UI that puts typing at the forefront of its experience. Since Windows 10 is used mostly on devices with a keyboard attached, the move makes sense. Not everyone is comfortable with talking to their PCs, especially at school or work, where one might be working in close proximity with other people. So being able to type out your queries is a much appreciated new addition to Cortana. You can still use your voice if you'd prefer, too.

As typing is the focus of the new Cortana, the UI emphasizes threaded conversation. Just like a text chat between you and a friend, the conversation you have with Cortana will be displayed via text bubbles in a scrolling list that you can refer back to later if needed. The UI is clean and straightforward, offering text suggestions along the bottom for getting tasks started with Cortana. It also supports both light and dark modes, which is always a welcome sight.

Because Cortana is now an app, it can be manipulated as one by the user. When you first open Cortana, you'll be asked to sign-in and agree to the usual terms and conditions, and it'll popup where the old Cortana used to be. But from there, you can resize it, move it around, and even full-screen it if you'd like. This is mostly an improvement, but I'd also prefer the option to have it docked to the Taskbar like the old Cortana was.

The only noticeable problem I've seen comes when you close Cortana, where it doesn't actually kill the app, as it needs to be listening for the "Hey Cortana" command. Windows minimizes it, but it's still visible in Task View. Clicking the close button inside Task View doesn't do anything either. It's a small issue, but an annoying user experience problem that I feel Microsoft needs to address.

And that's just the start of the dark side of the new Cortana experience. The new UI is excellent, and the ability to move it around like an app is also a nice touch, but this new Cortana doesn't come without compromise. If you're a heavy Cortana user, you're going to notice a regression in feature-set with this new version. The ability to use skills and connected home commands are gone, as is the Cortana Notebook.

Microsoft has been working to reposition Cortana as a digital assistant that enhances your work life. Inexplicably, Microsoft has therefore removed most functionality that could be of assistance at home, such as turning on and off your lights or appliances and playing music. It's now solely about schedules, calendar events, reminders, emailing, and other work-related stuff. All the connected home and skill-based commands are no longer supported.

It's almost like Microsoft forgot that people aren't always about work. People have personal lives, with homes and families, and things they want to do outside of Microsoft 365 using their computer. The app even recommends the user sign-in with their work or school account if they are using Cortana with a personal Microsoft account.

Being able to control your smart home appliances or music on your computer using Cortana would be very handy, but Microsoft has deemed this unnecessary for Cortana on Windows 10. Going forward, it'll be great at handling meetings and opening recent Office documents, and you can still ask it about the weather or how tall Mount Everest is, but you won't be able to control your lights or other skill-based commands. Perhaps we'll see those consumer-facing features make a return in the future. But for now, it's a productivity-exclusive assistant, and to be honest, it does that pretty well.

Windows 10's updated Virtual Desktops

Virtual Desktops are one of those features that you either use, or don't. I often forget the feature exists, if only because it's not something I've been able to fit into my workflow successfully. That doesn't mean the feature isn't useful however, as being able to create multiple desktops for different work environments is a massive deal for many power users. And with this update, the Virtual Desktops have gotten a little bit of love.

These aren't huge changes, mind you, but the changes that are here I think will be appreciated by those who do use them. You can now rename them, and have them save state across reboots. You surprisingly couldn't do this before, so if you needed to restart for an update to complete, you'd lose all workspaces.

Windows 10's improved Settings

Microsoft is continuing its crusade to port old Control Panel settings over to the modern Settings app, and this release welcomes new additions such as cursor speed control as well as updates to existing settings already under the modern Settings app. We won't go through everything added or updated here, but there are a few highlights to mention.

To begin, there's a new option in the Accounts area that disables your Microsoft account password as a login method on the lock screen if you have Windows Hello set up. Microsoft says doing this is more secure, as your Microsoft account password is universal across all of your Windows PCs and is, therefore, a weak point if your password is compromised. Windows Hello is specific to each device you set it up on, and isn't something that can be "learned" by an attacker. On previous versions of Windows 10, if someone did get access to your Microsoft account password and PC, they could log in and get access to your data.

Also new with this release is the ability to download Windows 10 from the cloud if you need to factory reset your PC. This is handy if your install becomes corrupt for whatever reason, and the reset system can't use the preinstalled image to factory reset your device. Now, you can just download a new image via the recovery environment.

Other areas that have been updated include the Network & Internet status area, which has an updated design with at-a-glance data usage and quick access to network properties. There's also an improved Optional Features area that is now searchable and easier to use, and the Languages & Region area has been improved with a cleaner UI for adding and configuring languages on your PC.

Windows 10's streamlined Swift Pair

Microsoft has made some nice streamlining changes to the Swift Pair feature that was first introduced with Windows 10 version 1903 last year. Swift Pair lets you easily pair a supported Bluetooth peripheral with a single click, but the process itself was a little more involved than it needed to be. The user would hit connect on the popup, then the Settings app would open, and then the user would have to hit OK on another popup to confirm that pairing was successful.

With Windows 10 version 2004, this process has been streamlined to just the initial popup asking the user to connect to the device. Once the user hits that, the notification will remain until pairing is complete, and that's it. The user won't be forced into the Settings app or asked to confirm once pairing is successful. This is a much better experience, but the problem with Swift Pair now is that it only supported a minimal set of Bluetooth devices.

If you're using a Microsoft-made Bluetooth device, chances are it'll work with Swift Pair. You'll know because the system will automatically ask you to connect to it via a notification when you begin the pairing process on your Bluetooth peripheral. If that notification doesn't pop, then it doesn't support Swift Pair, and you'll have to jump into Settings and manually pair it through the old method. Not a big deal, but I'd like to see more devices support Swift Pair in the future.

Windows 10's Task Manager

Task Manager is another area in the Windows 10 May 2020 Update that has seen a couple of notable new additions, one of which power users will find very useful. You can now see your GPU temperature in the performance tab when clicking on your GPU. This only works with dedicated GPUs that support WWDM 2.4 or higher, so if you don't see your temperature inside Task Manager, that's why.

The other notable change inside Task Manager is the ability to see what disk types you are using inside your PC. Underneath each listed disk will now be an "SSD" or "HDD" indicator telling you whether the drive you're using is mechanical, solid-state, or removable storage. This is handy for those who might not know what's inside their PC, and for whatever reason, needs to find that information out without looking up model numbers or opening the PC itself.

Windows 10's new Search

These changes aren't technically exclusive to the Windows 10 May 2020 Update. As far as I know, Microsoft has since backported these changes to older versions of Windows 10 as well. But they were introduced first during the development of version 2004, so I'll highlight them here just in case you missed it. Microsoft has added a few quick searches along the bottom of the Windows Search interface for instant access to frequent web-based searches such as the weather and latest news.

There's also a new Bing image search button that lets you quickly take a screenshot and search Bing for more information. This is good if you've seen an image that you'd like to know more about, but don't know what exactly to search for. Just take a screenshot and have Bing analyze it and provide more information.

Along the top of the search UI is quick access to your Microsoft Rewards points. You can see at a glance how many points you currently have, and clicking it will take you to the Rewards website to redeem any points you may have. This is super cool if you're an avid user of Microsoft Rewards like I am, as it's an easy avenue for free Xbox Live Gold or Microsoft Store credit.

Conclusion

That's all of the most significant and noteworthy changes inside the Windows 10 May 2020 Update. Overall, it's a nice update for the most part, but there's not a lot to it outside of improvements and polish, which is something that Windows 10 definitely needs these days. The new Cortana feels like it's taken one step forward and one step back. It has a great new UI, but a regression in consumer features renders it unhelpful for a lot of people.

I do like a lot of the fit and finish improvements Microsoft is making with this release. For example, the Action Center's blur effects no longer pop in and out when you open and close it. It's a small improvement, but it's the small UI improvements which I appreciate above all else.

For developers, there's plenty of improvements here for you too, including the new Windows Subsystem for Linux 2. We didn't dive into that here because that's a little out of range for this consumer-focused review, but you can read more about it here if you're interested.

The Windows 10 May 2020 Update is rolling out starting today, and users can manually install it in waves via Windows Update. It'll be automatically installed on Windows 10 PCs that are running an out-of-support version of Windows 10 in the next few weeks.

Microsoft is expected to start the gradual rollout of the Windows 10 May 2020 Update (version 2004) in the coming days, and this means that soon devices will be able to upgrade to get the new set of features and tons of improvements.

Since feature updates are no longer mandatory, the May 2020 Update will be available as an optional update, which you'll need to download and install manually using the Windows Update settings. However, accidents could always happen, and if you're running an older version on Windows 10 nearing the end of service, sometime after the release, the update will eventually install automatically to keep the device supported.

If you want to make sure that you're in control of the upgrade process, or you're comfortable using the current installation, even if it's reaching the end of service, you can delay version 2004 in at least three ways using the Settings app.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to delay the May 2020 Update on your device without missing cumulative and security updates.

• How to delay the Windows 10 May 2020 Update
• How to defer the Windows 10 May 2020 Update
• How to block the Windows 10 May 2020 Update

How to delay the Windows 10 May 2020 Update

In the event that you triggered the installation of the new version through the Windows Update settings, but you're not ready to upgrade because you're using the computer, you can postpone the installation to a different time.

Postponing installation

To postpone the installation of version 2004 for a few days, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click the Schedule the restart option.

5. Under the "Schedule a time" section, turn on the toggle switch.

6. Select the schedule to restart automatically to finish the installation (up to seven days).

Once you complete the steps, the computer won't restart automatically to install the new feature update until the schedule you specified in the Settings app.

If you want to apply the new version the same day, but you're using the computer, then you can adjust the active hours settings to upgrade on a later time.

Pausing downloads

To delay the download of the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click the Advanced options button.

5. Under the "Pause Updates" section, use the drop-down menu to select how long to delay updates.

After you complete the steps, the feature update or quality updates will no longer download through Windows Update for up to 35 days, depending on your configuration.

How to defer the Windows 10 May 2020 Update

If you're not planning to upgrade for several months, you can defer the feature update for up to 12 months.

To defer the May 2020 Update for up to a year, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click the Advanced options button.

5. Under the "Choose when updates are installed" section, select how long you want to defer the May 2020 Update (up to 365 days).

Once you complete the steps, Windows 10 version 2004 won't install for the time you specified. However, the device will continue to receive maintenance updates until the version you're running is no longer supported.

How to block the Windows 10 May 2020 Update

If you're using the Home edition of Windows 10, then you won't find the same settings to block the May 2020 Update like in the Pro edition. However, in the case that your computer is using a release nearing the end of service, then you can set a network connection as metered to defer the update.

To set a network connection as metered to block a feature update, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Internet.
3. Click on Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
4. Select the network connection connected to the internet.

5. Turn on the Set as metered connection toggle switch.

6. Click the Home button.
7. Click on Update & Security.
8. Click on Windows Update.
9. Click the Advanced options button.

10. Under the "Update options" section, turn off the Download updates over metered connections toggle switch.

After you complete the steps, the May 2020 Update, as well as quality updates, will stop downloading and installing on your device until you remove the setting.

If you're concerned about missing quality updates while using this configuration, you should know that it's not a significant security risk to use a device without updates for a few days.

Alternatively, you can always download and install cumulative updates manually using this guide. Also, if the company releases a critical update, your device will get it regardless of the system configuration.

If you're using a laptop that you move around to different networks, then remember to set those connections as metered as well as the feature works per network, not per adapter. Also, consider that using this feature will also prevent Microsoft Store apps from getting updates, and other services, such as OneDrive, will stop syncing your files automatically.

Since new feature updates of Windows 10 are optional, you should only use the above steps if you're running a release nearing the end of service, and you want to delay the May 2020 Update a little longer.

When you're ready to upgrade, you can remove the block using the same steps, but on step No. 5, make sure to disable the option.

What you need to know

• Microsoft highlighted some of the new accessibility features coming in the Windows 10 May 2020 Update.
• In a separate blog post, the company also focused on some accessibility features coming to Edge.
• A big focus for both is making sure content can be read aloud, visual improvements, and more.

Microsoft is frequently working on improving its accessibility features across Windows and its apps. In two blog posts today, the company zeroed in on some of the accessibility improvements coming in the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, along with those that are currently in the works for Microsoft Edge.

Windows 10 May 2020 Update

For the May 2020 Update, Microsoft has a variety of updates in the pipeline for accessibility. One of the more visible changes is the ability to further customize text cursor indicators to change their colors and make them thicker and easier to see. An update to Windows' magnifier will allow it to follow the text cursor in the center of your display by default.

Further improvements to magnifier include options that make it easier to have text read aloud. There are now play, pause, next sentence, and previous sentence controls that make it easy to have text read aloud on command. This will work across Edge, Chrome, Firefox, and other Windows apps.

With Narrator, Microsoft says that it has made its reading more natural sounding by removing unnatural pauses and processing complete sentences to ensure proper pronunciation. Narrator sounds have also been revamped, allowing you to hear tones instead of speech when turning certain modes on or off.

Beyond improvements to the way it sounds, Narrator can also start automatically reading web pages from the top of the page and you can get a page summary on demand. Firefox is also now supported by Narrator, and there's support for rich text in Chrome and Firefox.

Microsoft Edge

On the Microsoft Edge side of things, there are several improvements that are already in testing with Edge Insiders and some that are in the works.

One of the more interesting additions is a new picture dictionary tool, which lets you pull up a picture representation of any word on a website. This is meant to improve comprehension, especially for people who are learning another language or are studying on their own, the Edge team says. Microsoft says picture dictionary is expected to hit preview builds "soon."

Already available in preview builds is tranlation in Immersive Reader for a total of 54 languages. Immersive Reader is also now easier to access on a whime, allowing you to select any text on a page, right click, and choose "open in immersive reader." Microsoft says it is also bringing read aloud for PDF files to Edge, and it's available to check out in preview builds now.

What you need to know

• Microsoft is starting to phase out 32-bit versions of Windows 10.
• Starting with version 2004, PC makers will only be able to use 64-bit versions of Windows 10 on new systems.
• 32-bit Windows 10 builds will remain available for individual users.

Microsoft is starting the process of slowly phasing out 32-bit Windows. In the company's latest minimum hardware requirements for Windows, it says that 32-bit builds of Windows 10 will no longer be provided to PC manufacturers for new systems. Going forward, all new systems will have to use 64-bit versions of Windows 10 (via Neowin)

"Beginning with Windows 10, version 2004, all new Windows 10 systems will be required to use 64-bit builds and Microsoft will no longer release 32-bit builds for OEM distribution," Microsoft said in its updated list of minimum hardware requirements. "This does not impact 32-bit customer systems that are manufactured with earlier versions of Windows 10; Microsoft remains committed to providing feature and security updates on these devices, including continued 32-bit media availability in non-OEM channels to support various upgrade installation scenarios."

Because this only applies to OEM systems, people will still be able to get their hands on updates and 32-bit versions of Windows 10. However, as new systems hit the market with 64-bit Windows 10 as the only option, we should see 32-bit systems gradually fade away as they're replaced or retired.

The impact is unlikely to be noticed by anyone buying a new PC today. Modern PCs have been using 64-bit CPUs for some time, so there's no reason for most people to need a 32-bit copy.

What you need to know

• The Windows 10 May 2020 Update is planned to arrive later this month.
• In an update to its driver shiproom schedule, Microsoft has blocked out May 26-28 as a Feature Update timeframe.
• This could indicate the May 2020 Update is expected to arrive on one of those dates.

The Windows 10 May 2020 Update is nearly ready to ship out to the public, and now we could have a better idea of when Microsoft is planning to roll it out. In an update to its driver shiproom schedule (via Neowin) for 2020, Microsoft has blocked out May 26-28 as a timeframe for an upcoming Windows 10 feature update. Without an official announcement, this is the best hint at when we can expect the May 2020 Update to begin its public rollout.

The driver shiproom schedule is a document Microsoft uses to give hardware manufacturers an idea of when it plans to ship updates so they don't launch driver updates that could cause instability directly before or after an update is released. Besides the feature update Microsoft has blocked out for later in May, it also has every Patch Tuesday cumulative update timeframe blocked out on the calendar.

This doesn't necessarily mean that the May 2020 Update will arrive between May 26 and 28, but it's a strong indication that's when Microsoft is planning to launch it. As Neowin points out, the 1903 update arrived on May 21, 2019, which corresponded with the feature update block of May 21-23 of the 2019 driver shiproom schedule.

Windows 10 May 2020 Update review: Welcome improvements to everyday essentials

What you need to know

• Windows 10 build 19041.208 is rolling out to Insiders on the Release Preview ring.
• This is meant to be the "final" test build ahead of the May 2020 Update's release.
• It includes a single fix and a handful of known issues.

Microsoft shipped another "final" build for the Windows 10 May 2020 Update out to Insiders on the Release Preview ring today. This release bumps the build number up to 19041.208, which is a slight uptick from the previous 19041.207 build. The update includes one fix that Microsoft says it wanted to be sure was included before the May 2020 Update eventually starts rolling out to everyone later in May.

"While we originally thought that Build 19041.207 would be the final build, we made the decision to take in one more fix we felt was important to have before making the May 2020 Update generally available," Microsoft said in an updated blog post. "We believe that Build 19041.208 is the new final build and still plan on continuing to improve the overall experience of the May 2020 Update on customers' PCs as part of our normal servicing cadence."

The blog post notes that build 19041.208 includes all of the fixes released to the Slow ring from builds 19041.21 through 19041.207. It also includes all 20H1 features, along with the following fix:

• We fixed an issue that fails to send NPLogonNotify API notifications from the credential provider framework.

Here's a look at the current known issues that Microsoft plans to address in "upcoming service releases:"

• Windows Mixed Reality may not work correctly for many users on the May 2020 Update. If you regularly use Windows Mixed Reality, we recommend holding off taking the May 2020 Update via Release Preview for now. We are working on a fix which we hope to release in early May.
• We are aware of an issue where using the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool to repair corruption on systems running the May 2020 Update does not always report the correct status. This will be fixed in an upcoming servicing release.
• Some apps utilize the ImeMode property to control the IME (Input Method Editor) mode for individual text entry fields to increase typing efficiency. This functionality does not work correctly currently in the May 2020 Update. For example, a number field will not automatically switch to a mode that is best optimized for Japanese numerical input. This issue will be fixed in an upcoming servicing update. To work around this issue in the short term, either manually switch the input mode when typing, or set the Compatibility 'Use previous version' checkbox for the impacted keyboard via Settings > Time & Language.

The current Release Preview build is only automatically rolling out via Windows Update to a select set of Insiders. However, anyone can manually request the update and install it by checking Windows Update. Microsoft hasn't specified a firm release date for the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, but it's widely expected that it will begin rolling out to the public starting on the next Patch Tuesday, which would be May 12.

What you need to know

• Windows 10 version 2004 can identify peak usage times and manage Windows Search around them.
• The change should make your PC perform faster if it has an HDD.
• Machines with SSDs won't notice as much of a difference, though the feature could help in some cases.

Microsoft's upcoming Windows 10 May 2020 Update includes a feature that will help some devices run better, especially those with older hardware. The upcoming version of Windows 10 will be able to identify peak usage times and manage when Windows Search indexes your system. This should reduce the stress on your system and CPU usage. Devices with older hard disk drives (HDDs) should see the biggest change, but in some cases, the change can help devices with solid-state drives (SSDs).

Windows Latest performed some tests while running several devices with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update. According to their report, devices felt faster and performed better, at least in part due to the change to Windows Search.

HDDs are slower than SSDs, and as a result, can be bogged down by processing like Windows Search indexing. Moving these processes to non-peak times should reduce CPU usage and free up your PC to perform other tasks. Devices with faster SSDs don't suffer from slowdowns caused by Windows Search indexing as much, but the change should help them a bit as well when under heavy workloads.

The Windows 10 May 2020 Update will also stop Windows Search indexing entirely when you're transferring or deleting files, which can help your system run better as well.

More changes to Windows Search are on the way for Windows 10 but will come in future updates. Windows Latest reports that Microsoft is working to improve logic for Windows Search to identify the best times to index files on systems.

The Windows 10 May 2020 Update is just around the corner. If you want to read about all of its changes, make sure to check out our full review

Windows 10's latest update is nearly here, and you can download it now manually. So now is a good time to go hands-on with the finished product and see what's new for consumers. Windows 10 Version 2004, known as the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, will begin officially rolling out soon with a few notable new features and changes. This certainly isn't a large update, but some of the improvements will be welcomed by many.

Full review: May 2020 Update brings welcome improvements to everyday essentials

To begin, there's a brand new Cortana experience that puts typing front and center. It's a cleaner experience with a UI that I really like, but it's not without issue. For example, the new Cortana cannot access your notebook, and also cannot control skills or connected home devices, which is unfortunate.

Other notable changes in this release are improvements to Virtual Desktops, which can now be named and are saved across reboots. There's also improvements in the Settings, app, including the ability to remove your Microsoft Account password as an option for logging in on your device, restricting it to Windows Hello methods only.

There's plenty of other smaller changes part of this release, including the new Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 which we did not cover in out video walkthrough, as it's not a consumer facing feature. What are you most looking forward to in Windows 10 Version 2004? Let us know in the comments.

The Windows 10 May 2020 Update (version 2004) for Windows 10 is expected to start rolling out in the coming weeks, but if you can't wait, you can upgrade to the final version before everyone else using the Windows Insider Program.

The program allows you to follow the development process of new versions of Windows 10 from three different rings, including Fast, Slow, and Release Preview, each offering different levels of readiness.

Full review: May 2020 Update brings welcome improvements to everyday essentials

Previews available in the Fast ring include features and improvements coming to future releases, but they're not tied to a specific version of Windows 10. The Slow ring provides the changes expected to arrive in the next feature update, but the code could still be buggy and features may not work as intended.

The Release Preview is the ring designed to test fixes, drivers, and apps, but new versions of Windows 10 have to go through every ring in the program, which means that as soon as version 2004 is ready, it'll be available in this ring. Usually, this happens a few days before the feature update becomes available to everyone.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to download the final release of the May 2020 Update.

• How to install the May 2020 Update using Windows Insider Program
• How to install the May 2020 Update using ISO preview file

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that modifying an installation can negatively impact your current Windows 10 setup. It's recommended to make a temporary full backup of your PC before proceeding. Also, initially, Microsoft is rolling out the May 2020 Update automatically only to a small group of testers. If you want to get it immediately, you have to click the Check for updates button in the Windows Update settings after enrolling in the Release Preview ring. Furthermore, if you use Windows Mixed Reality, the company recommends to wait a little longer to download the update, because the experience isn't working correctly.

How to install the May 2020 Update using Windows Insider Program

Although the bits available through the Release Preview ring are considered final, remember that this ring of the Windows Insider Program is meant to monitor and detect possible issues before shipping the feature update to consumers. This means that there are still chances of coming across errors and unknown bugs when upgrading from this readiness level.

To enroll a device in the Windows Insider Program to get early access to the May 2020 Update, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Insider Program.
4. Click the Get started button.

5. Click the Link an account button.

6. Select your Microsoft account from the list.
7. Click the Continue button.
8. Under the "Pick your Insider settings" section, select the Release Preview option.Quick tip: The option can also appear as "Just fixes, apps, and drivers," depending on the version you're running or when you're changing these settings.

9. Click the Confirm button.
10. Click the Confirm button one more time to agree to the terms.

11. Click the Restart Now button.

Once you complete the steps, the May 2020 Update will download and install through Windows Update automatically.

If you're not getting it automatically, you can also force the upgrade from Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and click the Check for Updates button.

Opting out of the Windows Insider Program

After the upgrade, it's recommended removing the device from the Windows Insider Program.

To gracefully stop getting pre-releases of Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Insider Program.
4. Turn on the Stop getting preview builds toggle switch.

After you complete the steps, and May 2020 Update becomes available to everyone, the device will stop receiving previews automatically, and you'll continue to receive maintenance updates for as long as the feature update is supported.

How to install the May 2020 Update using ISO preview file

Alternatively, this time around, Microsoft is also making available an ISO preview file of the final release of Windows 10, which any participant of the Windows Insider Program can download to perform an in-place upgrade or clean installation.

To install the May 2020 Update early using an ISO file, use these steps:

1. Open Windows Insider Preview Downloads page.
2. Sign in with your Windows Insider Program credentials.
3. Under the "Select edition" section, select the Windows Insider Preview (FAST) – Build 19041 option.

4. Click the Confirm button.
5. Select the language that maches your location.
6. Click the Confirm button.
7. Click the 64-bit Download button.Quick tip: Click the 32-bit Download button, if this is the architecture already installed on your computer. You can find out whether your device is running 64-bit or 32-bit on Settings > System > About.

8. Save the file to your computer.
9. Open the folder containing the Windows 10 May 2020 Update ISO file.
10. Right-click the ISO file and select the Mount option to mount and open the ISO file with the installation files.

11. Double-click the Setup.exe file.

12. Click the Change how Windows Setup downloads updates option.

13. Check the Not right now option.

14. Click the Next button.
15. Click the Accept button to agree to the Microsoft terms.
16. Confirm that the Keep personal files and apps option is checked.Quick tip: If the option isn't selected, click the Change what to keep option and select the preferred option.

17. Click the Install button.

Once you complete the steps, the setup will take over and upgrade your device to Windows 10 May 2020 Update using the latest available preview build.

After the upgrade, remember to go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update, and click the Check for Updates button to download the latest update and bump the version number to build 19041.207.

While there are multiple ways to upgrade early to the final version of Windows 10, consider that these previews are not quite ready, and they may cause issues during and after the upgrade. If you want to minimize the chances of running into problems, it's best to wait until you receive the notification through Windows Update after it's officially released.

What you need to know

• The Windows 10 May 2020 Update is now available in the Release Preview ring.
• Microsoft is putting final touches on the update before its full release.
• Microsoft says it expects this build will be the one that launches to the public.

Windows Insiders enrolled in the Release Preview ring can now get their hands on the Windows 10 May 2020 Update. Today's release puts the build number at 19041.207, which Microsoft says it believes will be the final build ahead of the update's full public release.

"We are now getting the Windows 10 May 2020 Update (20H1) ready for release and releasing Build 19041.207 to Windows Insiders in the Release Preview ring," Insider team member Brandon LeBlanc said in a blog post. "We believe that Build 19041.207 is the final build and we will continue to improve the overall experience of the May 2020 Update on customers' PCs as part of our normal servicing cadence."

Here's a look at what's included in this build:

• This build is cumulative and includes all the fixes released to Windows Insiders in the Slow ring in Build 19041.21 through Build 19041.173.
• We fixed an issue that causes the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) service (rpcss.exe) to close unexpectedly and the device stops working. Then you must restart the device.
• We fixed an issue that causes the Device Enrollment Status Page (ESP) on managed devices to stop responding if a policy that requires a restart is installed on the device.
• We fixed an issue that might prevent the rear camera flash from functioning as expected on devices that have a rear camera.
• It also includes the latest security updates to the Microsoft Scripting Engine, Windows Kernel, Windows App Platform and Frameworks, Microsoft Graphics Component, Windows Media, Windows Shell, Windows Management, Windows Cloud Infrastructure, Windows Fundamentals, Windows Authentication, Windows Virtualization, Windows Core Networking, Windows Storage and Filesystems, Windows Update Stack, and the Microsoft JET Database Engine.

The Release Preview ring acts as Microsoft's final stop before shipping new Windows updates out to everyone. While the update rolls out to Insiders on the ring, Microsoft will look for any last-minute bugs that would block the update from its public release.

The update will only make its way automatically to some Release Preview Insiders, Microsoft says. However, everyone on the Release Preview ring can manually check for the update via Windows Update.

Windows 10's next major feature update is currently in development. Now called the Windows 10 May 2020 Update, and codenamed '20H1', this upcoming release is currently in testing with Insiders, and is expected to ship sometime in the spring of 2020. This update focuses primarily on under the hood platform work to improve OS stability and performance.

We've had several Insider Preview builds of 20H1 now, so it's time to start keeping track of all the notable new changes found in these builds. We'll update this post periodically with new notable changes once they are made available for testing.

Windows Shell

• File Explorer has a new search UI and is now powered by a new "Windows Search" system.
• The touch keyboard now features 39 additional languages powered by SwiftKey technologies.
• Input Method Editor (IME) has improvements for Japanese as well as Simplified and Traditional Chinese.
• Dictation now supports 12 additional languages.
• The Wi-Fi list has been updated with a tweaked UI and better iconography.
• Windows Ink Workspace is now smaller and provides direct access to Microsoft Whiteboard and Snip & Sketch.
• A brand new Cortana experience is present that features a new conversational UI, light and dark mode, and more.
• Virtual Desktops can now be renamed and are saved across reboots.
• New notification options are present and allow the user to control what apps can pop notifications, hide the content of notifications, and more.
• Users can now add events to their calendar directly from the time and date flyout on the taskbar.
• Convertible laptops now have an improved touch experience when in desktop mode that makes buttons larger on the taskbar and in File Explorer.

Settings

• You can now make your device "passwordless" which removes the traditional password option from the login screen and instead relies entirely on Windows Hello methods of authentication.
• A new overview section for the Languages area in Settings lets you quickly know which languages are selected as default for their Windows display, Apps & websites, Regional format, Keyboard, and Speech.
• A new cloud download option will let users recover and reinstall Windows without an ISO or physical media on hand.
• The optional features area has been updated with a new UI that features multiselect, search, and more.
• Mouse cursor speed settings are now available within the modern Settings app.
• A new network status page is present with an updated UI and more options.
• Cloud Download is now a recovery option when factory resetting your device.

Apps

• Disk type is now visible within Task Manager.
• Settings has a new account header along the top on the homepage.
• There are now new download throttling options for Windows Update in Settings.
• The languages area in Settings has been redesigned to easier see the current state of language settings at a glance.
• Magnifier has an updated UI.
• Snip & Sketch now supports single-window mode, zoom, and improved WIN+Shift+S discoverability.
• Task Manager now shows GPU temperature when a dedicated GPU is present.
• Notepad is now a Microsoft Store app that is updated independantly from the OS.

Accessibility Improvements

• Narrator is now more efficient when reading tables. Header information is not repeated when navigating within the same row or column. Entering and exiting tables is also less verbose.
• There's a new command in Narrator to give a webpage summary that gives information about hyperlinks, landmarks, and headings.
• Windows Magnifier has a new ability to keep the text cursor in the center of the screen making it easier and smoother to type.
• Narrator can now tell you the title of the page that is being linked to by pressing Caps + Ctrl + D.
• Eye Control has received improvements, including new drag & drop, pause, and settings changes.
• Narrator will now automatically start reading webpages and emails.
• The Magnifier UI now works with dark theme and text sizing options.
• Narrator now provides a more efficient reading experience when reading messages in Outlook or Windows Mail.
• Narrator's Outlook folder reading has been enhanced for an optimal triaging experience.
• You can now customize the text cursor indicator with different colors and sizes in the Settings app.

Miscellaneous changes

• Windows Subsystem for Linux 2 is now present and supports ELF64 Linux binaries, faster file system performance, and full system call compatibility.
• You'll now be able to connect to your WSL 2 Linux networking applications using localhost.
• Microsoft has updated the Microsoft Account sync engine.
• A new profile picture sync system is present that now updates your profile picture across devices and Microsoft services more quickly.
• Installing MSIX apps from outside the Store no longer requires the sideloading apps option to be enabled.

Updated September 6, 2019: We updated this changelog with the latest changes found in preview build 18970.

Catch up on all the changes from the previous Windows 10 updates

Seeing a feature that isn't listed here? Perhaps it was added in a previous Windows 10 update. Check out our changelogs for those below!

• Windows 10 19H1 complete changelog
• Windows 10 Redstone 5 complete changelog
• Windows 10 Redstone 4 complete changelog
• Windows 10 Redstone 3 complete changelog