Windows 10 optional updates to resume in July

Windows Update Insider (Image credit: Windows Central)

What you need to know

Optional cumulative updates for Windows 10 will return next month.
Microsoft paused the optional updates for a few months due to the current global pandemic.
The optional releases will be available for Windows 10 and Windows Server 1809 and later.

In addition to unpausing the optional updates, Microsoft made several changes to help people stay up to date. First these optional releases will now be referred to as "Preview" releases. They will be available for Windows 10 and Windows Server version 1809 and later. The new naming scheme will appear in the Windows Update section of Settings.

To simplify the update process, Microsoft will only roll out these "Preview" releases in the "C" week of each month, meaning the third week. Additionally, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) users won't see the "Preview" releases for Windows 10 or Windows Server within the (WSUS) channel.

Lastly, people in the Windows Insider Program or Windows Insider Program for Business will see in-development versions of the "Preview" releases in the second week of each month.

Sean Endicott is a news writer and apps editor for Windows Central with 11+ years of experience. A Nottingham Trent journalism graduate, Sean has covered the industry’s arc from the Lumia era to the launch of Windows 11 and generative AI. Having started at Thrifter, he uses his expertise in price tracking to help readers find genuine hardware value.

Beyond tech news, Sean is a UK sports media pioneer. In 2017, he became one of the first to stream via smartphone and is an expert in AP Capture systems. A tech-forward coach, he was named 2024 BAFA Youth Coach of the Year. He is focused on using technology—from AI to Clipchamp—to gain a practical edge.