Put your Windows 10 knowledge to the test.
Windows 10 has been out for more than two years and, while it hasn’t caught on like wildfire, it’s certainly left lots of head scratching. As we barrel down the two-versions-per-year slalom slide, you’re going to need a cool head – and some cooler facts – to keep it going.
Here are 10 questions about the version that haunts us all – and a few answers that will enlighten (or amuse) you. We’ll start with some of the easy ones, then gradually move into the deeper end of the IQ pool.
And be sure to check back next week for Part 2.
A. 1507
B. 10240
C. “RTM”
D. All of the above
A. 1507
B. 10240
C. “RTM”
D. All of the above
You’ll find reference to all of those names at various locations in the official Microsoft documentation, in addition to “Original version” or “Original shipping version” or “Initial version released July 2015.” Right now, I most commonly hear “RTM,” although in formal situations “1507” is the preferred appellation. Microsoft didn’t start calling the original version “1507” (signifying July 2015) until many months after 1507 hit the stands.
A. None
B. Fall Update came out in September 2016, November Update in November 2016
C. Fall Update came out in September 2015, November Update in November 2015
D. Same as the difference between the Creators Update and Fall Creators Update
A. None
B. Fall Update came out in September 2016, November Update in November 2016
C. Fall Update came out in September 2015, November Update in November 2015
D. Same as the difference between the Creators Update and Fall Creators Update
Win10 code name Threshold 2 was released as “Windows 10 Fall Update,” version 1511, in November 2015. One problem: The term “Fall” is a remarkably parochial name for a Windows version – many outside North America have no idea what “Fall” means, and it’s Spring down unda — so it was hastily renamed “Windows 10 November Update.”
A. Canary, Fast, Slow
B. Ludicrous, Stable, Release Preview
C. Fast, Slow, Release Preview
D. Fast, Slow, Released
A. Canary, Fast, Slow
B. Ludicrous, Stable, Release Preview
C. Fast, Slow, Release Preview
D. Fast, Slow, Released
You wags who were looking for “Current Branch” – the old nomenclature for the first final version – and “Current Branch for Business” – when new versions were once declared ready for the sainted halls of enterprise, four months after release — can step to the head of the class.
A. Any PC running Windows 10 Pro can be upgraded to LTSC with a $99 upgrade pack
B. You must buy a new PC with Win10 LTSC already installed
C. Your organization must buy a Windows Volume License with Software Assurance (or equivalent), after which you can upgrade your previously-licensed machines in place to Win10 LTSC
D. Your organization must buy a Windows Volume License with Software Assurance (or equivalent), after which you must wipe the machine completely in order to install Win10 LTSC
A. Any PC running Windows 10 Pro can be upgraded to LTSC with a $99 upgrade pack
B. You must buy a new PC with Win10 LTSC already installed
C. Your organization must buy a Windows Volume License with Software Assurance (or equivalent), after which you can upgrade your previously-licensed machines in place to Win10 LTSC
D. Your organization must buy a Windows Volume License with Software Assurance (or equivalent), after which you must wipe the machine completely in order to install Win10 LTSC
As with any discussion of Microsoft licensing, a degree in Licensology helps, but to a first approximation you need to have a Volume License with Software Assurance in order to run (or even install) an LTSC version of Windows 10. Nowadays, in most cases, for most organizations, that means an Enterprise E3 or E5 subscription.
A. Edge or Cortana
B. Access to the Windows (now Microsoft) Store
C. Mail, Calendar, OneNote, Photos, Music and Clock
D. All of the above
A. Edge or Cortana
B. Access to the Windows (now Microsoft) Store
C. Mail, Calendar, OneNote, Photos, Music and Clock
D. All of the above
Microsoft has made LTSC all but unapproachable for “regular” PCs, particularly for individuals and small businesses that want to get off the twice-a-year upgrade treadmill.
A. A feature update is a version change, a quality update is a bug fix.
B. A feature update occurs in between version updates; a quality update improves Win10.
C. A feature update increases the build number (e.g., from build 15063 to 15064); a quality update changes the sub-number (e.g., from 15063.540 to 15063.608).
D. A feature update will occur when Windows 10 changes to Windows 11; quality updates are like Service Packs.
A. A feature update is a version change, a quality update is a bug fix.
B. A feature update occurs in between version updates; a quality update improves Win10.
C. A feature update increases the build number (e.g., from build 15063 to 15064); a quality update changes the sub-number (e.g., from 15063.540 to 15063.608).
D. A feature update will occur when Windows 10 changes to Windows 11; quality updates are like Service Packs.
Microsoft calls its new versions “feature updates” and everything else is supposed to be a bug fix (including security patches).
A. True.
B. True, but only for Windows 10 Creators Update (version 1703) or later Pro and Enterprise.
C. True, but only for Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607) or later
D. False.
A. True.
B. True, but only for Windows 10 Creators Update (version 1703) or later Pro and Enterprise.
C. True, but only for Windows 10 Anniversary Update (version 1607) or later
D. False.
The ability to delay Automatic Update by a specific number of days was built into a Group Policy in Windows 10 Anniversary Update, but it only applied to Pro and Enterprise (and Academic) versions. In the Creators Update, version 1703, that capability was pulled out of Group Policy and placed in the Settings app — but, again, only for Win10 Pro and Enterprise (and Academic). Windows 10 Home users have to use more devious means to avoid installing Automatic Updates as soon as they appear.
A. It’s set up automatically on multi-drive (hard drive or SSD) systems
B. It makes backup copies each time the file changes
C. It’ll only work if you have more than one drive – including networked drives – and you have to turn it on manually.
D. OneDrive makes an excellent backup drive.
A. It’s set up automatically on multi-drive (hard drive or SSD) systems
B. It makes backup copies each time the file changes
C. It’ll only work if you have more than one drive – including networked drives – and you have to turn it on manually.
D. OneDrive makes an excellent backup drive.
Of course, Microsoft would rather that you store your data in the cloud, where it can keep backups for you. Still, many people find File History very useful.
