Microsoft recently announced some changes for servicing models for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. These changes will make installing updates for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 easier. Earlier, both these platforms used to get individual patches released at different times by Microsoft. As a result, different users and organizations were able to select different patches. In some cases, some of the patches were not updated by the users. This resulted in fragmentation where different PCs could have a different set of updates installed leading to multiple potential problems.
Changes in the servicing models for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1
First of all, it is important to know why these changes were introduced in the servicing models for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 Having different sets of updates installed on different machines can lead to following problems.
- Various combinations caused sync and dependency errors and lower update quality
- Testing complexity increased for enterprises
- Scan times increased
- Finding and applying the right patches became challenging
- Customers encountered issues where a patch was already released, but because it was in limited distribution it was hard to find and apply proactively
To avoid these problems, Microsoft has introduced some changes in the servicing models for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. As a result, Microsoft is moving to a roll-up model. This way, Microsoft can bring a more consistent and simplified servicing experience to the servicing model for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. This way, all supported versions of Windows would be able to follow a similar update servicing model.
The roll-up model for servicing Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 updates
Due to the new rollup model, users need to fewer updates. Thus, Windows OS becomes more and more reliable. This new model also eliminates update fragmentation and provides more proactive patches for the servicing model for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. Users can get and stay updated with only one rollup update required. Rollups also enable users to bring their systems up to date with fewer updates, as it minimizes administrative overhead to install a large number of updates.
To know more about what all changes you can see in changed servicing models for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1, read the blog on TechNet.
