Microsoft recognized that the globe extends beyond the Northern Hemisphere
Microsoft has made a significant change to its naming convention for Windows updates, moving away from seasonal names that were perceived as biased towards the Northern Hemisphere. The shift towards a more globally inclusive approach was prompted by an internal suggestion from a colleague who grew up in the Southern Hemisphere.
The change, which came into effect with the Windows 10 version 1803 in 2018, saw Microsoft abandoning seasonal names such as "Spring Creators Update" and "Fall Creators Update" in favour of the more generic "H1" and "H2" labels. These new labels indicate whether an update is released in the first or second half of a calendar year, promoting inclusivity in Microsoft's product naming.
This decision was made in response to concerns that the seasonal names were not inclusive of Microsoft's customers in the Southern Hemisphere, where seasons are opposite. The "Creators Update," used between 2017 and 2018, may have been more marketing-friendly, but the new H1/H2 scheme provides a clearer understanding of the timing of updates without regional confusion.
The change was a necessary step for Microsoft, following the reputation of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, often referred to as "the Update of the Damned." The update had a series of issues that led to the destruction of important user documents, necessitating a more sober approach from the tech giant.
In addition to the change in naming convention, Microsoft has also moved away from shipping two major feature updates of Windows per year. Instead, updates are now released on a monthly basis, ensuring a more consistent and manageable release schedule for both users and developers.
It is expected that the next major Windows update will be Windows 11 25H2, scheduled for release in September or October. However, details about the features of this update have not yet been disclosed.
Despite the shift in naming convention, Microsoft continues to release updates for Windows 10, ensuring that the operating system remains up-to-date and secure for its users. The company's commitment to inclusivity and global relevance continues to be a guiding principle in its development and updates of Windows 10 and potentially Windows 11.
AI can help software developers in maintaining a consistent and manageable release schedule for Windows updates. This technology ensures that Windows 10 remains up-to-date and secure, reflecting Microsoft's commitment to inclusivity and global relevance.
