Technical Level : Basic
Summary
Windows 10 was launched in July of 2015. Since then, Microsoft has released five major revisions (1511, 1607, 1703, 1709 and 1803). Each revision includes significant enhancements making Windows 10 easier to use and more secure. Microsoft delivers new versions through multiple channels which includes: Windows Upgrade Assistant, Media Creation Tool and of course Windows Update. Depending on the method you choose to install Windows 10, here is how you can verify if you have latest version downloaded or installed.
Details
Update: Starting with the Windows 10 Creators Update, Microsoft now deliver revisions of Windows 10 in predictable phases; March and September of each year. This will help customers, particularly businesses, plan their deployments smoothly. Learn more about these changes:
Before we start, please be sure to check out the following article:
How to download Windows 8.1 Free directly from Microsoft - Legal Full Version ISO - Easy to Get! - Duration: 7:17. Nickscomputerfix 1,059,872 views.
Windows Update:
For users who already have Windows 10 installed, you can verify if you have build 1507,November Update (1511); Anniversary Update (14393); Creators Update (1703); Fall Creators Update (1709) or Spring Creators Update (1803) installed by doing the following:
Press Windows key + R on your keyboard
Type: winver
Hit Enter
Version 1803
(Credit: MVP, Barb Bowman)
Version 1709
Version 1703
Version 1607
Version 1511
Where it says 1511, 1607 or 1703 will indicate the version you have installed. The first two numbers represent the year, followed by the month:
15 - 2015, 11 - November,
16 - 2016, 07 - July,
17 - 2017, 03 - March.
17 - 2017, 09 - September
18 - 2018, 03 - March
You will also notice the build number has increased. Please note where it says .1 will change depending on when you installed 1803 and when it was updated. For example, if you run Windows Update as of this writing it will display .1. The Windows 10 Spring Creators Update is currently at 17134.1 as of this writing.
Another way you can check is by launching Start > Settings > Systems > About
Windows 8.1 free. download full Version
Download - Media Creation Tool (MCT) website
If you chose to download Windows 10 November Update as a .ISO file and perform a repair upgrade or new install, you can verify the .ISO file using the following method. When you download the .ISO file, it is saved simply as Windows.iso
If you are running Windows 8 or later, double click the .ISO file to mount it.
Browse the mounted ISO file
Right click Setup.exe
Click Properties
Click the Details tab then look at the Product Version.
If you are running Windows 8 or earlier, create a bootable copy then follow the structions above.
Resources:
Archive:
Microsoft regularly releases major updates to its Windows operating systems.
Formerly, those updates pushed through comprehensive service packs, but more often these days, they're semi-regular and significant updates through Windows Update.
In fact, in Windows 10 and Windows 8, the service pack, as we know it from previous versions of Windows, is essentially a dead idea. Much like updates on your smartphone, Microsoft is continually adding major features through automatic patching.
Latest Major Updates to Windows 10
As of September 2019, the last major update to Windows 10 is Windows 10 Version 1903, referred to as the May 2019 Update and code-named 19H1. This update began rolling out on May 21, 2019.
Updating is automatic through Windows Update.
You can read more about the individual fixes and improvements on Microsoft's What's New in Windows 10 Version 1903.
Latest Major Updates to Windows 8
As of September 2019, the latest major update for Windows 8 is the confusingly named Windows 8.1 Update.
If you've already updated to Windows 8.1, the easiest way to update to Windows 8.1 Update is through Windows Update. See instructions for manually installing Windows 8.1 Update in the Download Windows 8.1 Update section of our Windows 8.1 Update Facts piece.
If you are not already running Windows 8.1, see How to Update to Windows 8.1 for detailed instructions on applying the Windows 8.1 update. When that's done, update to Windows 8.1 Update through Windows Update.
Microsoft is not planning another big update to Windows 8, like a Windows 8.2 or Windows 8.1 Update 2. New features, if available, will instead be pushed through updates on Patch Tuesday.
Latest Microsoft Windows Service Packs (Windows 7, Vista, XP)
The most recent Windows 7 service pack is SP1, but a Convenience Rollup for Windows 7 SP1 (basically an otherwise-named Windows 7 SP2) is also available which installs all patches between the release of SP1 (February 22, 2011) through April 12, 2016.
The latest service packs for other versions of Microsoft Windows include Windows Vista SP2, Windows XP SP3, and Windows 2000 SP4.
In the table below are links that take you directly to the latest Microsoft Windows service packs and major updates for each operating system. These updates are free.
The easiest way to install the latest Windows service pack or update is to run Windows Update.
Windows 8.1 Latest Version 2019
[1] Beginning in Windows 8, Microsoft began releasing regular, major updates to Windows 8. Service packs will not be released.
[2] Windows 7 SP1 and the April 2015 Servicing Stack Update both must be installed prior to installing the Convenience Rollup.
[3] Windows Vista SP2 can only be installed if you already have Windows Vista SP1 installed, which you can download here for 32-bit versions, and here for 64-bit ones.
[4] Windows XP SP3 can only be installed if you already have Windows XP SP1a or Windows XP SP2 installed. If you do not have one or the other of those service packs installed, install SP1, available here, before trying to install Windows XP SP3.
[5] Windows XP Professional is the only 64-bit version of Windows XP and the latest service pack released for the operating system is SP2.
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