Normally the update process if relatively straightforward for users. Usually a prompt is set when an update is available, or some vendors will download the update in the background for later. Apple does this with its iOS devices. Microsoft wants to leverage its artificial intelligence research to make Windows update more efficient. In a blog post today, the company has explained how it opened AI integration in udpates through the Fall Creators Update. This was in pilot, but with the April 2018 Update the integration was fully rolled out: “Our AI/Machine Learning approach started with a pilot program during the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update rollout. We studied characteristics of devices that data indicated had a great update experience and trained our model to spot and target those devices.” Artificial intelligence is used by Microsoft to find any issues with an update. If a problem is detected, other devices set to receive the upgrade will be automatically prevented from doing so: “When our AI model, feedback or telemetry data indicate that there may be an issue, we quickly adjust and prevent affected devices from being offered the update until we thoroughly investigate. Once issues are resolved we proceed again with confidence. This allows us to throttle the update rollout to customers without them needing to take any action.”
Update Success
Interestingly, in the same post Microsoft is talking up the success of the April 2018 Update. We have covered several issues users have experienced with the upgrade. From causing Excel issues, black screens, failed installs, Crashing PC from Chrome, and incorrect notifications. Despite that array of problems, Microsoft is claiming success with the April 2018 Update: “Early returns are very positive: With over 250 million machines on the April 2018 Update, we are seeing higher satisfaction numbers, fewer known issues, and lower support call volumes compared to previous Windows 10 releases.”
