Windows 10 version 20H2 is now in testing in the Insider Beta Channel

Microsoft has today announced that the next version of Windows 10, known officially as version 20H2, will be launching later this year and is now in testing in the Windows Insider Beta Channel. The 20H2 release will be the first to have the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge pre-installed in the OS image.

Just like Windows 10 version 1909, the 20H2 release will be delivered as a cumulative update that sits on top of Windows 10 version 2004. This means the update won’t be a big download and will only take a few minutes to install. Microsoft hasn’t yet detailed all of the new features or changes coming in the 20H2 release, but we’re not expecting anything major as the focus is on small improvements to existing features.

Microsoft has also confirmed that it’s moving away from the year-month version format starting with this release. Previously, versions of Windows 10 were formatted by the month and year they were finalized in. For example, the most recent version of Windows 10 was numbered version 2004 as it was completed in April 2020. Starting with 20H2, Microsoft is keeping the year, but replacing the month with a more generic H1 or H2 indicator.

H1 is the first update in any given year, and H2 is the second update. This is the format Windows Insiders have been using as “codenames” for upcoming versions of Windows 10. Now, these codenames are the official version numbers going forward. Microsoft says it will continue to use friendly names (like September 2020 Update, for example) when communicating updates to consumers.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming Windows 10 update? Let us know in the comments.