What’s new in Windows 10, version 20H2 for IT Pros

Applies to

• WindowsВ 10, version 20H2

This article lists new and updated features and content that is of interest to IT Pros for Windows 10, version 20H2, also known as the Windows 10 October 2020 Update. This update also contains all features and fixes included in previous cumulative updates to Windows 10, version 2004.

With this release and future releases, the Windows 10 release nomenclature is changing from a year and month pattern (YYMM) to a year and half-year pattern (YYH1, YYH2).

As with previous fall releases, Windows 10, version 20H2 is a scoped set of features for select performance improvements, enterprise features, and quality enhancements. As an H2-targeted release, 20H2 is serviced for 30 months from the release date for devices running Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Education editions.

To download and install Windows 10, version 20H2, use Windows Update (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update). For more information, including a video, see How to get the Windows 10 October 2020 Update.

Microsoft Edge

This release automatically includes the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge browser instead of the legacy version of Edge. For more information, see the Microsoft Edge documentation.

Servicing

Windows Update

There are several changes that help improve the security of devices that scan Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) for updates. For more information, see Changes to improve security for Windows devices scanning WSUS.

Starting with Windows 10, version 20H2, LCUs and SSUs have been combined into a single cumulative monthly update, available via Microsoft Catalog or Windows Server Update Services. For more information, see Simplifying on-premises deployment of servicing stack updates.

Deployment

New guidance is available to help prepare a servicing strategy and move your devices to the latest version of Windows 10 quickly and as seamlessly as possible.

Activities are grouped into the following phases: Plan > Prepare > Deploy:

Plan your deployment by evaluating and understanding essential activities:

• Create a phased deployment plan
• Assign roles and responsibilities within your organization
• Set criteria to establish readiness for the upgrade process
• Evaluate your infrastructure and tools
• Determine readiness for your business applications
• Create an effective, schedule-based servicing strategy

Prepare your devices and environment for deployment by performing necessary actions:

Deploy and manage Windows 10 strategically in your organization:

• Use Windows Autopilot to streamline the set up, configuration, and delivery of new devices
• Use Configuration Manager or MDT to deploy new devices and update existing devices
• Use Windows Update for Business with Group Policy to customize update settings for your devices
• Deploy Windows updates with Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
• Manage bandwidth for updates with Delivery Optimization
• Monitor Windows Updates with Update Compliance

Windows Autopilot

Enhancements to Windows Autopilot since the last release of Windows 10 include:

• Windows Autopilot for HoloLens: Set up HoloLens 2 devices with Windows Autopilot for HoloLens 2 self-deploying mode.
• Windows Autopilot with co-management: Co-management and Autopilot together can help you reduce cost and improve the end user experience.
• Enhancements to Windows Autopilot deployment reporting are in preview. From the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center (endpoint.microsoft.com), select Devices >Monitor and scroll down to the Enrollment section. Click Autopilot deployment (preview).

Windows Assessment and Deployment Toolkit (ADK)

There is no new ADK for Windows 10, version 20H2. The ADK for Windows 10, version 2004 will also work with Windows 10, version 20H2. For more information, see Download and install the Windows ADK.

Device management

Modern Device Management (MDM) policy is extended with new Local Users and Groups settings that match the options available for devices managed through Group Policy.

For more information about what’s new in MDM, see What’s new in mobile device enrollment and management

Security

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

This release includes improved support for non-ASCII file paths for Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) Auto Incident Response (IR).

The DisableAntiSpyware parameter is deprecated in this release.

Microsoft Defender Application Guard for Office

Microsoft Defender Application Guard now supports Office: With Microsoft Defender Application Guard for Office, you can launch untrusted Office documents (from outside the Enterprise) in an isolated container to prevent potentially malicious content from compromising your device.

Windows Hello

With specialized hardware and software components available on devices shipping with Windows 10, version 20H2 configured out of factory, Windows Hello now offers added support for virtualization-based security with supporting fingerprint and face sensors. This feature isolates and secures a user’s biometric authentication data.

Virtualization

Windows Sandbox

New policies for Windows Sandbox are available in this release. For more information, see Policy CSP — WindowsSandbox.

Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD)

Note: WVD is not tied directly to a Windows 10 release, but it is included here as an evolving capability of Windows.

Windows Shell

Some enhancements to the Windows 10 user interface are implemented in this release:

• With this release, the solid color behind tiles on the Start menu is replaced with a partially transparent background. Tiles are also theme-aware.
• Icons on the Start menu no longer have a square outline around each icon.
• Notifications are slightly updated in appearance.
• You can now change the monitor refresh rate on advanced display settings.
• Alt+Tab now shows Edge browser tabs by default. You can edit this setting under Settings >System >Multitasking: Alt+Tab.
• The System control panel under System and Security has been updated to the Settings > About page. Links to Device Manager, Remote desktop, System protection, Advanced system settings, and Rename this PC are moved to the About page.

2-in-1 PCs

On a 2-in-1 device, Windows will now automatically switch to tablet mode when you detach the screen.

Surface

Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise are now available on Surface Hub 2. For more information, see What’s new in Surface Hub 2S for IT admins.

Desktop Analytics

Desktop Analytics is a cloud-connected service, integrated with Configuration Manager that provides data-driven insights to the management of Windows endpoints in your organization. Desktop Analytics requires a Windows E3 or E5 license, or a Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 license.

For information about Desktop Analytics and this release of Windows 10, see What’s new in Desktop Analytics.

Change the Windows regional settings to modify the appearance of some data types

Your Microsoft Windows regional settings will influence how your date/time, numeric, and currency data types appear when you apply formatting options. Windows supports a variety of languages, plus currency and date/time formats for the countries/regions that use those languages.

For example, you might use forward slashes to enter a date value for a Date/Time field (for example, 8/29/2019), but when you apply the General Date display format, it may or may not display the forward slashes, depending on the regional settings for Windows.

This principle also applies to numeric and financial data. You can enter currency amounts that use the English pound symbol (£), but Access may display those values in euros, because that is the currency symbol selected for Windows.

The following procedure shows you how to change the Windows regional settings for your computer.

Change the regional settings

To change regional settings, follow the steps described for your computer’s operating system.

Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.

Click Change date, time, or number formats.

The Region dialog box appears.

On the Formats tab, select the format you want to change from the drop-down list. Now click the Additional Settings button.

The Customize Format dialog box appears.

Click the tab that contains the settings that you want to modify, and make your changes. For example, to change part or all of a number format, click the Numbers tab and change the setting that you want.

Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.

Click Clock, Language, and Region, and then click Regional and Language Options.

The Regional and Language Options dialog box appears.

On the Formats tab, under Current format, click Customize this format.

The Customize Regional Options dialog box appears.

Click the tab that contains the settings that you want to modify, and make your changes. For example, to change part or all of a number format, click the Numbers tab and change the setting that you want.

How to set or change a computer’s date and time

This page contains steps on how to change the computer’s date and time in the computer’s operating system, or in the BIOS settings. It also describes how to change the date and time on a mobile device.

If the date and time is resetting to an old date or the wrong time, the CMOS battery is bad and needs to be replaced. For help with CMOS battery issues, see: Why is computer asking for the time and date each time it boots?

If you are using Windows on a virtual machine, change the date and time on the host machine, not the virtual machine. The virtual machine gets the current date and time information from the host.

Setting the date and time in BIOS or CMOS setup

1. Open the CMOS setup.

• How to enter the BIOS or CMOS setup.

1. In the system setup menu, locate the date and time.
2. Using the arrow keys, navigate to the date or time, adjust them to your liking, and then select Save and Exit.

Steps may vary for your BIOS. For additional information, see: Computer BIOS help and support.

If, after rebooting the computer the date and time have to be set again, your CMOS battery is most likely bad, consider replacing the CMOS battery. See: How to replace the CMOS battery.

Setting date and time in the operating system

To change the system time in your operating system, follow these steps.

Windows 10

Windows 10 automatically adjusts your date and time for you and only allows you to adjust the time if you disable this feature. If the wrong date and time are set, or you need to change the time or time zone, follow the steps below.

1. Right-click or tap the date and time in the Windows Notification Area in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
2. Click Adjust date/time.
3. Make sure your Time zone is set properly if your computer is displaying the wrong time.
4. To manually adjust the time, turn off the Set time automatically option, then click the Change button.
5. Change the date or time as desired, then click the Change button.

There is no ability to add seconds to the time displayed in the Windows Notification Area on the Taskbar. However, if you click the date and time, a pop-up window opens and displays the time with seconds included.

Windows 8

1. Click or tap the date and time in the Windows Notification Area in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
2. Select Change date and time settings at the bottom of the window that appears (shown below).

1. In the Date and Time window, under the Date and Timetab, click the Change date and time button.
2. Make your adjustments and click OK.
3. Click OK on the main Date and Time window to save the changes.

There is no ability to add seconds to the time displayed in the Windows Notification Area on the Taskbar. However, if you click the date and time, a pop-up window opens and displays the time with seconds included.

To change the time zone, follow these steps.

1. In the Date and Time window from above, under the Date and Time tab, click the Change time zone button.
2. Select the new time zone in the Time zone drop-down field and click OK.
3. Click OK on the main Date and Time window to save the time zone change.

Windows 7 and Vista

In Windows 7 and Windows Vista, follow these steps to adjust the date and time.

1. Press Windows key + D or navigate to the Windows desktop.
2. Click or tap the date and time in the Windows Notification Area in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
3. Select Change date and time settings in the bottom of the window that appears (shown below).

1. In the Date and Time window, under the Date and Timetab, click the Change date and time button.
2. Make your adjustments and click OK.
3. Click OK on the Date and Time window to save the changes.

There is no ability to add seconds to the time displayed in the Windows Notification Area on the Taskbar. However, if you click the date and time, a pop-up window opens and displays the time with seconds included.

To change the time zone, follow these steps.

1. In the Date and Time window from above, under the Date and Time tab, click the Change time zone button.
2. Select the new time zone in the Time zone drop-down field and click OK.
3. Click OK on the main Date and Time window to save the time zone change.

Windows XP, 2000, 98, 95, NE, and NT 4

In Windows XP and earlier versions, follow these steps to set the date and time.

1. Navigate to the Windows desktop.
2. Right-click the time in your Systray, usually located at the bottom-right of your screen.
3. Click the Adjust Date/Time menu item.
4. This action opens the Date/Time Properties window, where you can adjust the date, time, and time zone.
5. Once the proper date and time are set, click Apply, and then Ok.

You may also double-click the time to open the Date/Time Properties window.

If you want to change how the computer handles daylight savings, click the Time Zone tab and check or uncheck the Automatically adjust clock for daylight saving changes option.

MS-DOS and Windows command line

Setting the date through MS-DOS or the Windows command line is accomplished via use of the date command. See our date command page for further information.

Setting the time through MS-DOS or the Windows command line is accomplished via use of the time command. See our time command page for further information.

Linux command line

In Linux, use the date command to manually set the system date and time.

Or, to synchronize your system clock with a network time server, use ntpdate . For example, on Ubuntu or Debian:

Specify a network time server to the ntpdate command, for example us.pool.ntp.org .

To keep your system time synchronized regularly, install the ntp system service.

The service starts immediately, and starts automatically at system boot. To configure the service, edit the file /etc/ntp.conf , then restart the service.

To access the hardware clock directly, use the hwclock command.

FreeBSD

In FreeBSD, ntp can be installed with the pkg package manager.

Setting the date and time on the Apple operating system

1. Open the Apple Menu and select System Preferences.
2. Click Date & Time, and then click Date & Time again.
3. In the Date & Time window, set the date, time, time zone.

Setting the date and time on a mobile device

To set the date and time on a mobile device, follow these steps.