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Definition: Windows as a service


The update model Microsoft introduced with Windows 10. Rather than a new version every so many years with a new name (see Windows versions), Microsoft releases "feature updates" and "quality updates" that retain the Windows 10 version name. See Windows 10 updates and Windows 10 versions.

Feature Updates
Feature updates were large and initially semi-annual releases that are completely new installations. Users can defer updating for 18 months or even 30 months for Windows 10 Enterprise or Education editions.

Starting with the Windows 10 November 2021 update, Microsoft announced Windows 10 feature updates would be annually until 2025, at which time support for Windows 10 will be dropped.

Quality Updates
Quality updates are known as "cumulative updates," "security updates" and "updates for Windows 10," which are automatically installed to fix bugs on the second Tuesday of the month (see Patch Tuesday). Quality updates can be postponed for a month. See Windows Insider Program.

Not Cloud Computing
Windows as a service (WAAS) moniker sounds like software as a service (SaaS), which is one of many available cloud computing offerings. However, WAAS is actually an update service. See cloud computing.