Microsoft is testing out this better approach for delivering Windows 10 features

Microsoft is testing another method of delivering features to Windows 10 machines by means of the Windows Feature Experience Pack.

Microsoft began exploring different avenues regarding the Windows Feature Experience Pack alongside the release of the May 2020 Windows 10 update a year ago.

The organization was mysterious about the Feature Experience Pack and at first wouldn’t say what it was, however it gave off an impression of being a route for it to deliver updates to Windows 10 instead of the traditional feature updates.

The most recent Windows Feature Experience Pack is version 120.2212.2020.0 and is going to Windows Insiders in the Beta Channel.

“We are testing this new process out with Insiders to deliver new feature improvements to customers outside of major Windows 10 feature updates,” said Microsoft program manager Brandon LeBlanc.

“Right now, we are starting out with a really scoped set of features and improvements. Over time, we hope to expand the scope and the frequency of releases in the future,” he said.

The first Windows Feature Experience Pack included incorporated an updated Snipping tool, text input panel, and a shell-proposal UI

A new update to the pack from late 2020 brought enhancements to the snipping experience and touch keyboard.

This most recent update means to improve the reliability of screen snipping, particularly with applications that access the clipboard often.

Microsoft is likewise eliminating the capacity to copy and paste a screen clip straightforwardly into a folder in File Explorer since Windows Insiders found an unnamed issue with the feature.

“We hope to re-enable this capability in a future update after we address this issue,” noted LeBlanc.

The pack updates are delivered by means of Windows Update similarly combined updates are.

Clients in the Beta Channel can get the pack by going to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update.

To get this update, Insiders in the Beta Channel should be on Windows 10 20H2 Build 19042.662 or higher.

LeBlanc discloses that Microsoft plans to fold the Windows Feature Experience Pack updates into its total non-security monthly updates, which are normally released in the weeks after its Patch Tuesday reports on the second Tuesday of every month.

Microsoft is testing this delivery mechanism as it weighs up critical changes to its typical pattern of two Windows 10 feature updates every year. The organization probably won’t release Windows 10 21H1, or the “spring” feature update for Windows 10. All things considered, it’s relied upon to release a significant 21H2 “fall” feature update to agree with the release of Windows 10X.