A formal announcement made by Microsoft suggests that Windows Update will no longer have the Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) option also referred to as SAC-T option starting with the Windows 10 v1903. This OS version is expected to deliver the feature update in April 2019.
For those who are interested in knowing the science behind the name, 19 suggests the year and 3 indicates the month. The change in the nomenclature aimed at aligning Windows Update for Business with Office deployment cycles.
SAC-T designation will not be visible to the organizations in the Settings menu as soon as they deploy Windows 10 version 1903. The update has will impact all those users who are using Windows Update for Business, System Center Configuration Manager, Windows Server Update Services, and other management tools.
The collection, Windows Update for Business is basically offered by Microsoft. It allows IT Admins to manage Windows 10 updates by using Group Policy settings. Those users who are using Windows Update for Business management scheme can take the benefit out of SAC-T.
What Does It Mean For Users?
Right now, there are two options for the release of updates available to Windows 10 users. The users can either go for the Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) or Semi-Annual Channel or they can define a deferral period for features update.
You might be confused between the first two options. You can receive the updates at the same time as consumers with the Semi-Annual Channel.
Moreover, the Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) was able to delay the availability of the update by around 4 months. The feature sounds cool for the IT admins but it will no longer be available following Windows 10 version 1903 release. While the delayed feature update will still be available to the users.
Well, you don’t need to worry as you are now aware of the removal and you can manually adjust the deferral period accordingly. Once the Windows 10 version 1903 is installed, you can reflect the change by adding 120 days to the deferral period.
Currently, the roll out for SAC-T can be thought of as an indication for the IT Admins so that they are ready to the Windows 10 feature update with the users in the testing rings. The testing is done just before they start the organization-wide deployment of the latest operating system.
Conclusion
Microsoft aims to deliver quality improvements with the release of the recent change. The removal of the Semi-Annual Channel won’t affect any of your systems until the deferral period is not modified by the IT admins.
It’s a drawback in the sense that Windows for Business devices might get early feature updates in that case.
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