Microsoft Is Throttling Windows 10 20H2 Availability For All Users

Microsoft is currently throttling Windows 10, version 20H2 availability to provide all users who want to upgrade with a positive experience while downloading and upgrading the OS.

After Windows 10 20H2 (aka the October 2020 Update) was released on October 20, it immediately started rolling out to users who manually check for updates via Windows Update (seekers) on devices running Windows 10 1903 or later.

According to Microsoft’s 20H2 feature update support page, customers need to have the Windows 10 2004 Servicing Stack Update and KB4579311 or later installed before upgrading.

Updates throttled for seekers

While update throttling only applies to regular users and not to seekers, usually, it doesn’t necessarily mean that seekers who aren’t able to update to Windows 10 20H2 have incompatible hardware since, this time, their systems are also included in the throttling process.

The ongoing throttling process is part of an effort that will end once Microsoft is convinced that the rest of the users left to upgrade aren’t affected by the remaining compatibility holds and that the download servers can withstand the number of update requests.

Microsoft says that is “slowly throttling up availability over the coming weeks to ensure a reliable download experience,” according to the Windows 10 Health Dashboard. “As a result, the update may not be offered to you right away.”

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This makes the roll-out a gradual and slow one, with some users having to wait to install it via Windows Update even though their devices are not blocked by any of the safeguard holds Microsoft has already enabled since 20H2 was released.

20H2 known issues and safeguards

Right now, Microsoft is investigating two known issues affecting Windows 10 20H2 systems with Conexant and Synaptics or Conexant ISST audio drivers.

Windows 10 devices impacted by these issues include both client (Windows 10 2004 and 20H2) and server (Windows Server 2004 and 20H2) platforms.

Customers with affected devices might experience blue screens or errors during or while upgrading their computers to the latest released Windows 10 version.

While investigating these two issues, Redmond has already applied update blocks to prevent incompatible devices from installing the October 2020 Update.

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Even though Microsoft does not recommend bypassing safeguard holds, you can still do that using the Media Creation Tool or with the help of new Windows 10 group policy designed to enable users to circumvent update blocks.

You can use this update problems troubleshooter or this guided walk-through to work around any Windows 10 update issues.

Earlier this month, Microsoft also resolved a known issue that blocked some Windows 10 1903 and 1909 devices from upgrading to newer OS versions including 2004 and 20H2.