Microsoft has announced a transition to a simplified naming system for Windows 11 updates. This will make it easier for users to understand what exactly Windows Update is downloading. This change also aims to standardize update naming across all Windows platforms.
The company acknowledges that in the past, Windows Update update names often contained redundant technical information. That include platform architecture (x64), OS edition, or date prefixes. It made them hard for regular users to understand.
Each update will now have a clear and intuitive name. It will appear in both the download process and the update history. The new structure focuses only on the most important information: the update type, its number (KB), and the build or driver version. However, major Windows feature updates will continue to use names with the "version 2XHX" tag.
Microsoft has already started implementing the new naming system. It will apply to the following types of updates.
- Monthly OS updates.
- .NET Framework updates.
- Driver updates.
- Updates to artificial intelligence (AI) components.
- Visual Studio updates.
Examples of new names
| Update type | Simplified title |
|---|---|
| Monthly security updates | Security Update (KB5034123) (26100.4747) |
| Monthly preview non-security updates | Preview Update (KB5062660) (26100.4770) |
| .NET Framework security updates | .NET Framework Security Update (KB5056579) |
| .NET Framework non-security updates | .NET Framework Preview Update (KB5056579) |
| Driver updates | Logitech Driver Update (123.331.1.0) |
| AI component updates | Phi Silica AI Component Update (KB5064650) (1.2507.793.0) |
You will find the new names in Settings > Windows Update and on the Settings > Windows Update > Update history page. Companies that use WSUS for updates will not see the change, as WSUS will continue the legacy naming scheme.
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