Windows 10’s October 2018 Update (version 1809) is available starting October 2, 2018, but as a manual update. On October 9, 2018, Microsoft will begin the gradual rollout through Windows Update.
The October 2018 Update was previously known with the Redstone 5 codename. It’s the second update that Windows 10 is receiving in 2018, and it’s the sixth major update since it was originally released back in to 2015.
Windows 10 October 2018 Update rollout
The new release will be available as a free update on October 2, and compatible devices will receive the new update automatically through Windows Update. Then when the new version has proven to be more reliable, the rollout will expand to other devices. This means that no every computer will get the update on day-one.
If you know that version 1809 is compatible with your hardware, you’ll also have the choice to upgrade manually using the Media Creation Tool as well as using the Update Assistant tool.
Alternatively, you can also download the Windows 10 October 2018 Update ISO file directly as soon as it’s officially available using the Media Creation Tool.
Windows 10 October 2018 Update new features
The October 2018 Update isn’t as significant as the April 2018 Update, but it’ll deliver a new set of features and improvements, including a new clipboard experience that leverages the Microsoft cloud to sync your clipboard history across devices and across platform.
File Explorer is introducing a dark theme, which will expand to context menus and popup dialogs.
Snip & Sketch (formerly known as Screen Sketch) is a new experience that will replace the old Snipping tool to take screenshots on Windows 10.
In order to prevent running out of space, starting with version 1809, Storage sense introduces a new feature to automatically make OneDrive files you haven’t modified in a number of days available only online.
Also, you’ll find a slew of tweaks and improvements across the search experience, Narrator, Microsoft Edge, and the Settings app. You can check all the new features and changes for the Windows 10 October 2018 Update here.
Although we all are exciting waiting for version 1809 to be available, during the early days major updates are known to include unknown issues and bugs. This means that if you’re planning to wait a little longer, it’s now the time to configure your system to prevent Windows 10 from installing the October 2018 Update to a later date.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows expert and the Editor-in-Chief who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He is also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 12 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows, software, and related technologies, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.