Microsoft thinks detailed Windows 10 patch nodes are no longer necessary

Even though updates on the consumer versions of Windows 10 are now mandatory, it's quite weird the software giant is putting in a lot less effort in sharing the patch notes of these updates. Under the new policy, Microsoft will no longer explain feature updates unless it deems them significant, which will make it a lot harder to identify which patch caused a problem in case something goes wrong.

ExtremeTech provides an example of the difference in the patch notes between Windows 7 and Windows 10:

Microsoft’s response states that the company will continue to offer KB articles with additional information and implies that this is business as usual. We can test this theory by examining a recent Windows 7 KB article and comparing it to what Redmond is offering with Windows 10. First, here’s the description for optional Windows 7 KB 3075851.

This article describes an update that contains some improvements to Windows Update Client in Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) and Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1. This update also resolves an issue in which certain Windows Update operations fail when you install Windows Update Client for Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2: July 2015 (3065987) on Windows 7 Embedded editions.

That’s dry, but descriptive. If you have an issue with Windows update failing while running Windows 7 Embedded Edition, KB 3075851 applies to you. If you don’t, it doesn’t.

Here’s the KB file for Windows 10 KB 3081438. This is a cumulative update, which means it contains security fixes, feature updates, and bug patches.

This update includes improvements to enhance the functionality of Windows 10.

Microsoft wants people to believe that its level of disclosures haven’t changed, that it’s simply continuing on as before. It’s not true. Over on Reddit, user bileci picked up on the fact that KB 3081444 also pushed a kernel update to the operating system, without disclosing that it did so.

The launch of Windows 7 helped to turn the PR nightmare Microsoft faced after the launch of Windows Vista. Public opinion shifted again after the launch of Windows 8 and for a time Microsoft succeeded in bringing its users back into the fold with Windows 10, but now the software giant has to come up with a way to stem paranoia.

A lot of users are concerned about the privacy implications of Windows 10, and are worried about what data Microsoft is collecting and who it is being shared with. Unfortunately, removing most of the patch notes from the mandatory updates isn't going to do much good either. CEO Satya Nadella needs to step up the plate quick to prevent Windows 10 from becoming another Vista or Windows 8.