Due to too many problems, the company may change the concept of updates again; the two big packages will be discontinued and replaced by more small updates.
For internal testers, Microsoft is already testing a new update model, which means that new features in the operating system will no longer arrive in two big phases, spring and autumn, but will arrive as they are released. The idea is certainly better than the current version in that there will be no delays.
At the moment, if a package is not ready in time, you have to wait about six months for it to be released, as that is the time between the release of the two major update packages. However, this is probably not the only reason why Microsoft has decided to make the switch, but because of a series of problems with updates in recent years, with updates being recalled or delayed by weeks or months.
It is hoped that testing of smaller packages will give better, more accurate results and these bugs will disappear – although Microsoft has had a few slip-ups in this respect, with some updates failing to boot after installation and only a reinstallation to fix the problem.
The company has therefore already changed the concept of the two major annual updates once: the two major (or larger) packages remain, but in such a configuration that only the spring version brings real new features, while the update for October consists mainly of bug fixes. This approach has already been taken for the 2020 second half-year update.
The new type of update system is already available to Insiders, but Microsoft has not officially announced anything about this change, so it is possible that after the testing period, the company will decide not to move to smaller update packages after all. Of course, this also means that if there is a change, the timing is not yet known; the 21H1 package is currently scheduled for spring 2021, so it is almost certain that it will arrive on schedule.