Differences between B, C, and out-of-band (OOB) Windows Updates


As we advance towards general availability of Windows 11 this holiday, we thought it was a good time for a refresher on Windows monthly quality updates. Windows monthly quality updates help you stay productive and protected. They provide consumers and IT administrators alike with the security fixes they need to protect devices before unpatched vulnerabilities can potentially be exploited. Monthly quality updates are cumulative and include all previously released fixes to guard against fragmentation of the operating system (OS), which can lead to reliability and vulnerability issues when only a subset of fixes is installed.

To ensure that this information is easy to find when needed, you can now find a topic on Monthly quality updates in our Windows technical documentation. It defines the different types of monthly quality updates – specifically B, C, and out-of-band (OOB) releases – and describes their role for consumers and enterprises alike. I'll also summarize that information here.

Update Tuesday – aka "B" releases

For many of you, Update Tuesday (also referred to as "Patch Tuesday") is a regular part of Windows servicing. Published on the second Tuesday of each month, our "B" releases are cumulative, including both new and previously released security fixes along with non-security content introduced in the prior month’s Preview “C” release (see below for details). These updates help keep Windows devices secure and compliant by deploying stability fixes and addressing security vulnerabilities.

“B” releases are mandatory and are available through our standard channels, which include Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Optional previews – aka "C" releases

If you want to test and/or validate production-quality releases ahead of the planned “B” release for the following month, you can leverage “C” releases, which are optional, cumulative, non-security preview releases. “C” releases are only offered for the most recent, supported versions of Windows. New features like News and Interests may initially be deployed in the prior month’s “C” preview release, then ship in the following month’s “B” release.

To access “C” releases, navigate to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and select Check for updates.

IT admins may also validate fixes and features in a preview update by leveraging the Windows Insider Program for Business or via the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Out-of-band releases

Out-of-band releases may be provided to fix a recently identified issue or vulnerability. They are used in atypical cases, such as security vulnerabilities or a quality issue, when devices should be updated immediately instead of waiting for the next monthly quality update release.

Recommendations

As a general practice, we recommend that both consumers and commercial customers patch their devices as soon as possible. For IT admins, we also recommend taking advantage of “C” preview releases to internally validate releases ahead of the following month’s “B” release.

Learn more

To help manage updates across your organization, be sure to also check out these resources:
If you are a Microsoft Partner or registered commercial customer, you can also take advantage of the Security Update Validation Program (SUVP), a quality assurance testing program geared toward the “B” release. SUVP partners can start testing these security updates three weeks prior to Update Tuesday and provide us with feedback regarding usability, bug reports, test reports, etc. For more details on the SUVP, see Security Update Validation Program: the early bird tests the worm.


Source: Windows quality updates primer
 

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"As we advance towards general availability of Windows 11 this holiday, "

@Brink: Any idea what holiday they are referring to?
 

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System One

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    Windows 10 21H1
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    Dell XPS 8920
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    Intel Core i7-7700
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    32GB
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"As we advance towards general availability of Windows 11 this holiday, "

@Brink: Any idea what holiday they are referring to?

Usually this means Christmas holiday, so it should be towards the end of this year.

Rumors are saying around October 2021 so far.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
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    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
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    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
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    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
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    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
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    2560x1440
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    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
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    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
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    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
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    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
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    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
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    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
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    2496 x 1664
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    1 TB SSD
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    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
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    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Christmas ~ October

Sounds like MS uses the same calendar as Lowe's seasonal goods displays.... :rolleyes:
 

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System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 21H1
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    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell XPS 8920
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-7700
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon RX 560D
Christmas ~ October

Sounds like MS uses the same calendar as Lowe's seasonal goods displays.... :rolleyes:
It's not just Lowe's. All chain stores start way to early.
 

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System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
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    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
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    Intel Core i7-10700K
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    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
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    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
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    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    #1. LG ULTRAWIDE 34" #2. AOC Q32G2WG3 32"
    Screen Resolution
    #1. 3440 X 1440 #2. 1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
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    750 Watts (62.5A)
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    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
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    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    ESET Internet Security
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    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-S
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Usually this means Christmas holiday, so it should be towards the end of this year.

Rumors are saying around October 2021 so far.

That's rather fast for a new OS release - We got the beta in June and the final is supposed to be release by end of 2021. That sounds to me like it was originally supposed to be a Windows 10 upgrade/update, but instead morphed into a new OS called Windows 11.
 

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  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 (Build 26100.3476)
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    Custom built
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    Intel Core 9 Ultra
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    Gigabyte Aorus Z890 Xtreme AI Top
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    64G (4x16) DDR5 Corsair RGB Dominator Platinum (6400Mhz)
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    Radeon (XFX MERC 310) RX 7900XT
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    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
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    27-inch Eizo Color Edge - CG2700X
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
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    4 Samsung NVM 990 Pro drives: 1 X 1TB (OS) 2X TB, 1 X 1TB.
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    Seasonic TX-1300 (1300 Watts)
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    Cooler Master H500M
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    Corsair Link Titan 280 RX RGB
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    Logitech Craft
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    Logitech MX Master 3
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    1TB Download. 512mb Upload
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    Microsoft Edge Chromium
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    Windows Security
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    System used for gaming, photography, music, school.
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    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.4391)
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    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12)
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    Intel Core Ultra 7 165U vPro® Processor
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    Vendor
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    32 GB LPDDR5X-6400MHz (Soldered)
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Graphics
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    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED, Anti Reflection, Touch, HDR 500, 400 nits, 120Hz
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 Performance TLC Opal
    PSU
    Vendor
    Case
    Lenovo
    Cooling
    Vapor Chamber Cooling
    Mouse
    Touchpad: Haptic Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, Black with Fingerprint Reader and WWAN
    Internet Speed
    100MB
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    202. Build Your Own laptop.
    vPro Certified Model: vPro Enterprise
That's rather fast for a new OS release - We got the beta in June and the final is supposed to be release by end of 2021. That sounds to me like it was originally supposed to be a Windows 10 upgrade/update, but instead morphed into a new OS called Windows 11.
It's basically project "Sun Valley" from Windows 10 now Windows 11.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self build
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING (11GB GDDR5X)
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G75 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3 wall mounted
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gbps Download and 35 Mbps Upload
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Surface Laptop 7 Copilot+ PC
    CPU
    Snapdragon X Elite (12 core) 3.42 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB LPDDR5x-7467 MHz
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15" HDR
    Screen Resolution
    2496 x 1664
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD
    Internet Speed
    Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4
    Browser
    Chrome and Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
It's basically project "Sun Valley" from Windows 10 now Windows 11.

Yeah, didn't remember the name, but I do remember there was supposed to be a new UI refresh coming to Windows 10 later this year. I guess they decided to build a new OS around it. Also explains the speed to which Windows 11 is being released.

Thanks (y)
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 (Build 26100.3476)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom built
    CPU
    Intel Core 9 Ultra
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Aorus Z890 Xtreme AI Top
    Memory
    64G (4x16) DDR5 Corsair RGB Dominator Platinum (6400Mhz)
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon (XFX MERC 310) RX 7900XT
    Sound Card
    Onboard (ESS Sabre HiFi using Realtek drivers)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    27-inch Eizo Color Edge - CG2700X
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    4 Samsung NVM 990 Pro drives: 1 X 1TB (OS) 2X TB, 1 X 1TB.
    PSU
    Seasonic TX-1300 (1300 Watts)
    Case
    Cooler Master H500M
    Cooling
    Corsair Link Titan 280 RX RGB
    Keyboard
    Logitech Craft
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1TB Download. 512mb Upload
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    System used for gaming, photography, music, school.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 (Build 22631.4391)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12)
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7 165U vPro® Processor
    Motherboard
    Vendor
    Memory
    32 GB LPDDR5X-6400MHz (Soldered)
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Graphics
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    14" 2.8K OLED, Anti Reflection, Touch, HDR 500, 400 nits, 120Hz
    Screen Resolution
    2880 x 1800
    Hard Drives
    1 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 Performance TLC Opal
    PSU
    Vendor
    Case
    Lenovo
    Cooling
    Vapor Chamber Cooling
    Mouse
    Touchpad: Haptic Touchpad
    Keyboard
    Backlit, Black with Fingerprint Reader and WWAN
    Internet Speed
    100MB
    Browser
    Edge Chromium
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
    Other Info
    202. Build Your Own laptop.
    vPro Certified Model: vPro Enterprise

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