Over the past couple of weeks, Microsoft has been pushing out Windows 10 preview builds with only minor improvements and bug fixes for Fast Ring Insiders to check out and provide feedback. Their daily release cycle along with the sightings of an official version number in the preview builds has led Insiders to believe that we’ve already been handed over the final version of the upcoming major update.
Windows was once considered as the center of Microsoft’s attention, releasing a new feature-packed iteration for a price every year. But, the company has now moved on adopted a Windows 10-as-a-service model, where it doesn’t release new Windows numbered iterations. Instead, the Redmond giant now releases over-the-air updates for their existing operating system. It released Windows 10 back in July 2015 and has since bagged one major update in the form of the Anniversary Update.
But, the second major update, codenamed Redstone 2, was announced by the company just last year and it said that the same would officially debut in early 2017. This Windows 10 update is called the Creators Update and is expected to be released sometime in April. However, Microsoft is making the official final version of the said update early to eager users who cannot wait and want to install the said update before the general populace.
Though Microsoft hasn’t officially confirmed that the latest Windows 10 Insider build 15063 is a final version of the Creators Update, but there is strong evidence of the same being the RTM (Release to Manufacturing) version of the operating system. This build, which has been released to both Fast and Slow rings, carries the tag that it’s ‘Version 1703’ in the About section of the settings window. The fact that the said build has been made available across all devices, PC, mobile and the Xbox further confirms the suspicions.
There is a possibility that the company may never make an official announcement of the same to Insiders. And today, Microsoft has surprisingly (or accidentally1?) released the ISO files for Windows 10 build 15063, which is most likely the Creators Update, on their servers. Neowin was intimated of the same by tweets from Steve Truman (@KPRP42), who shared direct download links to the said build. Attached here are the official links from Microsoft’s server:
- Windows10_InsiderPreview_Client_x64_en-us_15063.iso (64-bit PC)
- Windows10_InsiderPreview_Client_x32_en-us_15063.iso (32-bit PC)
While these builds still carry along the Insider Preview batch, the builds are not identified as the same after installation. The mention of Insider Preview has been removed from the About section, but this in no way confirms this build being the RTM version — but the same most likely is. Also, it may not be completely final as Microsoft will continue to deliver cumulative updates with the 15063.xxxx build number.
Some reports further suggest that Microsoft is expected to officially release Windows 10 Creators Update during April’s Patch Tuesday on April 11. But, if you’re feeling adventurous and want to try out build 15063 instantly then download the attached ISO file and mount the same in the File Explorer window and run setup.exe to install the Creators Update. The process is executing smoothly, without any issues.
