The Windows Developer Team detailed in a blog post published today the new additions developers should be aware of with the imminent release of Windows 10, version 1909 (19H2), now known as November 2019 Update.

"A new Windows SDK will not be issued in conjunction with this version of Windows, since this release doesn’t introduce new APIs," says the Windows Developer Team. "That means there’s no need to target Windows 10, version 1909 or modify your project files."

Thus, developers should continue targeting Windows 10, version 1903 during the development process, Microsoft recommending Visual Studio 2019 as the easiest way to do it.

Seeing that Windows 10 1909 will deliver performance improvements, as well as quality enhancements and new enterprise features, "developers should be aware of this release, but no action is necessary at this time," adds Microsoft.

Updating your development environment

Updating to the Windows 10, version 1909 feature update that should roll during late October or early November is just a matter of using one's VSS subscription or the WIP (Windows Insider Program) Release Preview Ring to download it.

To enroll in the Release Preview Ring of the Windows Insider Program, you can use the detailed step-by-step procedure provided by the Insider team in this blog post.

Release Preview Ring

"Once you do that, just go into Visual Studio 2019 and install the latest SDK and you’re good to go," says Microsoft. "In the latest Visual Studio, the Windows 10 SDK (10.0.18362) is already selected by default."

To start using the latest Windows 10 SDK right away, you should install Visual Studio 2019:



2. Select “Universal Windows Platform development” under Workloads, Windows 10 SDK (10.0.18362) will be included by default

3. Click “Install” 1. Run the Visual Studio installer or go to https://www.visualstudio.com/downloads/ and download it2. Select “Universal Windows Platform development” under Workloads, Windows 10 SDK (10.0.18362) will be included by default3. Click “Install”

November 2019 Update, more of a Windows 10 1903 SP1

Microsoft has already started pushing Windows 10 1909 to Windows Insiders on the Release Preview Ring on October 8th with the latest KB4517389 cumulative update and has also already added it as a WSUS option.

However, instead of a full-featured update, the Windows 10 1909 release that's coming soon is more of a service pack that will only bring along just a few new minor features, together with a long list of quality improvements and bug fixes.

Seeing that the May 2019 Update (1903) and the November 2019 Update (1909) share the same servicing content and cumulative updates according to Senior Program Manager Brandon LeBlanc, Microsoft has been synchronizing their build numbers as shown in the screenshot below.

Windows 10 1903 Build 18362.418 Windows 10 1909 Build 18363.418

This will enable Microsoft to smooth out the rollout process for Windows 10 1909 when the final build is ready by pushing out an enablement package via Windows Update, thus turning on the November 2019 Update features.

If you are interested in the user side of things, we have already covered the list of new features that will be rolled out as part of the Windows 10 1909 update, with a focus on the ones that should make a difference for regular users.