Microsoft already confirmed that the Windows 10 Creators Update will be available on April 11th, but it seems that there is a bit of confusion among users, as it’s also possible to get it ahead of the official release.
If you ask Microsoft, the official release date of the Windows 10 Creators Update is April 11, 2017.
However, because the new version is already finalized, if you’re part of the Windows Insider Program, you can download the latest preview in the Fast ring starting March 20th, Slow ring starting March 29th, or Release Preview ring starting March 30th, and it’ll install the Windows 10 build 15063, which is the official and final version of the Creators Update. (There is no need to reinstall the OS after April 11th.)
Additionally, on March 29th, Microsoft also made available the ISO files for build 15063 through the Slow ring, if you prefer to do an in-place upgrade or clean install of version 1703.
It should be noted that no matter how you upgrade (before or after the official release), if you’re running Windows 10 build 15063.xx, you’re running the final version of the Creators Update. After April 11th, Windows 10 will continue to receive future cumulative updates. However, if your device is enrolled in the Insider program, you must opt out if you don’t want to start getting new pre-releases in the future — when previews of the next version of the OS begins to roll out.
In the case, you don’t want to use the Windows Insider Program, you can install the new update using the Windows 10 Update Assistant starting April 5th.
Microsoft is making the new version available early to test the rollout and quickly fix any issues before the official release. For example, at the time of this writing, Microsoft has already released three cumulative updates (KB4016250, KB4016251 and KB4016252) to address a number of bugs in the Creators Update.
Of course, you can always wait until April 11th to get the new version using Windows Update. The only difference is that you’ll get the same build 15063 (available before the official release), but you’ll also get all the fixes Microsoft made available since the Creators Update was finalized.
However, even with the last minute cumulative updates, during the early days, it’s possible that some users will still come across bugs and other issues.
Microsoft plans to roll out the Windows 10 Creators Update on April 11th, but no every device will get it the same day. Instead, only PCs, laptops, and tablets that are known to work with the update will get it first. Then the update will continue to be tested, and once it’s proven to work well, it’ll rollout to other devices.
This means that if your device isn’t seeing the Creators Update, it’s likely because your device is not ready. However, you can force the update using the Media Creation Tool or the Windows 10 Update Assistant.
The update will download and install automatically on your device, but if you want to avoid problems during the initial rollout, you can wait a little longer by deferring the Creators Update using this guide.
You can also use the following resources:
Originally published on April 4, updated on April 11th.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].