Microsoft Removes Standalone Windows 10 November Update Install from the Web

On Saturday, Ed Bott seemed to be the first that caught wind of this, but Microsoft has removed the standalone download for the Windows 10 November update from the web – without much warning. This is even after Gabe Aul, the VP for Windows engineering, recommended using the standalone download for those who hadn’t yet received the upgrade notification over Windows Update.

Using the supplied Media Creation Tool, users could forgo waiting and grab the update right away, choosing to create installation media or jump straight into an in-place upgrade. According to a response to Ed, this is a policy change and doesn’t necessarily mean that Microsoft believes there’s something wrong with its biggest update to Windows 10 since July. The Microsoft response:

The November update was originally available via the MCT tool, but we’ve decided that future installs should be through Windows Update. People can still download Windows 10 using the MCT tool if they wish. The November update will be delivered via Windows Update.

Microsoft has not pulled the Windows 10 November 10 update. The company is rolling out the November update over time – if you don’t see it in Windows Update, you will see it soon.

However, a thread in the Microsoft community forums, suggest that there actually might be a problem:

This (pulling of the update on MCT) may have to do with a glitch also reported here on Monday that on Clean Installs that media was reading embedded Windows 8 keys to only activate the embedded version, even on PC’s that also had a Digital Entitlement to Pro version.  Since the version menu was then hidden, there was no way to install Professional without a workaround that was posted later in the week by MS.

It’ll be interesting to see how this shakes out. Microsoft is notorious for vague responses that eventually culminate in a few vague clarifications before the truth is fully exposed.

For now, the only official way for consumers to get the November update is through Windows Update. And that’s something that needs highlighted. Remember, delivery of Windows 10 servicing updates over Windows Update is generally targeted toward consumers. It’s not intended for advanced users. The MCT tool is part of an advanced method to install Windows upgrades. Business users running Pro and Enterprise versions of Windows 10 should be getting upgrades directly from their local IT deployment team and not from Windows Update. This allows IT to test Windows 10 servicing updates against the company’s installed apps prior to rollout to ensure business continuity.