The Windows 10 October 2020 Update (20H2) introduces the new Microsoft Edge browser to millions of PCs, while upgrading the essential Alt + Tab shortcut with useful new features. On the other hand, the once colorful 'Start' menu changes to a lighter one.

Overall, Windows 10 20H2 is another featureless fall feature update. It's as expected, but it's meaningful enough on its own. For the past two or three years, Microsoft's major feature updates have been in spring updates, and fall updates are mostly minor patches and quality updates. This year too, but small changes can bring some interesting changes to Windows 10 PCs.

Microsoft announced that the Windows October 2020 Update (Windows currently reports the version number in preview builds as '20H2') was released at the end of August for commercial testing. PCWorld ran in early September using Microsoft's beta channel (build 19042.508) as the source for a test build. Microsoft has stated that this build is the 'final' build for now. Microsoft hasn't revealed the exact date when the Windows 10 October 2020 Update will ship to the PC market as a whole.

Take a look at the new features and benefits of the Windows 10 October 2020 Update.
 
quick installation
"Like Windows 10's versions 1903 and 1909, 2004 and 20H2 share a common core operating system with the same system files," said Aria Kali, Microsoft's program manager. New features are included in the monthly quality updates of the 2004 version, both inactive and dormant. These new 20H2 features remain dormant until turned on via the 'Activation Package', a small, quick-install 'master switch' that activates Windows 10 version 20H2 features. PCWorld's test Surface devices took about a minute to update, including one reboot.
 

Worse start menu changes 

One of the biggest changes in the Windows 10 October 2020 Update is the Start menu. Whether you choose the 'Light' or 'Dark' option (Settings > Personalization > Color), the current Windows 10 20H1 build or earlier, the Start menu uses an accent color as the background for individual tiles within the Start menu. This provides the bright color structure needed for visual contrast. Dark mode looks good in 20H1 as well as in the 20H2 color palette. However, the lite mode within the Windows 10 October 2020 Update doesn't look appealing at all.
 



If you choose the light color scheme option on the 20H2, the Start menu and tiles feel pale, dry, and washed. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any way to bring the Start menu to life again, as the Accent Color option has been completely removed from the Start menu. Of course, color preferences may vary, and some users may appreciate the changed Start menu.

All of the new Fluent Design icons Microsoft announced in February can be found in the Start menu and taskbar. Functionally, nothing has changed in this area. However, the new icon can be viewed as a positive development in that it provides a fresh and clean aesthetic.
 

new edge world

The biggest change in Windows 10 20H2 is the 'new' Edge browser. Windows is now focusing on a third browser. The first, though still remaining, hidden Internet Explorer browser within Windows, second is the original Microsoft Edge, and third is the 'new' Microsoft Edge, which officially debuted earlier this year.
 



The new Edge browser is based on Chromium, the same foundation as Google Chrome, and now the same extension works well in both browsers. Although Microsoft can't sync everything from one PC's Edge browser to another, including shared tab history, the new Edge works well and efficiently and seamlessly.

With 20H2, Microsoft will begin the replacement with a transition pop-up announcing the change of the new Edge. Your PC may have already been updated, as Microsoft said earlier this year that it plans to migrate PCs from the old Edge to the new Edge over the course of a year.

Unfortunately for users who prefer the existing Edge, Microsoft is strongly pushing for a replacement of the Edge browser. Microsoft smoothed the replacement process by making it easy to retrieve old favorites and passwords. Also, the two browsers share many features. You can of course use other browsers, but Microsoft has also added some Edge-specific features, such as the new Alt + Tab behavior.
 


Alt+Tab shortcut with new powers

A long-standing feature, the Alt+Tab shortcut is a command to switch between running applications. But as more and more work is done in the cloud and in the browser, Windows has changed its strategy. Alt+Tab no longer treats Edge as an application. Users can use Alt+Tab to switch between the three most recently used tabs, the five most recently used tabs, or all of the open tabs in the new Edge browser.