If Microsoft sticks to its usual Windows 10 update cycle, the company should complete the 19H1 update (likely to be soon rechristened as “1903”) in March, with the public rollout to begin in April. We’re definitely late in the 19H1 development cycle already, though the company has yet to release a first 19H1 build for Slow Ring Insiders.
Windows Insiders in the Slow Ring usually receive new builds much less often than Insiders on the Fast Ring, but the current situation is kind of unprecedented: The first 19H1 build shipped to Fast Ring Insiders on October 3, and it’s now been almost five months since Slow Ring Insiders have been waiting for a first build.
Yesterday, Windows Insider Chief Dona Sarkar finally explained the reason for the delay. As it turns out, the team has discovered an issue with an anti-cheat codes gaming technology from a third-party partner causing GSODs on recent 19H1 builds. The bug is severe enough for Microsoft not willing to risk flighting a buggy build to Slow Ring Insiders, a population that includes many gamers according to Sarkar.
(1/2)Many of you are asking why we haven't released a #SlowRing flight in a while. We have a GSOD that's caused by a very common scenario around gaming anti-cheat codes. Unfortunately the fix is in the hands of our 3rd party partner company that we're working with them on…
— Dona Sarkar (@donasarkar) February 25, 2019
(2/2) Looking at our #SlowRing population, MANY of you play these games so your machines would be very difficult to use–we are committed to releasing Slow builds that are high quality so this is why we're holding the build
— Dona Sarkar (@donasarkar) February 25, 2019
The good news is that Microsoft is working with that mysterious partner company to fix this GSOD issue, but Sarkar didn’t reveal when Slow Ring Insiders can expect a first 19H1 build. Sound off in the comments if you think Microsoft is right to take its time with this first Slow Ring flight.
