20H2

20H2 is the codename for the Windows 10 update released in October 2020, officially known as the Windows 10 October 2020 Update. It is the eighth major update to Windows 10 and the second update released in 2020, following the 20H1 "May 2020 Update." The update was publicly announced on August 20, 2020 and became generally available on October 20, 2020. It is delivered to Windows 10 Home, Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions through the Windows Update service.

The update introduces a number of security, performance, and usability enhancements. Key features include the ability to reset a Windows installation to a clean state without a separate recovery drive, titled Rebuild. The update also brings support for the next generation of Windows Hello biometric hardware, improved keyboard shortcuts, and a new Transparent Windows feature that enhances the appearance of the taskbar and Action Center. Additionally, the update contains several default setting customisations, reassessed app installs, and a streamlined Update experience.

20H2 delivered multiple kernel security hardening changes. Commercial releases added support for 64‑bit ARM (ARM64) devices for the Pro and Enterprise editions, expanding compatibility with modern Windows 10 hardware. Microsoft enabled optional support for additional hardware devices such as semiconductor-backed EUV lithography tools. The update also updated the Office 365 application integration, delivering a new UI in Microsoft Teams and Outlook.

Microsoft announced that 20H2 is a semi‑annual update, with 20H2-marked builds supported until the end of the current Windows servicing cycle that ends in 2025. After the end of mainstream support, security updates for the 20H2 build continue within the extended support period, ending in September 2029. 20H2 is part of Windows 10's ongoing maintenance model and provides incremental security hardening and feature refinements.