Over the last few weeks, Microsoft has steadily been working to finalize the first feature update of 2018 for Windows 10.

This update, which has been known by its development codename of Redstone 4 (RS4) over the last several months, is the fifth overall feature update released for Windows 10 since its initial release back in July 2015.

Interestingly enough this feature update does not have a snazzy marketing name yet like past feature updates typically had at least a couple of months before their release. I am referring to names like the Anniversary (Version 1607), Creators (Version 1703), and the Fall Creators Update (Version 1709).

The update is expected to head out into general availability through a controlled rollout process sometime in April, possibly around that month’s Patch Tuesday on the 10th of the month. It is also possible that could push out to the 17th which matches up with a couple of past feature update releases as well.

No matter when the update is made available for public download or what its fancy marketing name will be it is nearly ready for the masses after more than 25 public development build releases.

In addition, just like its predecessors, this feature update has several new features and enhancements to existing ones:

  • Timeline
  • Nearby Sharing
  • Focus Assist
  • Continue on PC
  • Dynamic Lock
  • Emoji Keyboard
  • Dictation
  • Pinned Sites for Microsoft Edge
  • Windows Mixed Reality

This list is not comprehensive and there are an untold number of tweaks to the UI throughout the operating system, individual inbox app updates, and other tweaks to make the system more efficient on system resources.

Today marked a significant milestone for the upcoming general availability of this feature update, which will be widely known as Windows 10 Version 1803, once it is out. After releasing this build to #WindowsInsiders three days ago in the Fast Ring, it is now being made available to the testing programs Slow Ring. According to Microsoft this availability will not be for everyone in the Slow Ring immediately. They are testing the engineering systems that are used to distribute the update once it is generally available.

Microsoft did confirm that it will target all Slow Ring testers on Monday the 2nd of April.

Note: They also added that if you go to Windows Settings > Update & security >Windows Update over the weekend it should offer the build to your system for installation.

One interesting change in this cycles roll out to Slow Ring for the potential final release build is that they have labelled this as a Feature update for Windows 10, version 1803 instead of an Insider Preview build. You can see what that looks like in the screenshots below.

The end of development for Redstone 4 is very near so make sure your systems are backed up and ready for the update over the next couple of weeks before its public release.

Windows 10 Redstone 4 Build 17133 – Windows Update Images