Microsoft is looking to deliver future updates for its upcoming Windows 10 operating system using peer-to-peer protocol, which is a drastic change compared to how the company released updates for its operating system and software in the past.
Traditionally, Microsoft uses its Windows Update software to roll out updates to its Windows operating system and certain applications, with the updates coming from a single source. However, the most recent leaked build of Windows 10 shows that it is not going with tradition.
The leaked build revealed that Windows 10 is making the shift towards P2P for Windows 10 updates, as a new option in the upcoming operating system will allows users to choose to receive "updates from more than one place."
Obtaining updates from more than one source, which is how P2P systems work, will allow for the updates to be downloaded faster. Updates to Windows and certain applications could be downloaded from either Microsoft or from PCs that are located within the computer's local network. The updates can also be downloaded from a combination of PCs on a local network, PCs over the Internet, or traditionally through the servers of Microsoft's Windows Update software.
The new options can be seen through a screenshot that was taken by Windows news website Win Beta.
Microsoft's shift into a P2P distribution model for operating system and application updates is not a surprise, with the company acquiring Pando Networks back in 2013. Pando Networks created a P2P file-sharing system similar to how BitTorrent and other torrent clients operate.
While the technology that Microsoft is using for P2P updates on Windows 10 testing is not specified, it can be assumed that the software is an evolution of the system created by Pando Networks that the company acquired.
There have been no official announcements regarding Microsoft's plans to shift into a P2P system for operating system and application updates. However, the company is preparing to release an official preview for Windows 10 soon, which would expectedly showcase the new system for updates.
The transition from the traditional Windows Update software to a P2P model could lead to security concerns over the authenticity and safety of updates to Windows. However, Microsoft will surely have already forecasted such concerns and would have created security measures to eliminate prevent the updates from being tampered with, along with a method for the verification of the contents of update packages before they are download and installed in Windows 10 computers.
