Microsoft is finally ready to make Windows Update less annoying, at least for Windows 10 users. Under the new system, Windows 10 updates should be smaller in size, be downloaded more efficiently, and put less strain on your system resources.

The key here is Microsoft's new Unified Update Platform (UUP), which is coming to every platform apart from Xbox One over the next six months. According to the Windows Blog post explaining the change, UUP will "enable differential downloads for all devices built on the Mobile and PC OS."

In a nutshell, differential downloads means that "only the changes that have been made since the last time you updated your device" will be downloaded and installed. Which is a major change from the current system which downloads and installs full builds over the top of previous builds.

As a result of UUP and differential downloads, "users can expect their download size to decrease by approximately 35% when going from one major update of Windows to another." In addition to this, Windows Update will be doing most of the work in the cloud, which should lead to "faster checks for update operations."

An Important Change Happening Behind the Scenes

It's important to note that most people won't notice these changes being made to the Windows Update experience. Everything will look and feel very similar, with the improvements all happening behind the scenes. Still, while it's not the sexiest change in the world, making the experience of updating your Windows 10 device easier and more efficient is an important one.

UUP is being rolled out to Windows 10 Mobile devices first, with PCs, HoloLens, and Internet of Things devices to follow. Windows Insiders should notice the change before the end of the year, with everyone else being invited to the party after the Windows 10 Creators Update goes live.

Have you upgraded to Windows 10 yet? If so, how are you finding the process of updating to the latest builds? Is the change to UUP and differential downloads a good one? Or are you more excited about the new Creators Update? Please let us know in the comments below!

Image Credit: Cy Evans via Flickr