[SOLVED] Windows Update vs Windows 10 Update Assistant ?

[inmoncolley]

I've searched MS & "The Web" without finding a definitive answer to: Does Windows 10 update assistant work the same as the current, regular windows update process?
1. New features update, currently 21H1, 20H2 as well, will / did install as if they were a regular monthly update since most of the "features." are downloaded during monthly cumulative updates.
They get 'turned-on' when the "Features" update is installed.
2. Since May 2021 release of 21H1, MS has only 'offered' me 21H1 on 2 drives so far as an "other updates", "Download and Install". I wanted to use Update Assistant to install it on my other drives.
I thought I read that Update Assistant now installs feature update like a regular update, i.e. no long, create a windows.old folder like Media Creator does but. now, I can't find that
information! All I find is threads that date back to the beginning of windows 10 concerning alternatives to waiting for MS to 'catch-up' on installing "Features Update".
Does anyone have an answer?
3. Yes I know I could just run it and find out. I've gone through that long processes using Media Creator and Windows Update during previous "Features" updates so. I know
how these update processes work.
Thank you

 

[rgd1101]

same and different. update is buildin to windows.
update Assistant is more like a management app

 

[Colif]

2, I generally used the windows upgrade assistant to not wait for updates on 10 and it does create a windows.old folder like the regular version updates over windows update do (I never waited for them to appear as updates, new version of 10 is out and I wait a few days)

I believe all methods use same process underneath the UI. It works for two of them, why change it?

the difference appears to be where it downloads the updates to is not the same as WIndows update, on my PC it used my hdd to store the ESD files - https://www.winhelponline.com/blog/windows10upgrade-folder-what-is-remove-it-upgrade-assistant/

 

[inmoncolley]

rgd1101 & Colif,
Thanks for the information. I'll get back. I'll just test it.
Thanks!

 

[inmoncolley]

To answer my question(s):
Process: Updating Windows 10 to Features update 21H1 using Windows 10 Update Assistant with all updates to 20H2 installed. This means most if not all updates designated for Features Update 21H1 are already in place.
If MS offers 21H1 through "PC Sittings" - 'Windows Updates' process as an "Optional Download and Install" or a cumulative type update, 21H1 Features update gets installed as if it were a cumulative update. It basically just 'turns on' what is already there - no mess, no fuss, works great!
But, what happens using Windows 10 Update Assistant to install Features updates?
1. Yes! Windows 10 Update Assistant creates a Windows.old folder (23.4Gb in my case on a particular drive).
2. Yes! It takes approximately 90 minutes to complete. Past experiences using a selected step under the Media Creator Tool process provides the same results as the "Assistant" except you have more options, i.e. create USB, DVD, ISO variants.
3. No! It's nowhere near the same as the regular update function. So, I must have misread information indicating the Assistant and Windows Updates were the same.
Everyone, Thank you for your assistance.