diff --git a/ci/build_windows.py b/ci/build_windows.py
index 87f1db7cf358..89d7f83c6008 100755
--- a/ci/build_windows.py
+++ b/ci/build_windows.py
@@ -151,6 +151,8 @@ class BuildFlavour(Enum):
 
 def windows_build(args):
     logging.info("Using vcvars environment:\n{}".format(args.vcvars))
+    if args.vcvars_ver:
+        logging.info("Using vcvars version:\n{}".format(args.vcvars_ver))
 
     path = args.output
 
@@ -171,13 +173,22 @@ def windows_build(args):
             env = os.environ.copy()
             if 'GPU' in args.flavour:
                 env["CXXFLAGS"] = '/FS /MD /O2 /Ob2'
-            cmd = "\"{}\" && cmake -GNinja {} {}".format(args.vcvars,
-                                                         CMAKE_FLAGS[args.flavour],
-                                                         mxnet_root)
+            if not args.vcvars_ver:
+                cmd = "\"{}\" && cmake -GNinja {} {}".format(args.vcvars,
+                                                             CMAKE_FLAGS[args.flavour],
+                                                             mxnet_root)
+            else:
+                cmd = "\"{}\" -vcvars_ver={} && cmake -GNinja {} {}".format(args.vcvars,
+                                                                            args.vcvars_ver,
+                                                                            CMAKE_FLAGS[args.flavour],
+                                                                            mxnet_root)
             logging.info("Generating project with CMake:\n{}".format(cmd))
             check_call(cmd, shell=True, env=env)
 
-            cmd = "\"{}\" && ninja".format(args.vcvars)
+            if not args.vcvars_ver:
+                cmd = "\"{}\" && ninja".format(args.vcvars)
+            else:
+                cmd = "\"{}\" -vcvars_ver={} && ninja".format(args.vcvars, args.vcvars_ver)
             logging.info("Building:\n{}".format(cmd))
 
             t0 = int(time.time())
@@ -260,6 +271,12 @@ def main():
         default=KNOWN_VCVARS['VS 2019'],
         type=str)
 
+    parser.add_argument("--vcvars_ver",
+        help="Optionally specifies the Visual Studio compiler toolset to use.\
+            By default, the environment is set to use the current Visual Studio compiler toolset.",
+        default=None,
+        type=str)
+
     parser.add_argument("--arch",
         help="architecture",
         default='x64',
diff --git a/ci/docker/install/requirements b/ci/docker/install/requirements
index 210914ac129f..463a7f9c1f01 100644
--- a/ci/docker/install/requirements
+++ b/ci/docker/install/requirements
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
 
 boto3==1.9.229
 cpplint==1.3.0
-Cython==0.29.7
+Cython==0.29.24
 decorator==4.4.0
 h5py<3
 mock==2.0.0
@@ -32,4 +32,4 @@ astroid==2.3.3  # pylint and astroid need to be aligned
 requests<2.19.0,>=2.18.4
 scipy==1.2.1
 setuptools
-coverage
\ No newline at end of file
+coverage
diff --git a/ci/docker/install/ubuntu_binutils.sh b/ci/docker/install/ubuntu_binutils.sh
index 4ef99a876932..c688642e0a23 100755
--- a/ci/docker/install/ubuntu_binutils.sh
+++ b/ci/docker/install/ubuntu_binutils.sh
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ apt-get install -y \
     wget
 
 mkdir /opt/binutils_install && mkdir /opt/binutils && cd /opt/binutils
-wget -nv https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/binutils/binutils-2.27.tar.gz
+wget -nv http://mirrors.kernel.org/gnu/binutils/binutils-2.27.tar.gz
 tar -xvf binutils-2.27.tar.gz && cd binutils-2.27
 ./configure --prefix=/opt/binutils_other --exec-prefix=/opt/binutils_install
 make -j$(nproc)
diff --git a/ci/docker_cache.py b/ci/docker_cache.py
index f0a72b5201be..f9d5b81dff2b 100755
--- a/ci/docker_cache.py
+++ b/ci/docker_cache.py
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@
 
 DOCKER_CACHE_NUM_RETRIES = 3
 DOCKER_CACHE_TIMEOUT_MINS = 45
-PARALLEL_BUILDS = 5
+PARALLEL_BUILDS = 2
 DOCKER_CACHE_RETRY_SECONDS = 5
 DOCKER_BUILD_NUM_RETRIES = 2
 
diff --git a/ci/jenkins/Jenkins_steps.groovy b/ci/jenkins/Jenkins_steps.groovy
index 9f96c7ad5e6d..2441d94dfb5d 100644
--- a/ci/jenkins/Jenkins_steps.groovy
+++ b/ci/jenkins/Jenkins_steps.groovy
@@ -558,7 +558,7 @@ def compile_windows_cpu() {
         ws('workspace/build-cpu') {
           timeout(time: max_time, unit: 'MINUTES') {
             utils.init_git_win()
-            powershell 'py -3 ci/build_windows.py -f WIN_CPU'
+            powershell 'py -3 ci/build_windows.py -f WIN_CPU --vcvars_ver 14.28'
             stash includes: 'windows_package.7z', name: 'windows_package_cpu'
           }
         }
@@ -572,7 +572,7 @@ def compile_windows_cpu_mkldnn() {
         ws('workspace/build-cpu-mkldnn') {
           timeout(time: max_time, unit: 'MINUTES') {
             utils.init_git_win()
-            powershell 'py -3 ci/build_windows.py -f WIN_CPU_MKLDNN'
+            powershell 'py -3 ci/build_windows.py -f WIN_CPU_MKLDNN --vcvars_ver 14.28'
             stash includes: 'windows_package.7z', name: 'windows_package_cpu_mkldnn'
           }
         }
@@ -586,7 +586,7 @@ def compile_windows_cpu_mkldnn_mkl() {
         ws('workspace/build-cpu-mkldnn-mkl') {
           timeout(time: max_time, unit: 'MINUTES') {
             utils.init_git_win()
-            powershell 'py -3 ci/build_windows.py -f WIN_CPU_MKLDNN_MKL'
+            powershell 'py -3 ci/build_windows.py -f WIN_CPU_MKLDNN_MKL --vcvars_ver 14.28'
             stash includes: 'windows_package.7z', name: 'windows_package_cpu_mkldnn_mkl'
           }
         }
@@ -600,7 +600,7 @@ def compile_windows_cpu_mkl() {
         ws('workspace/build-cpu-mkl') {
           timeout(time: max_time, unit: 'MINUTES') {
             utils.init_git_win()
-            powershell 'py -3 ci/build_windows.py -f WIN_CPU_MKL'
+            powershell 'py -3 ci/build_windows.py -f WIN_CPU_MKL --vcvars_ver 14.28'
             stash includes: 'windows_package.7z', name: 'windows_package_cpu_mkl'
           }
         }
@@ -614,7 +614,7 @@ def compile_windows_gpu() {
         ws('workspace/build-gpu') {
           timeout(time: max_time, unit: 'MINUTES') {
               utils.init_git_win()
-              powershell 'py -3 ci/build_windows.py -f WIN_GPU'
+              powershell 'py -3 ci/build_windows.py -f WIN_GPU --vcvars_ver 14.28'
               stash includes: 'windows_package.7z', name: 'windows_package_gpu'
           }
         }
@@ -628,7 +628,7 @@ def compile_windows_gpu_mkldnn() {
         ws('workspace/build-gpu') {
           timeout(time: max_time, unit: 'MINUTES') {
             utils.init_git_win()
-            powershell 'py -3 ci/build_windows.py -f WIN_GPU_MKLDNN'
+            powershell 'py -3 ci/build_windows.py -f WIN_GPU_MKLDNN --vcvars_ver 14.28'
             stash includes: 'windows_package.7z', name: 'windows_package_gpu_mkldnn'
           }
         }
diff --git a/ci/windows/test_py3_cpu.ps1 b/ci/windows/test_py3_cpu.ps1
index 8f520bb5b259..152e527e38bd 100644
--- a/ci/windows/test_py3_cpu.ps1
+++ b/ci/windows/test_py3_cpu.ps1
@@ -23,12 +23,12 @@ $env:MXNET_STORAGE_FALLBACK_LOG_VERBOSE=0
 $env:MXNET_SUBGRAPH_VERBOSE=0
 $env:MXNET_HOME=[io.path]::combine($PSScriptRoot, 'mxnet_home')
 
-C:\Python37\Scripts\pip install -r tests\requirements.txt
-C:\Python37\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_unittest.xml tests\python\unittest
+C:\Python38\Scripts\pip install -r tests\requirements.txt
+C:\Python38\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_unittest.xml tests\python\unittest
 if ($LastExitCode -ne 0) { Throw ("Error running unittest, python exited with status code " + ('{0:X}' -f $LastExitCode)) }
-C:\Python37\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_train.xml tests\python\train
+C:\Python38\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_train.xml tests\python\train
 if ($LastExitCode -ne 0) { Throw ("Error running train tests, python exited with status code " + ('{0:X}' -f $LastExitCode)) }
 # Adding this extra test since it's not possible to set env var on the fly in Windows.
 $env:MXNET_SAFE_ACCUMULATION=1
-C:\Python37\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_unittest.xml tests\python\unittest\test_operator.py:test_norm
+C:\Python38\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_unittest.xml tests\python\unittest\test_operator.py:test_norm
 if ($LastExitCode -ne 0) { Throw ("Error running unittest, python exited with status code " + ('{0:X}' -f $LastExitCode)) }
diff --git a/ci/windows/test_py3_gpu.ps1 b/ci/windows/test_py3_gpu.ps1
index 0ce3d953d486..3632fbcd5b2a 100644
--- a/ci/windows/test_py3_gpu.ps1
+++ b/ci/windows/test_py3_gpu.ps1
@@ -23,16 +23,16 @@ $env:MXNET_STORAGE_FALLBACK_LOG_VERBOSE=0
 $env:MXNET_SUBGRAPH_VERBOSE=0
 $env:MXNET_HOME=[io.path]::combine($PSScriptRoot, 'mxnet_home')
 
-C:\Python37\Scripts\pip install -r tests\requirements.txt
-C:\Python37\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_unittest.xml tests\python\unittest
+C:\Python38\Scripts\pip install -r tests\requirements.txt
+C:\Python38\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_unittest.xml tests\python\unittest
 if ($LastExitCode -ne 0) { Throw ("Error running unittest, python exited with status code " + ('{0:X}' -f $LastExitCode)) }
-C:\Python37\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_operator.xml tests\python\gpu\test_operator_gpu.py
+C:\Python38\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_operator.xml tests\python\gpu\test_operator_gpu.py
 if ($LastExitCode -ne 0) { Throw ("Error running tests, python exited with status code " + ('{0:X}' -f $LastExitCode)) }
-C:\Python37\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_forward.xml tests\python\gpu\test_forward.py
+C:\Python38\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_forward.xml tests\python\gpu\test_forward.py
 if ($LastExitCode -ne 0) { Throw ("Error running tests, python exited with status code " + ('{0:X}' -f $LastExitCode)) }
-C:\Python37\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_train.xml tests\python\train
+C:\Python38\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_train.xml tests\python\train
 if ($LastExitCode -ne 0) { Throw ("Error running tests, python exited with status code " + ('{0:X}' -f $LastExitCode)) }
 # Adding this extra test since it's not possible to set env var on the fly in Windows.
 $env:MXNET_SAFE_ACCUMULATION=1
-C:\Python37\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_operator.xml tests\python\gpu\test_operator_gpu.py:test_norm
+C:\Python38\python.exe -m nose -v --with-timer --timer-ok 1 --timer-warning 15 --timer-filter warning,error --with-xunit --xunit-file nosetests_operator.xml tests\python\gpu\test_operator_gpu.py:test_norm
 if ($LastExitCode -ne 0) { Throw ("Error running tests, python exited with status code " + ('{0:X}' -f $LastExitCode)) }
diff --git a/python/mxnet/base.py b/python/mxnet/base.py
index ca98116e5891..586aeb932bcd 100644
--- a/python/mxnet/base.py
+++ b/python/mxnet/base.py
@@ -339,7 +339,12 @@ def classproperty(func):
 def _load_lib():
     """Load library by searching possible path."""
     lib_path = libinfo.find_lib_path()
-    lib = ctypes.CDLL(lib_path[0], ctypes.RTLD_LOCAL)
+    if sys.version_info >= (3, 8) and os.name == "nt":
+        # use LOAD_WITH_ALTERED_SEARCH_PATH, For simplicity, let's just fill the numbers.
+        # pylint: disable=E1123
+        lib = ctypes.CDLL(lib_path[0], winmode=0x00000008)
+    else:
+        lib = ctypes.CDLL(lib_path[0], ctypes.RTLD_LOCAL)
     # DMatrix functions
     lib.MXGetLastError.restype = ctypes.c_char_p
     return lib