Microsoft has been testing its latest Windows 10 Creators Update in
recent months, and it's now ready to roll out to existing machines.
While the previous Anniversary Update included more significant
features, the Creators Update includes some small and welcome additions.
I’ve been testing Windows 10’s Creators Update for months now, and
these are my favorite new features coming to Windows.
1-Cortana setup
If you clean install Windows 10 Creators Update or simply purchase a new PC with Windows 10 preinstalled then you’ll notice Cortana shows up to guide you
through the setup process. Cortana will use your microphone and
speakers to listen to commands, including setting up a Wi-Fi network and
keyboard layout.
It’s a neat addition, but you can always use your
keyboard and mouse instead of your voice if you want to set up Windows
10 in a more traditional manner. Either way, the entire process of
setting up Windows 10 has been greatly simplified, especially if you
compare it to how long and complicated it took to get a Windows Vista
machine ready just 10 years ago.
2-Game Mode
Microsoft is focusing on improving the gaming experience
in Windows 10 Creators Update. A new Game Mode in the Xbox app will
prioritize CPU and GPU resources for a game. It’s designed to reduce
background tasks and other apps from hogging all the system resources,
and ultimately make sure that games run as best as they can on a Windows
10 PC.
Microsoft has also added Beam streaming (similar to
Twitch) to the Xbox app for Windows 10, so all users have the ability to
stream their gaming sessions to friends. Game Mode will need to be
enabled on a game-by-game basis, but publishers should be able to enable
it automatically in the future. Game Mode is enabled by default in
Windows 10 Creators Update.
3-Picture-in-picture
Microsoft is adding picture-in-picture support to its
Universal Windows Apps. The built-in Movies & TV app allows you to
watch a film or TV show and pop the window out so it’s always on top,
and Skype will place calls above other windows. It’s similar to features
on iOS or Android, and you can keep watching content while you browse
or work in other apps. Only some of Microsoft's own apps support
picture-in-picture right now, but all developers will be able to include
the feature in app updates.
4-Night Light
Microsoft has built its own version of F.lux
into Windows 10 with the Creators Update. Dubbed Night Light, you can
allow Windows 10 to reduce blue light from a screen after sunset or at a
specific time in the evening. It’s much like what’s already available
on iOS, macOS, and Android, but at least you don’t need a third-party
app to enable this on Windows anymore.
5-Dynamic Lock
Dynamic Lock is a new Windows 10 feature that’s designed
to be the opposite of Windows Hello. Known internally at Microsoft as
“Windows Goodbye,” Dynamic Lock lets you automatically lock a Windows 10
PC when you’re away from it. You can pair Bluetooth devices like a
phone or wearable, and Windows 10 will sense once the Bluetooth
connection is too far away and lock the PC.
6-Paint 3D
Microsoft’s Creators Update for Windows 10 is designed
with 3D in mind. Although there aren’t many creative features in the OS
update generally, Paint 3D is the obvious addition. As the name
suggests, it’s a 3D version of Microsoft’s built-in Paint app, and it’s
totally rebuilt and modern. You can build 3D objects in Paint 3D or
import ones created by community members from Remix 3D.
It’s also a lot more touch-friendly than the regular
Paint app, and you can use a stylus like the Surface Pen to annotate and
create objects. Once you’re finished with a Paint 3D creation, it can
easily be shared to the Remix 3D site or even used on a Windows Mixed
Reality headset or HoloLens.
7-Inking in Windows Photos
Although it’s not strictly a Windows 10 Creators Update
feature, Microsoft has updated its Photos app recently to support
inking. It’s a much-needed addition that lets you pick a photo and
annotate it and share it easily via email or social networks.
Unfortunately, inking in Windows 10 Creators Update still isn’t
everywhere. Even in apps like the built-in email client, you can’t
simply jot notes down inside an email or annotate an attached image.
Microsoft has a long way to go to bring inking to the center of Windows
10, but features like inking in the Photos app and Windows Ink are a sign it might eventually happen.
8-Windows Hello gets quicker
One surprising addition to the Windows 10 Creators Update
is the fact that Windows Hello gets faster. Microsoft has improved the
recognition process for facial scanning, and the new setup process shows
you exactly how Windows Hello scans your face to detect who you are.
The result is a much speedier Windows Hello login process.
9-Microsoft Edge improvements
Microsoft is tweaking its Edge browser with the Creators
Update. A new feature lets you set tabs aside and save them for use
later on. It’s essentially a method to save a snapshot of your current
browser window. If you’re a heavy user of tabs then it’s a welcome
feature, but for everyone else the new buttons that enable the feature
are likely to be confusing.
Microsoft is also adding ebook support and the ability to
view 360 videos to Edge. You can download and purchase ebooks through
the Windows Store, and sample 360 videos are available in the Movies
& TV app.
10-Better control over updates and privacy
One of the smaller changes in Windows 10 Creators Update
will have a big impact for those wishing to better control updates. You
can now pause updates for a week, or configure active hours in Windows
10 for up to 18 hours a day. This should reduce complaints about Windows
10 automatically rebooting machines for updates, and provide the
ability for users to control them better.
Microsoft is also tweaking its privacy controls in
Windows 10 Creators Update. You’ll be prompted to review and configure
features like diagnostics, speech recognition, location, and relevant
ads. It’s part of Microsoft attempts to be more transparent, and a response to some widespread criticism over Windows 10’s privacy controls.
Overall, the Creators Update doesn't have a lot in it and
isn't nearly as comprehensive as last year's Anniversary Update.
Microsoft has another major update planned for later this year, which
should include a lot of notable new features and design improvements.
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