New Features Revealed for Win10 April 2019 Release

Microsoft has revealed a few of the changes coming in future Windows 10 updates. They are mostly tweaks rather than new features, though that will likely reduce the chances of performance bugs.

The changes have been unveiled as part of the "Fast Ring" of the Windows 10 Insiders Program. That means they're going out to the people in Microsoft's test program who've signed up to try out changes before anyone else, knowing it carries the biggest risk of new features not working well or even having bugs that affect Windows and other applications.

New Windows 10 Changes Go Public April 2019

Microsoft notes the changes are part of the "19H1" development cycle. That means that as long as the testing program doesn't find any unsolvable problems, the changes should appear in the next major twice-yearly public update, penciled in for April 2019. (Source: windows.com)

Microsoft is not officially naming the 19H1 release as the final "Windows 10 April 2019 Update", as it has with previous major Windows 10 releases. Technically speaking, the 19H1 is the codename used for the behind-the-scenes work which will likely appear as part of the full fledged "Windows 10 April 2019 Update" when it is finally released. That said, many tech websites are already using both terms interchangeably - presumably because the features will be released at or around the same time.

Some of the new changes are merely cosmetic. More functional changes include the Settings menu offering an easier way to access more sign-in options including setting up a physical security key (such as a USB stick) that can be used to sign into a Microsoft account without a password.

Another change is that the Files in the Downloads folder will now be listed with the most recently downloaded files viewed first by default. The idea is that users won't have to hunt through an alphabetical list to find a file they've just downloaded, particularly when it has an unmemorable name. The change won't affect anyone who has already changed the default order in which files appear. (Source: theregister.co.uk)

Notepad Weird Symbols Less Common

Another feature is a "quick unpin" option for groups and folders in the Start menu.

There are also behind-the-scenes tweaks to the on screen keyboard used on some Windows 10 touchscreen devices. The idea is to reduce the chances of the user "hitting" the wrong key.

Windows Notepad has also received tweaks that should reduce unusual symbols and characters when cutting and pasting to or from web pages.

There's also an option to change the color and size of the mouse cursor to make it easier to see.

The "power" button in the Start Menu will now turn orange when a Windows Update requires a restart of the PC. This replaces the current small green logo.

What's Your Opinion?

Do any of these updates sound welcome? Are you more interested in usability tweaks or major new features? Do you feel Microsoft is listening to users when it comes to Windows 10?