Windows 10 Anniversary Update Imminent
The Windows 10 "Anniversary Update" is out this week and those who've already tried it are generally impressed. However, it doesn't seem like enough to push skeptics over the edge.
The update is scheduled to start rolling out next Tuesday, two days after the deadline to get a free upgrade to Windows 10, which is July 29, 2016. It's arguably the biggest set of updates since the system debuted last summer.
There's only one significant feature that's completely new, named Windows Ink. It's designed mainly for use with stylus and pens on touchscreen devices. Windows Ink appears as a new icon in the taskbar and touching it brings up a one-stop hub for accessing all the stylus-enabled features in the system such as scribbling notes, adding handwritten comments and markings to Office documents, and drawing on images captured via screenshots.
Website Facial Login On Hold
What was supposed to be the other big feature boost didn't quite make it in full. Reports had suggested that Windows Hello, a facial recognition login system that uses a webcam, would be extended far beyond its original use of logging into Windows itself.
The update does make it possible to log into the Windows Store using facial recognition. However, it appears plans to also let users store website passwords and then log in to sites using their face have been put on hold for a few months while web standards are being sorted out. (Source: pcworld.com)
Edge Finally Gets Extensions
There is a welcome change for Internet users however. Edge, the default Microsoft browser that debuted with Windows 10, will finally support extensions. These are add-on tools that make use of the browser connection, for example adding a button that automatically sends the content of a web page to a Kindle e-reader, or using a program like Roboform to fill in passwords in specific fields.
Other changes are more in the way of minor tweaks. The voice control system Cortana now supports more functions and integrates better with calendars and documents in Outlook. There's also an option to have the system clock automatically adjust time zones based on the computer's location, as detected through the Internet connection. (Source: theverge.com)
What's Your Opinion?
If you use Windows 10, are any of these features or changes particularly welcome news? If you don't, will any of them make a difference to the likelihood of you upgrading? What further changes would you like to see to Windows 10?
My name is Dennis Faas and I am a senior systems administrator and IT technical analyst specializing in cyber crimes (sextortion / blackmail / tech support scams) with over 30 years experience; I also run this website! If you need technical assistance , I can help. Click here to email me now; optionally, you can review my resume here. You can also read how I can fix your computer over the Internet (also includes user reviews).
We are BBB Accredited
We are BBB accredited (A+ rating), celebrating 21 years of excellence! Click to view our rating on the BBB.
Comments
Curious
I for one am curious as to what other changes will occur to the system as the "anniversary update" has been talked about for quite a while now. Also if anyone needs help updating to Windows 10 before Friday please contact me ASAP as we are literally running out of time. I'll do my best to fit you in.
Edge and extensions
I'm happy that Edge will finally accept extensions. At last I can use RoboForm now! I don't know if all the third party extensions I use - that remains to be seen. It may take me a while before I switch completely to Edge - old habits are hard to break.
Meh!
Hate those app stores. I still prefer an executable.
Edge - with dumbing down of browsers Firefox still rules.
People still use webcams?
Ink seems nice but the only touchscreen device I have is an iPad.
Despite all of the negativity I am liking W10. A lot of hardware did not become doorstops. Legacy support is not something done by Apple.
GNU not Linux
The much touted 'Windows subsystem for Linux' is just a bash shell with no kernel and as the kernel is what makes it Linux, the bash shell is GNU. A shade misleading if anyone thinks they can run Flux or XFCE4.
General installation: drivers are no problem except for Marvell 91xx drivers (if you have those, be sure to keep a copy of the drivers). As usual, MS will install generic drivers - USB3, Realtek audio and network drivers and nVidia graphics install by default but, as usual, really need to be updated from the makers.
Mail: the built in mail client is nice but its spam rejection is abysmal. I keep adding all those offers of bigger body parts to 'junk' but next delivery, I have to do it again.
App stores: MS trying to sell bridges ;)
One Drive (MS Cloud): it keeps pushing this but I've never used it. Not having a tinfoil hat I'm a shade sceptical about the security in storing personal data on a server 'out there in the wild blue yonder'
Updates: since 1607 build 14393 came out there were two patches (within hours of each other as one seemed to mangle the boot sector requiring a reboot from installation media to fix it) bringing it to 14393.3 and 14393.5. Prior to that it was installed as a complete package from a .esd file. Personally I found that problematic so I opted to use 'decrypter' to make a .iso from the .esd and then used 'rufus' to make a bootable USB pen drive (I prefer clean installs anyway).
Tweaking: I prefer setting my data files (documents, pictures, etc) to a separate hard drive. However in a couple of cases, Windows wouldn't let me relocate some folders saying I needed Admin permissions (I'm the only user, ergo the only admin)
Overall, it's like the curate's egg: "Good in parts".