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Microsoft’s newest software update for Windows 10 is now available to the public, bringing the most comprehensive update to the software since its release. Billed as version 1607, the Anniversary Update can be downloaded automatically through the Update and Security section in the Settings menu, or manually from Microsoft’s Support Page. Key features of the Update are as follows:
Start Menu changes
One of the first changes users will notice after the update is the modified start menu. On previous versions, the Start menu opened showing a few Windows 8-like tiles that could be customized, a list of recent apps, and then 4 permanent icons for File Explorer, Settings, Power and All Apps. Anniversary Update changes that to now show all of your apps in alphabetical order to the left of the tiles, with the icons for File Explorer, Settings, and Power at the far left of the menu against the screen edge.
Cortana
The voice-enabled personal assistant of Microsoft’s design, intended to compete against Siri and Google Now, has received a new boost in system integration. Cortana now appears on the lock screen, and Microsoft has also brought the app to Android phones, Windows Phones and the Xbox One. Cortana can now send you notifications from one device to another if the app is enabled on each device, allowing the user to get phone notifications on their desktop or laptop, and vice versa. Additionally, the app has been honed even sharper to provide the user with proactive suggestions, and even recall locations that have been visited at certain times if the location services are active.
The Dark Theme
Although it might sound ominous, the new Dark Theme for windows simply changes the background colors and menu bar colors to a darker composition, mostly of black and varying shades of grey, as an offset of their Light Theme.
Edge Browser now supports extensions
Microsoft’s Edge browser, the successor to Internet Explorer, has now been updated to support extensions similar to what is available for Firefox and Chrome.
Windows Hello
Windows Hello was introduced with Windows 10, which allows users to unlock their systems via fingerprint, iris scan, or facial recognition. The Anniversary Update now allows Windows Hello to work on certain applications and web pages, provided you are using the Edge browser. Also included in the update is the ability for “companion devices” to unlock the system, such as a phone or fitness band.