Windows 10 Preview Build 17083 has been released to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring and Skip ahead option
The latest build comes with some improvements to recently introduced features and a lot of bug fixes. Timeline feature gets some improvements. There’s now an easier way to set up Windows Hello and a fonts page in settings.
The Windows Insider Program allows a user to be one of the first to experience the new ideas and concepts built in the OS. That is, giving feedback through using it, to improve and perfect the experience before it is generally available.
With the new Preview Build 17083, Microsoft answered a request received from feedback to delete timeline activities. So it is easier to delete multiple activities and activities from a day.
From the new improvements, it is now easier to set up Windows Hello. You can easily do this right from the lock screen. Where as at first you had to go to into the settings page for this. You can set up Windows Hello Face, Fingerprint or PIN straight from your lock screen by clicking the Windows Hello tile under Sign-in options.
There are more improvement options, general changes, improvements and bug fixes in this build. There are some few know issues as well. Check them all out here or in the feedback hub.
Also the next Bug Bash will be on February 2nd and will run until February 11th. Have you tried the new features yet?
“Anniversary Update is coming this summer with waves of new features.”
The next major update to Windows 10 (code named Redstone) dubbed the Anniversary Update by Microsoft has been unveiled and it’s expected to be available to consumers sometime this summer (July 2016).
Here are a few facts from Terry Myerson, Executive Vice President, Windows and Devices Group about how Windows 10 has fared since launch;
In the eight months since launch, Windows 10 is off to the fastest start in Windows history, with over 270 million active devices, outpacing Windows 7 in the same timeframe by 145%. People are spending more time on Windows than ever before – over 75 billion hours – with the highest customer satisfaction of any version of Windows. We are on track to reach our ambitious goal of one billion Windows 10 devices in the next few years.
We welcome everyone to Windows 10, whether you have a new PC, a five-year-old PC, or a brand new Mac – we are building the most secure, productive, and fun platform for you.
The Windows 10 anniversary update is going to be free and available to all windows 10 users.
Some of the features coming in the anniversary update include:
1. Windows Hello Brings Biometric Security to Apps and Microsoft Edge
With the Windows 10 Anniversary Update it’s possible for you to use the same easy, yet strong, security of Windows Hello with Windows apps and Microsoft Edge, the first and only browser to natively support biometrics, with supporting sites.
2. Windows Ink Brings the Power of Windows to the Tip of Your Pen
Windows Ink is an all new experience, putting the power of Windows in the tip of your pen, enabling you to write on your device as you do on paper, creating sticky notes, drawing on a whiteboard, and easily sharing your analog thoughts in the digital world. Windows Ink is integrated into apps like Maps, Microsoft Edge and Office.
3. Cortana, Now More Helpful than Ever, with over 1,000 apps
Cortana will be available above the lock screen, giving you quicker access to your personal assistant for common tasks across all types of devices without unlocking your PC.
4. UWP apps come to Xbox through a Unified Windows Store and every Xbox One can become a dev kit With the Anniversary Update, any Xbox One can be a developer kit with Xbox Dev Mode, enabling anyone to develop for the living room
Also if you are already a Windows Insider then you might probably be using some of these features. If not you can try the new innovations coming in the Windows 10 Anniversary Update by joining the Windows Insider program and install the latest build.
NB: Starting today developers in the Windows Insider Program can access the Windows Anniversary SDK Preview to explore the new features.
Windows 10 Mobile is finally available for older Windows devices running Windows Phone 8.1 OS.
Photo Credit : neowin.net
Windows 10 Mobile is here at last for older Windows phone devices after months of waiting and rescheduling of Microsoft’s big update for mobile with respect to the one Windows ecosystem. Windows 10 mobile has been available officially since the release of the new devices, that come preinstalled with them.
Microsoft has been working to make this upgrade available to most if not all existing windows phone 8 and 8.1 devices, probably a reason for the delay.
The phones and devices list released by Microsoft, upgradeable to Windows 10 mobile are;
Lumia 1520
Lumia 930
Lumia 640
Lumia 640XL
Lumia 730
Lumia 735
Lumia 830
Lumia 532
Lumia 535
Lumia 540
Lumia 635 1GB
Lumia 636 1GB
Lumia 638 1GB
Lumia 430
Lumia 435
BLU Win HD w510u
BLU Win HD LTE x150q
MCJ Madosma Q501
Microsoft recommends that you download the UPGRADE ADVISOR app (for free, from store). This app will check on your hardware and storage and make sure you are set and ready for the upgrade installation. What this also means is that you’ll need to be running the upgradeable windows phone version of 8.1 GDR1 QFE8 or later.
Windows 10 Mobile upgrade is an OTA (over-the-air) update as such you’ll need to connect to a wifi for this. The upgrade size could be at least 1.4 GB or more depending on your device.
Even if you meet all requirements Microsoft still has a word of advise for you if you don’t see the update immediately,
The availability of Windows 10 Mobile as an upgrade for existing Windows Phone 8.1 devices varies by device manufacturer, device model, country or region, mobile operator or service provider, hardware limitations and other factors.
So you what do I do if I joined the Windows Insiders and i’m already running the latest Windows 10 Mobile preview builds? Well you are actually up to date. If you don’t want to run preview builds any longer switch to the production flight and at the next update you’ll be set to normal. If you want to continue with the preview nothing changes for you.
If you do the upgrade and want to get back into the insider preview builds, you might have to check from this list if your device has been added.
Depending on your device there might be some features that will go missing and there are some other requirements for certain features to function. Microsoft lists them here;
Feature deprecation
When you install the Windows 10 upgrade, some features currently on your device will be modified or removed, including the following:
Notifications for missed calls, messages and emails on contact tiles is not supported at the time of Windows 10 Mobile release.
Me Tile and Me Card are no longer supported.
Cortana can no longer search for apps, settings, email, text messages, contacts and QR Codes on the device and can no longer open apps through voice commands.
“Hey Cortana” is no longer available on some upgraded devices.
Group tiles can no longer be used to receive social networking status updates.
Indoor Maps are no longer available for some locations.
Certain enterprise features, including Data Protection Under Lock, are not available. Please contact your Microsoft Volume Licensing representative for more information.
At time of Windows 10 Mobile release Outlook Mail app cannot open .EML attachments.
The Outlook Calendar app does not support Tasks.
The MDM functionality to prevent saving and sharing Office documents is not supported.
Additional requirements to use certain features
Cortana is only currently available on Windows 10 for the United States, United Kingdom, China, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, India, Canada (English), Australia, and Japan.
Speech-to-text is only currently available on Windows 10 in the United States (English), United Kingdom (English), China (Simplified Chinese), France (French), Italy (Italian), Spain (Spanish), Germany (German), Canada (English), Australia (English), India (English) and Japan (Japanese).
Speech recognition, including Cortana, will vary by device.
At launch, Windows Hello is limited to selected premium phones and requires specialised hardware, including illuminated infrared camera sensor for facial recognition or a fingerprint reader that supports the Window Biometric Framework. To check for device compatibility and other important information, visit your device manufacturer’s website.
Continuum for phones will be limited to selected premium phones. Feature requires external monitor with DisplayPort, HDMI connector or compatible adaptor, and accessories that are compatible with Continuum for phones. All sold separately. App availability and experience vary by device and market.
Office 365 subscription required for some Office features.
Music and video streaming through Groove Music (formerly Xbox Music) or Films & TV apps is not available in all regions. For the most up-to-date list of regions, please go to the Xbox on Windows website.
Skype available only in select countries and regions. Calling to select countries and regions only. Excludes special, premium and non-geographic numbers. For details, visit the Office FAQ page
Microsoft account required for some features.
Let us know if you are receiving or aren’t noticing the update and what device you are using.
Microsoft has released Build 10080 to windows phone users who have signed up for the Fast ring of Windows 10 Technical Preview insiders for phones. Users of devices such as Lumia 930, Icon and 640XL who felt left out of the party can now join in. Also the HTC One(M8) device have the clear to install the preview.
A list of the new features included in this build are;
New universal Windows Store Beta for phones
Universal Office apps
The Xbox app for Windows 10
Music Preview app
Video Preview app
New Camera app ( Note that high-end Lumia devices (1520, 1020, 930, 830, 640, and 640XL) have some features not supported by the new Camera app. For these devices, the new app will work but to get the full functionality from your device you will need to use the Lumia Camera app. In coming weeks we’ll have updated versions of Camera apps with the super set of all features. Here are a few things to try: try out HDR (click the magic wand button), video stabilization for video and look for faces getting recognized (not identified) in the camera preview window (will help with auto focus).
In as much as Microsoft will want everyone to join in on building the best experience you should know that it has complications. You shouldn’t install the preview if the device is your one and only working phone. That’s because it still includes bugs. But if you still don’t want to miss out on the experience you can subscribe to the slow ring update; you have a much richer and better experience with little or no bugs. Or get a second budget friendly device and run the preview on it.
The guys over at windowscentral.com have a hands-on on the new features, check it below.
Give the new build a try and let me know what you think.
Microsoft has released a new build update to users testing out it’s windows 10 OS. The latest build, 10049 of the Windows 10 Technical preview for desktop also for the first time has the much talked about new browser “Project Spartan” integrated. The new windows 10 technical preview build is all about “Spartan” but in the build are some small improvements and fixes from the previous build 10041.
This update is available if you have set your update to fast ring, ISO’s won’t be available till the slow ring updates are available.
Here are some issues fixed in build 10049
The issue from Build 10041 for when the Photos app on your PC crashes when you tap on the circular icon at the top left to view the photo you just took.
Where you might end up in a state where windows open on your desktop are accidentally visible behind the Start Screen, Task View, Snap Assist, and when rearranging windows in Tablet Mode.
You will no longer get stuck when you manually lock your PC (Windows Key + L) during the initial out-of-box experience.
Here are some known issues for build 10049
After logging in, you may see a blue screen instead of your desktop. To work around this issue, lock your PC (with the hardware button or by pressing the Windows Key + L) and try logging in again. You can also try Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Indexing of new email in Outlook is not working, so search results will be limited to when the last index was built.
If you have Virtual Machines hosted in Hyper-V on your PC running Windows 10, you will want to move to the Slow ring and wait for the next build as this build breaks the ability to run VMs.
There are 2 issues using Visual Studio 2015 preview on this build:
The emulators will not boot and you won’t be able to deploy a Windows Universal app to the Mobile emulator.
The XAML designer in VS and Blend will crash when opened.
If you are a developer using these tools today to develop Windows Universal apps and need this functionality to work – we recommend switching to the Slow ring until we release a patch to fix these issues.
Can’t wait to see Spartan in action?, get the update and tell us what you think about the new browser.
