Useful features and other changes. New utility for creating screenshots


Windows 10 is coming this spring major update, named 2018 Spring Creators Update. The new version of Windows is codenamed Redstone 4. Let's see what Microsoft has to offer us this time.

1. Timeline

Timeline is the familiar Windows 10 Task View, but with some additional features.

To display the timeline, just click on the corresponding icon on the taskbar or press Windows + Tab. You will see all the windows you have opened over the last month, and you can return to any of them.

Timeline syncs with your Microsoft account. So you can pick up a laptop or tablet and continue working with the same files and sites that were open on your desktop PC.

In the future, Microsoft plans to add task grouping and synchronization with Android and iOS to Timeline.

This feature was announced back in Redstone 3 (October 2017), but its release was delayed until the next major update.

2. Sharing with devices nearby

6. Improved People feature

The People feature, introduced in the last update, has been improved. You can now drag and drop your contacts to the taskbar.

You can place up to ten contacts in total. Hosted contacts can send you messages and animated ones. In addition, Windows 10 will prompt you to integrate third-party apps that support it with the People feature.

7. Download fonts from the Microsoft Store

With this Creators Update, Microsoft has something for designers and web developers again. The innovation is designed to make working with .

They are now controlled through a new panel in Settings. Here you can install new fonts from the Microsoft Store.

8. Advanced handwriting

Handwriting in Redstone 4 has also undergone some changes. New gestures and the ability to choose an input font have been added. You can type text with one hand without lifting your finger from the touch keyboard. You'll also be able to use handwriting in most text fields, such as System Options.

Also in new version Windows 10 will suggest matching emojis for you when you type certain words. For example, the words "unicorn" or "turtle" will display the corresponding emoticons.

9. Login without password

For now, this feature is only available for Windows 10 S, but later it is planned to be introduced to other editions of the system. WITH using Windows Hello, you can unlock your computer without a password via your Android or iOS smartphone. To do this, you will need to install the Microsoft Authenticator application.

10. Improved interface

Windows 10 has received many small innovations in appearance. Redstone 4's interface concept is called Fluent Design. It appeared in the previous update. The colors and fonts in the Start menu, Settings, and Action Center have become more contrasting, and the interface has added animations and transparency.

These are just the main innovations in Windows 10 Redstone 4. Read more full list you can on the Microsoft website.

But her release was postponed.

Timeline extends Task View by adding a history of the actions you've previously performed on your computer. Click the Task View button on the taskbar or use a combination Windows key+ Tab to see activities you did “Earlier Today” or in previous days. Timeline can show sites you've opened in Microsoft Edge, articles you've read in the News app, documents you've worked on in Microsoft Word, and places you've viewed in Maps.

The main purpose of this function is to resume activities that were suddenly interrupted or deliberately postponed. Timeline supports synchronization between devices. This way, you can continue any activity on another PC where your account is used. Personal voice Cortana assistant will offer a list of activities to resume when switching to another device.

The user can use the scroll bar or search bar to navigate through activities. All activities are sorted by day, and daily activities are sorted by hour. You can use the context menu to clear activities for a specific hour. You can set up Timeline in the Settings app > Privacy > Activity Log.

Microsoft plans to integrate this feature into mobile applications so that users can switch between tasks even on different types of devices. However, app developers will need to first implement support for this feature for it to work with desktop and mobile apps.

Share files with nearby devices

Windows 10 (version 1803) has a new file sharing feature called Near Share, similar to Apple's AirDrop.

Viewing diagnostic data

Microsoft is trying to fix privacy issues in Windows 10 and make things more transparent. To this end, Redstone 4 will feature a new Diagnostic Data Viewer application. This program in text form will show diagnostic information that is sent to Microsoft servers. The tool even displays all the information about your device that is stored in the Microsoft cloud.

To enable this feature, go to Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics & Feedback and enable the “Diagnostics Viewer” option. The page warns that this feature may require up to 1 GB of disk space. Once the feature is activated, you can follow the link to the Windows Store to download the free Diagnostic Data Viewer. This application allows you to view diagnostic data, supports search and filters for various types of events.

Microsoft also allows you to delete diagnostic data collected from your device. Just click the “Delete” button in the section Deleting diagnostic data on the Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics & Feedback page.

Users who are not administrators will have greater control over the diagnostic data sent to Microsoft. Any user can go to the Settings > Privacy > Diagnostics & Feedback app and select the amount of data to send as “Basic” or “Full”. Previously this parameter Only administrators could change it.

Microsoft has also expanded its online privacy dashboard. There's a new Activity Log page that lets you see the information Microsoft collects about your PC usage.

Quick pairing makes it easier to pair Bluetooth devices with Windows 10 computers. Just translate wireless device Bluetooth in pairing mode near the computer. Windows 10 will automatically recognize the device and show you a pairing request—you'll no longer need to go to the Settings app to access Bluetooth settings.

The new feature will initially work with Surface Precision mouse pointers and devices whose manufacturers have added support for the new feature. Similar technologies are used on other platforms: Fast Pair on Android or quick pairing of AirPods from Apple.

Progressive Web Apps support in the Windows Store

The Microsoft Edge browser is getting a number of new features that let you run Progressive Web apps. Web Apps, PWAs) in Windows 10. This new standard web applications that behave like regular desktop applications. Each application has its own window and taskbar shortcut, can work offline, and can send notifications. PWA technology is already supported by Google, Mozilla and Microsoft, and Apple is already working on implementing support.

Microsoft will index and offer Progressive Web Apps in Windows Store. They can be installed like any other Windows 10 app. It is expected that in the future you will also be able to install them directly from Microsoft Edge.

We'll soon be able to see Google apps like Gmail or Google Calendar in the Windows Store. Developers will be able to create applications that can run almost anywhere and the need to prepare separate versions for different platforms will disappear. As a result, Windows 10 users will be able to get more quality applications.

Update installation process This change will be appreciated by all Windows 10 users. Most of the update installation process will now be performed in the background - during this time the user will be able to fully use the computer. This means that installation wait times will be reduced. The online phase of the update installation process will be performed with low priority, and the computer's performance will not be significantly reduced. According to Microsoft tests, this innovation has reduced the time of the offline update phase (when the system is unavailable) from 82 minutes to 30 minutes.

Installing Windows 10 feature updates has become faster

Focus Assistant will automatically turn on in certain scenarios when using the device - when mirroring the screen to a projector or when running a DirectX game in full screen mode. The tool supports different notification priorities, so you can allow high-priority notifications and temporarily block low-priority notifications. When you turn off Focus Attention, users will see a summary of any notifications they missed.

To configure the feature, go to Settings > System > Focus. From this screen, you can set notification priorities and set the hours when Focus Assist turns on automatically. You can also turn Focus on or off using the notification icon on the right side of the taskbar.

Language packs in the Microsoft Store

Language packs are now delivered through the Microsoft Store. You can install the required language pack directly in the Store or by going to Settings > Time & Language > Region & Language.

Microsoft says the company uses artificial intelligence and machine learning for its translations. Having language packs in the Store means they can now be updated more frequently.

Screen Options: Advanced Zoom Options

Information about screens and monitors is now available in Settings > System > Display > Advanced display options.

The developers are trying to improve the display of old classic applications on high-resolution screens. To do this, a new option “Fix scaling for apps” has appeared in Settings > System > Display > Advanced scaling options. When you enable the feature, Windows will try to automatically adjust apps so they don't appear blurry. Additionally, Windows 10 will automatically detect blurry apps and offer to fix their display.

Additional settings for each application will be available when you click right click mouse over the executable file.exe and selecting Properties > Compatibility > Change High DPI Settings.

Opting out of “Home Group”

HEIF image support

Windows 10 now supports High Efficiency image viewing Image File(HEIF) without using third-party software. This graphic format is used by the Camera application on iPhone mobile devices. Besides, Google company also adds support of this format in Android.

The first time you try to open a HEIF or HEIC file, the Photos app will open and begin the process of installing the necessary codecs from the Microsoft Store. Images will then open smoothly in the Photos app, and thumbnails and metadata will be available in Windows Explorer.

Login without password in Windows 10 S mode

Microsoft will now allow you to log in without entering a password. At first, this feature will only be available in Windows 10 S. To do this, you will need to download the Microsoft Authenticator application and configure the Windows Hello service accordingly.

After this, you will no longer see the password entry form, either in the Settings application or on the login screen. If you are unable to use your smartphone, you can alternatively enter your PIN code to log in.

New Options and other changes

  • OneDrive status in the navigation pane. Information about the synchronization status of folders saved in OneDrive now appears in the left navigation pane of Windows Explorer. To enable or disable this feature, select View > Options > View and find the “Always show accessibility status” option.

  • Windows Update icon. When a warning or alert appears, the Windows Update service icon will appear in the system tray.
  • Windows Update will block sleep mode: if your computer is connected to an adapter alternating current, then Windows Update will prevent the PC from going into sleep mode for a maximum of 2 hours if a system update is required. As a result, you are more likely to install updates when you are not using your PC.
  • Recovering passwords for local accounts. Users can ask Control questions for local accounts. You will need to answer security questions on the login screen when trying to regain access to your computer. To set security questions, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options.

  • Improved emoji input. Emoji keyboard available via Windows + . or Windows + ; , will not automatically close after selecting an emoji. You can select multiple emoji characters at once. Press the Esc key or the “X” button to close the keyboard. The touch keyboard will also suggest emoji when you type certain words, such as “unicorn.”
  • Manage startup applications. You can now configure startup applications in the Settings > Applications > Startup application. Previously, this option was hidden in the Task Manager.

  • Windows Defender Settings: The Settings > Update & Security > Windows Defender page has been renamed to “Windows Security.” It now offers quick access to various security settings, including account protection and device security. Learn more in our review of Windows Defender Security Center improvements.

  • Categories in privacy settings: In the Settings > Privacy menu, the navigation bar now has separate categories that separate Windows privacy settings from application permission settings.
  • Quick access to application settings. You can now right-click an app tile or shortcut in the Start menu and select More > App Settings to quickly open the Settings page, where you can adjust app permissions, reset, or delete an app or its data. This screen is also available in Settings > Apps > Apps & features by clicking on the app name and tapping More options. The new screen also displays the application's version number, startup tasks, and command line alias.
  • Scissors and Paint 3D. The “Scissors” application, which is used to capture screenshots, now has a new “Edit in Paint 3D” button.
  • Keyboard settings. The new keyboard settings page is available in Settings > Time & Language > Keyboard. On this screen you can switch different layouts, configure autocorrect, sounds and other advanced options. Some settings have been removed from Control Panel and are now available in the Settings app.
  • Prefer cellular data. You can now choose to prioritize cellular data over Wi-Fi either permanently or when the signal is weak wireless network. This option is available in Settings > Network & Internet > Cellular if your device has the required hardware installed.
  • Narrator in Safe Mode: Windows now allows you to use Narrator's text-to-speech feature even when the system is booted in Safe Mode.
  • Wi-Fi and Ethernet data consumption. In the Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage app, you can now set data limits, apply background data limits, and view data usage over Wi-Fi and wired Ethernet connections, in addition to cellular connections. You can right-click the Data Usage tab on the Settings app screen and select the Pin to Start option to see your data usage in a live tile format on the Start menu.
  • Font selection handwriting input. You can choose the font your handwriting will be converted into. The setting is available in Settings > Devices > Pen and Windows Ink> Change handwriting font.
  • Built-in handwriting pad. You can now easily use handwriting in some text fields, such as the Settings app. When you set focus to a field, the handwriting panel will expand.
  • Reset game mode settings. You can reset all game mode settings to default by going to Settings > Games > Game Mode> Reset game mode settings.
  • Simplified Windows installation Hello. In Sign-in Options, under Windows Hello, you can now set up sign-in using your face, fingerprint, or PIN.
  • Auto-hiding scrollbars in Windows: Windows automatically hides scrollbars in new UWP apps, but you can now turn off this behavior in Settings > Accessibility > Display > Auto-hide scrollbars in Windows.
  • Enable or disable color filter hotkeys. In Settings > Accessibility > Color Filters and High Contrast, you can now turn hotkeys on or off. By default they are disabled.
  • View and clear the dictionary: On the Settings > Privacy > Speech, Handwriting, and Text page, you can view the user dictionary or clear it as needed.
  • Disk cleanup in storage settings. The Disk Cleanup tool is now available in Settings > System > Device storage > Free up space now.

  • New sound settings options. Many audio settings such as input and output devices, troubleshooting, etc. are now available in Settings > System > Sound. The new App & Device Volume page allows you to set individual audio input and output devices for individual apps or for the system as a whole.
  • Language tips. You can now turn on language suggestions when typing on the keyboard. You can use the arrow keys to navigate through tooltips, or use the spacebar to use the selected tooltip. This feature is disabled by default and currently only works in English.
  • Working folders on request:“Work Folders” feature, which allows companies to give employees access to separate folders, received a new option “Access files on request”. When enabled, the Work Folders feature will work like OneDrive in Windows Explorer - all files will be visible, but will only be downloaded when you try to open them.
  • Improved eye control: Microsoft added built-in eye movement control with the Fall Creators Update. There are now simplified scrolling and clicking functions and common tasks such as pausing. The feature requires a special peripheral device for eye tracking.
  • Multilingual text prediction: When typing on the touch keyboard, you no longer need to manually switch languages. Windows will automatically show the word in one of three commonly used languages. This feature can be changed in the Settings app > Devices > Input > Multilingual text prediction.

  • Curl and Tar commands. The Curl and Tar utilities for downloading files and extracting .tar archives, which are commonly used in Linux, are now built into Windows and are available in the paths: C:\Windows\System32\curl.exe and C:\Windows\System32\tar.exe.
  • Native UNIX sockets. Windows 10 now supports UNIX sockets natively thanks to the new afunix.sys kernel driver. This improvement will make it easier to port the application from Linux or other UNIX systems in Windows.
  • The Registry process. In Task Manager you will see new process with the name “Register”. This is a minimal process designed to store registry data for the Windows kernel. Since the data was previously stored in the kernel anyway, general use system memory remains unchanged. Microsoft says this will allow them to optimize the amount of memory used by the registry in the future.
  • Windows Defender Application Guard. Windows Defender Application Guard feature for Microsoft protection Edge, which was introduced in the Fall Creators Update, was originally intended for Windows 10 Enterprise users. One is now available to Windows 10 Pro users, but is disabled by default.
  • New delivery optimization policies. New policies let you control the Delivery Optimization feature used for app updates in Windows Update and the Microsoft Store. For example, administrators can limit bandwidth based on the time of day. These policies are available under Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Delivery Optimization in the Group Policy Editor.
  • Windows Hypervisor Platform API. The new API allows third-party applications to create and manage partitions, configure memory layout, and control virtual processors.
  • User scripts during update: Companies can now configure their computers to run their own scripts during the Windows feature update installation procedure.
  • New scheme Power Options in Windows 10 Pro for Workstations: new policy Ultimate Performance builds on the familiar “High Performance” policy and includes additional optimizations to reduce microlatency, as well as advanced power management techniques. The scheme will be available only for desktop computers and may increase energy consumption.
  • Productivity apps in Windows 10 Pro for Workstations: in Windows 10 Pro for Workstations the Start menu will now show specialized applications productivity instead of custom apps and games like Candy Crush.
  • Windows AI Platform and other new APIs: Microsoft announced support for new APIs for developers, including Windows platform AI. Developers will now be able to import existing machine learning models from various platforms and run them locally on Windows 10 computers.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) improvements

  • Native UNIX sockets: New UNIX sockets work not only for Windows applications, but also for Linux applications in Windows subsystem for Linux.
  • Support for devices with serial interface for Linux applications. Linux applications running on the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) can now access serial devices (COM ports).
  • Background tasks for Linux applications. Linux applications running on the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) can now run in the background. This means that applications such as sshd, tmux and screen will now work correctly.
  • Permission improvements for Linux applications. Users can now run applications with elevated rights (administrator rights) and normal access ( standard user) in one WSL session.
  • Support for scheduled tasks for Linux applications. You can now launch a Linux application in WSL from scheduled tasks.
  • Remote connection support for Linux applications. Users can run WSL while connected using OpenSSH, VPN, PowerShell, or other remote access tool.
  • Fast conversion Linux paths on Windows. The Wslpath command allows you to quickly convert Linux to Windows paths.
  • Configuring launch options. The user can now change some startup settings Linux distributions for the WSL subsystem. Each Linux distribution has its own file in /etc/wsl.conf. You can edit the file to change automount options and network settings.
  • Exchange of environment variables: new variable environment WSLENV is common to Windows and Linux distributions running WSL. You can format variables and they will work correctly on both Windows and Linux.
  • Case sensitivity for Windows: A new NTFS option can enable case sensitivity on a folder. After enabling the option, even Windows applications will process files in this folder with case sensitivity. This will allow you to work with two files named “example” and “Example”, and Windows applications will treat them as different files.

Sets interface for launching applications in tabs is available in Redstone 5

Microsoft has decided to delay the release of the Sets feature in Windows 10 - it is excluded from test builds of Redstone 4 and is available in preview versions Redstone 5.

Sets introduces a unique new tabbed experience that allows users to combine different apps and sites into a single window. For example, a user can open in one window Word document, Google search, and a note from OneNote and easily switch between each app or site. The idea is to allow users to conveniently group web content with app content.

Cloud Clipboard will be available in Redstone 5

Microsoft originally announced that the cloud clipboard would be part of Timeline. It was expected to appear in the system with the release of the Fall Creators Update. Cloud Buffer lets you sync copied text and data with other devices, improving productivity when working across multiple devices. For example, you will be able to copy a piece of text on a Windows PC using hotkey Windows + V and then paste it onto the iPhone.

This feature appeared in early versions of Redstone 4, but was then removed. It looks like Microsoft wants to spend more time developing the cloud buffer. We hope to see this feature in the next major feature update.

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Cloud clipboard: history and synchronization

Redstone 5 has received powerful new features for working with the clipboard. You can access the buffer history by pressing the Windows + V combination. Optionally, you can enable clipboard synchronization between devices associated with your Microsoft account. Manual synchronization of individual entries in the buffer pop-up window is also available in order to prevent the synchronization of confidential data, in particular passwords and bank card details.

In the future, Microsoft will add cloud clipboard support to the SwiftKey keyboard for Android and iOS mobile devices. This way, you can copy and paste data on smartphones, tablets and Windows computers.

Your Phone app for Android and iPhone users

Windows 10 (version 1809) now includes the Your Phone app, which adds smartphone integration to the desktop operating system and makes it easier to set up interactions with mobile devices.

For Android device users running Android 7.0 and above, the Your Phone app gives you instant access to photos taken on your smartphone or tablet from your computer. In the future, Microsoft plans to add notification synchronization and text messages from an Android smartphone.

iPhone users receive fewer features due to limitations of the Apple platform. However, the Continue on PC feature will be available for both iPhone users, and for Android users. This feature allows you to send a web page directly to your computer for further work. With Edge, you can continue reading articles, watching videos, or surfing the web on the big screen.

Dark theme for Explorer

Windows Explorer has received support for the Windows 10 dark theme, which is enabled in the Settings > Personalization > Colors menu.

Microsoft added dark theme for the context menu (right-click menu) of Windows Explorer, including the context menu on the desktop. Dialog boxes“Open” and “Save” also now support dark theme.

SwiftKey on Windows 10

Microsoft acquired the SwiftKey keyboard project in 2016. This keyboard is still available for installation on Android smartphones and iPhones, iPad tablets, and will now appear in Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809).

The built-in touch keyboard will now be based on SwiftKey technologies. It is currently available in English (US and UK), French (France), German (Germany), Italian (Italy), Spanish (Spain), Portuguese (Brazil) and Russian.

Microsoft says SwiftKey will provide more accurate automatic adjustments and text prediction by learning a user's writing style. Input using gestures (swipe) will also be supported.

Search preview

The Start menu search feature now supports previewing results. As you type search query, Windows will show the panel preview With additional information about the results.

For example, if the Start menu decides that the best solution for your query is to search the Internet, then you will see results in the Bing search engine. If you are trying to find an application installed on your computer, you will see various options, such as “Pin to Start Screen”. You will also be able to see a preview of a specific document if its title matches your request.

Additionally, Microsoft has blocked the ability to disable web search on the Start screen using Group Policies.

New screenshot tool

Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) received a new tool for working with screenshots called “Screen Sketch”. You can use it to take a screenshot of a specific area of ​​the screen, an individual window, or the entire screen. After you have taken a screenshot, you can edit it: add annotations and various graphic elements, such as arrows or highlighting.

You can launch the Screen Sketch application using the combination Windows + Shift + S. A new option has been added to Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard that allows you to bring up a new tool when you press the PrtSc (Print Screen) key.

If you try to launch the old Snipping Tool, you will be warned that it will be removed in a future update. Microsoft plans to remove Snipping Tools in Redstone 5, but perhaps the old tool will be retained until the release of Windows 10 19H1.

Major Microsoft Edge update

Microsoft has paid a lot of attention to improvements to Microsoft Edge. The main menu “...” and the settings page have received an updated design. In the new menu, typical commands such as “New Tab” and “New Window” have received large buttons. The new settings page is divided into categories, making it easier to find the setting you need.

Edge now has an option to control automatic playback of multimedia content (Settings > Advanced options). The user decides which sites can automatically play videos. By default, it is set to Allow, which allows the site to play videos when the user views the tab. The “Limit” option blocks sound playback when automatic start video, and when you select “Block”, automatic video playback will be prohibited until the user manually starts the media content.

Users can now configure video and audio playback permissions for a specific site in the Website Permissions section of the Website Identity panel. Click on the lock icon on the left side address bar and select "Manage Permissions"

In the interface Edge browser Several other useful features have appeared. When you right-click on the Edge icon on the taskbar or in the start menu, a list of the most popular sites opens. The user can now assign tags to groups of sites for delayed viewing. New context menu options are available in the downloads panel: “Show in folder” and “Copy link”.

Edge has support for FIDO U2F security keys for web authentication, as well as other hardware authentication for authorization on sites. In the future, these tools will be able to completely replace passwords.

Edge has received more updated UI elements in the Fluent Design style, such as tab bars now supporting the effect of depth. If you use Edge as your default PDF viewer, you'll see a new icon for PDF files in Windows Explorer. PDF documents have a new designation, replacing the blue Edge logo with a red PDF logo.

Added a new dictionary feature that allows you to view word meanings while reading a page or PDF document. Select a word and see its description in the pop-up window just above. You can listen to the correct pronunciation of a word or view detailed information about its meaning.

Microsoft Edge gets enhanced Learning Tools in Reading View, including additional themes with the ability to change highlight color individual areas text and the Line Focus feature to improve concentration when reading an article by highlighting sets of one, three or five lines.

The panel for working with PDF documents also received a portion of improvements. The panel now shows text descriptions for icons for better understanding various functions. New options have been added to the panel, such as “Add notes”. The PDF toolbar can now be pinned to the top of your document for quick access to the tools you need. If you wish, you can unpin the panel - then it will automatically collapse, and to show it again on the screen, just move the cursor to the upper area.

Finally, Edge has received a new “Beta” logo for testing builds of Windows 10, which will distinguish stable versions of the browser from testing ones.

HDR display settings

There's a new Windows HD Color Settings page in Display Settings (Settings > System > Display). The new option is intended for devices that can display content with enhanced dynamic range(HDR) and with support for Wide Color Gamut (WCG) color enhancement technology. These features are increasingly supported by modern 4K monitors.

The page shows system capabilities for outputting HDR content and contains HDR and WCG display settings for supported systems.

These features will only work if you are using a compatible display.

Mobile network improvements

With Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809), Microsoft is moving to a new, more robust network driver model on an updated framework. This change should improve mobile network connection (LTE) reliability for computers that support mobile networks: using built-in network interface or USB modem.

Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Data Usage to view the amount of traffic consumed while roaming.

Hidden window borders in Acrylic style

Microsoft has changed the display of window borders in Windows 10. Instead of colored borders, you'll see smaller gray borders that effectively disappear into the shadow of each window. However, users can re-enable colored window borders if they want more color.

Visual changes to the operating system interface are carried out within the framework of the “Fluent Design” graphic concept, which is gradually being introduced into Windows 10, starting with the Fall Creators Update. In version 1809, you'll see more Acrylic-style system elements, particularly in the Windows Security app, in the Timeline, and in the Sets tab bar.

Mail app will ignore default browser

Microsoft is testing a change that will force the Mail app to open links in Microsoft Edge, regardless of the default browser.

This is part of a larger trend towards integrating Edge into Windows everywhere. For example, links you click in search suggestions on the Start screen always open in Edge. You can use third-party software to bypass Microsoft restrictions.

Windows Defender becomes the Windows Security app

Windows Defender Security Center has been renamed to Windows Security. In the “Protection against viruses and threats” section, a new section “Current threats” has appeared, which shows all potentially dangerous objects that require some kind of action.

In Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Virus & threat protection settings, the user can enable the “Block suspicious activity” option, which enables protection against attacks and exploits using Windows Defender Exploit Guard.

Windows Defender Application Guard, which is used to run Edge sessions isolated from the main system, has a new interface in the Windows Security app. Independent users will be able to self-install (Windows Security > Manage apps/browser > Install Windows Defender Application Guard) and configure Windows Defender Application Guard settings without having to change registry settings. Users of devices managed by an organization's Group Policies will be able to view security component configurations that have been set by administrators to better understand the behavior of Windows Defender Application Guard.

If you've been using Controlled Folder Access to protect your files against ransomware, it's now easier to allow recently blocked apps to access your files. If the app has been blocked, go to Virus & Threat Protection and open the Manage Ransomware Protection link under the Ransomware Protection heading. In the “Controlled Folder Access” section, click the “Allow an application through Controlled Folder Access” link and select “Add an Allowed Application” to add the required application.

Added a new page that shows another installed antivirus, antivirus scanner, firewall, or other security application on your device. Go to Windows Security > Settings > Provider Management. On new page the user will be able to open the corresponding application or view information about problems.

Installing fonts without administrator rights

In older versions of Windows, installing fonts required administrator rights and they were installed for all users on the system. In Redstone 5, Microsoft has improved this behavior and made it possible for all users to install fonts. Simply right-click on the font file and select “Install” to install the font only for current user or “Install for all users” to globally install the font for the entire system. Only in the second case will administrator rights be required.

Power consumption information in Task Manager

In the Task Manager, the “Processes” tab has two new columns that show an estimate of the power consumption of individual applications and processes, taking into account the load on the processor, graphics subsystem and disks.

The “Power Consumption” column shows the instantaneous energy consumption of applications and services, and the “Power Consumption Trend” column shows the average consumption over 2 minutes. The user can sort by these columns to identify the most energy-intensive processes in the system.

Enlarge text

Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) allows you to increase text size throughout the system (Start Menu, Explorer, Settings, etc.) and in UWP and win32 applications without changing the system zoom level.

To adjust the font size, go to Settings > Accessibility > Display and use the “Increase size of all elements” scroll bar.

Windows will predict the best time to reboot

Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) will now use machine learning technologies to prevent your computer from restarting while you are using the system.

Earlier versions of Windows 10 also did not reboot to complete the update installation if you were using your computer. However, as soon as you left for a cup of coffee, Windows could assume that you had logged off and caused the system to restart.

Machine learning technologies are now used to predict the correct reboot time. Windows 10 will be able to detect when you are actively using your PC. In other words, the system will be able to predict whether you left workplace for a couple of minutes or actually finished the job.

This is a very useful feature, but you can prevent your PC from restarting by using the Active Clock feature. This function allows you to configure the interval of active working hours up to 18 hours a day. Windows will try to restart your PC at other times than these hours. However, even at other times, Windows 10 will be more intelligent in choosing when to reboot.

Game Bar Improvements

The game panel that received new design with the release of April 2018 Update, now includes some new features. The user can now change the default audio output device, as well as mute or adjust the volume in games and applications.

Performance visualization functions have been added, now you can view frame rate, processor consumption, video memory and RAM consumption while playing.

A “Dedicated Resources” option has been added to the game bar, which should improve the gaming experience on desktop computers. PC gamers with a lot of background processes on the system should notice a performance boost.

Microsoft has made it easier to access the Game Bar. Now the panel can be opened at any time from the Start menu or using the combination Win + G.

Updated wireless screen projection control

When casting your screen to wireless projectors, you will now see a new panel at the top of the screen - the same as when using Remote Desktop. This panel shows the name of the connected device and allows you to quickly connect and disconnect from it.

Windows offers several operating modes when connected to a wireless projector. Game mode will keep screen lag to a minimum, Video mode will increase it for smoother playback, and Productivity mode will balance lag times for responsive text input and minimize graphic artifacts.

New emoticons

Unicode 11 includes 157 new emoji that will be available in Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809). Press Windows +. to launch the emoji panel to check out new characters, from superheroes to teddy bears.

Major Skype update for Windows 10

The Skype application for Windows has received a major update: new calling functions have been added, the ability to flexibly configure interlocutors in group calls, a screenshot function has been added, the screen image transfer function has been simplified, the contacts panel has been updated, the ability to select a custom color and theme has been added, the multimedia file gallery has been improved, the panel notifications and mentions function.

Expanded support for line breaks in Notepad

The Notepad app in Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) now supports Unix/Linux (LF) and Macintosh (CR) string translation. This will allow users and developers to copy text from other platforms and paste it into Notepad while maintaining the original formatting.

You can edit these files and save them, and Notepad will automatically use the appropriate line breaks as in the original document. Notepad will still save translated files Windows strings(CRLF). In the status panel, you can enable the display of information about the interrupt style of the current document.

Numerous Notepad improvements

Notepad in Windows 10 received a large number of improvements. Added a Text Wrap option to Find/Replace, which will allow you to search or replace the entire document without having to place the cursor at the top or bottom of the document.

Notepad implements text scaling. Added a new menu View > Scale to change the zoom factor. In addition, you can use the hotkeys Ctrl + Plus and Ctrl + Minus or the mouse wheel while holding down the Ctrl key. The combination Ctrl + 0 allows you to restore standard level scaling.

Other useful features include displaying the row and column number when text wrapping is enabled. Additionally, the status bar is now displayed by default. It can be disabled in the View menu. The combination Ctrl + Backspace allows you to delete the previous word. Microsoft has improved Notepad's performance when opening large files.

Added search function in Bing search engine. Select the text and press Ctrl+B or select Edit > Find in Bing.

Support for copy and paste hotkeys in Bash

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows you to run Bash and other Linux command-line environments based on Ubuntu distributions, Fedora, openSUSE and Debian on Windows. In Redstone 5, Microsoft listened to users and decided to add a long-awaited feature to Bash - support for copy and paste hotkeys.

Right-click on the window's title bar and select Properties to select the option that allows the Ctrl + Shift + C and Ctrl + Shift + V hotkeys to copy and paste, respectively.

These shortcuts will be available in all console environments, but will be especially useful in the Linux shell, where the familiar Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V are reserved for other functions and are not associated with copying and pasting.

Launching the Linux Shell in Explorer

You can now launch the Linux shell from any folder in Explorer. Hold down the Shift key and bring up the context menu with the right mouse button. You will see the “Open Linux shell here” option next to the “Open Powershell window here” option.

Diagnostic Viewer improvements

Microsoft introduced the diagnostic data viewer for the first time in Windows 10 April 2018 Update. The tool must be installed separately from the Microsoft Store; it shows what diagnostic and telemetry data is sent to Microsoft servers.

In Redstone 5, the Diagnostic Data Viewer now shows “Problem Reports”. These reports are generated when applications crash or other errors occur. This data is provided to Microsoft and application developers useful information, which will help resolve the error. The user will be able to view information about the time the report was created and sent, as well as the name of the program that caused the problem.

In addition, the Diagnostic Data Viewer has received several additional filtering options to help sort diagnostic information.

Simplified setup as a digital signage

Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) now adds a simplified page for setting up restricted access (Settings > search for "Assigned access" > "Kiosk setup").

This page allows device administrators to configure a PC as a terminal or digital signage. In addition, Edge now supports limited access, allowing administrators to create customized viewing experiences designed for terminals: digital or interactive signage, two public viewing modes, or regular mode.

Useful features and other changes

  • Level bluetooth charge devices in the Settings app: In Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices, you can now check the battery percentage of your Bluetooth devices. You'll also see notifications if your battery level gets low.
  • Privacy Notices: The user will now receive a notification if microphone access is blocked for the first time based on their current privacy settings. If desired, you can revise your privacy settings.
  • Focus Improvements: The feature will now be automatically enabled to reduce interruptions when running full-screen games. Previously, only DirectX games were supported.
  • Adjusting video by light level. Added a new option “Adjust video based on light level” in Settings > Applications > Video Playback. It is designed to improve image clarity when you are in a very bright environment. For this feature to work, your device must have a light sensor installed.
  • Memory Sense improvements: Windows can now automatically delete OneDrive “files on demand” that were previously opened to save disk space. When you try to open them again, they will be downloaded from the cloud server. To enable this behavior, go to Settings > System > Device Storage and turn on “Storage Sense,” then select the “Change automatic cleanup settings” option and choose when you want to delete OneDrive files.
  • Disk Cleanup will be removed from Windows 10. The classic Disk Cleanup utility will be removed from the operating system. Microsoft may remove the tool at any time, but for now it is still integrated into Windows 10. All features old utility will be available in the Free up space now section of the Settings app.
  • Sound settings: There's a new Device Properties link on the Audio Options screen for renaming audio input and output devices and selecting surround sound settings.
  • Editing graphic files HEIF: You can now rotate HEIF images and edit their metadata in Windows Explorer after installing the prerequisites from the Microsoft Store. Simply right-click on the image and then select the “Rotate Left” or “Rotate Right” options. Metadata can be edited in the Details tab of the Properties dialog box.
  • Safely removing external graphics cards: Redstone 5 introduces a secure way to disable external graphics cards connected via Thunderbolt 3. Safe way extracting external GPUs allows you to find out which applications are running on the external GPU, so you can safely disable it, preventing data loss during disconnection.
  • Settings after update: After installing the update, you will now see a new setup screen that introduces you to the new features in Windows and shows you the options that you can customize.
  • Regional preferences: Go to Settings > Time & Language > Region and override the region-specific display formats: Calendar, First Day of Week, Date, Time and Currency.
  • Localized Interface Packs– Packages from the Microsoft Store can be installed in Settings > Time & Language > Language. Select the “Add a Windows Display Language with Localized Display Pack” link to download the appropriate pack from the Microsoft Store.
  • Search in Calendar: You can now search by events in the Calendar app. The search feature only works with Outlook, Hotmail, Live and Office 365 accounts and does not support Exchange Server, Gmail, Yahoo or other IMAP calendars.
  • Handwriting improvements. The built-in handwriting panel will now automatically be used by default for digital pen input in modern UWP apps. Simply select a text area, such as a search bar, and a panel will open for you to enter and recognize handwritten text. You can edit what you have written using simple and intuitive gestures. The panel will remain available on the touch keyboard.
  • TypingInsights: Microsoft uses artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies to improve productivity by automatically correcting spelling errors, predicting words, and making suggestions. Detailed information is available in Settings > Devices > Input > View Typing Insights.
  • Magnifier improvements: Added options to Settings > Accessibility > Magnifier to center the mouse cursor on the screen. Added new zoom levels - 5% and 10%.
  • Narrator improvements: Narrator has an improved keyboard layout that is familiar to screen reader users. The tool has received many new functions, in particular the search function - if the screen reader has the requested word or phrase in its field of view, it will go to that fragment.
  • Narrator Guide: Narrator now launches with a new usage guide designed to familiarize you with basic features.
  • Mixed Reality Enhancements: Microsoft has implemented numerous platform improvements virtual reality. In particular, the ability to simultaneously stream audio to both the headset and PC speakers has been added. The new Flashlight feature allows you to peer into your physical environment without removing your glasses or helmet. You can switch to the real world using the Start menu, a hotkey, or a voice command.

New features for power users, developers and system administrators

  • Firewall for Linux processes : Windows Firewall now supports Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) processes. For example, when starting an SSH server or web server, the system firewall will ask for confirmation to open the port for external connections.
  • Protected processes for third-party antiviruses: now the service of the Center Windows security(WSC) requires third parties antivirus programs were launched in the system as a protected process for their registration. Protected processes allow only safe code to be loaded and are better protected from attacks, improving overall system security.
  • Autocomplete in Registry Editor. The Registry Editor now has a drop-down menu that appears as you enter the path and offers prompts for faster completion. You can now use Ctrl + Backspace to delete the last “word” (Ctrl + Delete will delete the next word).
  • Memory consumption data in Task Manager. The Memory column in the Processes tab of Task Manager no longer shows the memory used by suspended UWP processes. Microsoft hopes that this change will more accurately reflect the memory used by suspended UWP processes, which can be reclaimed by the system if necessary. The new and old memory columns will be available in the Details tab.
  • Improvements for Windows Defender Application Guard (WDAG): WDAG feature allows users Pro versions and Enterprise run Edge in a secure container. System administrators can apply a Group Policy setting that allows a user of a secure copy of Edge to upload files to the host system.
  • Installing Microsoft WebDriver: specialized Microsoft WebDriver software is used to test sites in Microsoft Edge. The toolkit can now be installed using the feature-on-demand system. The component is automatically enabled when developer mode is enabled.
  • Installing RSAT: tools remote administration servers (Remote Server Administration Tools) will be available for installation as an on-demand feature. This toolkit can be installed from the Settings application - it will receive updates using standard Windows tools.
  • Biometric authentication on a remote machine. Azure users Active Directory and Active Directory users using Windows Hello for Business can now use biometric authentication for remote desktop authentication.
  • New group policies for Microsoft Edge. Microsoft Edge has new group policies and MDM settings available to system administrators. New policies allow you to configure full screen mode, printing, saving browsing history, home button and bypassing errors with security certificates.
  • Web login for Windows 10. Previously, logins used IDs federated with ADFS or other providers that supported the WS-Fed protocol. There is now a new way to log in to your PC called “Web Login”. Web Login allows you to provide Windows login to third parties not affiliated with ADFS (such as SAML).
  • Quickly sign in to a shared Windows 10 computer. If you use shared computer mode in your workspace, logging into your account will now be much faster. The new build has a “Quick Login” option, which allows you to log in to your account almost instantly. shared computer Windows 10

There are also rumors that the October 2018 Update (version 1809) will allow any Windows 10 user to switch to Windows mode 10 S, but this feature has not yet been implemented in test versions.

Found a typo? Press Ctrl + Enter

A new version of Windows 10, the Spring Creators Update, is coming out very soon. But for users who want to touch the latest versions of the system, Microsoft suggests using Skip Ahead so that you can download Windows 10 Redstone 5 right now.

Skip Ahead – one of the receiving branches Insider builds Preview, which allows you to “jump” to the next stage of development to later builds. At the moment the current version is 1709 (Redstone 3), next version will be Windows 10 1803 (Spring Creators Update or Redstone 4). Skip Ahead will allow you to upgrade to Redstone 5.

The Windows 10 Redstone 5 update does not have a specific release date, given the release of major updates every six months, RS5 should be expected in the fall. Taking into account the frequency of release of new versions of the system (1511 – 1607 - 1703 -1709 – 1803 - ???), it is likely that this version will receive version number 1809.

Officially ISO images RS5 were not released, so you won’t be able to download Windows 10 Redstone 5, we will update.

To get the Redstone 5 update, no matter what build or system version you have, the Insider Preview program will make updating easy and simple:

  • First you need to enable receiving Skip Ahead builds. Open Settings - Update & Security - Windows Insider Program.
  • If you are not a member of the Insider Preview program, you will need to register for the Insider Preview program (enter your account Microsoft entry) and restart your PC.
  • And then select "Skip ahead to the next Windows release" at the point with a choice desired channel receiving assemblies.

After these manipulations, an update to version RS5 will be available in the update center.

Windows 10 Redstone 5: what's new?

At the moment, several RS5 builds have been released, which we will talk about in order.

Windows 10 Redstone 5 Build 17604

Build 17604 was released simultaneously with build 17101 for the Spring Creators Update. The update does not bring any new significant features.

  • Emoji changes. Some Emoji icons have changed, changes were made based on user feedback. Example:

  • In addition, the algorithm for hints for Emoji based on text queries has been improved. To open the Emoji panel, press Win +. (dot on English layout).

New features for the version for Workstations:

  • Maximum performance. Windows 10 Pro for Workstations (the version for high-performance devices) will have an additional power plan - Ultimate Performance.

This power supply will allow you to use the device's power to the maximum (according to Microsoft). Focusing system resources on specific tasks, assigning priority to them. This circuit will not be available for battery powered devices.

  • Pre-installed work applications. After installing the system, among the tiled applications you can notice a large amount of garbage - games, unnecessary application and advertising. In the version for Workstations, Microsoft decided to focus users on work. That is why pre-installed applications are aimed at working and increasing productivity.

Windows 10 Build 17618 Redstone 5 Insider Preview

Build 17618 is much more interesting than the previous one, since it returns the Sets function, but is available to all users.

Sets - in the standard sense, these are ordinary browser tabs transferred to Windows interface. This functionality allows you to open many applications in one window, but in different tabs. Not all programs can be opened in Sets mode, but in the future the list of compatible applications will expand.

Keyboard shortcuts:

  • Ctrl + Win + Tab – next tab;
  • Ctrl + Win + Shift + Tab – previous tab;
  • Ctrl + Win + T – new tab;
  • Ctrl + Win + W – close the tab.

To enable this function, you need to go to Settings - System - Multitasking and enable tab display.

Note. Not all users receive this feature. Even after installing new builds and reinstalling RS5, the function may not appear. It is advisable to leave feedback in the Feedback Hub application for further correction.

Windows 10 Build 17623 Redstone 5

  • HEIF format support. High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) is a new modern format for images and series of images. Apple introduced support for the HEIF format in 2017, but with a different name - HEIC.

New format allows you to store a large amount of information about the image without heavy costs for memory space. The images themselves, the sequence of images (or series of images) and additional data (metadata, alpha channel, depth, derivatives and others).

  • Safely removing the video card. In 2017, GPU boxes – devices for external connection video cards The connection is made via a Thunderbolt 3 connector. Using safe removal You can rest assured that you won't lose data due to application crashes when you remove your graphics card.

To safely remove an external video card, open the tray and, as with a regular flash drive, click on the eject device icon and select the video card.

  • New privacy settings. At the OOBE stage ( initial settings system) advanced privacy settings will be available. Added Find my device and Improved manual input settings.

Windows 10 Redstone 5 Build 17639

The changes in build 17639 focus more on Sets, and also a little on Bluetooth devices X.

  • Improved Sets.
  • Move tabs between windows and within windows using Drag and Drop.
  • Switch tabs using the Alt + Tab keyboard shortcut.
  • Additional settings for Sets in System Settings.

  • Integration of Sets with Explorer.

  • New actions in the context menu for the Sets tabs.

  • Fast recovery tabs. Plans to add soon Microsoft applications Office in Sets. To be the first to try new features, you must be an Office Insider and have the latest build of Office.

  • Displays the charge of Bluetooth devices.

  • Now in the parameters Windows devices 10 you can see the percentage of Bluetooth device charge that supports this functionality.

Have a great day!

Next big thing Windows update 10 is codenamed Redstone 4 and has version ID 1803, meaning the update is expected in March.
Microsoft has not officially announced the name of the new version of Windows 10, but according to internal information with Bug Bash it might be called Spring Creators Update.
In this article we have collected all the new system functions that appeared in the latest Windows builds 10 Insider Preview, specifically in build 17083 dated January 24, 2018.

Timeline - list of activities on your devices

The Timeline feature was originally expected in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, but its release was delayed.

Timeline extends Task View by adding a history of the actions you've previously performed on your computer. Click the Task View button on the taskbar or use the Windows key + Tab combination to see activities you performed “Earlier Today” or in previous days. Timeline can show sites you've opened in Microsoft Edge, articles you've read in the News app, documents you've worked on in Microsoft Word, and places you've viewed in Maps.

The main purpose of this function is to resume activities that were suddenly interrupted or deliberately postponed.

Timeline supports synchronization between devices. This way, you can continue any activity on another PC where your account is used. Personal voice assistant Cortana will offer a list of activities to resume when you switch to another device.

The user can use the scroll bar or search bar to navigate through activities. All activities are sorted by day, and daily activities are sorted by hour. You can use the context menu to clear activities for a specific hour. You can configure Timeline in the application Settings > Privacy > Activity Log.

Microsoft plans to integrate this feature into mobile applications so that users can switch between tasks even on different types of devices. However, app developers will need to first implement support for this feature for it to work with desktop and mobile apps.

New features for developers and system administrators

  • Curl and Tar commands. The Curl and Tar utilities for downloading files and extracting .tar archives, which are commonly used on Linux, are now built into Windows and are available at: C:\Windows\System32\curl.exe and C:\Windows\System32\tar.exe.
  • Native UNIX sockets. Windows 10 now supports UNIX sockets natively thanks to the new afunix.sys kernel driver. This improvement will make it easier to port an application from Linux or other UNIX systems to WIndows.
  • Serial device support for Linux applications. Linux applications running on the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) can now access serial devices (COM ports).
  • Background tasks for Linux applications. Linux applications running on the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) can now run in the background. This means that applications such as sshd, tmux and screen will now work correctly.
  • Permission improvements for Linux applications. Users can now run elevated (administrator) and normal (standard user) applications in the same WSL session.
  • Support for scheduled tasks for Linux applications. You can now launch a Linux application in WSL from scheduled tasks.
  • Supports remote connections for Linux applications. Users can run WSL while connected using OpenSSH, VPN, PowerShell, or other remote access tool.
  • Quickly convert Linux paths to Windows. Team Wslpath allows you to quickly convert paths Linux on Windows.

  • The Registry process. IN In Task Manager you will see a new process named “Registry”. This is a minimal process designed to store registry data for the Windows kernel. Since the data was previously stored in the kernel anyway, the overall system memory usage remains unchanged. Microsoft says this will allow them to optimize the amount of memory used by the registry in the future.

  • Windows Defender Application Guard. Windows Defender Application Guard, which was introduced in the Fall Creators Update for Microsoft Edge, was originally intended for Windows 10 Enterprise users. One is now available to Windows 10 Pro users, but is disabled by default.

  • New delivery optimization policies. New policies let you control the Delivery Optimization feature used for app updates in Windows Update and the Microsoft Store. For example, administrators can limit bandwidth based on the time of day. These policies are available under Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Delivery Optimization in the Group Policy Editor.

    Microsoft has decided to delay the release of the Sets feature in Windows 10 - it is excluded from the test builds of Redstone 4.

    Sets introduces a unique new tabbed experience that allows users to combine different apps and sites into a single window. For example, a user can open a Word document, a Google search engine, and a OneNote note in one window and easily switch between each application or site.
    The idea is to allow users to conveniently group web content with app content.
    The Sets feature should return to Redstone 5 Insider builds after the final release of Redstone 4. Microsoft is still experimenting with this feature and figuring out how it will work.

    Based on materials from Comss.ru

    Good luck and all the best!


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