Windows 10 Anniversary Update available 2nd August

Yusuf Mehdi, Corporate Vice President, Windows and Devices Group, has announced that a new update, the Windows 10 Anniversary update will be launched on 2nd August and promises the following features to be included:

• Faster, efficient and easy to find Microsoft Edge browser with the help of digital assistant Cortana: you’ll be able to set reminders (with images if you want), play music or  ask questions without having to unlock your device. notifications can be seen across all your devices that you have with Cortana. Microsoft will add ‘more power-saving improvements, using fewer CPU cycles, consuming less memory, and minimizing the impact of background activity and peripheral content’ to Microsoft Edge to make it more efficient. t will also improve the quality of its web pages even in high contrast and will work on the form entry for people of all abilities.

• Improved security for both individual and enterprise consumers: for individuals, you’ll be able to use companion devices to unlock your PC incase you forget your password, e,g using fingerprint ID to unlock your tablet, and unlock your PC at the same time. You can also set periodic scans using Windows Defender and receive notifications when it’s completed scanning and if they’re are any viruses/threats to your device. For enterprise clients, Windows Defender Advanced threat Protection can detect threats to security over  a network. Enterprise data protection has been renamed to Windows Information Protection and will enable business split personal from business data and secure it wherever you are.

• New gaming experiences: with over 10 billion hours of gaming done on Xbox and Xbox Live, you will soon be able to play across all types of devices with your friends. You can choose your preferred language independent of your location, ask Cortana to search for games you like/want and even turn on your Xbox One with voice command.

• Tools for educational environments: teachers will be able to set up 3 PCs from one main one by going to  Microsoft’s new ‘Set up School PCs’ app. Tests can even be set and written online in a secure environment using the ‘Take a Test’ app. It will be great if it doesn’t have copy/paste access, access to files or web pages.

If you’re already on Windows 10 you’ll get these new features for free. Mehdi wrote:

“We’d like to say a special thank you to each of you who have upgraded to Windows 10. With over 350 million devices now running Windows 10, customer satisfaction is higher than any previous version of Windows and customer engagement is also incredible with more than 135 billion hours of use on Windows 10 since launch. We’re pleased that so many of you are being more productive and having more fun with Windows 10. Your feedback has been a key input into the design of the Anniversary Update.”

The free upgrade to Windows 10 will end on the 29th of July so upgrade here if you want to to access the Anniversary Update on the 2nd of August, 2016.