Windows 10 Anniversary Update

Martin Brinkmann
Mar 31, 2016
Updated • Jul 5, 2017
Windows, Windows 10
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32

Windows 10 Anniversary Update is the official name of a big update for Microsoft's newest operating system that the company will make available in Summer 2016.

Formerly known as Redstone, it is a massive update that will introduce new features and changes to the operating system.

The Anniversary Update is a free update for all devices running Windows 10 according to Microsoft. This includes non-PC devices such as the company's Xbox One console.

Windows 10 Anniversary Update

The following paragraphs provide you with information about the upcoming anniversary update. We will update the article as new information become available.

Windows 10 Anniversary Update Release date

Microsoft has yet to reveal the final release date of the Anniversary Update for Windows 10. The company stated that it will come this Summer which could mean as early as June 21, 2016 or as late as September 21, 2016.

Since Windows 10 was released on July 29, 2015, it seems unlikely that Microsoft will push out the anniversary update before July 29, 2016.

It could pick that date for the release, or push it out on the first Patch Day afterwards which would be August 9, 2016.

As mentioned already, the update is free.

Previews

Windows Insiders will receive the Anniversary Update, and tidbits here and there, before it will be made available to the masses.

Features such as Microsoft Edge extensions are already being tested on the Insider Channel.

Cortana and Bots

cortana no off

Microsoft is betting big in Cortana, the virtual assistant. Cortana will come to new regions in the world including Brazil, and it will be integrated even deeper into the operating system.

This starts with the lockscreen, as Cortana will be accessible on it directly without users having to unlock the system first before they can start to interact with the AI.

Using machine learning and research in natural language, Microsoft wants Cortana to converse naturally with humans, and to provide better assistance at the same time.

One example that Microsoft showcased during the Build 2016 Keynote was Cortana adding an appointment automatically to Calendar after reading an email detailing upcoming flight information.

Core apps, like Skype, will gain access to Cortana and Bots as well, and the idea here is basically the same. AI will pick up information during conversations and process them to assist the user. This may go even as far as helping the user book a hotel room or flight when the topic comes up in a conversation.

Linux Bash

windows 10 linux

Designed specifically for developers, the introduction of Linux Bash on Windows 10 is something that all users can benefit from.

Microsoft calls the integration Windows Subsystem for Linux, and it is a native implementation.

This isn't Bash or Ubuntu running in a VM. This is a real native Bash Linux binary running on Windows itself. It's fast and lightweight and it's the real binaries. This is an genuine Ubuntu image on top of Windows with all the Linux tools I use like awk, sed, grep, vi, etc. It's fast and it's lightweight.

The binaries are downloaded by you - using apt-get - just as on Linux, because it is Linux. You can apt-get and download other tools like Ruby, Redis, emacs, and on and on. This is brilliant for developers that use a diverse set of tools like me.

This runs on 64-bit Windows and doesn't use virtual machines (via)

Microsoft Edge

edge extensions loaded

The default system browser is a basic browser in its current state. While it performs well and supports many of the newer technologies on the Web, it lacks options and tools such as extension support or better privacy controls that many users expect from a web browser.

Microsoft will deliver a truckload of new features and improvements to Microsoft Edge with the Anniversary Update:

  • Support for browser extensions. According to Microsoft, it will be dead easy to port Chrome extensions to Microsoft Edge.
  • Windows Hello support to add biometric features to the browser which enable you to sign in on websites or to services using facial recognition or fingerprints.
  • Improvements to the new Tab Page, including options to pin and remove sites, and to move tiles around, and better news feed customization options.
  • Option to delete browser cache on exit.
  • Set a custom download folder.
  • Tabs can be pinned in Edge.
  • Many under the hood stuff, such as support for new APIs, out of process Flash, web notifications or device profiles.

Windows Ink

windows 10 anniversary update ink

Microsoft continues to bet big on pen and ink support on Windows 10 by introducing several improvements that will come out with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update.

Among them better sticky notes, and there specifically recognition of what is being written. This is very similar to how Cortana and Bots improve conversations and provide assistance.

Basically, Windows Ink services will be able to pick up cues such as words or phrases defining time, to process them and assist the user. For time-based information, these could for instance be added as appointments in the calendar application automatically.

There is a new Windows Inking Action Center panel, better Office integration (proofreading improvements were demoed), new virtual ruler support, and more.

Other changes with impact

Microsoft demoed a conversion tool called Desktop App Converter during the Build 2016 Keynote that has been designed to convert desktop programs into UWP applications.

The company showed how it is done with two games, Age of Empires II HD and one of 2015's most successful PC titles The Witcher 3.

Programs converted this way will benefit from all UWP features including Live Tiles and integration in Windows Store.

It is unclear at this point in time if the Desktop App Converter can convert any program to UWP, or if there are limitations. What's almost certain however is that we will see an increase of desktop programs turned into UWP applications when the Windows 10 Anniversary Update comes out.

This may take care of some of the criticism surrounding Windows Store, and there especially the lack of desktop program listings.

Microsoft announced a bunch of new apps and games that will come to Windows 10 soon, including Uber, Vine, Bank of America, WWE or Starbucks. The company made it clear furthermore that it plans to bring all of its Xbox One games to Windows 10.

  • Revamped Start Menu that displays all apps on the front directly.
  • New Keyboard shortcuts: Windows-Alt-D to open the taskbar clock, Windows-F to create a screenshot and send it to the Feedback Hub, Windows-Shift-C to open Cortana in listening mode.
  • New applications Quick Assist and Skype Preview.
  • Redesigned UAC prompt.
  • Lock Screen changes: email address is not displayed anymore, Cortana is available.
  • Redesigned Info Center.
  • New Settings app design.
  • New Active Hours feature for Windows Updates.

Now You: What's your take on the Anniversary Update?

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Windows 10 Anniversary Update
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Windows 10 Anniversary Update
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Windows 10 Anniversary Update is the official name of a big update for Microsoft's newest operating system that the company will make available in Summer 2016.
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Ghacks Technology News
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Comments

  1. Dan Donx said on January 15, 2023 at 10:29 am
    Reply

    What mental age of reader are you targeting with the first sentence? 10?

    Why not write an article on how to *avoid* upgrading from W10 to W11. Analogous to those like me who avoided upgrading from 7 to 10 for as long as possible.

    If your paymaster Microsoft permits it, of course.

  2. Dexter said on January 15, 2023 at 11:14 am
    Reply

    5. Rufus
    6. Ventoy

    PS. I hate reading these “SEO optimized” articles.

    1. cdr said on January 15, 2023 at 3:32 pm
      Reply

      I used Rufus to create an installer for a 6th gen intel i5 that had MBR. It upgraded using Setup. No issues except for Win 11 always prompting me to replace my local account. Still using Win 10 Pro on all my other PCs to avoid the bullying.

  3. sv said on January 15, 2023 at 6:40 pm
    Reply

    bit pointless to upgrade for the sake of upgrading as you never know when you’ll get locked out because ms might suddenly not provide updates to unsupported systems.

    ps…. time travelling?
    written. Jan 15, 2023
    Updated • Jan 13, 2023

    1. Martin Brinkmann said on January 16, 2023 at 5:49 am
      Reply

      This happens when you schedule a post in WordPress and update it before setting the publication date.

  4. Anonymous said on January 16, 2023 at 8:24 am
    Reply

    Anyone willing to downgrade to this awful OS must like inflicting themselves with harm.

  5. basingstoke said on January 16, 2023 at 11:18 am
    Reply

    I have become convinced now that anybody who has no qualms with using Windows 11/10 must fit into one of the following brackets:

    1) Too young to remember a time before W10 and W11 (doesn’t know better)

    2) Wants to play the latest games on their PC above anything else (or deeply needs some software which already dropped W7 support)

    3) Doesn’t know too much about how computers work, worried that they’d be absolutely lost and in trouble without the “”latest security””

    4) Microsoft apologist that tries to justify that the latest “features” and “changes” are actually a good thing, that improve Windows

    5) Uses their computer to do a bare minimum of like 3 different things, browse web, check emails, etc, so really doesn’t fuss

    Obviously that doesn’t cover everyone, there’s also the category that:

    6) Actually liked W7 more than 10, and held out as long as possible before switching, begrudgingly uses 10 now

    Have I missed any group off this list?

    1. Heinz Strunk said on September 19, 2023 at 3:57 pm
      Reply

      You have missed in this group just about any professional user that uses business software like CAD programs or ERP Programs which are 99% of all professional users from this list.

      Linux doesn’t help anyone who is not a linux kid and apple is just a fancy facebook machine.

  6. ilev said on August 24, 2023 at 7:34 pm
    Reply

    Microsoft has removed KB5029351 update

    1. EP said on August 24, 2023 at 9:21 pm
      Reply

      only from windows update though
      KB5029351 is still available from the ms update catalog site

  7. Anonymous said on August 24, 2023 at 11:05 pm
    Reply

    1. This update is labaled as PREVIEW if it causes issues to unintelligent people, then they shouldn’t have allowed Preview updates ot install.

    2. I have installed it in a 11 years old computer, and no problems at all.

    3. Making a big drama over a bluescreen for an updated labeled as preview is ridiculous.

    This is probably another BS internet drama where people ran programs and scripts that modified the registry until they broke Windows, just for removing stuff that they weren’t even using just for the sake of it.
    Maybe people should stop playing geeks and actually either use Windows 10 or Windows 11, but don’t try to modify things just for the sake of it.

    Sometimes removing or stopping things (like defender is a perfect example) only need intelligence, not scripts or 3rd party programs that might mess with windows.

  8. john said on August 24, 2023 at 11:17 pm
    Reply

    Windows 11 was a pointless release, it was just created because some of the Windows team wanted to boost sales with some sort of new and improved Windows 10. Instead, Microsoft cannot support one version well let alone two.

    1. John G. said on August 25, 2023 at 12:08 pm
      Reply

      Windows 11 is the worst ugly shame by Microsoft ever. They should release with every new W11 version a complete free version of Starallback inside just to make this sh** OS functionally again.

  9. EP said on August 25, 2023 at 3:10 pm
    Reply

    motherboard maker MSI has recently released a statement regarding the “unsupported processor” blue screen error for their boards using Intel 600/700 series chipsets & to avoid the KB5029351 Win11 update:
    https://www.msi.com/news/detail/MSI-On–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–Error-Message-of-Windows-11-Update-KB5029351-Preview-142215

  10. EP said on August 29, 2023 at 7:32 pm
    Reply

    check out the following recent articles:

    Neowin – Microsoft puts little blame on its Windows update after UNSUPPORTED PROCESSOR BSOD bug:
    https://www.neowin.net/news/microsoft-puts-little-blame-on-its-windows-update-after-unsupported-processor-bsod-bug/

    BleepingComputer – Microsoft blames ‘unsupported processor’ blue screens on OEM vendors:
    https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-blames-unsupported-processor-blue-screens-on-oem-vendors/

  11. Leonard Britvolli said on August 30, 2023 at 10:33 pm
    Reply

    While there may be changes or updates to the Windows 10 Store for Business and Education in the future, it is premature to conclude that it will be discontinued based solely on rumors.

  12. sembrador said on September 5, 2023 at 9:32 pm
    Reply

    My advice, I left win 15 years ago. Now I’m a happy linux user (linuxmint) but there is Centos, Fedora, Ubuntu depending on your needs.

  13. EP said on September 6, 2023 at 11:55 am
    Reply

    motherboard maker MSI has recently released new BIOS/firmware updates for their Intel 600 & 700 series motherboards to fix the “UNSUPPORTED_PROCESSOR” problem (Sept. 6):

    https://www.msi.com/news/detail/Updated-BIOS-fixes-Error-Message–UNSUPPORTED-PROCESSOR–caused-BSOD-on-MSI-s-Intel-700-and-600-Series-Motherboards-142277

  14. Raphael Benzo said on September 24, 2023 at 9:52 pm
    Reply

    I try to disable the Diagnostics Tracking Service (Connected Devices Platform User Services) but it wont let me disable it, any help will be greatly appreciated.
    Tank you for your help

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