Microsoft has officially confirmed that the next major Windows update, known as Windows 10 Creators Update, will start rolling out on April 11 to customers worldwide.
Like with last year's Windows 10 Anniversary Update, which rolled out in August, the Creators Update will see a throttled release that will likely stretch over a few months.
The update will arrive after several months of beta tests, leaks, and bits of information teasing new features, and will mark the second major update to Windows 10 since the OS launched back in July 2015.
Windows 10 Creators Update: Top Features To Expect
The Windows 10 Creators Update will bring a host of new features to the table, including notable changes to Microsoft's Edge browser, more features for touch screen-enabled devices, enhancements for gaming on Windows 10, and more.
As the name itself suggests, the Creators Update will also feature new tools for users who make and consume media on their Windows 10 PC. Such tools include a new Paint3D app to add some cool new tricks to the classic drawing tool.
"[W]e want Windows to be the place you love to create and play, with the tools to help you make your mark on the world," says Microsoft.
Paint 3D
The new Paint 3D app will be among the top features of the Creators Update, enabling users to capture 3D images on their phones and then edit and print them in 3D.
Microsoft points out that since we live in a multi-dimensional world, 2D tools no longer suffice and 3D allows users to better express themselves and communicate their ideas. At the same time, the company highlights that the 3D industry is estimated to surge by more than 62 percent by 2020 and the Windows 10 Creators Update will allow anyone to create, experience, and share in 3D.
The original Microsoft Paint has been among the world's most popular creation tools with more than 100 million users per month, and the new Paint 3D aims to take things to the next level.
Mixed Reality
The upcoming Windows 10 Creators Update will also put a heavy focus on what Microsoft calls mixed reality, which aims to combine the physical and virtual worlds. A number of companies such as Asus, HP, Dell, Acer, and Lenovo will launch the first Windows mixed reality-enabled headsets with the Creators Update later this year. Designed with affordability in mind, these handsets will start at just $299.
Gaming Improvements
Microsoft wants to make Xbox the go-to place for gamers to create and play across Windows 10 and Xbox One, so it's building a unified experience across consoles and PCs with Xbox Live and Xbox Play Anywhere. Gamers can purchase a game once and enjoy it on both their PC and Xbox One.
The update will bring Beam to the table, which will allow Creators to stream live gaming sessions to their Xbox Live friends straight into the Game DVR tool of Windows 10. At the same time, a new Game Mode will optimize the resources of your device to maximize gaming performance and reduce frame rate hiccups when you need more horsepower. Once enabled, Game Mode can work its magic on any game.
Microsoft Edge Improvements
Microsoft further boasts that its Edge browser is designed to be the best for Windows 10, as it's safer than Google Chrome while delivering superior battery life. According to the company, Edge blocks 9 percent more phishing sites and 13 percent more malware than Chrome, and it's also faster and more power-efficient.
With the Windows 10 Creators Update, Edge will get even better with new features such as advanced tab management, e-books, and more, touts Microsoft. Moreover, Edge is the only browser capable of playing Netflix content in 4K UHD.
Windows 10 Privacy And Security
Microsoft says that Windows 10 is the most secure enterprise platform, offering advanced protection against various risks such as malware, ransomware, and others.
The Creators Update will bring a new service called Windows Defender Security Center, aiming to make it easier to keep tabs on security. The service will offer a single dashboard for all security options so that users have everything in one place.
A new Device Health Advisor will offer details on the state of your device, while new settings will offer more control when it comes to installing applications. The Creators Update will also bring new tools and functionality to make IT simpler for business customers.
Lastly, Windows 10 privacy has been somewhat of a sore spot, but the Creators Update will make it easier to manage privacy settings in Windows 10 and other Microsoft services. A new privacy dashboard will allow for easy management across multiple Microsoft devices to handle privacy matters.
These are just the top highlights the Creators Update will boast, but there are a lot more features and improvements in the mix and they'll start rolling out soon enough.
