Microsoft has shown a video that shows off Windows 10 running on the ARM powered Snapdragon processor. This is great for low cost, low power tablets and devices (perhaps a Surface Phone in the future?). It even offers the ability to join a domain as well as run x86 applications via emulation.
Build 14986 is coming down the pipeline for Fast Ring insiders of Windows 10. Some very nice additions this build. Especially if you’re a fan of Cortana. I think this is starting to fit in more with the connected home Microsoft is starting to implement. Check out the blog post for the large list of other great features this build.
Turn off your computer, change volume with voice commands: Being able to control your computer with just your voice is one of the top requests we get with Cortana, so we’re excited to say that we’ve added several new features to Cortana that let you do just that. Now you can shut down your PC just by asking Cortana. You can also restart, lock, or put the system to sleep, and raise and lower your system volume with just your voice. Give it a try and let us know what you think!
Another build from the Insider team for Fast ring Insiders. This time, they are preparing for the release of the Fall Creators Update, version 1709.
A new build for Windows 10 Mobile Insiders, Build 14977, has been released. Like the desktop release last week, you can now read EPUB books on your phone, which is a nice addition.
Read EPUB books in Microsoft Edge on your phone: In addition to being able to read any unprotected e-book in the EPUB file format on your PC with Microsoft Edge – you can also read unprotected e-book in the EPUB file format with Microsoft Edge on your phone! When you open an unprotected e-book in Microsoft Edge, you will be taken into a customizable reading experience where you can change the font and text size and choose between 3 themes: light, sepia, and dark. As you read, you can leave bookmarks. To navigate through an e-book, you can use the table of contents or seek bar at the bottom of the browser. And you can also search for words or phrases and use Cortana to define specific words.
The latest build of Windows 10 19H1 for the fast ring has been released, build 18353. A ton of fixes this round, and more known issues that might be a show stopper. The list of known issues continues to drop as this is getting closer to release. Grab it while it’s hot!
Windows 10 Anniversary Edition has apparently gone through enough testing via consumers and enterprise pilot programs to reach the CBB (Current Branch for Business) release stage. For more information on the servicing options and how they work (Insider Program, Current Branch, Current Branch for Business, Long-Term Servicing Branch), check out this link.
Windows 10 is also simplifying IT and significantly reducing deployment times. For example, with Windows Upgrade Analytics, customers can better assess their readiness for Windows 10 deployment and reduce an upgrade process that used to take years to just months or weeks. Windows 10 is also our most compatible release ever and with 99% of the top 3,000 apps shown to be compatible, customers are deploying at scale with confidence.
The Redmond Microsoft campus, all 500 acres of it, is certified at the Gold Level or Zero Waste Certification from the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council. I’ve visited the Redmond campus more than a few times, and there is a big push for recycling. Well done, Microsoft. Some excellent work done there!
Microsoft is the first technology company in the country to achieve this important benchmark. It underscores our commitment to being responsible corporate citizens and supplements the zero-waste certification we have held for eight years from the Green Restaurant Association (GRA) for our sustainable dining practices. Our goal is to continue diverting as much of our waste as we can from landfills.
For those on the Fast Ring of Windows 10 Insiders, build 14971 is now available. EPUB is now supported in Microsoft Edge, which will be nice.
PowerShell in the Shell: In an effort to bring the best command line experiences to the forefront for all power users, PowerShell is now the defacto command shell from File Explorer. It replaces Command Prompt (aka, “cmd.exe”) in the WIN + X menu, in File Explorer’s File menu, and in the context menu that appears when you shift-right-click the whitespace in File Explorer. Typing “cmd” (or “powershell”) in File Explorer’s address bar will remain a quick way to launch the command shell at that location. For those who prefer to use Command Prompt, you can opt out of the WIN + X change by opening Settings > Personalization > Taskbar, and turning “Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell in the menu when I right-click the Start button or press Windows key+X” to “Off”.
Build 14965 for Windows 10 Fast Ring Insiders is now available. Also, this week started the Bug Bash which runs until November 13th. A few good updates this round. Also, a few great fixes for those having some issues.
Controlling external monitors from tablets just got easier (PC): You can now drive content on a second display from your tablet without ever having to attach a mouse. The virtual touchpad lets you do more with a tablet and a second screen – just connect to another monitor, PC, or TV, go to Action Center and tap on the “Project” Quick Action to extend your screen. Use it just like you would a physical touchpad to control content on the connected screen. To enable it, press and hold on the taskbar and select “Show touchpad button”. A touchpad icon will now appear in the notification area (just like Windows Ink Workspace does), and tapping on it will bring it up the virtual touchpad.
Another Insiders build for Windows 10 Fast Ring folks. Hit Windows Update to grab it now!
Of course, this huge glaring bug is still a known issue. I really hope this gets fixed soon. I read a lot of posts where people are not upgrading due to this.
If you have a 3rd party antivirus product installed on your PC – your PC might not be able to complete the update to this build and roll-back to the previous build.
