Windows 10 Anniversary Update: Top 5

Eight months since its launch, Windows 10 is now active on over 270 million devices. Coming this summer, a free ‘Anniversary Update’ will pack a slew of new features to further improve the experience. Here are our top five.

Free updates to look forward to this summer.

WINDOWS HELLO IN MICROSOFT EDGE

In addition to letting you securely sign-in to your Windows 10 devices and access business networks via biometric authentication, Windows Hello is also coming to the Edge browser, enabling you to do password-less sign-ins to your favorite websites. This experience is powered by an early implementation of the Web Authentication spec.

Other than device sign-in, you can soon do website authentication with Windows Hello.

BASH ON UBUNTU ON WINDOWS

If you’re a Windows developer who uses a wide range of Linux tools and finds it a hassle to alternate between Linux and Windows boxes, the ability to run Bash shell in Windows is a godsend. Unlike virtual machine or compiled software solutions like Cygwin, you get a native experience because actual Ubuntu Linux binaries are now running on Windows.

Bash shell on Windows - what a time to be alive.

A MORE HELPFUL CORTANA

For regions that support it, the Cortana personal assistant will soon be able to proactively make suggestions throughout your day. It’ll also be available above the lockscreen, giving you quicker access to common tasks. And because Action Center is moving to the cloud, you can even reply to a text message on your Android phone with your PC.

Just say “Hey Cortana” to activate the personal assistant on the lockscreen.

ALL-NEW WINDOWS INK EXPERIENCE

For users who use a digital pen or stylus, Microsoft is introducing Windows Ink, an all-new experience that enables you to write or doodle easily in Windows 10, be it in existing apps like Maps, Microsoft Edge, and Office, or new ones like Sticky Notes and Sketchpad. And to put these tools within easy reach, they can be found in the new Ink Workplace pane.

During inking, you also have access to tools like a digital ruler.

UNIVERSAL APPS ON XBOX ONE

Background music and Cortana are among the two new features coming to Xbox One. In the performance department, Microsoft has also promised better support for multiple GPUs and the ability to turn off v-sync. As universal Windows apps are coming to the console, Microsoft is also merging the Xbox app store with the Windows app store.

Forza Motorsport 6: Apex for Windows 10 is built on the Universal Windows Platform.