The Windows 10 Creators Update is here, and on this hands-on video review, you’ll learn all the new features, changes, and enhancements. The Creators Update (formerly known as “Redstone 2”) is the third major update Microsoft is rolling out to devices –and it’s a massive update.
Although Windows 10 version 1703 includes a number of new features and improvements, you won’t be seeing significant visual changes, as most of the biggest improvements are happening at the system level.
Windows 10 Creators Update release date
Microsoft is officially releasing the new update on April 11th, but the company will be making it available to devices slowly. Initially, the Creators Update will become available through Windows Update on newer devices that have been tested to work with the new version. Then based on feedback during the first phase of the rollout other devices will start getting the new update.
If you don’t want to wait, you can always force the Windows 10 Creators Update using the Media Creation Tool or the Update Assistant.
Version 1703 will release for Windows 10 Mobile starting April 25th, and Xbox One is also getting the Creators Update, which you can download immediately.
Windows 10 Creators Update new features
The Windows 10 Creators Update is a massive update with a lot of new features and improvements. Some of these features, which you will see in more details in the hands-on video review, include new support for 3D and mixed reality (augmented reality and virtual reality).
Version 1703 also brings big improvements on gaming, such as Game Mode to boost gaming performance, and Beam integration for in-game broadcast without third-party tools.
Cortana gets a number of improvements, including full-screen mode, pick up where you left off, and a handful of small tweaks.
While the Start menu remains virtually the same, you can now hide the all apps list, and create folders, just like Windows 10 Mobile.
Also, there is a new Windows Share experience and notifications for File Explorer.
Settings
In this Windows 10 Creators Update review, we’ll also look at the Settings app, which is getting a plethora of tweaks, new features, and improvements. For example, in the Windows 10 Creators Update, you can now use the new Night Light feature to reduce the blue light of your display at night to help prevent eye strain and improve sleep quality.
You can now personalize your experience using themes within the Settings app, there is a new option to block non-Store apps on your device, and Windows Update will no longer reboot suddenly to apply a new update.
Microsoft is also adding the ability to set an Ethernet connection as metered. Storage sense automatically deletes unnecessary files to free up space.
Dynamic Lock is a new feature in the Sign-in options settings page that allows Windows 10 detect when you’re away and it locks your computer automatically.
The Creators Update adds new settings to customize precision touchpad with finger gestures, and a lot more.
Microsoft Edge
The default web browser for Windows 10 gets a new tab managements system that allows to save active tabs for later viewing. In this new version, Microsoft Edge introduces a new e-book reader to read books you buy from the Store or epub files you store on your computer.
Additionally, the browser now includes support for 3D without the need of plugins, Adobe Flash content gets blocked by default, Microsoft Wallet support adds one-click checkout process for e-commerce sites, and more tweaks.
Windows Defender Security Center
The Creators Update makes big changes on security, and one particular new feature is the new Windows Defender Security Center, which is a new dashboard to control malware protection, performance and system health, firewall, and family options.
Wrapping things up
This is without a doubt a big update that improves many aspects of the OS, adds new experiences, and makes Windows 10 more secure.
Whether you’re already running the Windows 10 Creators Update, or planning to install it in a near future, this hands-on video review highlights all the new features, changes, and enhancements.
The update is available officially starting April 11, 2017, through Windows Update. However, you can always install it manually using the Media Creation Tool or Update Assistant.
What do you think about the improvements in the Creators Update for Windows 10? Tell us in the comments below.
Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 15 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 21 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me. Email him at [email protected].