Windows 10’s April 2018 Update (version 1803) is now here, and in this hands-on video review, you’ll get to know everything, including all the new features, improvements, and changes.
Version 1803 (previously known as the “Spring Creators Update”) is the fifth major release that Microsoft is making available for desktops, laptops, and tablets, and it’s a continuation of the work the software giant brought with the Fall Creators Update.
Similar to the previous release, the April 2018 Update brings a number of visual changes as well as a number of new features to improve the overall experience and security of Windows 10.
You can also check the written field guide for the Windows 10 April 2018 Update.
Windows 10 April 2018 (version 1803) release date
The new version is officially rolling out on April 30, 2018, but no every computer will get it the first day. Just like previous releases, Microsoft will initially be making the update available automatically to newer devices known to work with the new version. Then based on feedback and telemetry data from the initial phase, other the rollout will continue with other devices.
The best way to get the April 2018 Update is to wait until Windows Update offers the update automatically, but if you can’t wait, it’s possible to download version 1803 using the Media Creation Tool or Update Assistant.
Windows 10 April 2018 (version 1803) new features
This new version of Windows 10 is significant and includes a slew of new features and improvements.
Some of these new improvements, which you can see in the April 2018 Update video review in more detail, include Fluent Design tweaks in the Start menu, taskbar, Action Center, and Settings app.
Timeline finally arrives to Windows 10, and it’s a feature that allows you resume activities from websites, documents, and apps you were working in the past. However, Timeline is not a standalone feature, instead it’s a feature part of the Task View experience.
Nearby sharing is a feature that lets you share any file and web links with minimal efforts wirelessly to nearby devices using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity (similar to Apple’s AirDrop feature).
Starting with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, “Quiet hours” becomes Focus assist, and it allows to put a block to notifications to avoid interruptions to stay focus.
Although it’s not new to version 1803, the feature is getting a lot of changes that makes it qualify as a new feature.
You can now configure the experience in a number of ways. You can enable Focus assist quickly through the Action Center context menu in the taskbar, and in its new settings page, you’ll find options to enable it, and configure automatic rules that lets you select the time and activities when you don’t want to be disturbed and Focus assist will turn on automatically.
Fonts is a new experience built into the Settings app that offers the ability to quickly manage fonts on your device. Using the settings page, you can review, add or remove fonts from your computer.
Windows 10 makes Bluetooth pairing a lot quicker and more convenient. Starting with the April 2018 Update, Windows will detect when a Bluetooth device is in range and ready to pair and it’ll pop a toast notification with a Connect button to quickly complete the setup, instead of having to dig into the Settings app.
Windows 10 version 1803 now allows you to manage graphics preferences for apps on systems with multiple GPUs. You can now review and delete the data your device sends to Microsoft to improve the overall experience on Windows 10. It’s also possible to set data limit per network adapters to help you avoid going over your data plan, and you can also restrict background data to reduce data usage, and a lot more.
If you’re already installed the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, or you’re planning to get it in the coming weeks, this hands-on video review walks you through everything you need to know about the update.
The update is free for those devices already running Windows 10, and it’s rumored to be available on April 30, 2018.
What do you think about the new features and improvements with version 1803? 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].