The Windows 10 May 2019 Update, version 1903, is arriving soon, and in this hands-on video review, you’ll learn all the new features and enhancements coming in the feature update.
Windows 10 version 1903, codenamed 19H1, is the seventh major release that Microsoft is making available for desktops, laptops, and tablets, and it’s an incremental update built on the October 2018 Update that delivers a new set of visual enhancements as well as several new small features.
You can learn more about this update in this field guide.
Windows 10 version 1903 release date
The new version of Windows 10 is officially rolling out sometime during the month of April, but it won’t be available for every device on day one. Instead, Microsoft is planning to rollout the update slowly starting with devices known to work with the new version, and then based on feedback and telemetry from the initial phase, it’ll expand to other computers.
Although you can force the May 2019 Update using the Media Creation Tool, the recommended way to get the feature update is to wait until it’s automatically available through Windows Update.
Windows 10 May 2019 Update new features
In this new feature update, Windows 10 is adding a number of improvements and a few new features, including a brand-new Light mode that brings lighter colors across the Start menu, Action Center, taskbar, keyboard, and other elements.
Search isn’t a new feature, but in previous versions this feature was part of the Cortana experience, and now, beginning with version 1903, Cortana and Search are splitting into two separate features. In addition, in the Settings app, you’ll now find a new page to configure all the aspects of search, including a new Enhanced option that allows you to search your entire device — not just your documents, pictures, videos, and desktop folders.
Reserved Storage is a new feature designed to set aside part of the available storage on your device to use as temporary storage to reduce the amount of problems while installing feature or monthly updates. Furthermore, Windows 10 will now be able to uninstall updates automatically when they cause issues and you can’t start your device.
In this release, Windows 10 is introducing Recommended Troubleshooting, which is a new feature that allows the system to fix many critical problems on your device automatically. For instance, Windows 10 now can automatically restore default settings for critical services, adjust settings to match your hardware configuration, or make specific changes to operate normally.
Windows Sandbox is another big feature with version 1903. It’s available for Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise, and it’ll allow developers and system administrators to test untrusted applications without harming the device and data.
Windows 10 now can adjust active hours based on your device activity automatically to prevent restarting your computer to apply updates when you’re actively using it.
If you’re using Windows 10 Home, you can now pause updates using the Settings app. Starting with this new version, you can customize the mouse pointer color and size, adjust the screen brightness using the new slider in Action Center, insert symbols from the emoji panel, and a lot more.
If you already installed the Windows 10 May 2019 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’ll be officially available at some point in April.
What do you think about the new features and improvements with version 1903? 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].