Windows 10 Anniversary Update roadmap reveals additional new features

Microsoft's Windows 10 Roadmap site unveils new features coming with the Anniversary Update for PC and Mobile.

Windows 10 Anniversary Update roadmap

It was recently discovered that Microsoft has a new Windows 10 Roadmap website that is intended to show businesses the work in progress with the operating system. However, the site also reveals additional features that we haven’t heard before and will be available with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update.

While we are already using many of the features that Microsoft reveals in the roadmap page, there is also a list called “In Development” that not only highlights many of the features the software giant has already disclosed, but also additional features that were never introduced.

Here is the listing of upcoming consumer-focused features Microsoft is planning to roll out with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update later this year, including some new features the company never introduced.

Windows 10 Anniversary Update roadmap features

  • Use your phone to unlock your Windows PC: You will be able to use your Windows phone or Android phone to store your credentials that can be used to unlock your Windows 10 device and authenticate using apps and services that support Windows Hello and Microsoft Passport based authentication.
  • Use companion devices to unlock your Windows PC: You’ll be able to use your Microsoft Band 2, or other devices with support for Microsoft’s Windows 10 Companion Device Framework (CFD), as companion device for “Microsoft Passport based authentication”. With the Windows 10 Anniversary Update compatible companion devices can be use as external second factor of authentication to unlock your PC.
  • Cortana and Action Center integration: Proactive notifications you get with Cortana will now be available on Action Center.
  • Start menu updates: The Windows 10 Anniversary Update is expected to ship with an updated Start menu that gives users more control to reduce clicking and scrolling, making it easier to access all apps, and new improvements to the touch screen experience are also coming.
  • Remote Display Experience: The new experience puts a screen on every “display less” devices to allow users to easily control Windows 10 IoT Core applications from any Windows 10 device, including PC, tablet, or phone.
  • Picture in Picture: Monitor media content while focusing on other tasks.
  • PC to PC casting: Similar to remote desktop, you’ll be able to cast your Windows 10 experience to another device.
  • Touch support for Continuum: Up until now you were able to use Continuum for phones with external monitors but without touch screen support. The Windows 10 Roadmap page reveals that compatible phones will include touch support with Continuum.
  • Support for new accessories: Microsoft is also planning to support “Laptop-like” accessories, including lightweight and low-cost laptop without processor or operating system. However, when connecting a phone with Continuum support, you’ll get a full laptop experience.
  • Projecting on PCs: Phones with Continuum support can connect to displays that are connected to Windows 10 PCs. The new feature will work above the Lock screen and when logged into the computer.
  • Web Notifications on Microsoft Edge: The Anniversary Update will let you get notifications from your favorite websites, even when you’re not in the page. For example, similar to Chrome, you’ll be able to get Facebook notifications on Action Center.
  • Windows Ink: Microsoft is improving its pen support to work everywhere and make stylus support a big part of Windows.

The following features will also come as part of the Anniversary Update, but they are already available in the latest preview of Windows 10.

  • Multifactor authentication for apps and websites: This features will allow you to use Windows Hello and/or Microsoft Passport to authenticate to an application or website.
  • Extensions support on Microsoft Edge: The new web browser for Windows 10 will let you extend your browsing experiences with new features and enhancements through extensions.
  • Pinning tabs on Microsoft Edge: You’ll now be able to pin your favorite sites to the browser for quick and easy access. Pinned taps will remain pinned even after your relaunch Edge.

All the features listed in the Windows Roadmap site are in addition to a number of other features Microsoft has already revealed during its Build 2016 developer conference and through the ones available in the Windows 10 Insider Preview builds, such as Bash on Ubuntu, Cortana and Settings improvements.

Hands-on video with Windows 10 build 14316

What are your thoughts on the new upcoming feature for the Anniversary Update? Let us know in the comments below.

About the author

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 14 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 20 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.