Windows 10 build 14997 ISO leaks onto the web unveiling new features

Windows 10 Creators Update preview leaks onto the web with new setup improvements and a bunch new features and changes — Here's what new.

Windows 10 build 14997 ISO leak

The ISO file for a new test preview of the Creators Update for Windows 10 leaks onto the web. This time around Windows 10 build 14997 for PC found its way onto the internet and it includes a number of visual improvements and features over the current official build.

Windows 10 build 14997 was spotted in BetaArchive by Windows Central, and in a flight that may never roll out to Insiders, we can see an improved out-of-box experience that features Cortana to assist you with post-installation configurations. The Settings app gets a few improvements and new options, and build 14997 includes a new version of Microsoft Edge.

What’s new on Windows 10 build 14997

OOBE

In the new leaked version of Windows 10, we can now see that Microsoft is improving the out-of-box experience (OOBE) after the installation of Windows 10.

Updated Windows 10 out-of-box experience
Updated Windows 10 out-of-box experience

The new experience changes allow Cortana to assist you every step of the way to get you set up as quickly as possible.

Desktop

In the desktop of build 14997, you won’t find any significant changes, but you’ll see a coffee mug icon in the top-right corner of the Start menu, which might indicate a new feature will be coming in that area.

Coffee mug on Start menu
Coffee mug on Start menu

Additionally, Cortana incorporates a new option to let you launch Cortana in listening mode using the Windows key + C keyboard shortcut.

Settings app

On Windows 10 build 14997, in the Settings app some of the features have been reorganized and there are a few new options as well.

For example, System has been split into two sections. Now there is a System and Apps section. There aren’t new features in these sections, but now you’ll have to go to Apps to change some settings, including Apps & features, Default apps, Offline maps, and Apps for websites.

Windows 10 build 14997 Settings
Windows 10 build 14997 Settings
Windows 10 build 14997 Apps section on Settings
Apps section on Settings

In the Display section, you’ll also find a new “Brightness and color” section with the previously rumored “Blue light”. The new feature allows to lower the blue light automatically in your screen to reduce eye strain and help you sleep at night after long hours of work.

New display settings on Windows 10
New display settings on Windows 10
Windows 10 Blue light settings
Windows 10 Blue light settings

In Personalization, we can now see that Windows 10 finally is bringing Themes to Settings. In the new section, you can change themes and customize their options, including the ability to change mouse cursor, sounds, color, and background settings.

Themes settings section on the Windows 10 Creators Update
Themes settings section on the Windows 10 Creators Update

And in Windows Update advanced options users can pause updates for up to 35 days. Though, it’s unclear if this feature will be available for Windows 10 Home, as the leaked is an Enterprise version of the operating system.

Pause updates on Windows 10 for up to 35 days
Pause updates on Windows 10 for up to 35 days

Microsoft Edge

On this new Creators Update leaked preview, Microsoft Edge jumps to version 39.14997.1001.0, and it includes a new tab management system where you can quickly set tabs aside for later viewing.

Microsoft Edge "Set aside" tabs
Microsoft Edge “Set aside” tabs

In addition, you can quickly show and hide tab previews clicking the new button next to the create new tab button.

Microsoft Edge show and hide tab previews
Microsoft Edge show and hide tab previews

And the version of Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 build 14997 also includes the new share interface that we’ll be seeing in the Creators Update, which replaces the old flyout that we used to see in Windows 8.x.

Microsoft Edge share UI on Windows 10 Creators Update
Microsoft Edge share UI on Windows 10 Creators Update

Windows Defender

In the new Windows Defender dashboard there is a new “Device performance & help” section where you can see your system help report, and you also get an option to refresh your computer with a clean up-to-date installation of Windows 10.

Windows Defender Device performance & health
Windows Defender Device performance & health

Wrapping things up

The new leaked preview comes from the rs_onecore_base branch, and its complete designation name is: 10.0.14997.1001.rs_onecore_base.161218-0833_amd64fre_client-enterprise_volume_en-us-CENA_X64FREV_EN-US_DV5.iso

Although, you might be able to easily find and download the Windows 10 build 14997 ISO file, it’s important to note that this isn’t an official release. This means that it’s not supported by Microsoft, and it’s not recommended to download and install on your main computer.

What do you think about the new changes in this leaked version of Windows 10? Tell us 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.