Microsoft has released Windows 10 build 16232 for PCs enrolled in the Fast ring. This new build is a minor update, but it includes a number of new features and changes users will get with the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.
Windows 10 build 16232, according to Microsoft, brings improvements to Windows Defender Application Guard for Microsoft Edge. And Windows Defender Security Center gets new settings to manage Windows system and app exploit mitigation, and adds a new feature to protect data from ransomware.
What’s new on Windows 10 build 16232
Here are all the new features and improvements included in this test version of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.
Windows Defender Security Center
In this new flight, you can now audit, mitigate, and manage Windows system and application exploit mitigation settings in Windows Defender Security Center, and you don’t need to be using Windows Defender Antivirus to use this feature.
The new settings are located on Windows Defender Security Center > App & browser control, under Exploit Protection settings. (This feature still under development and it may not work as expected.)
Windows Defender Antivirus now adds a new feature called Controlled folder access to protect data from malicious programs, including ransomware.
Controlled folder access is disabled by default, but you can quickly enable on your computer on Windows Defender Security Center > Virus & threat protection settings, and turn on the toggle switch for the feature.
“Controlled folder access monitors the changes that apps make to files in certain protected folders. If an app tries to make a change to these files, and the app is blacklisted by the feature, you’ll get a notification about the attempt.”
You’re always in control. If a particular app you trust is being blocked, you can allow it by clicking Allow an app through Controlled folder access, then locate and add the app you want to allow.
The new security feature, by default, protects the Documents, Pictures, Movies, and Desktop folders. However, you can always add more locations to protect other data by clicking Protected folders in the Controlled folder access area and enter the full path of the folder you want to monitor. (Just remember that you can’t remove the default folders.)
Windows Defender Application Guard
If you’re running the enterprise version of Windows 10, the new Windows Defender Application Guard for Microsoft Edge now supports data persistent while using an Application Guard session. This means that your favorites, cookies, and saved passwords will be available in protected section. However, this is an option that needs to be enabled manually using Group Policy.
How to download Windows 10 build 16232
Microsoft is listing the complete set of fixes and known issues for Windows 10 build 16232 at the Windows Blog. In case you missed it, you can read all the changes for Windows 10 build 16226 in this article.
Alongside this new update for PCs, Windows 10 Mobile build 15228 is also rolling out for phones, but there no new features, just a few minor changes and improvements.
You can also follow these resources:
Windows 10 build 16232 for PC is available immediately through the Fast ring. It’ll download and install automatically on your device, but you can always force the update from Settings > Update & security > Windows Update and clicking the Check for updates button.
Update July 7, 2017: Microsoft is now making available Windows 10 build 16232 for testers in the Slow ring.
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].