Microsoft is now rolling out Windows 10 build 17017 for PCs enrolled in the Fast ring as well as for those who are using the Skip Ahead option. The new release part of the version 1803 due in 2018 is a minor update, but it includes a number of new features.
Windows 10 build 17017, according to Microsoft, introduces Cortana Collections, which is a new feature to help you save time by allowing the assistant to create reminders automatically of things tailor to your liking. In addition, starting with this new flight brings all the Cortana actions to Action Center, instead of having to manage them in Cortana and Action Center. And the Settings app gains a new Startup page that allows you to manage apps that run at startup.
Alongside the new features, this new Redstone 4 update includes a number improvements, fixes, and known issues you may want to know before installing.
What’s new on Windows 10 build 17017
Cortana
Cortana Collections
Staring with build 17017, Windows 10 introduces Cortana Collections that allows the assistant to save you time by “noticing and remembering things,” such as recipes, restaurants, books, movies and TV shows you want to watch, and things you shop online without you having to do anything.
As Cortana gathers these things, it’ll put them into an organized list that you can pick the ones you like best, and the more you use the feature the smarter the assistant gets. So, items you don’t like, may not appear in the future.
Cortana Collections is only available in the United States and in English.
Cortana actions
Up until the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, there were two places to see actions you may need to take, including Cortana and Action Center. However, it appears that this was confusing for many users, and starting with the Insider Preview build 17017, Cortana’s proactive content will relocate to Action Center. This means that moving forward, you will only need to go to one place find what actions and to see the important insights the assistant has for you.
With this change, the Cortana interface has more space to provide tips, assistance, and tools to make you more productive.
This migration process will take a while, and in this first phase, Cortana no longer shows proactive content. In future updates, proactive content will start showing up in Action Center.
Settings
In the Settings app, more specifically in the Apps section, there is a new Startup page that allows you to control which apps are allowed to run startup.
Previously, you needed to this in Task Manager in the Startup tab, but on a continues effort to consolidate the Windows 10 settings, now you can see all the startup apps in the Settings app.
Additional improvements
If a notification doesn’t support being dismissed into the Action Center, the toast will now show an X instead of an arrow. Also going forward, the settings to disable hibernate and Fast Startup will be preserved across upgrades.
This flight doesn’t include significant known issues, but swipe gestures to dismiss notifications isn’t working. Windows Media Player may disappear from your installation. And if you RDP into a PC running this build with certain graphics configurations, when you go to sign in to the PC locally it will appear stuck at a black screen with only the cursor available.
Microsoft is listing the complete set of improvements for Windows 10 Insider build 17017 at the Windows Blog. In case you missed it, you can read all the changes for Windows 10 build 17004 in this article.
How to download Windows 10 build 17017
Although there are no ISO files for Windows 10 build 17017, the update is available immediately through the Fast ring for PCs and using the Skip Ahead option. This preview build will 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.
If you’re trying to update, and you get a “An update is being prepared for your device, but it’s not quite ready yet. We’ll keep trying or you can try again now.” message, you’re not alone and it’s not a problem with your device. Microsoft is already aware of these reports and it’s investigating the problem.
You can also check out these resources:
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].