Windows 10 Creators Update releases, download it now

The Windows 10 Creators Update has officially arrived, and it’s now available to the masses. This is the third major release the OS is receiving, it’s referred as version 1703, identifying the year and month of the release, and it’s rolling out as a free update for desktops PCs, laptops, and tablets already running Windows 10.

The Creators Update is a huge update that brings a wide range of new features, changes, and improvements making Windows 10 a more productive and secure OS.

How to get the Windows 10 Creators Update
What’s new on the Windows 10’s Creators Update
Windows 10 Creators Update tips

How to get the Windows 10 Creators Update

Starting April 11, the new version will download and install automatically through Windows Update. Of course, you can always go to Settings > Update & security > Windows Update, and click the Check for updates button to force the download.

Once the update is ready to install, you’ll need to go through a new experience to configure your privacy settings before the update applies to your device.

The Creators Update will take months to reach everyone, which means that it may take some time before you get it.

Don’t wait, get it now

If you can’t wait until it becomes available to your device, Microsoft has also updated its Media Creation Tool, which you can use to do an in-place upgrade without losing your personal files, apps, or settings. Or you can also use the tool to do a clean install of the Windows 10 Creators Update.

The new version can also be installed using the Update Assistant, which is a small tool you use to force the Creators Update on devices that aren’t getting the update automatically. However, anyone can use the tool.

Alternatively, the Windows 10 Creators Update ISO file is also available for download to do a clean install or in-place upgrade using a USB bootable media.

Once you updated your PC, Windows 10 will save a copy of your previous version in case you need to rollback. However, if you’re staying in the new version, don’t forget to reclaim the space after the upgrade.

What’s new on the Windows 10’s Creators Update

The Creators Update for Windows 10 is a massive update with many new features and changes. For example, on the new version, 3D and mixed reality comes built in to the OS.

Cortana gets new improvements, such as full-screen mode on the desktop, pick up where you left off, and a number of other tweaks. The Start menu receives a new option to hide the all apps list, and you can now create folders, just like in Windows 10 Mobile.

There is a new Windows Share experience that replaces the Windows 8-like style flyout, and File Explorer gets notifications.

The new release is also big on gaming. With the Creators Update, you’ll get a new feature called Game Mode to boost games performance, and Beam comes integrated right out of the box.

Settings

The Settings apps gets a huge number of tweaks on version 1703. For example, you now get a new Night Light feature to reduce the blue light of your display at night to help prevent eye strain and improve sleep quality.

Storage sense is a new feature that automatically deletes unnecessary files to free up space. Microsoft is also adding the ability to set an Ethernet connection as metered.

You can now use the Settings app to personalize your experience using Themes, and get new themes from the Store.

Dynamic Lock is a new feature in the Sign-in options settings page that allows Windows 10 detect when you’re away and it locks your computer automatically.

Windows 10 now allows you to control how apps get installed on your computer. This means that you can now set your device to block non-Store apps.

Windows Update will no longer reboot suddenly to apply a new update, and a lot more.

Windows Defender Security Center

Microsoft is also making significant changes on security, and one of these new features is the new Windows Defender Security Center, which is a new dashboard to control malware protection, performance and system health, firewall, and family options.

In this new experience, you’ll also find Fresh Start, which is a new feature that replaces the Refresh Windows option in the Settings app, and it allows you to quickly reinstall Windows 10 with all the updates.

Microsoft Edge

On the Creators Update, the web browser gets new tools to manage tabs, it also introduces a new e-book reader experience to read books you purchase from the Store or unprotected epub files you store locally on your computer.

In addition, Microsoft Edge now adds support for 3D experiences without the need of plugins, Adobe Flash content gets blocked by default, Microsoft Wallet allows one-click checkout process on e-commerce sites, and more tweaks.

Windows 10 Creators Update tips

Wrapping things up

After months of development, the Windows 10 Creators Update is finally available, and even though the new version isn’t an overhaul, it’s a refresh with a lot of welcome additions.

The update is available officially starting April 11, 2017, through Windows Update. However, you can always install it manually using the Media Creation Tool or Update Assistant.

Are you running the Windows 10 Creators Update? What do you think about the improvements? Tell us in the comments below.