It’s official, Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is the name for the next major update of Windows, and it’s expected to arrive in September. You read it correctly, instead of using a different name, Microsoft is using “Creators Update” again as part of the new name.
The Fall Creators Update is the fourth feature update Windows 10 is receiving since it was first released two years ago, and it’s focus on adding new experiences and expanding functionalities to iOS and Android devices.
The software giant made the announcement during its second day keynote at the Build 2017 developer conference in Seattle, where they also revealed new apps are coming to Windows Store, new developer tools, and they even showed off the new Windows Mixed Reality motion controllers.
Windows 10 Fall Creators Update new features
Here are the new features that Microsoft announced during the conference:
Fluent Design System
Starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, Microsoft is introducing a new design language officially known as “Microsoft Fluent Design System” (formerly known as Project Neon). This new design language will be integrated into the OS and apps, and according to Microsoft, it’ll deliver a more intuitive, responsive, and inclusive cross-device experiences and interactions.
In other words, Windows 10 and apps will just look prettier with new translucent, blur, and animation effects.
Microsoft Graph
Microsoft has finally realized that most Windows 10 users will use many devices from different platforms, and the Fall Creators Update will make sure Windows 10 plays well with those devices. You’ll see this approach with new features like Timeline, pick up where I left off, OneDrive Files on Demand, and Clipboard that will leverage Microsoft Graph to bring devices together.
Timeline
The Taskbar Task View is now evolving and becoming Timeline. This is a new feature that displays tasks you’re doing previously, and quickly pick up on that file, app, or website in real-time.
Cortana
Pick up where you left off was first introduced with the Windows 10 Creators Update, and now it’ll be available across devices, including Windows, Android, and iOS devices.
Clipboard
Microsoft has teasing a cloud-powered clipboard for a long time, and now it’ll be coming with the Fall Creators Update. Clipboard is just an easy way to copy and paste anything across devices. For example, you can copy a piece of text on your desktop and paste it on your phone.
OneDrive File on Demand
On the next feature update, Windows 10 will finally bring placeholders back to OneDrive, but under the “OneDrive File on Demand” name. Just like before, this feature allows you to access files in the cloud without having to download them to your computer. OneDrive will also be smart enough to predict which files you’re going to need, and it’ll download them automatically on your computer.
Story Remix
Story Remix is a new experience part of the Photos app that will be available in the Windows Store, and it’ll allow users to quickly and easily create videos of photos and other videos, just like it was possible with Windows Movie Maker.
The new app using artificial intelligence and machine learning to automatically find relevant content on your collections to create video stories with soundtrack, theme, and transitions. You’ll be able to keep the suggested videos, delete, or edit them to your liking.
You’ll also be able to use Remix 3D and Paint 3D in your Story Remix project to add 3D, animations, and effect to your movies. It’s even possible to pin objects or draw into scenes, similar to how Snapchat’s new augmented reality lenses work.
Windows Store
Microsoft has also announced that the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update will bring a number of new apps to the Windows Store, including iTunes with complete support for iPhone and other Apple devices on any Windows 10 and Windows 10 S devices.
Autodesk will expand support Windows Mixed Reality bringing its 3D game engine and real-time rendering software, Stingray to the Store. And SAP will be bringing its SAP Digital Boardroom app to the Store as well.
Linux on Windows
While you can already use Bash on Ubuntu on Windows 10, the Fall Creators Update will bring SUSE Linux, and Fedora Linux, which you’ll be able to download from the Store.
Mixed Reality
Microsoft is also promising that when the Fall Creators Update releases, you’ll finally be able to get those low-cost Windows Mixed Reality headsets, which partners like Acer and Asus have been showing off for months.
In addition, the company will be shipping a set of new motion controllers to use with new experience with no markers required. This means that the controllers are standalone devices, and you won’t need to install sensors around the wall to use Windows Mixed Reality.
As an example, Acer will be selling its Windows Mixed Reality headset and motion controllers bundle for $400, and it’ll be available by the holiday season.
Wrapping things up
As you can see there is a lot that Microsoft is planning to deliver with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. Although the company hasn’t specify the exact release day, we’re expecting the next feature update to arrive some time in September.
What do you think about the upcoming features and changes? Tell us in the comments below.
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].