Windows 10 Anniversary Update has some impressive new features

THE removal of passwords, a smarter personal assistant and more uses for the stylus are just some of the updates coming to Windows 10.

IN A few days, Microsoft will be celebrating the first birthday of the Windows 10 operating system and this will mean a couple of things for consumers.

Firstly, those choosing to ignore Microsoft’s insistent upgrade notifications will miss the chance to receive the free upgrade Windows 10.

This means after July 29, a Windows 10 Home license will cost $A179 — the good news is this is a one-off payment for a lifetime subscription.

Secondly, the company is preparing its first major upgrade to the operating system on August 2.

Officially dubbed Windows 10 Anniversary Update, the upgrade will introduce some new features to the operating system, while tweaking some pre-existing components to make for a better user experience.

Here is a look at what major changes are coming with the Windows 10 Anniversary Update:

CORTANA

Cortana will now work over the lockscreen.

When it was released one year ago, Windows 10 was the first major operating system to add virtual assistant to the desktop in the form of Cortana.

The addition was such a success, Apple will be following suit and adding Siri to its new OS, codenamed Sierra.

With its new upgrade, Microsoft is attempting to take things one step further by trying to make Cortana feel like an actual assistant.

As part of this push, Cortana will now be used on the lock screen, which means users will be able to do common tasks such as setting a reminder, playing music or asking questions before even logging in.

Additionally, Cortana has gotten more intelligent and will have the ability to schedule appointments in Outlook or to search within documents — not just the titles — to help users find what they are looking for.

SECURITY

Windows Defender has been given some big upgrades to improve safety.

The Windows 10 Anniversary Update has been designed to ensure customers have the most secure user experience possible.

Windows Hello — Microsoft’s biometric security system using fingerprints or facial recognition — already made it easier and safer to log into devices, but now it’s taking things further.

Changes to the technology will mean users cannot only log into devices using Windows Hello, but they will be able to log into a number of compatible apps such as DropBox, which means there will be less need for numerous passwords that can be easily hacked.

While not coming on August 2, there are plans to have Windows Hello work for payment in websites used in the Microsoft Edge browser.

Furthermore, Microsoft’s free anti-malware service, Windows Defender, will now include the option to automatically schedule periodic quick scans, providing new notifications and summaries when threats are found.

WINDOWS INK

Clicking the pen will open up this world of opportunity.

When Microsoft created its line-up of Surface laptops and tablets, it included a stylus customers could use with the devices and the Windows 10 Anniversary Update has been designed to ensure it has even more uses.

By simply clicking on the top of the digital pen, a central location to find built-in or third-party apps that work with your stylus known as Windows Ink will open.

Similar to real-life post-it notes, a feature called Sticky Notes will allow users to write down any tasks they need to complete, which will soon be flow across devices thanks to the power of Cortana.

The stylus will also be able to be used on the new sketchpad, which is essentially Paint on steroids.

One of the best additions to sketchpad is a virtual ruler, allowing users to draw perfectly straight lines while doodling in the app.

OTHER MINOR TWEAKS

Windows Play Anywhere Program will allow customers to play all new Xbox One games on both the console and Windows 10 devices

As announced at E3 earlier this year, Windows Play Anywhere Program will allow customers to play all new Xbox One games on both the console and Windows 10 devices.

The Anniversary Update will bring the best of the Windows Store and Xbox Store to offer a single cohesive experience across devices

A new feature known as Dark Mode will also be introduced, which will switch built-in apps that typically use a white background over to black to save battery power.

The Anniversary Update will also support extensions to Microsoft’s Edge browser.

This means third-party developers can fill the Windows Store with their add-ons to match the likes of the extensions found on Chrome of Firefox.

The update wouldn’t be complete without a new emoji keyboard featuring new font and categories of expressive and playful emoji with more visual fidelity and skin tone options.

What do you think of the new updates? Continue the conversation on Twitter @mattydunn11