Microsoft Windows 10

Microsoft continues its winning formula of improving the Windows 10 operating system incrementally, adding new time-management, dictation, sharing, browsing, and smart home features, just for starters.

Start Screen

Windows 10 Creators Update shows all apps on the Start menu, and the Action Center icon is rightmost on the Taskbar.

Games

Creators Update adds a bunch of gaming features, including a Game mode that prioritizes system resources for games, and Beam game broadcasting.

Night Light

For a better night's sleep, enable Windows 10's new Night Light feature, which reduces blue light.

Books in the Edge browser

You can now get e-books in the Windows app store and read them in the Edge web browser.

Edge Tab Previews

Edge now can drop down thumbnails for all open tabs.

Share

Sharing in Windows 10, starting with Creators Update, happens in the middle of the screen, rather than from a right-side panel.

New Privacy Dashboard and Setup

When you set up Windows 10, you now see a clear panel of privacy options.

Microsoft Ink Workspace

Using pen input is a highlight of the update, with a whole Ink Workspace available from the system tray. The Workspace offers stickies, a sketchpad, and screen sketch tools.

Stickies

Stickies get some Cortana intelligence: If you enter a date or flight number you can turn on scheduling or flight details.

Screen Sketch

This is basically a whiteboard for marking up whatever's on your screen. If you double-click the pen's button, this interface opens.

Sketchpad

Sketchpad is a free-form drawing space, with a ruler that lets you draw perfectly straight lines.

Cortana on the Lock Screen

You can now access Cortana even before logging into the PC, for things like checking the weather, finding facts, or playing music.

Cortana Answer

Cortana is getting better at providing (and speaking) answers without the need to open a Web search result page.

Cortana Lists

A new Cortana features appeared in time for the 2016 winter holidays: Lists, for shopping or tasks.

Cortana Speaker Setup

Cortana's sidebar now includes an icon that lets you set up a smart speaker such as the Harman Kardon Invoke.

Cortana Reminder With Photo

You can now include photos and URLs in reminders.

Map Touch

The included Maps app lets you draw to find out distances between two points.

Photos

The default Photos app has ditched the circular wheel controls for simpler, touch-friendly on-screen sliders.

Get Started App

The Get Started app walks you through all of Windows 10's features.

Cortana's Notebook

Cortana's Notebook keeps track of your interests like sports teams and favorite cuisines, in order to serve your needs. New are lists, which you can use for shopping and more. It's all opt-in.

Reminder Without Time or Place

You're no longer required to specify a time or place with a reminder, which makes entry easier.

Extensions In Store

The Edge web browser now supports extensions, which you get from the Windows Store.

Extensions in Edge Browser

Extensions appear at the top of the overflow menu after installation, as is the case with Pocket here. You can, however, set them to appear in the top menu bar, as with the AdGuard and LastPass extensions.

Reply to Skype Notification

You can answer a Skype text right from its Action Center notification.

Action Center

The Action Center gives access to frequently needed settings and shows a persistent notification list.

Dark Mode

There's a new Dark screen mode for Windows 10 default apps.

Tablet Mode

Tablet mode pares down the OS to a touch-friendly interface.

Calendar Appointments

The system tray calendar now shows your appointments, for a quick glance at your schedule.

The Windows Store

That is, the app store. Apps obtained here are more secure and won't slow down your system the way old-school programs can. You also get music, movies, TV, Edge browser extensions, and ebooks here.