Source: Microsoft.
Microsoft has released its first significant update for Windows 10, available for both PCs and tablets. This update brings enhancements across the platform, improving user experience according to the company’s official announcement. The rollout of Windows 10 has also begun for Xbox One and is expected to reach selected mobile phones shortly.
Terry Myerson, Executive VP of Microsoft’s Windows and Devices Group, expressed confidence in the update, stating that it marks a level of platform maturity suitable for organization-wide deployment.
Some key improvements include:
- Significantly faster performance in daily tasks. Boot time, for instance, is now almost 30% faster than Windows 7 on the same device.
- Cortana, the digital assistant, is now available in Japan, Australia, and India (in English). Each region receives a customized experience with tailored features.
- Microsoft Edge, the browser for Windows 10, sees improvements in performance and security. A new tab preview feature allows users to glimpse content on open tabs without navigating away from their current page.
- Favorites and Reading list items in Microsoft Edge now synchronize across devices.
- This update enables centralized management for both company-owned and BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) devices. Myerson shared that Windows 10 is already active on over 110 million devices, which includes 12 million business PCs.
Two new complimentary services are also being introduced:
- Windows Update for Business provides IT departments with greater control over update deployment within their organizations. This ensures devices remain current and secure while minimizing management overhead. Features include setting up staggered deployments for different device groups and optimizing deployments for network efficiency.
- Windows Store for Business offers IT departments a versatile solution to discover, acquire, manage, and deploy apps to Windows 10 devices. This encompasses both Windows Store apps and custom in-house applications. Organizations can choose how they want to distribute apps – either by directly assigning them, publishing them to a private store, or integrating with a management system.
This update introduces two new features designed to empower IT teams and allow for secure multi-device work environments:
- Mobile Device Management allows IT teams to leverage the full capabilities of Enterprise Mobility Management. This allows for comprehensive management of the entire range of Windows devices, from PCs and tablets to phones and even devices within the Internet of Things.
- Azure Active Directory (AAD) Join helps IT maintain a single directory, simplifying user access. This allows users to log in once and securely access their Windows settings and data across all their Windows 10 devices. AAD Join also streamlines the process of making any device enterprise-ready.
Microsoft continues to enhance Windows 10’s security, aiming to make it the most secure platform yet. Some notable security features include:
- Credential Guard: This safeguards credentials within a hardware-based virtualized environment, mitigating the “pass the hash” technique commonly used in major security breaches.
- Device Guard: This utilizes Trusted Boot to prevent the installation of malicious software, ensuring the security of company devices.
- Windows Hello**: This feature allows users to move beyond passwords with enterprise-grade biometric authentication options, including fingerprint and facial recognition.
In addition to the above, Microsoft is actively developing ’enterprise data protection.’ This feature will enhance corporate data security by isolating and containing it separately from personal data. Myerson mentioned that enterprise data protection is currently undergoing trials with several enterprise clients and will be accessible to Windows Insiders in the near future.
This update also gives enterprise clients the option to disable all telemetry data collection. However, Myerson advises against this, highlighting that the data collected helps Microsoft deliver a secure, dependable, and personalized user experience. He emphasized that Microsoft will continue to collaborate with external experts and value user feedback on this significant matter.
*Users currently on Windows 10 will receive the November update as per their Windows Update settings. Those still using Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 can utilize the free upgrade offer and receive the November update as part of their Windows 10 upgrade.
**Hardware dependent