Skip to main content

Windows 10 sees major overhaul and an Xbox One release

1206757 autosave v1 2 windows 10 home laptop
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Today’s the day, folks! As Microsoft VP Terry Myerson revealed on the official Windows blog today, the Windows 10-inspired “New Xbox One Experience” isn’t the only substantial update the operating system is going to see today. That’s because, as Myerson explains, the self-proclaimed “first major update” to Windows 10 is bound to hit PC and tablets today as well.

He notes that with this version release, Microsoft can now safely recommend widespread installations of Windows 10 by entire businesses and organizations alike.

Here’s a complete list of amendments to Microsoft’s critically-acclaimed desktop OS, as reported on its blog:

  • Performance in everyday tasks, such as boot time now nearly 30% faster than Windows 7 on the same device.

  • With Cortana, you can use your device’s pen to just scribble a note in the Cortana Notebook and Cortana will recognize the phone number, email address, and even physical address to help you set reminders. Cortana can also now keep track of your event and movie bookings too, sending you helpful reminders to know where to go and get there on time, plus the option to book and track an Uber. We’re excited to make Cortana available in Japan, Australia, and Canada and India (in English) with features and experiences customized for each market.

  • Microsoft Edge offers improved performance and security, along with tab preview, which allows you to hover over your open tabs and get a preview of what’s on those websites without leaving the page you’re on. Microsoft Edge now syncs your Favorites and Reading list items across devices so you can easily get back to the content you’re interested in most. And, Cortana will now notify you of the best coupons from your favorite retailers such as Staples, Macys and Best Buy when shopping in Microsoft Edge.

  • And much more with improvements to Mail, Calendar, Photos, Groove, Xbox, Store, OneNote, Solitaire, and more!

If you already have Windows 10 installed, you can expect the new update to arrive according to your Windows Update configuration. If you’re still using Windows 7 or 8.1, on the other hand, you can get the Windows 10 as well as the most recent update for free here. Microsoft is encouraging businesses in particular to take advantage of these changes due to some IT-friendly streamlining that was also conducted. This includes staggered deployment functionality as well as the option to publish applications on a private Windows Store server.

This update arrives just in time for Microsoft’s other big development, a massively overhauled Xbox One dashboard, complete with a Windows 10-inspired UI and limited backward compatibility for Xbox 360 titles. No doubt it’s a busy day for Microsoft at its campus in Redmond, Washington.

Editors' Recommendations

Gabe Carey
Former Digital Trends Contributor
A freelancer for Digital Trends, Gabe Carey has been covering the intersection of video games and technology since he was 16…
The latest Windows Update is reportedly causing Starfield problems
A man walking into a dusty town on another planet in starfield.

If you've installed the latest Windows 11 update and you've been experiencing all sorts of issues ever since, you're not alone And if you're still yet to install it, it's probably best hold off on it for now. Many users have been reporting problems following the recent update, including crashes, slowdowns, and blue screens of death (BSOD). Gamers appear to be affected most of all, with some reporting stuttering in Starfield and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. 

Following the latest update released on Patch Tuesday, various reports of problems started pouring in across social media and Microsoft's Feedback Hub. Microsoft itself hasn't spoken up about this yet, but considering the number of reported issues, we could soon hear an official comment on the situation. If you've already installed the update and aren't experiencing problems, you have nothing to worry about. If you have installed and are encountering issues, it's best to revert to the previous version and reach out through the Feedback Hub.

Read more
The best Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts
Close up of Microsoft Surface Pro 6 keyboard.

Keyboard shortcuts can speed up even the most mundane of Windows 10 tasks. Learning the best of them can make your PC experience faster, more efficient, and, in some cases, even more enjoyable.

These are the essential Windows 10 shortcuts that can make you feel more like a PC wizard. A master of the keys, so to speak.

Read more
Is Starfield on Xbox One?
Key art for Starfield

Starfield is one of the biggest games of the year and space exploration has never looked so good (especially on a new PC with the correct settings tweaked). Released natively for PC and Xbox Series X, a lot of gamers are going to be left out of Bethesda's latest RPG — it'll never be released on PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch. But there's good news if you're still playing on a last-gen Xbox One. While Starfield isn't being released on the older console directly, there's still a way to play on Xbox One.

There are also a few other ways to play Startfield without an Xbox at all.
How to play Satrfield on Xbox One

Read more