Microsoft's Windows 10 Creators Update Arrives April 11

We've known that the next major update to Windows 10, the Creators Update, would arrive this spring for some time. We just didn't know the exact date--until today, when Microsoft announced that the free update will start to roll out to users on April 11.

Microsoft’s latest announcement highlighted a few features that come with the new update. This includes the Paint 3D app, which allow you to create 3D objects within the app or turn a traditional 2D painting into a three-dimensional object. Microsoft also wants to use the app as a way to make new mixed reality content for its Windows Mixed Reality headsets, which are in development by companies such as Acer, Asus, Lenovo, Dell, and HP.

For PC gamers, the update will also bring Game Mode, a new feature that's supposed to increase performance when you play games. In conjunction with Game Mode is Beam, Microsoft’s solution for broadcasting games. Not only is it supposed to provide low latency between the actual and broadcasted gameplay, but it also doesn’t require additional hardware or software to run. All you have to do is activate it from the Game Bar.

For parents, there's now an ability to set daily time limits on how long a child uses the PC. In terms of general security, the new Windows Defender Security Center lets you manage firewall and antivirus settings and multiple security options for apps from one location. It also includes the Device Health Advisor, which is supposed to provide additional information on the “vital signs of your device” as well as multiple settings that will let you decide how to install new apps.

In addition to the date announcement, Microsoft also revealed that it plans to bring its Surface Studio, Dial, and Book devices to more countries starting on April 20. Specifically, you can pre-order the Surface Book today if you live in Austria, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The Surface Studio and Dial will also be available for pre-order today in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

Other highlights within the Creators Update include a night light mode to reduce the blue light emitted from the screen; improved security and performance for the Microsoft Edge web browser; a new mini-view feature that will let you create a small window on the corner of your screen that allows you to hold Skype calls, control music, or watch Netflix while working on other things; and the ability to lock your PC on your iPhone, Android, or Windows mobile device through Windows Hello. Microsoft also mentioned that those using its Surface Hub will also get the Creators Update, and more details on the specific features will come prior to the update's release.

  • e_SonOfAnder
    Would have been nice to see an updated Windows Movie Maker find its way back in to Windows 10 with this update given the feature focus and update name.
    Reply
  • goblinissimus
    Any info on fixing color management, Hi DPI scaling, HDR and system wide 10bit support?
    Reply
  • Same garbage, MS just shuffled things around and as far as game mode goes doesn't bring any improvements...just a gimmick since DX12 didn't live up to hype.
    Reply
  • Movie Maker won't happen because it is too complicated for garbage called UWP.
    Reply
  • jimmysmitty
    19491758 said:
    Same garbage, MS just shuffled things around and as far as game mode goes doesn't bring any improvements...just a gimmick since DX12 didn't live up to hype.

    DX12 does have performance potential, it just needs to be taken advantage of by drivers and game devs. Look at NVidia. A pretty decent boost in DX12 games from a driver update.

    That said, no one thought DX12 was going to bring an insane boost. At least not normal people.

    19491762 said:
    Movie Maker won't happen because it is too complicated for garbage called UWP.

    UWP has nothing to do with it. It probably has to do with cost of producing it vs return or even monopoly issues. Microsoft did get fined to hell and sued for including basic use apps before.
    Reply
  • techy1966
    19491891 said:
    19491758 said:
    Same garbage, MS just shuffled things around and as far as game mode goes doesn't bring any improvements...just a gimmick since DX12 didn't live up to hype.

    DX12 does have performance potential, it just needs to be taken advantage of by drivers and game devs. Look at NVidia. A pretty decent boost in DX12 games from a driver update.

    That said, no one thought DX12 was going to bring an insane boost. At least not normal people.

    19491762 said:
    Movie Maker won't happen because it is too complicated for garbage called UWP.

    UWP has nothing to do with it. It probably has to do with cost of producing it vs return or even monopoly issues. Microsoft did get fined to hell and sued for including basic use apps before.

    Yea pretty much what he just said here. MS has tried in the past to include basic things in Windows only to have the EU sue or fine them for doing it because it was considered an unfair advantage because MS also made the OS. I always said well if these third parties feel that way then maybe they should invent their own OS if they don't like the way things are done. But I degrees it got to the point MS just started cutting stuff out of Windows so they would not have to deal with our new cry baby world that we have now. The only ones that pay is us the consumers because we get less of a feature set. But I am sure most everything is on the Windows store since that is one way MS can get those features back into Windows without the cry baby's whining.
    Reply
  • therealduckofdeath
    The exclusion of Movie Maker, Messenger and such was a US antitrust case, not an EU. Don't blame it all on us, especially not the things done by US. :D
    Reply
  • Paul NZ
    There is also a tool to update to the creators update now.

    And paint 3d doesnt even install. So you cant use it, even if you wanted to. Looks like this happened in the preview it also happens in the RTM

    The creators update is also out for the Xbox 1 now. If you've got one.

    Reply
  • v2millennium
    I hope MS will fix my laptop support broken by Anniversary update... just hope...
    Reply
  • chicofehr
    Maybe in 1 year it will be worth installing on my gaming computer. Not a fan of frequent major updates that break things. I got way too much software and games installed to risk windows updates screwing it all up. Windows 7 for a bit longer. Stability over features anyway.
    Reply