This is one of the biggest updates released so far

Apr 6, 2016 17:23 GMT  ·  By

Today Microsoft has released Windows 10 build 14316, another preview version of the upcoming Anniversary Update that brings quite a significant number of changes, some of which we’ve already heard about either at Build 2016 or through unofficial channels.

First and foremost, build 14316 is the first to bring the Bash on Windows, so starting with this version, you can try out the Windows Subsystem for Linux on your Windows 10 computer.

Then, Cortana has received particular attention in this release, so starting today, the personal assistant brings together PCs and smartphones in a much more effective way. Windows insiders with Android devices can also experience the power of Cortana on their Windows 10 desktops, so you can get low battery notifications right on the PC when your phone is running out of battery.

Furthermore, there’s an option to search for the phone and make it ring, which means that you can easily find it around the house by making Cortana play a ringtone from the PC. Additionally, you are allowed to share map directions across devices, again with the personal assistant, by simply telling Cortana “directions to x,” and she will send these navigation instructions to your phone too.

Microsoft wants to make it easier for everyone to use Cortana, so if you are living in a supported country, your phone will automatically download all needed files and speech languages to have the personal assistant work smoothly.

New Microsoft Edge extensions

Microsoft continues work on Edge browser, so this new build also brings new extensions, namely Pin It Button and OneNote Clipper. All the other options have been updated too.

“There is change in this build that will break existing extensions installed on your PC in Microsoft Edge if they were previously installed using an older build. You can download the new installation files and re-install the existing extensions using the new installers,” Microsoft warns.

As we’ve told you in the last couple of weeks, Microsoft has been working to improve the Action Center, so starting with this build, all these enhancements become available to users too. You are allowed to prioritize notifications with three different levels (normal, high, and priority) and adjust how many notifications you want to see for each app.

There are also new emoji, which Microsoft says align with the company’s Design Language, as well as a quick toggle to switch between dark and light themes.

“When you switch to dark mode, apps such as Settings, Store, Alarms & Clock, Calculator and other UWP apps that listen and respond to theme changes in the OS will change into dark mode. Some UWP apps that control their own theme settings (separate from Windows) won’t change by toggling this setting,” Microsoft explains.

Virtual desktop and Windows Update improvements

The virtual desktops feature has also been improved with an option to pin a window that becomes available, which should really come in handy for apps that you want to have around all the time, such as an email client.

Windows Update has finally received the Active Hours feature that makes it possible to select the hours when you are working on your computer so that updates won’t be installed during this whole time. This feature should also arrive on Windows 10 Mobile with a future update.

The battery saving feature has also been enhanced with a new name (now called just Battery) and information, so you can even see more details for each process.

This new build is only available for the fast ring, but keep in mind that all these great features will be part of the Anniversary Update coming this summer for all Windows 10 users.

Users can now toggle between light and dark themes
Users can now toggle between light and dark themes

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This is the new dark Settings UI
Users can now toggle between light and dark themes
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