14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft has just launched Windows 10 Threshold 2, the first major update for the new operating system that brings feature improvement and performance optimizations on PCs that have already been updated.
Windows boss Terry Myerson has made the announcement in a blog post today, mentioning Microsoft Edge and Cortana as two of the features that got overhauled with Threshold 2.
The update is identified as Windows 10 build 10586 version 1511, which stands for 15 - the year and 11 -the month when Microsoft rolled it out. It ships via Windows Update, with Microsoft promising a very smooth installation process.
New features
In terms of new features, there are only few surprises here because Microsoft has been testing all improvements with preview builds released as part of the Windows Insider program.
But as Myerson points out, the highlights are Cortana and Edge browser, both of which have received significant overhauls.
The personal assistant can now recognize phone numbers, email addresses, and physical addresses that you write in the notebook with a pen. At the same time, it can be used to track events and movie bookings, set reminders, and more, with the personal assistant now officially available in Japan, Australia, Canada, and India in English.
Edge browser has received tab previews, security improvements, and options to sync favorites and reading lists across devices. Cortana also features deeper integration in Edge browser, letting you know when coupons from a series of retailers are available when shopping with the app.
In addition to all the tweaks, there are also several other changes in apps and the operating system overall, including new context menus, a fourth column for Start menu live tiles, more personalization options, and many others.
“With this free update we have reached the point in the platform’s maturity where we can confidently recommend Windows 10 deployment to whole organizations,” Myerson says, pointing out that Threshold 2 comes with significant performance enhancements.
Threshold 2 will become the new default for Windows 7 and 8.1 users upgrading to Windows 10, so the purpose here is to get everyone on this new update as fast as possible.
Update: Windows 10 Threshold 2 ISOs are now available for download.