14 DAY TRIAL // UPDATE: It's live. The Windows 10 Anniversary Update is now available for retail users via Windows Update or with the stand-alone ISO that also allows for a clean install.
Microsoft is getting ready to push the go-ahead button for the new Windows 10 Anniversary Update, which is the most important milestone since the release of Windows 10 in July 2015.
The Anniversary Update will come with a long list of improvements, and these include an enhanced Start menu with a hamburger icon and the focus on the apps, Windows Ink for better use of the OS with a pen, a revamped Action Center, updated Cortana, and completely new features such as browser extension support in Microsoft Edge.
The Anniversary Update is available for both PCs and smartphones and can be downloaded via the standard update system - Windows Update or with a standalone ISO that Microsoft will release later today via the Media Creation Tool.
In a June 29 blog post, Microsoft says that the Windows 10 Anniversary Update will bring improvements in six different areas and claims that security is one of the most important. Windows Hello for apps and websites and new features for Windows Defender will become available with the Anniversary Update.
For example, one of the new features allows users to perform automatic background scans with Windows Defender even if it’s not the default anti-virus solution running on a Windows 10 device, thus making sure that no malware reaches your data.
New gaming features in Anniversary Update
The gaming side of Windows 10 is also being improved significantly, and most of the new features bring together the PC and the Xbox for a unified experience for gamers. The Xbox Play Anywhere tool makes it possible to play a game on Xbox and PC with shared progress, game saves, and achievements, so you can start playing on one device and continue from where you left off on another.
Cortana also becomes available on Xbox, and it lets you perform a wide array of activities and even turn on the console by saying “Hey Cortana, Xbox On.”
Keep in mind that the Anniversary Update rollout takes place in stages, so it might not become available on your PC the second Microsoft pushes the green button. In this case, you’re recommended to wait a little bit longer until the new bits can be downloaded via Windows Update or turn to the dedicated ISO to perform an upgrade or a clean install.