Microsoft today announced that Windows 10 is getting an Anniversary Update this summer that introduces a number of new features and enhancements over the current November Update released in late 2015. Up until now, this update was codenamed Redstone 1 and is the first of two major updates coming under the Redstone wave.

Release Date

Microsoft has not given a specific launch date for the Anniversary Update outside of “This Summer”, but recent developer documents mentioned a version “1607”, which if correct would mean the Anniversary Update is coming in July. Until Microsoft confirms however, we’ll just have to wait and see.

Features

Microsoft has detailed a few new features coming in the Anniversary Update this summer, with apps like Microsoft Edge getting new extension support and biometric authentication support with Windows Hello. Lots of other first-party apps such as Groove Music, Photos, Camera, Maps etc. are too set to receive new updates alongside the Anniversary Update.

Cortana is set to receive new improvements with more voice commands and the ability to activate her from the lock screen. She’ll also intelligently make suggestions during the day whilst using your smartphone or PC, with insights regarding what’s coming up, places nearby and more.

Windows Inking is getting a huge update with the Anniversary Update too, with new Ink workspace tools that allow users to draw on top of any app with virtual rulers, pens and more. For example, users will soon be able to annotate Maps in the maps app, or draw on top of photos in the photos app with the new Inking abilities.

Xbox One also benefits from the Anniversary Update, introducing Universal Windows Apps to the Xbox One platform. This update also allows retail Xbox One consoles to be converted into devkits for developers at home to test apps and games.

New Developer Advances

Web developers have had great success with Windows 10 Hosted Web Apps, driving greater engagement and high store reviews, including American Express, BBC Sport, Yahoo Mail, zulily, and many, many more. But they consistently had one ask before they could make Windows 10 their primary development environment – and today, we responded, sharing that you’ll be able to run native bash on Windows.

have had great success with Windows 10 Hosted Web Apps, driving greater engagement and high store reviews, including American Express, BBC Sport, Yahoo Mail, zulily, and many, many more. But they consistently had one ask before they could make Windows 10 their primary development environment – and today, we responded, sharing that you’ll be able to run native bash on Windows. Win32 and .Net developers have been seeking to extend their applications with Universal Windows Platform capabilities, and distribute their apps in the Windows Store. Today, we shared our new desktop app converter for Project Centennial, which will enable them to do just that.

have been seeking to extend their applications with Universal Windows Platform capabilities, and distribute their apps in the Windows Store. Today, we shared our new desktop app converter for Project Centennial, which will enable them to do just that. .Net developers have been seeking a way to share more of their code across platforms. Xamarin will help make that possible!

Who is it for?

The Anniversary Update is coming for Windows 10 PC’s, phones, Xbox One, IoT, and HoloLens. The update will be arriving for free too, so you won’t have to shell out a penny.

The Windows 10 Anniversary Update packs a number of new features we can’t wait to try out. There will be a number of UI tweaks and enhancements throughout the operating system too, with smaller features cropping up here and there as well.

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