The big moment is here, folks! Rumors were rife that the Windows 10 October 2018 Update was on track for released on October 2. And here we are, with this new version now generally available.
Surprisingly though, Microsoft opted to skip over the last channel of the Windows Insider Program, known as the Release Preview ring. So, while many people who were in that segment of the preview program did not get to test this, the update is here nevertheless.
As for what it entails, there’s quite a lot to cover.
Also known as Version 1809, this second update for the OS for this year was in development under the codename of Redstone 5. And while it skipped on a number of features like Sets and the Alt-Tab keys bringing up browser tabs, there is still a lot of good stuff under the hood.
Fixes and refinements are the major focus of this update, though there are several new additions too.
Perhaps the most notable change, and a welcome one for many, is the dark theme in File Explorer. Despite it being a Win32 program, this new style reflects in the system settings. You will also find the usual improvements to Microsoft’s Edge browser, as well as more Fluent Design elements.
A bunch of new emojis are waiting for you in this version, as are some Notepad improvements.
Microsoft has also packed in a new clipboard history that works across devices utilizing the power of cloud sync. SwiftKey is another feature that finally comes to the Windows 10 onscreen keyboard.
A prominent new arrival is the Your Phone app that allows for better interaction between a smartphone and a PC. You can use this application to send and receive SMS messages, and interact with images from your gallery on an Android phone.
Of course, a handful of features are also being deprecated with this update — the highlight being the Snipping Tool that has been replaced by a new snipping experience in the operating system.
As is the case with all updates to Windows 10, the October 2018 Update is available for free to all Windows 10 PCs. Microsoft has initiated the rollout, but you can also grab it by opening up the Settings app and checking for updates in the Update & security panel.
For those that prefer to start fresh, the updated Media Creation Tool is also available to download that lets you create an ISO or USB stick with installation files for this new version of Windows 10.
You can grab that here.
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