During the October 2016 Microsoft event, the company showed some improvements that are coming in Windows 10 Creators Update all over the OS. However, most of them were shown so briefly that many people didn't even notice it. After the event, Microsoft published a recap video in which we were able to find a few interesting things. There were some interesting additions to Microsoft Edge.
Skype Preview update adds link previews, drag-and-drop support and a few tweaks
A few days ago Microsoft pushed a new update for Skype Preview (UWP) for Windows 10. Even though it is in a Preview state, this version of Skype still lacks many features that are available for users on other platforms, but developers behind it are working hard to make it the best Skype experience on PCs. With the latest update, Microsoft is closing another gap, bringing features such as drag-and-drop and webpage previews to the Windows 10 version of the app.
Classic Microsoft Office apps will get new inking features soon
Microsoft is holding an Office-related event next month, but we got a hint about some of the new features coming to classic Office apps during the recent Surface / Windows 10 event. The company itself wasn't focusing on announcing them and spent more time talking about other stuff, including 3D support in PowerPoint, but we got our first look at the new Inking functionality right after the event, when the official Microsoft Office channel on YouTube uploaded the following video:
Skype for Linux Alpha 1.11 comes with call improvements
Microsoft has released Skype for Linux Alpha version 1.11. This new application is a completely redesigned Skype version which has nothing common with the previously available Skype 4.3. In this version, the application got many improvements for video calls.
Change Windows 10 theme from the command prompt
Many people are interested in changing a Windows 10 theme from the command prompt without opening the Explorer window. They want to apply the custom theme they have installed from the command line. Unfortunately, Windows does not provide any native or user-friendly way to change the current theme and apply *.theme file silently. Here is a tool which is designed for that task.
The first Windows 10 Creators Update preview release is expected this week
As it was officially announced, Windows 10 "Redstone 2" will be named the Creators Update. The next build, which represents the Creators Update branch is expected to be released later this week.
Windows 10 build 14393.351 is out for Release Preview ring
Along with all the announcements Microsoft made during the October 2016 Microsoft Event, the Redmond giant today released Windows 10 PC build 14393.351 for Insiders on the Slow and Release Preview rings. If you have joined one of these rings, the update will arrive on your PC very soon.
Winaero Theme Switcher
Winaero Theme Switcher is an application which allows you to change the Windows theme from the command prompt. It has the following GUI:
Version 1.1 is available. See the change log below.
But it is primarily intended to be used with the command prompt or in a batch file. It allows you to automate the applying of a custom theme.
The syntax is as follows:
Redstone 2 will officially become Windows 10 Creators Update version 1703
New information has become available about the upcoming feature update for Windows 10. Currently known as Redstone 2, it seems it will be officially called Windows 10 version 1703 "Creators Update".
Cortana for Android update brings performance improvements and usability tweaks
As you know, Microsoft's digital assistant Cortana is available on several platforms, such as Android, iOS and company's own Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile. Its functionality was on par on every platform for some time, but that doesn't mean there's no way to improve it. Yesterday Microsoft released another update for the Android version, bringing some performance improvements, tweaks to the app's UI and some more minor but welcomed changes.
