Microsoft’s big Windows 10 Anniversary update launches on August 2 - cameronarachis1963

Microsoft's latest major refreshen of Windows 10 bequeath be released publicly on August 2, the company confirmed Wednesday morning.

In a web log post, Microsoft distinct the full list of new features climax with the update, including security upgrades, improvements to Cortana and features aimed at making touchscreen devices with Windows 10 Thomas More utilitarian.

The news comes almost a class after the consumer launch of Windows 10, which has been one of the party's major turning points under the leadership of CEO Satya Nadella. The operating system has seen massive (if, at times, unintentional) adoption aside some business and consumer users in that clock, and these upgrades May further spur adoption across those markets as well.

Further reading: The Windows 10 Day of remembrance Update's best new features

With the establish of the Anniversary Update, users will now be healthy to do more with Cortana, the Microsoft virtual help that shipped with the operating system last class. The assistant is now available to take commands connected users' lock screens, so they can do things like ask questions and play music without having to unlock their devices.

Cortana tin can also now remember things for users like their frequent flyer bi, indeed they don't have to go rooting round in a filing cabinet Beaver State netmail inbox in order to regain that information.

windows 10 ink workspace — The pop-out Windows Ink workspace dashboard.

Microsoft is besides introducing new tools that make it easier to jot down notes exploitation a touchscreen-enabled tablet or laptop. The Windows Ink features give users a practical notepad to doodle, sketch or just cacography down some notes without having to await a years for an app to launch.

That's only scratching the come on of the update, which also brings a mickle of other features including security enhancements and improved Xbox integration. Microsoft Abut also acceptable a handful of updates, including support for browser extensions—something that had been on the browser's roadmap since senior year.

Until July 29, users can upgrade to Windows 10 for free. Microsoft hasn't same how much it'll charge for an upgrade to its new operating arrangement after that promotion ends, but the company has made clear that its offer up to upgrade users without accuse will live ending before the new update comes out.

Enterprise customers' deals stay on the same—they've always had to pay for volume licenses of Windows 10, and this coming deadline doesn't change that.

Citizenry who want to take the new features for a gyrate a morsel early seat take start in the Windows Insider Program, a group of common beta testers that Microsoft has been giving new builds of Windows 10 prior to their release to consumers. Victimization an Insider shape isn't for the faint of heart, however—they can have bugs that break key parts of Windows.