Features new to Windows 10: Difference between revisions

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=== Development platform ===

WindowsMetro 10apps, introducedrenamed as [[Universal Windows Platform]] apps (UWP), anfeatures extensionexpanded of the [[Windows Runtime]] platform which was originally introduced with [[Windows 8]]capabilities. UWP emphasizes a core set of [[API]]s common to all variations of the operating system, enabling the ability to code a single application with adaptations (such as user interface differences) for different device families and states, including desktops and laptops, tablets, smartphones (via [[Windows 10 Mobile]]), [[Xbox One]], and other new device classes such as [[Surface Hub]] and [[HoloLens]]. An application may also [[Responsive design|react]] to the available displays and input on a device; when connected to a monitor or a suitable [[docking station]], a UWP app on a smartphone can take on the appearance of the app on a PC. Information can also be synchronized between versions of an app for different devices, such as notifications and [[software license|licensing]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.windows.com/buildingapps/2015/03/02/a-first-look-at-the-windows-10-universal-app-platform/ |title=A first look at the Windows 10 universal app platform |last1=Kevin |first1=Gallo |date=March 2, 2015 |newspaper=Windows Developer Blog |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=March 9, 2015 |archive-date=March 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310031810/http://blogs.windows.com/buildingapps/2015/03/02/a-first-look-at-the-windows-10-universal-app-platform/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=ars-w10universal>{{cite web |title=Our first look at Windows 10 on phones, and Universal Apps for touchscreens |url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/01/our-first-look-at-windows-10-on-phones-and-universal-apps-for-touchscreens/ |website=Ars Technica |date=January 21, 2015 |access-date=February 7, 2015 |archive-date=January 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124023151/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2015/01/our-first-look-at-windows-10-on-phones-and-universal-apps-for-touchscreens/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=msdn-uwp>{{cite web|title=Guide to Universal Windows Platform (UWP) apps|url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn894631.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396|website=MSDN|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=August 12, 2015|archive-date=September 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925164749/https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn894631.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Gaming ===

==== DirectX 12 ====

Windows 10 includes [[DirectX 12]] alongside [[Windows Display Driver Model|WDDM]] 2.0.<ref name=dx12PreviewAnandtech>{{cite web |url=http://anandtech.com/show/8962/the-directx-12-performance-preview-amd-nvidia-star-swarm |title=The DirectX 12 Performance Preview: AMD, NVIDIA, & Star Swarm |date=February 6, 2015 |website=Anandtech |publisher=Purch Inc. |access-date=February 6, 2015 |archive-date=February 8, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208024115/http://www.anandtech.com/show/8962/the-directx-12-performance-preview-amd-nvidia-star-swarm |url-status=livedead }}</ref><ref name=dx12-w10>{{cite web |last1=Langley |first1=Bryan |title=DirectX 12 and Windows 10 |url=http://blogs.msdn.com/b/directx/archive/2014/10/01/directx-12-and-windows-10.aspx |website=DirectX Developer Blog |access-date=October 3, 2014 |archive-date=October 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004051236/http://blogs.msdn.com/b/directx/archive/2014/10/01/directx-12-and-windows-10.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> Unveiled March 2014 at [[Game Developers Conference|GDC]], DirectX 12 aims to provide "[[Video game console|console]]-level efficiency" with "closer to the metal" access to hardware resources, and reduced [[Central processing unit|CPU]] and graphics driver [[Overhead (computing)|overhead]].<ref name=pcworld-woogamers>{{cite web |title=Windows 10 will woo gamers with supercharged DirectX 12 graphics API |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2690788/windows-10-will-woo-gamers-with-supercharged-directx-12-graphics-api.html |website=PCWorld |date=October 3, 2014 |access-date=October 3, 2014 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006031000/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2690788/windows-10-will-woo-gamers-with-supercharged-directx-12-graphics-api.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=techradar-dx12>{{cite web |title=Microsoft details DirectX 12 for better Xbox One, PC performance |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/microsoft-previews-directx-12-for-better-pc-and-xbox-one-performance-1235804 |website=Techradar |date=March 21, 2014 |access-date=October 3, 2014 |archive-date=October 6, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006103703/http://www.techradar.com/news/gaming/microsoft-previews-directx-12-for-better-pc-and-xbox-one-performance-1235804 |url-status=live }}</ref> Most of the performance improvements are achieved through [[Low-level programming language|low-level programming]], which can reduce single-[[Thread (computing)|threaded]] CPU bottlenecking caused by abstraction through higher level APIs. The performance gains achieved by allowing developers direct access to [[Graphics processing unit|GPU]] resources is similar to other low-level [[Rendering (computer graphics)|rendering]] initiatives such as AMD's [[Mantle (API)|Mantle]], Apple's [[Metal (API)|Metal API]] or the OpenGL successor, [[Vulkan (API)|Vulkan]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://anandtech.com/show/7889/microsoft-announces-directx-12-low-level-graphics-programming-comes-to-directx/2 |title=Microsoft Announces DirectX 12: Low Level Graphics Programming Comes To DirectX |last1=Smith |first1=Ryan |date=March 24, 2014 |website=AnandTech |publisher=Purch Inc. |access-date=March 17, 2015 |archive-date=April 4, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404230124/http://www.anandtech.com/show/7889/microsoft-announces-directx-12-low-level-graphics-programming-comes-to-directx/2 |url-status=livedead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.anandtech.com/show/9038/next-generation-opengl-becomes-vulkan-additional-details-released |title=Next Generation OpenGL Becomes Vulkan: Additional Details Released |last1=Smith |first1=Ryan |date=March 3, 2015 |website=Anandtech |publisher=Purch |access-date=June 20, 2015 |archive-date=June 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150624172154/http://www.anandtech.com/show/9038/next-generation-opengl-becomes-vulkan-additional-details-released |url-status=livedead }}</ref> WDDM 2.0 introduces a new virtual memory management and allocation system to reduce workload on the kernel-mode driver.<ref name="dx12PreviewAnandtech"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/dn932171(v=vs.85).aspx |title=What's new for Windows 10 Insider Preview display drivers (WDDM 2.0) |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=MSDN |publisher=Microsoft |access-date=June 20, 2015 |archive-date=July 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701133800/https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/dn932171(v=vs.85).aspx |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Xbox One integration ====

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==== Game Bar and Game DVR ====

Windows 10 introduces the Game Bar, which provides screenshot and video capture functionality for Windows games. UsersWhen pressing {{Keypress|Win|G}}, users can invoke the gameGame barBar, record gameplay, or take a screenshot using the appropriate keyboard shortcuts. Windows 10 can also continuously capture gameplays in the background; this allows the user to request that the last few users defined moments of gameplay be saved to the hard disk. This is useful if a user wants to save and/or share a moment of gameplay but did not think to explicitly record it beforehand.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://support.xbox.com/en-CA/xbox-on-windows/social/record-game-clips-game-dvr-windows-10|title=Recording Game Clips {{!}} Game DVR {{!}} Windows 10 Games|website=support.xbox.com|access-date=April 2, 2016|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201044219/https://support.xbox.com/en-CA/xbox-on-windows/social/record-game-clips-game-dvr-windows-10|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Game Bar was later upgraded into a larger overlay, which now features "widgets" windows for functionality such as the user's Xbox friends list, audio settings, and system performance information.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Warren|first=Tom|date=May 22, 2019|title=Microsoft's new Xbox Game Bar launches for Windows 10 as a useful overlay with widgets|url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/22/18635709/microsoft-xbox-game-bar-windows-10-release|access-date=June 25, 2021|website=The Verge|language=en|archive-date=June 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625152931/https://www.theverge.com/2019/5/22/18635709/microsoft-xbox-game-bar-windows-10-release|url-status=live}}</ref>

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=== System Settings ===

The modern [[Settings (Windows)|Settings app]] from Windows 8 continues to evolve in Windows 10, incorporating more system setting configuration functionality from the [[Control Panel (Windows)|Windows Control Panel]]. The ultimate goal is to make the Settings app feature complete, obviating the need for the Control Panel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/windows-10-s-control-panel-will-go-away-could-survive-in-rtm-484991.shtml|title=Windows 10's Control Panel Will Go Away, Could Survive in RTM|last=Popa|first=Bogdan|website=softpedia|date=June 23, 2015 |access-date=May 14, 2016|archive-date=June 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622074445/http://news.softpedia.com/news/windows-10-s-control-panel-will-go-away-could-survive-in-rtm-484991.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/GabeAul/status/612985648899710977|title=Gabriel Aul on Twitter|website=Twitter|access-date=May 14, 2016|archive-date=May 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190508163639/https://twitter.com/GabeAul/status/612985648899710977|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Push-button reset function has been changed to utilize files from the current Windows installation to rebuild the system rather than a separate recovery image. System updates carry over into the new installation and do not have to be re-downloaded.<ref name="pcw-refresh10">{{cite web|title=Windows 10 does away with the reinstallation headaches|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2897595/windows-10-does-away-with-the-reinstallation-headaches.html|website=PC World|date=March 17, 2015|publisher=IDG|access-date=February 19, 2016|archive-date=February 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215132719/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2897595/windows-10-does-away-with-the-reinstallation-headaches.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The separate "Refresh" option is removed; users are now given explicit choices within the Reset process to remove all personal files and applications, keep personal files but remove applications, or perform a full factory reset.<ref name="cnet-howtoclean">{{cite web|title=How to do a clean install of Windows 10|url=http://www.cnet.com/how-to/clean-install-windows-10/|website=CNET|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=February 19, 2016|archive-date=February 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160215003114/http://www.cnet.com/how-to/clean-install-windows-10/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Security ===

[[MAC spoofing|MAC Address Randomization]] in WiFiWi-Fi has been introduced to try to prevent third parties from using the MAC address to track devices.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://papers.mathyvanhoef.com/asiaccs2016.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=March 14, 2017 |archive-date=October 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191008173216/https://papers.mathyvanhoef.com/asiaccs2016.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Windows Hello ==

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=== Recognition ===

This feature uses IR camera to scan the user's face, similar to Apple's [[Face ID]], users can unlock the computer with it. Although an external IR camera can be used, computer manufacturers todaysometimes are integratingintegrate IR cameras into their products.<ref name=":3" /> Touch recognition allow users to touch a button on the computer.

== Version 1511 (November Update) ==

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==== Start menu ====

* The Start menu can now be set to house four columns of medium-sized tiles per group. The default is still three columns, same as that of the initial version of Windows 10.

* The context menu for an app icon or tile includes Jumplist support. The context menu items themselves have been reorganized, with some bearing icons.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://www.windowscentral.com/whats-new-windows-10-fall-update|title=Windows 10 November Update - Features, changes, and improvements|website=Windows Central|date=November 12, 2015|access-date=May 3, 2016|archive-date=April 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426152913/http://www.windowscentral.com/whats-new-windows-10-fall-update|url-status=live}}</ref>

* Suggested Windows store apps now show up on start.<ref name=":20" />

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=== System settings ===

* Added option to turn off the Windows background picture on the sign-in screen.<ref name="blogs.windows.com">{{cite web|title = Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 10547|url = https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2015/09/18/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-10547/|website = Windows Experience Blog|date = September 18, 2015|access-date = October 12, 2015|language = en|archive-date = October 10, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151010221631/http://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2015/09/18/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-10547/|url-status = live}}</ref>

* Window titlebartitle bar can now sport the user's chosen accent color. By default, the titlebartitle bar is white, but with this update, enabling color for taskbar, start menu, and Action Center also enables the accent color on the titlebartitle bar.<ref name=":2" />

* Windows 10 can now be activated using Windows 7, 8, and 8.1 product keys.<ref name=":20">{{Cite web|url=http://www.howtogeek.com/232176/whats-new-in-windows-10s-first-big-update-the-windows-10-fall-update/|title=What's New in Windows 10's First Big Update (Which Arrives Today)|website=www.howtogeek.com|access-date=May 3, 2016|archive-date=January 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101054658/http://www.howtogeek.com/232176/whats-new-in-windows-10s-first-big-update-the-windows-10-fall-update/|url-status=live}}</ref>

* The last printer used is automatically set as default printer; this behavior can be turned off. Ability to set default printer by network ___location is removed.<ref name=":2" /><ref name="ReferenceA"/>

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* Improved prediction capability, typing history management, cloud suggestions, and performance in [[Japanese input methods|Japanese IME]]

* Improved reliability of the Chinese IME

* Added support for [[NVMe]] HMB and NVMe streams

== Version 1703 (Creators Update) ==

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* Support create and display multi-partition on removable storage, such as [[USB flash drive]]s.

* Pin input is possible with numeric keypad even when Num Lock is off.<ref name="ReferenceC">{{Cite web|url=https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/09/14/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-14926-for-pc-and-mobile/#1gKqdHZ2P2XK6cwF.97|title=Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14926 for PC and Mobile|date=September 14, 2016|language=en-US|access-date=September 20, 2016|archive-date=September 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924023123/https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2016/09/14/announcing-windows-10-insider-preview-build-14926-for-pc-and-mobile/#1gKqdHZ2P2XK6cwF.97|url-status=live}}</ref>

* Support "software component" device class in Device Manager.<ref> {{Cite web |last=mhopkins-msft |date=2024-09-10 |title=System-Defined Device Setup Classes Available to Vendors - Windows drivers |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/drivers/install/system-defined-device-setup-classes-available-to-vendors |access-date=2025-01-06 |website=learn.microsoft.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

* Initial support for [[high dynamic range|HDR]].<ref> {{Cite web |last=stevewhims |date=2022-10-18 |title=Use DirectX with Advanced Color on high/standard dynamic range displays - Win32 apps |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/direct3darticles/high-dynamic-range |access-date=2025-04-01 |website=learn.microsoft.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

=== Shell and user interface ===

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* Updated Wi-Fi settings page that unifies it across PCs and Mobile editions of Windows 10.<ref name="ReferenceC"/>

* "Windows Anywhere", a feature that enables users to synchronize Windows settings across their devices.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Brinkmann|first1=Martin|title=Windows Anywhere could become Sync 2.0|url=http://www.ghacks.net/2016/09/17/windows-anywhere-could-become-sync-2-0/|website=gHacks.net|publisher=gHacks Technology News|date=September 17, 2016|access-date=September 23, 2016|archive-date=September 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924020301/http://www.ghacks.net/2016/09/17/windows-anywhere-could-become-sync-2-0/|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Version 1709 (Fall Creators Update) ==

'''Windows 10 Fall Creators Update''', or '''Windows 10 version 1709''', codenamed "Redstone 3",<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tkachenko |first=Sergey |date=2017-07-03 |title=Fall Creators Update is Windows 10 version 1709 |url=https://winaero.com/windows-10-version-1709/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240618092322/https://winaero.com/windows-10-version-1709/ |archive-date=June 18, 2024 |access-date=2025-07-06 |work=Winaero |language=en-US }}</ref> is a feature update to Windows 10 released on October 17, 2017.<ref name=":4">{{Cite magazine |last=McMahon |first=Jordan |title=How to Get Windows 10 Fall Creators Update |url=https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-get-windows-10-fall-creators-update/ |access-date=2025-07-06 |magazine=Wired |language=en-US |issn=1059-1028}}</ref>

=== Individual application updates ===

==== Photos ====

Added Story Remix, a feature that allows you to organize slideshows that can consist of both pictures and videos. It is also possible to include audio within the slideshows.<ref name=":4" />

=== Accessibility ===

==== Device learning mode ====

The narrator was updated with a device learning mode, which allows the user to send input from a keyboard, touch screen, or [[Refreshable braille display|braille display]], and get feedback on the functionality of that input, without actually doing the input first.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Darren Allan |date=2017-05-19 |title=Fall Creators Update aims to make Windows 10 more accessible |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/fall-creators-update-aims-to-make-windows-10-more-accessible |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=TechRadar |language=en}}</ref>

==== Braille improvements ====

Users who use the narrator have the ability to both type and read with different translations of braille. Braille users can also provide input for application shortcuts and modifier keys.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Thorp-Lancaster |first=Dan |date=2017-05-18 |title=Microsoft details accessibility improvements in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update |url=https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-details-accessibility-improvements-windows-10-fall-creators-update |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250514085000/https://www.windowscentral.com/microsoft-details-accessibility-improvements-windows-10-fall-creators-update |archive-date=2025-05-14 |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=Windows Central |language=en}}</ref>

==== Image descriptions ====

Narrator was updated with functionality that would allow users to use [[artificial intelligence]] to generate descriptions for images that lack their own descriptions. The functionality also included support for [[optical character recognition]], so it could extract text from images.<ref name=":6" />

=== Windows Mixed Reality ===

==== Mixed Reality Viewer ====

The Mixed Reality Viewer allows users to import 3D models made using Paint 3D or obtained from the Remix 3D catalog.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moorhead |first=Patrick |title=Microsoft Ships Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, Positioning Itself For The Holiday Selling Season |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickmoorhead/2017/10/19/microsoft-ships-windows-10-fall-creators-update-positioning-itself-for-the-holiday-selling-season/ |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> This feature allows users to use [[augmented reality]] to simulate placing 3D models into the real world.<ref name=":4" />

=== Privacy improvements ===

==== Privacy statement ====

During the setup process, the user will be shown a privacy statement that explains the privacy consequences from the data Microsoft will collect, and how they process the information. The user will also be given a "Learn more" button, that will give you settings to disable certain telemetry features, such as ___location services, speech recognition, tailored experiences, and advertisements.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Matt Hanson |date=2017-09-14 |title=Windows 10 will get a privacy boost with Fall Creators Update |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/windows-10-will-get-a-privacy-boost-with-fall-creators-update |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=TechRadar |language=en}}</ref>

==== Application permissions ====

For newly installed applications after the installation of the Fall Creators Update, you will have to give applications permissions manually for cameras, microphones, contact lists, and calendars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fingas |first=Jon |date=2017-09-13 |title=Windows 10 will give you more control over app permissions |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017-09-13-windows-10-fall-creators-update-privacy-improvements.html |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=Engadget |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hanson |first=Matt |date=2017-09-14 |title=Windows 10 will get a privacy boost with Fall Creators Update |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/windows-10-will-get-a-privacy-boost-with-fall-creators-update |access-date=2025-07-06 |website=TechRadar |language=en}}</ref>

== Version 1803 (April 2018 Update) ==

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| url = https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/104089-turn-off-multilingual-text-prediction-windows-10-a.html

| title = How to Turn On or Off Multilingual Text Prediction in Windows 10

| date = February 10, 2018

| access-date = April 9, 2018

| archive-date = April 9, 2018

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* Support for [[DirectStorage]], [[WPA3]], [[NVMe]] 2.0

* Limited support for [[Alder Lake (microarchitecture)|Alder Lake]] Thread Director

== Version 22H2 (November 2023 Update) ==

* Re-introduction of the search box on the taskbar

* The availability of [[Microsoft Copilot]] in [[Windows 10]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=How to get Copilot in Windows (in preview) on Windows 10 - Microsoft Support |url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/how-to-get-copilot-in-windows-in-preview-on-windows-10-570514d1-add9-4bc4-9add-c75ea4496949#:~:text=Summary,Home%20and%20Pro%20editions%202. |access-date=2025-01-29 |website=support.microsoft.com}}</ref>

* Richer weather experience on the lock screen

* Additional quick status (such as sports, traffic, and finance) on lock screen

* New Windows Spotlight desktop theme

* New account manager experience on the Start menu

== New keyboard shortcuts==