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Editor’s note: We’re back with the summer batch of weekly Windows 10 tips posts, which highlight some of the many helpful features that come with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to make your daily life easier with a streamlined update process, as well as clean and simple experiences for your desktop. Thanks to the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, you’ll see fewer interruptions when Windows updates. Now you have the option to let Windows Update adjust active hours based on your device-specific usage patterns. We know that sometimes, updates can come at inconvenient times. So, now you’ll be able to pause both feature and mon…

https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2019/07/7bb901e9df5a11cb1b0162998e03e6cb-1024x683.jpg Jody MacDonald working with Z by HP Jody MacDonald has had many challenging assignments, but for the award-winning photographer, a six-week trek testing an all-weather camera through the Sahara Desert stood out. During the day, the heat was unbearable, the nights freezing. She slept on top of iron ore, on the world’s longest train. She encountered huge sandstorms. With extreme weather conditions like this, her gear gets banged around a lot as it travels on the backs of donkeys, pickup trucks and small aircraft. She needs powerful, physically durable …

Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 18936 (20H1) to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring. IMPORTANT: As is normal with builds early in the development cycle, these builds may contain bugs that might be painful for some. If you take this flight, you won’t be able to switch Slow or Release Preview rings without doing a clean-install on your PC. If you wish to remain on 19H1, please change your ring settings via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program *before* taking this flight. See this blog post for details. If you want a complete look at what build is in which Insider ring, head on over to Flight Hu…

Hello Windows Insiders! Today we are pleased to release a new Insider preview build of the Windows Server VNext Semi-Annual Channel editions. Available Content Windows Server vNext Semi-Annual Preview The Server Core Edition is available in the 18 supported Server languages in ISO format and in English only in VHDX format. Windows Server Core App Compatibility FoD Preview Windows Server Language Packs Windows Admin Center 1906 Symbols are available on the public symbol server – see Update on Microsoft’s Symbol Server blog post and Using the Microsoft Symbol Server. Matching Windows Server container images will be available via Docker Hub. For mo…

Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 18932 (20H1) to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring. IMPORTANT: As is normal with builds early in the development cycle, these builds may contain bugs that might be painful for some. If you take this flight, you won’t be able to switch Slow or Release Preview rings without doing a clean-install on your PC. If you wish to remain on 19H1, please change your ring settings via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program *before* taking this flight. See this blog post for details. If you want a complete look at what build is in which Insider ring, head on over to Flight Hu…

Hello Windows Insiders! Today, we are talking about the next steps we are taking at continuing to evolve Windows 10 servicing and quality with the next feature update for Windows 10. This release has been referred to as 19H2 with Insiders. 19H2 will include a scoped set of features for select performance improvements, enterprise features, and quality enhancements and will be delivered to customers running the May 2019 Update using servicing technology (like the monthly Cumulative Update process). For Insiders, this means a few differences to how they will get 19H2: Insiders will need to be in the Slow ring and on the May 2019 Update to receive 19H2 bits. 19H2 w…

Today, as part of our commitment to transparency, we are providing an overview of how we plan to further optimize the delivery of our next feature update. This optimization is specific to devices running the Windows 10 May 2019 Update. For devices running earlier versions of Windows 10, the process remains unchanged. In April, we announced enhancements to the Windows 10 May 2019 Update experience with an increased focus on user control, quality and transparency. These were a collection of improvements based on requests from customers like you to make the Windows update experience better with less disruption. With the next Windows 10 feature update, we’re taking this fu…

Editor’s note: We’re back with the summer batch of weekly Windows 10 tips posts, which highlight some of the many helpful features that come with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to make your daily life easier with a streamlined update process, as well as clean and simple experiences for your desktop. Thanks to the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, you’ll see improvements to the Your Phone  app that debuted with the Windows 10 October 2018 Update. This is the app that gives you instant access to your recent Android phone’s photos and texts on your PC – no need to dig for your phone to text or email yourself photos. You can find …

Editor’s note: We’re back with the summer batch of weekly Windows 10 tips posts, which highlight some of the many helpful features that come with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to make your daily life easier with a streamlined update process, as well as clean and simple experiences for your desktop. Thanks to the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, you can brighten up your settings, experiences and desktop with the new Windows light theme. Check it out: https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2019/06/50f3662a60b92e650742ecce7af3ed26-1024x498.jpg To try out the new light theme, go to Settings > Personaliza…

Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 18922 (20H1) to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring. IMPORTANT: As is normal with builds early in the development cycle, these builds may contain bugs that might be painful for some. If you take this flight, you won’t be able to switch Slow or Release Preview rings without doing a clean-install on your PC. If you wish to remain on 19H1, please change your ring settings via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program *before* taking this flight. See this blog post for details. If you want a complete look at what build is in which Insider ring, head on over to Flight Hu…

One of the many remarkable things about artificial intelligence is that while we tend to think of it as something that will have a big effect in the not-too-distant future, it is already transforming people’s lives in profound and powerful ways today. In factories and warehouses, AI is improving workplace safety by scanning thousands of videos to detect potential risks. In the U.S., researchers are exploring how AI can help public health organizations around the world prevent the spread of deadly diseases like Ebola, Chikungunya, and Zika by detecting the presence of pathogens in the environment and stopping transmission to humans before outbreaks can begin. I believe …

Hello Windows Insiders! Today we are pleased to release a new Insider preview build of the Windows Server VNext Semi-Annual Channel editions and Windows Admin Center Preview 1906. Available Content Windows Server vNext Semi-Annual Preview The Server Core Edition is available in the 18 supported Server languages in ISO format and in English only in VHDX format. Windows Server Core App Compatibility FoD Preview Windows Server Language Packs Windows Admin Center 1906 Symbols are available on the public symbol server – see Update on Microsoft’s Symbol Server blog post and Using the Microsoft Symbol Server. Matching Windows Server container images wi…

https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2019/06/01130a2efffac7f1e98f4f9b61f894c2-1024x588.jpg Four new “Eyes First” games where eye motions control the play are now available on Microsoft Store for Windows 10 PCs: “Tile Slide,” “Match Two,” “Double Up” and “Maze.” Windows 10 eye-tracking APIs power these games, which can be used with or without Windows 10 Eye Control*, a key accessibility feature for people with speech and mobility disabilities. The “Eyes First” games are reinventions of popular games and a fun way to get familiar with eye control and learn the skills to apply to other eye gaze-enabled assistive technologies. Challenge yourse…

Editor’s note: We’re back with the summer batch of weekly Windows 10 tips posts, which highlight some of the many helpful features that come with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to make your daily life easier with a streamlined update process, as well as clean and simple experiences for your desktop. If you feel like your life is too cluttered, some of you might find respite in the simplified Start layout that comes with the Windows 10 May 2019 Update. New Windows 10 users – those who have new devices, new user accounts and clean installs – will see the new Start layout by default when they start up. Existing Windows 10 user…

At Microsoft, we’re on a journey to empower every person on the planet, including people with disabilities, to achieve more. A recent blog post, entitled “Inspired by Insiders: Accessibility,” shared how we are creating experiences that support our users’ needs. We are collecting, analyzing and acting on feedback from users; we are increasingly customer driven, some might even say we’re becoming customer obsessed. If you haven’t read the blog, please do. I highly recommend it. In this blog post, I am happy to share how our latest update, the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, delivers on our mission by continuing to act on user feedback, in particular feedback from people …

Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 18917 (20H1) to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring. IMPORTANT: As is normal with builds early in the development cycle, these builds may contain bugs that might be painful for some. If you take this flight, you won’t be able to switch Slow or Release Preview rings without doing a clean-install on your PC. If you wish to remain on 19H1, please change your ring settings via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program *before* taking this flight. See this blog post for details. If you want a complete look at what build is in which Insider ring, head on over to Flight Hu…

In January 2019, we launched our journalism grant partnership with the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ). Our first recipients are already midway through their data journalism training and now I’m thrilled to introduce the recipients of the second phase of our program. Kelechukwu Iruoma and Ruth Olorounbi comprise a team investigating the toxic effects of oil spillage in Ogoniland, Nigeria, which has led to poisoned farmlands and compromised reproductive health. An estimated 13 million barrels of oil have been spilled since 1958: This makes an annual average 240,000 barrels of crude in the Niger delta, destroying the local livelihood and the very populatio…

Apple and Microsoft are making it easy for customers to access and enjoy the benefits of their iCloud account across their Windows 10 PC and Apple devices with the all-new iCloud for Windows app available today from the Microsoft Store. You can easily access your photos, videos, mail, calendar, files and other important information from your iCloud account on the go and on your Windows 10 PC. iCloud is home to iCloud Drive, iCloud Photos, Mail, Contacts, Calendar, Reminders, Safari Bookmarks and more. The new iCloud for Windows app introduces a new iCloud Drive experience for Windows 10 users powered by the same Windows technology that also powers OneDrive’s Files O…

https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2019/06/8c9c9b4e06ccfc51fd0970302ea20ae6-1024x576.jpg On Sunday during the 2019 Xbox E3 Briefing, The Coalition studio announced that “Gears 5” will launch worldwide on Sept. 10. Gamers can play the game four days early with Ultimate Edition or their Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. “As excited as we are to confirm the date, I wanted to show you how ‘Gears 5’ is bigger than ever, with five thrilling modes and the deepest campaign yet,” Studio Head Rod Fergusson wrote in an Xbox Wire blog post. “And this summer, we’ll tell you all about it.” Head over to Xbox Wire for Fergusson’s preview, complete with i…

Since its formation two years ago, Women in Cloud, a community-led initiative built to empower women-led technology businesses to drive growth through cloud solutions and services, has become a leading community and resource for women innovators all over the world. A key initiative within the Women in Cloud community is the Microsoft Cloud Accelerator Program, an immersive 6-month program designed to help women-led companies start and build their businesses through Microsoft and its cloud distribution channels. Today, as we kick-off the second accelerator cohort of women entrepreneurs in the greater Seattle area, I’m proud to announce that Microsoft, in partnership wit…

Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 18912 (20H1) to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring. IMPORTANT: As is normal with builds early in the development cycle, these builds may contain bugs that might be painful for some. If you take this flight, you won’t be able to switch Slow or Release Preview rings without doing a clean-install on your PC. If you wish to remain on 19H1, please change your ring settings via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program *before* taking this flight. See this blog post for details. If you are looking for a complete look at what build is in which Insider ring – head on over …

Fifty years ago, on June 28, LGBTQI+ patrons and allies at New York City’s Stonewall Inn stood up for justice demanding an equal life free of persecution. This year, as more than 4,000 Microsoft employees march in Pride parades in more than 60 cities and 30 countries around the world, we invite you to join us in pushing inclusion forward. To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, we’re taking action for equity by donating to LGBTQI+ nonprofits. Plus, we’re releasing limited-edition products designed with and by the LGBTQI+ community. YouTube Video Microsoft has a history of LGBTQI+ inclusion For us, Pride is an opportunity to r…

https://blogs.windows.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/sites/2/2019/05/d41097b70918ad8ade6e8bf7d5b1a3da-1024x576.jpg In a blog post on Xbox Wire, Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, shares share steps Microsoft is taking to contribute to the thriving PC gaming ecosystem: introducing Xbox Game Pass designed for PC players and making Xbox Game Studios PC games available in multiple stores (including Microsoft Store on Windows) at their launch. Xbox Game Pass for PC will give players unlimited access to a curated library of more than 100 high-quality PC games on Windows 10. Microsoft is working with over 75 developers and publishers to bring PC content to the service. Xbox Game Pas…

This first physical retail store for Microsoft in the U.K. will open to the general public on July 11, joining other world-class Microsoft Store locations all over the world, including flagships in New York and Sydney and stores across the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico and online in more than 190 countries. This store is the latest step our almost 40-year investment in the U.K., including recently doubling the size of Microsoft’s Azure regions to help more organizations digitally transform. We’re also committed to supporting the growth of digital skills in the U.K. in partnership with computing education and youth communities. Microsoft Store in London will be locate…

Hello Windows Insiders, today we are releasing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 18908 (20H1) to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring. IMPORTANT: As is normal with builds early in the development cycle, these builds may contain bugs that might be painful for some. If you take this flight, you won’t be able to switch Slow or Release Preview rings without doing a clean-install on your PC. If you wish to remain on 19H1, please change your ring settings via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program *before* taking this flight. See this blog post for details. If you are looking for a complete look at what build is in which Insider ring – head on over …