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https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/04/b2afbf70365952cd57353d5703587b01-1024x576.png It’s called Nearby Sharing. Here’s what you can do with it: Share quickly. Send any video, photo, document, or webpage viewed on Microsoft Edge to people nearby by clicking on the share charm in the app or right-clicking to get the share menu. You can share a report with a colleague in your meeting room or a vacation photo with your best friend in the library.* Take the quickest path. Your computer automatically picks the fastest way to share your file or webpage, either over Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. See who’s available. Bluetooth allows you to quickly discover potential devices with which you could share.** Here’s how to get started: In your Action Center, click on Nearby Sharing to turn it on. From there, click the Share icon in your file, photo, Microsoft Edge webpage or more to share with nearby devices. Head over here to read more about what’s new in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update! *Sharing is only available between Windows 10 PCs. Nearby sharing must be enabled on both devices. **Recipients can choose whether to accept the item a user wants to share. The post Windows 10 Tip: How to start using Nearby Sharing with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

On Monday, Microsoft announced the acquisition of video-based social learning platform Flipgrid, used in 180 countries by more than 20 million pre-kindergarten to Ph.D.-level educators, students and families. Like Office 365 Education software, Microsoft will also be making Flipgrid free for schools so it’s easy for any school to utilize the software. Customers who’ve purchased a subscription from Flipgrid will receive a prorated refund. “We’re thrilled to see the impact Flipgrid has had in social learning thus far and look forward to helping them continue to thrive as part of the Microsoft family,” said Eran Megiddo, corporate vice president for Microsoft. “We’re diligently committed to making sure their platform and products continue to work across the Microsoft, Google and partner ecosystems to benefit students and teachers everywhere.” Flipgrid was created in 2015 with a mission of empowering educators as they help students define their voices, share their voices and respect the diverse voices of others. That mission aligns with that of Microsoft, which aims to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. Microsoft sees Flipgrid as an effective tool to help teachers and students build social emotional skills beyond traditional curricula – skills the company’s recent research says will be required in 30 to 40 percent of the fastest-growing occupations. Educator Lucretia Anton from the Arcadia Unified School District in California has seen this firsthand, and says Flipboard “helps students develop communication skills, increase self-awareness and grow from failure, setting them up to contribute positively to the world.” In joining Microsoft, Flipgrid will retain its distinct brand, culture and team that is focused on amplifying the voices of all students. Expanding Flipgrid’s accessibility across the global educator community, the company will also align with Microsoft’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)-, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)- and Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA)-compliant privacy architecture to ensure Flipgrid continues to be a safe, secure place for students and teachers to communicate. To learn more, visit the Microsoft Education Blog. The post Microsoft and Flipgrid unite to bring social learning to students around the world appeared first on The Official Microsoft Blog. Continue reading...

Hello Windows Insiders! Today, we are releasing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17692 (RS5) to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring in addition to those who opted in to Skip Ahead. What’s new in Build 17692 SwiftKey intelligence comes to Windows SwiftKey gives you more accurate autocorrections and predictions by learning your writing style – including the words, phrases and emoji that matter to you. It’s available for Android and iOS, and starting with today’s build SwiftKey will now power the typing experience on Windows when using the touch keyboard to write in English (United States), English (United Kingdom), French (France), German (Germany), Italian (Italy), Spanish (Spain), Portuguese (Brazil), or Russian. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/7db1956d832ae1aaeef14ca333a9a135.gif Please take a moment to try typing and shapewriting on the touch keyboard in this build and let us know what you think Microsoft Edge improvements Control whether media can play automatically: One common piece of Insider feedback for Microsoft Edge is that you want more control over autoplay videos. In this build, we’ve added a new setting in Microsoft Edge to allow you to control whether sites can autoplay media. You can find an early preview of this setting under “Advanced Settings,” “Allow sites to automatically play media.” We’ll be improving these options and adding additional controls in upcoming flights and in response to your feedback, so stay tuned! WebDriver improvements: Beginning with this build, we’re making it easier than ever to automate testing in Microsoft Edge using WebDriver. First, we’ve made WebDriver a Windows Feature on Demand, so you no longer need to match the build/branch/flavor manually when installing WebDriver. When you take new Windows 10 updates, your WebDriver binary will be automatically updated to match. To install WebDriver, just turn on Developer Mode in Windows 10 Settings, or install the standalone feature under the “optional features” Settings page. We’ve also updated WebDriver to match the latest W3C Recommendation spec with major new improvements. You can learn all about these changes over at the Microsoft Edge Dev Blog. Ease of Access Improvements Make Text Bigger: We’ve heard your feedback and are excited to announce that the ability to increase text size across the system is back and better than ever! When you go to Settings > Ease of Access > Display in today’s build, you’ll find a new setting called “Make everything bigger” – this slider will adjust text across the system, win32 apps, and UWP apps. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/3d02e946f12c0150f63161fce1748792-1024x879.png That means you can now make text bigger in Start menu, File Explorer, Settings, etc., without having to change the overall scaling of your system. Please try it out and share feedback! Note: We’re investigating some issues with text clipping, not increasing in size everywhere, and problems when changing DPI settings. Narrator Improvements Based on your feedback you’ll find we’ve made a bunch of updates to Narrator with today’s build: Narrator Standard Keyboard Layout: Narrator now ships with a new keyboard layout that is designed to be more familiar to screen reader users. Please refer to the accompanying documentation for details on these changes (Intro to New Narrator Keyboard Layout doc). Automatic Dialog Reading: Narrator will now automatically read the contents of a dialog box when brought to the foreground. The experience is for Narrator to speak the title of the dialog, the focused element within the dialog and the static text, if any, at the top of the dialog. For example, if you try to close a document in Word with unsaved changes, Narrator will speak the title “Microsoft Word,” the focus “Save button” and the static text within the dialog. Narrator Find: You now have the ability to search for text using Narrator’s new Find feature. If the text is found Narrator will move to the found item. Please refer to the accompanying keyboard layout documentation for command mapping. List of Objects: Narrator now has the ability to present a list of links, headings or landmarks present in the application or content. You are also able to filter the results by typing in the list or the text field of the window. Please refer to the accompanying keyboard layout documentation for command mapping. Selection in Scan Mode: Along with being able to select content in Narrator’s scan mode using Shift-selection commands, you can now also select a block of data by first moving to one end of the block and pressing F9, moving to the other end of the block and pressing F10. Once F10 is pressed the entire contents between the two points will be selected. Stop on Controls in Scan Mode: Scan mode is a feature of Narrator that lets you use just a few keys to move around your screen. Scan mode is already on by default in Edge and you can toggle it on and off by pressing Caps lock + Spacebar. While you’re in scan mode, you can press the Up and Down arrow keys to read different parts of the page. With this update, the press of a Down arrow in Scan Mode will stop on interactive elements, so that they are easier to use. An example of this new behavior is that if you are reading a paragraph with multiple links, Narrator will stop on these links when you press the Down arrow. We would love to hear what you think as you try out these improvements. This link will take you to the Narrator section of the Feedback Hub, or you can press Caps + E while Narrator is running. Game bar Improvements We’re now rolling out more functionality to the RS5 Game bar. In this flight are the following new features: Audio controls. Change your default audio output device and mute or adjust the volume of games and apps running. Performance visualizations. See your game’s framerate (FPS), CPU usage, GPU VRAM usage, and system RAM usage. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/f14e7a4d56d60625f83fdac2cc7d11fe-1024x576.png Game Mode Improvements New options are now available for Game Mode that are expected to improve the gaming experience on desktop PCs. Gamers on PCs with many background processes may also see performance improvements when they toggle “Dedicate resources” in Game bar. Search Improvements Find software downloads faster in Search! Continuing our theme of improving the search preview experience, we’re rolling out an update to make it easier to find official download pages for Windows software you want to install. The team is continuing to develop this experience and more is coming. Check out the example below, and let us know what you think! https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/75d5d0a2fd37d65a9b1790c7dff01a65.png This is a server-side change so Insiders may see this update outside of Build 17692. Windows Mixed Reality Improvements Starting with this build you can stream audio to both the headset and the PC speakers simultaneously. To try it out make sure that you can hear sound from your normal PC speakers when not running the Mixed Reality Portal (MRP) and from the headset’s audio jack or built-in headphones when mixed reality is running. Then close all apps, including MRP, and go to Settings > Mixed reality > Audio and speech to turn on “When Mixed Reality Portal is running, mirror headset audio to desktop.” You should now hear audio from both the headset and PC speakers when running mixed reality. You may also notice some new error codes in Mixed Reality Portal to be more specific to certain failures. The Mixed Reality Portal app will also begin updating through the Store as we make infrastructure changes over the next several releases to support faster updates of mixed reality. General changes, improvements, and fixes for PC We fixed an issue resulting in audio glitching on systems with lots of firewall rules. We fixed an issue from the last few flights where Eye Control would fail fast and not start. We fixed an issue resulting in certain games, such as Counter Strike: Global Offensive, to crash on launch in the last two builds. We fixed an issue resulting in Settings crashing when attempting to open Data Usage Settings in the last few flights. We fixed an issue resulting in an unexpected “codecpacks.vp9” entry in the Start menu. We fixed a recent issue for some Insiders resulting in an explorer.exe crash with AppXDeploymentClient.dll. We fixed an issue resulting in some Insiders recently experiencing a bug check (green screen) with the error SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION in afd.sys. With Build 17672 we made a fix for an explorer.exe crash in structuredquery.dll – that fix stopped anyone new from encountering the crash, however we heard your reports that anyone already impacted was still impacted. Today’s build has a fix for this issue that should resolve it for anyone who was already impacted. To improve discoverability, we’ve moved Delivery Optimization Settings to now be directly listed as a category under Settings > Update & Security. We fixed an issue in Microsoft Edge impacting websites like Facebook.com, where when starting a message only the first contact name entered was automatically resolved while typing. We fixed an issue in Microsoft Edge where if both images and text were selected, right-clicking on the image and selecting copy wouldn’t work. We fixed an issue resulting in the Windows Security app crashing recently when adding a process to the exclusion list. Known issues The login screen will crash in a loop when the active sign-in method is set to Picture Password. We recommend removing your Picture Password before upgrading to this build. This build will only be offered to Insiders running Builds 17655 and higher. You will not be able to update from RS4 to this build without first taking Build 17686 first. We’re working on adding dark theme in File Explorer and the Common File Dialog, but we still have some things to do. You may see some unexpectedly light colors in these surfaces when in dark mode. DRM video playback in Microsoft Edge from websites such as Netflix is broke on this build. But you should be able to use the Netflix app to play videos. Some Insiders may find increased reliability and performance issues when launching Start on this build. We’re investigating. When you upgrade to this build you’ll find that the taskbar flyouts (network, volume, etc) no longer have an acrylic background. There is a bug in these builds that will impact driver testing scenarios. When executing HLK Component/Device driver tests, you may experience a bug check that blocks test execution. We are aware of the issue and actively working on a fix. Due to a merge conflict some settings in Settings may be unexpectedly missing and / or missing their labels. When Narrator starts you will be presented with a dialog that informs the user of the change to Narrator’s keyboard layout. This dialog may not take focus or speak after Narrator has started. We recommend that you Alt + Tab to this dialog, which should cause it to read. The Settings for Keyboard Settings found in the Ease of Access center are missing text as well as visible values in the two combo boxes. Narrator users can interact with these controls and get some information pertaining to the settings that are available to them. When using scan mode you may experience multiple stops for a single control. An example of this is if you have an image that is also a link. This is something we are actively working on. If you change Narrator’s default Narrator key to just caps lock the Insert key will continue to function until the caps lock key is used as the Narrator key or if the user restarts Narrator. If the Narrator key is set to just Insert and you attempt to send a Narrator command from a braille display then these commands will not function. As long as the Caps Lock key is a part of the Narrator key mapping then braille functionality will work as designed. There is a known issue in automatic dialog reading where the title of the dialog is being spoken more than once. The state of a Narrator command such as toggling Scan Mode on and off, volume up and down, voice speed, changing verbosity and context verbosity commands may not be announced when executed. If you have previously performed a Find using Narrator’s Find feature and you bring up the dialog the text will not be cleared from the field. Please refer to the Narrator Keyboard Layout documentation for other issues found in this release that pertain to Narrator. (Intro to New Narrator Keyboard Layout doc). Known issues for developers Please note that there is an issue in this build that regresses the time it takes to remotely deploy and debug a UWP application to a local virtual machine or an emulator. Please skip this flight if you rely on deploying or debugging to a local virtual machine or an emulator for your UWP development. Please note, this does not impact deployment and debugging on the local machine, to a physical target device, or a remote machine. We have seen the following workaround alleviate some of the performance regression here: From an admin PowerShell window, please run the Disable-NetAdapterLso cmdlet and pass in the virtual switch information using -name attribute. Example: PS C:\> Disable-NetAdapterLso -name <VirtualSwitchName> You can use Get-NetAdapterLso to retrieve the virtual switch information for the corresponding Virtual Machine. If you install any of the recent builds from the Fast ring and switch to the Slow ring – optional content such as enabling developer mode will fail. You will have to remain in the Fast ring to add/install/enable optional content. This is because optional content will only install on builds approved for specific rings. There has not yet been a RS5 build released to the Slow ring. Known Issues for Game bar The Game bar may crash on x86 machines. The framerate counter chart sometimes doesn’t show up correctly over known games. The CPU chart shows an incorrect percentage of usage in the top left corner. Charts in the performance panel don’t update immediately when clicking through tabs. The user’s gamerpic doesn’t display correctly, even after signing in. Insider Community We’ve got two stories from the Insider Community we want to highlight! What do ninja cats and dragons have in common? Find out in this story, featuring an Insider who brings her creations to life with Windows Ink and Universal Windows Platform. The Sisters of Mercy help people in harm’s way. Their IT Director is an Insider who protects the nuns from a different kind of threat. Check out our latest Insider Story. And heads up Boston – Brandon LeBlanc and Jason Howard will be at the Prudential Center Microsoft Store on June 23rd from 1pm EST – 4pm EST to meet with Windows Insiders for some fun discussion on Windows 10! RSVP: https://aka.ms/bostoninsiders https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/b052f4fefa990c29e48954a85fea117f-1024x576.png REMINDER: Upcoming Bug Bash Our next Bug Bash will be from June 22nd – July 1st – we will be holding a Bug Bash Webcast on our Mixer channel on June 27th, exact timing will be announced closer to the date. We’re excited to do another Bug Bash with our Windows Insiders! No downtime for Hustle-As-A-Service, Dona <3 The post Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17692 appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to be a key area of investment for Microsoft, and we’re pleased to announce that for the first time we’ve leveraged AI at scale to greatly improve the quality and reliability of the Windows 10 April 2018 Update rollout. Our AI approach intelligently selects devices that our feedback data indicate would have a great update experience and offers the April 2018 Update to these devices first. As our rollout progresses, we continuously collect update experience data and retrain our models to learn which devices will have a positive update experience, and where we may need to wait until we have higher confidence in a great experience. Our overall rollout objective is for a safe and reliable update, which means we only go as fast as is safe. Early returns are very positive: With over 250 million machines on the April 2018 Update, we are seeing higher satisfaction numbers, fewer known issues, and lower support call volumes compared to previous Windows 10 releases. Our AI/Machine Learning approach started with a pilot program during the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update rollout. We studied characteristics of devices that data indicated had a great update experience and trained our model to spot and target those devices. In our limited trial during the Fall Creators Update rollout, we consistently saw a higher rate of positive update experiences for devices identified using the AI model, with fewer rollbacks, uninstalls, reliability issues, and negative user feedback. For the April 2018 Update rollout, we substantially expanded the scale of AI by developing a robust AI machine learning model to teach the system how to identify the best target devices based on our extensive listening systems. AI means both safe AND fast Our AI approach has enabled us to quickly spot issues during deployment of a feature update, and as a result has also allowed us to go faster responsibly. In fact, the April 2018 Update is officially the fastest version of Windows 10 to reach 250 million devices, achieving that mark in less than half the time it took the Fall Creators Update! When our AI model, feedback or telemetry data indicate that there may be an issue, we quickly adjust and prevent affected devices from being offered the update until we thoroughly investigate. Once issues are resolved we proceed again with confidence. This allows us to throttle the update rollout to customers without them needing to take any action. In cases where devices already offered the update may see issues, we communicate via our customer service forums to let our customers know what is occurring and actions we are taking. A recent example from the past month was a black screen/reboot issue we detected within 24 hours of it first appearing. We immediately blocked all PCs that could be impacted by this issue from being updated, and communicated to customers within 24 hours, including an initial work around. In the next 24 hours, in cooperation with Avast, Microsoft identified an element of the Avast Behavior Shield that conflicted with the April 2018 Update. Avast immediately released a fix to prevent this issue from further occurring, enabling us to continue to safely roll out the April 2018 Update to those devices. Windows 10 continually improving quality We are also seeing quality improvements in Windows 10, which is approaching 700 million monthly active devices. Early data shows the quality of the April 2018 Update exceeding earlier versions of Windows 10 in both reliability and performance. Of course, this work is never done, and we continue to partner to with our hardware and software partners to drive additional performance and reliability improvements in Windows 10. Improvements in the April 2018 Update include: 20% reduction in system stability issues 20% total reduction in operating system and driver stability issues, in collaboration with our hardware partners, on over 400k ecosystem drivers Faster updates by reducing the amount of time your device is offline updating by up to 63% (Fun Fact: telemetry shows a U.S.-based PC updated from the Fall Creators Update to the April 2018 update in just over three minutes!) Edge launch times improved by up to 40-50% (post-logon window) Our internal customer support teams are seeing a continued reduction in call and online support requests for Windows 10 with the April 2018 Update. Our OEMs also continue to experience reductions in monthly customer support volumes with this update. More devices, declining customer support volume: https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/79906d03f608589eaa9bc7e50d1611de.jpg Windows 10 April 2018 Update (1803) is now fully available Based on the update quality and reliability we are seeing through our AI approach, we are now expanding the release broadly to make the April 2018 Update (version 1803) fully available for all compatible devices running Windows 10 worldwide. Full availability is the final phase of our rollout process. You don’t have to do anything to get the update; it will rollout automatically to you through Windows Update. Enterprise customers can also follow the same targeted approach for the Semi-Annual Channel and fully deploy Windows 10, version 1803 when ready. IT administrators can decide when to broadly deploy once you have validated the apps, devices, and infrastructure in your organization work well with this release. For an update overview see What’s new for IT pros in Windows 10, version 1803. Additionally, you can leverage Windows Analytics tools that help you plan, test and deploy Windows 10 to your organization, and help accelerate Windows 10 migration. You can learn more about Windows Analytics tools and the Semi-Annual Channel releases. An up-to-date device is the most secure device The ability to rollout an updated version of Windows 10 safely at massive scale and velocity leveraging AI allows us to ensure the broadest number of customer devices have the latest security, technology and features in the shortest period. As I’ve noted many times, we’re always actively listening. If you have any feedback, please share it with us via the Feedback Hub app. The post AI powers Windows 10 April 2018 Update rollout appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

This week at E3, Lenovo announced six new gaming devices powered by Windows 10 that arrive with simple, built-in Mixer streaming for low-latency, interactive moments for viewers and streamers to engage with other gamers, plus the latest in gaming technology from Intel and NVIDIA. With Xbox Play Anywhere, you can buy a game once and play it on both your Xbox One and any of these Windows 10 PCs. Let’s take a closer look at these devices: Lenovo Legion Y530 Laptop Between 24.2mm to 25.2mm thin and 2.3 kg light, up to the latest generation Intel processors, NVIDIA GPUs, DDR4 memory and more, the Lenovo Legion Y530 Laptop is thermally optimized to run cooler and quieter while being perfectly balanced between performance and portability. The 15″ FHD display with optional 144 Hz and 300 nits of brightness as well as a full-sized white backlit keyboard offering under 1ms input response time make the Lenovo Legion Y530 Laptop primed for gaming virtually anywhere life takes you. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/034e5837a283875c43477587868b4369-1024x577.png Lenovo Legion Y730 Laptop Weighing 2.9kg and between 21.95mm to 24.05mm thin, the larger 17-inch Lenovo Legion Y730 Laptop features the latest in gaming technology from Intel and NVIDIA wrapped in expertly crafted all-aluminum materials, plus more than 16 million color combinations and lighting effects visible from its CORSAIR iCUE RGB backlit keyboard for the ultimate customizable gaming experience. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/8426e9203546f315015508dd4b3add4f-1024x493.png It arrives in both a 17″ FHD display as well as a 15” FHD display option, with optional 144 Hz and 300 nits of brightness. Lenovo Legion T530 Meet the Lenovo Legion T530, a 28-liter gaming tower redesigned from the ground up to deliver a bold new look that houses up to the latest Intel gaming processors, discrete graphics, DDR4 memory, PCIe SSD storage and dual-channel cooling, all with an external red system lighting. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/0879f469d099927a6e62a0aa23781796-1024x577.png In addition to up to 8th Generation Intel Core processors, up to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPUs, up to 32GB DDR4 memory and up to PCIe SSD storage, the Lenovo Legion T530 was engineered to eliminate heat via its innovative dual-channel thermal system and features a tool-free upgrade system with an integrated top carry handle for convenient portability. Lenovo Legion T730 This 28-liter desktop tower gives you both style and power thanks to a customizable internal and external RGB system lighting, a transparent side panel, optional Asetek liquid cooling, up to 8th Generation Intel Core processors, NVIDIA GeForce GPUs, CORSAIR VENGEANCE DDR4 memory, and more to completely immerse you in your favorite titles and overclock for the win. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/39720e1d70204dfbce2ebc1c297a2a7b-1024x577.png Lenovo Legion C730 This 19-liter gaming PC has all the hardware you need for a breathtakingly immersive gaming experience. Up to the latest Intel processing, NVIDIA GPUs, and overclocked CORSAIR DDR4 memory, all housed in a chassis featuring a dual-channel thermal system with optional RGB system lighting and transparent top panel, come together to deliver a truly evolved design that looks amazing in virtually any room. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/bb2bac2ff5423ecad32d5341c40baa6e-1024x577.png The Lenovo Legion C730 was engineered to eliminate heat via its dual-channel thermal system and the full internal RGB system lighting delivers more than 16.8 million color combinations and effects. Lenovo Legion C530 The 19-liter Lenovo Legion C530 offers you tower-level gaming in a more portable design. It arrives with up to 8th Generation Intel Core processors, NVIDIA GeForce GPUs, DDR4 memory, up to PCIe SSD storage, and more. The C530 was designed for effortless upgrading of your system’s hardware via a one-press upgrade system and integrated top carry handle – all engineered to eliminate heat via its dual-channel thermal system. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/0983bf1cf79b0ac9ea7531357f5952d6-1024x577.png Visit the Lenovo Newsroom to learn more about all the devices announced this week at E3! E3 2018: Six Lenovo gaming PCs powered by Windows 10 announced this week Tweet This The post E3 2018: Six Lenovo gaming PCs powered by Windows 10 announced this week appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

For an overview of these changes, check out this video by Jon Friedman, our Chief Designer for Office. Here are some highlights from their post: “Office is used by more than a billion people every month, so while we’re excited about these changes, we also recognize how important it is to get things right. These updates are exclusive to Office.com and Office 365 – the always up-to-date versions of our apps and services. But they won’t happen all at once. Instead, over the next several months we will deploy new designs to select customers in stages and carefully test and learn. We’ll move them into production only after they’ve made it through rigorous rounds of validation and refinement. The initial set of updates includes three changes. Simplified Ribbon. A new, updated version of the ribbon is designed to help users focus on their work and collaborate naturally with others. People who prefer to dedicate more screen space to the commands will still be able to expand the ribbon to the classic 3-line view. The first app to get this new experience will be the web version of Word. That update will start to roll out to select consumer users today on Office.com. Select Insiders will then see the simplified ribbon in Outlook for Windows in July. Word, Excel, and PowerPoint on Windows offer our deepest, richest feature set – and they’re the preferred experience for users who want to get the most from our apps. Users have a lot of “muscle memory” built around these versions, so we plan on being especially careful with changes that could disrupt their work. We aren’t ready to bring the simplified ribbon to these versions yet because we feel like we need more feedback from a broader set of users first. But when we do, users will always be able to revert back to the classic ribbon with one click. New Colors and Icons. Across the apps you’ll start to see new colors and new icons built as scalable graphics – so they render with crisp, clean lines on screens of any size. These changes are designed to both modernize the user experience and make it more inclusive and accessible. The new colors and icons will first appear in the web version of Word at Office.com. Then, later this month, select Insiders will see them in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for Windows. In July, they will go to Outlook for Windows, and in August they will begin rolling out to Outlook for Mac. Search. Search will become a much more important element of the user experience, providing access to commands, content, and people. With “zero query search,” simply placing your cursor in the search box will bring up recommendations powered by AI and the Microsoft Graph. Commercial users can already see this experience in action in Office.com, SharePoint Online, and the Outlook mobile app, and it will start rolling out to commercial users of Outlook on the web in August. We plan on carefully monitoring usage and feedback as the changes roll out, and we’ll update our designs as we learn more.” Head over to the Microsoft 365 Blog to read more! The post Three user experience updates Office announced today appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK and the United States. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/61f56b5486471aa3e41a25be6b263b9d-1024x578.jpg A few weeks ago, we unveiled the Xbox Adaptive Controller, a first-of-its-kind controller designed for gamers with limited mobility. To say we’ve been overwhelmed by the response is an understatement. The thoughts and sentiments that our fans shared have been thoughtful, heart-felt and emotionally moving. Introducing the Xbox Adaptive Controller to the world has helped reinforce the notion of exactly how powerful inclusion can be—for organizations, for groups and for individuals. Pre-order an Xbox Adaptive Controller Fans can visit Xbox.com, Microsoft Store online or a local Microsoft Store retail location to pre-order the Xbox Adaptive Controller, which will begin shipping in September 2018. Pre-orders in Canada will be available soon. We know there are more gamers who can benefit from the Xbox Adaptive Controller in even more countries, and we’re working towards expanding the list of market availability in the future. We’ll have more to share about the Xbox Adaptive Controller in the coming months as we approach the September 2018 release, and look forward to hearing even more fan feedback from gamers everywhere. If you’ve been looking forward to getting your hands on an Xbox Adaptive Controller, pre-order today by visiting Microsoft Store! Xbox Adaptive Controller arriving September, now available for pre-order Tweet This The post Xbox Adaptive Controller arriving September, now available for pre-order appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/bc820e8adaad9d547e28da15537cbdf0.gif It’s called Timeline, and it lets you go back in time to past activities you’ve worked on across your devices, so you can jump back into them like you never left. So, if you’re looking for a specific document, image, or video you worked on yesterday or a week ago, Timeline makes it even easier to find what you’re looking for. You can even pick up what you were doing on your iOS or Android device on your Windows 10 PC when you’re ready to get back to it. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/ca43f96058d9c4754d698fdbfc6b7dd1.gif Here’s what you can do with Timeline: Go back and forth in time. Easily scroll back in time to find things you were working on earlier today or a few weeks ago.* Find activities easily. Click the new Task bar icon to see all your activities on a specific day grouped by hour, including all the things you did using Microsoft Edge and Office 365 on your tablet and mobile phone.** If you don’t see what you need, you can easily search Timeline to find it. Remove activities whenever you want. Delete activities from a specific day or hour. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/ccc2df898cb9aaffbb9bc9fff42241cf.gif Here’s how to get started: Click the new Task view icon in the taskbar to see all your activities on a specific day, grouped by hour, and easily search for something you’d like to go back to (you can also open Task view by pressing Windows logo key + Tab). Head over here to read more about what’s new in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update! *Timeline shows up to 30 days of past activities. *Timeline shows activities done on tablet and mobile phone when users are signed into their Microsoft accounts. Office 365 subscription sold separately. The post Windows 10 Tip: Go back and forth in time with Timeline, new in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/e3513ba58969b64c6c351e87e513b87f-1024x578.jpg With Father’s Day just around the corner and graduation season in full force, you won’t want to miss these steep discounts coming to Microsoft Store and other partner retailers this month! If your Dad or recent grad is a gadget geek, mark your calendar so you don’t miss out. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/3d08044c4cad6ff78a666b24496d464f-1024x576.jpg 1. Save up to $200 on select Surface Book 2 today through 6/16 in the US/PR. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/05cf62dc66fe11366d8a7f0ad8658033-1024x682.jpg 2. Save up to $400 on select gaming PCs today through 6/24 in the US/CA. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/bed0d9a2bb5ac2e807b7cbfb2a4f451f-1024x683.png 3. Save $200 on select Surface Pro i5 beginning 6/10-6/30 in the US/PR. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/sites/2/2016/07/Xbox-One-S2-1024x576.jpg 4. Save on select Xbox One S 1TB ($249) today through 6/23 in the US/PR. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/420f32162cb51d6358971cfffd41ecd7-1024x682.jpg 5. Save up to $500 on select Windows 10 PCs today through 6/24 in the US/CA. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/d5dd8d28a64339a28fe3ec99c3c9a53a-1024x576.png 6. Save $100 on the Samsung HMD Odyssey Windows Mixed Reality headset today through 6/16 in the US/PR/CA. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/c5aaec96c2ddfd481624fca8cc095b0b-1024x578.png 7. Save up to 50% on select Belkin accessories and more today through 6/24 in the US/CA. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/e890456016221da1ae9dffa516b0f78d.png 8. Save $20 on the JLab Audio Epic Sport Wireless Earbuds in the US/PR, and $25 in CA today through 6/17. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/dc847b3a2bd53ada67a4244dc947e4a8-1024x629.jpg 9. Save $50 on the Acer – Nitro 5 15.6″ Laptop – Intel Core i5 at Best Buy today through 6/10 in the US. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/c1e800dd243a94875a20da52213123ad-1024x643.jpg 10. Save up to $150 on the ASUS ZenBook Pro UX550VE today through 6/17 in the US at participating retailers including Amazon. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/3f387fc8fe2ad6430cb523938f66b28d-e1528385196360-1024x679.jpg 11. Save up to $50 on the ASUS VivoBook K570 today through 6/17 in the US at participating retailers including Amazon. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/c59bae6f3cabebc0d8e01bba95392d6a-1024x871.jpg 12. For a limited time in the US save up to $250 on the HP Spectre Laptop 13t and up to 25% on the HP ENVY Laptop X360 on HP.com from 6/17 to 6/23. You can check out even more great deals for dad from HP here. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/f12ab3040a803bd7ff38257d96e143de-e1528385483337-1024x779.jpg 13. Get a $300 Microsoft Store gift card when you purchase the Huawei MateBook X Pro at Microsoft Store today through 6/10 in the US, China, and Western Europe. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/130ae44f225cc44a9f71e07071bb9064-1024x683.jpg 14. Save $100 on the Samsung Notebook 9 (2018) 15’’ on Samsung.com from 6/10-6/16 and $100 off the Notebook 9 (2019) 13’’ model from 6/17-6/23 exclusively on Samsung.com. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/7e0a93721fafc362458f28f0658c0644-1024x577.jpg 15. Save up to 28% in the US off the Lenovo Thinkpad L380 Yoga from 6/14-6/20 on Lenovo.com. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/ffe46e527815d9b023b02a0bd1af6096-1024x577.jpg 16. Save 25% off all customized or Quickship Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Yoga 3rd Gen from 6/14-6/20 in the US at Lenovo.com. Interested in even more great deals? Head over to Microsoft Store, in person or online. Find the perfect gift for dads and grads from Microsoft Store and our partners Tweet This The post Find the perfect gift for dads and grads from Microsoft Store and our partners appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

Hello Windows Insiders! Today, we are releasing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17686 (RS5) to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring in addition to those who opted in to Skip Ahead. What’s new in Build 17686 Improved Local Experience We have introduced a new Region page that allows overrides to default regional format settings such as Calendar, First day of the week, Dates, Times, and Currency. Please go to Settings App – Time & Language – Region and give it a try. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/b9a84fff3908063f29afad5dfd69616c-1024x653.jpg Local Experience Packs are Microsoft Store apps that deliver Windows display language quality improvements. You can now access them easily via the Settings App. Please go to Settings App – Time & Language – Language. Once here click on Add a Windows display language with Local Experience Packs link to download a Local Experience Pack from the Microsoft Store and start enjoying Windows in your preferred language. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/10823fe2e46bfbc8606281983eb7e347-1024x655.png Privacy Improvements We wanted to let you know that if access to the microphone has been disabled in your privacy settings, we’ll now pop a notification the first time an attempt to use the microphone is blocked so you can review the settings if desired. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/6bc9bb329e4a6f2aeab2db8e6b7603e6.png Windows Mixed Reality Improvements This build includes several improvements for Windows Mixed Reality users: This build no longer requires a physical monitor to be connected while running Mixed Reality in cases such as backpack PCs. Setting up WMR for the first time in Mixed Reality Portal and unlocking the PC on the sign in screen still, require a monitor to be connected initially. However, you can configure auto login to prevent needing to sign in for subsequent usage here. Using Windows Mixed Reality while standing requires setting up a room boundary. Apps running in Windows Mixed Reality can now make use of the Camera Capture UI API to capture images of the mixed reality world using the system capture experience. Try running Mail in the Cliff House and inserting an image from your camera in a new message to share an image of the scenic view. We’ve also made some adjustments to the mixed reality video capture experience in this build to make it easier to stop videos from the Start menu. General changes, improvements, and fixes for PC We fixed an issue resulting in frequent bugchecks on the previous build with CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIED error. Settings > Gaming > Game DVR has been renamed “Captures”. We fixed an issue where Paint and WordPad settings and recent files weren’t migrated during upgrades. While we still have some work to do, you’ll find that when you update to this build, File Explorer will look a lot more complete in dark theme. We fixed an issue resulting in the “Replace or skip files” dialog having some unexpected dark elements in recent flights. We fixed an issue where the Japanese IME’s big mode indicator would appear in the center of the screen when bringing up UAC even if the mode indicator had been disabled in Settings. We fixed an issue where the taskbar flyouts (network, volume, etc) didn’t have a shadow. We fixed an issue where clicking on the plus button in the Clock and Calendar flyout from the taskbar didn’t do anything in recent flights. We fixed an issue resulting in Command Prompt’s cursor appearing invisible in the last few flights. We fixed an issue resulting in a high number of reliability issues when switching to the Microsoft Pinyin IME in recent flights. We fixed an issue where the Emoji Panel might not dismiss if you clicked somewhere else on the screen. Known issues We’re working on adding dark theme in File Explorer and the Common File Dialog, but we still have some things to do. You may see some unexpectedly light colors in these surfaces when in dark mode. After update, Mixed Reality Portal will reinstall the Mixed Reality Software and environment settings will not be preserved. If you need your Mixed Reality home experience to persist, we recommend skipping this build until these issues are fixed. Some Insiders may find increased reliability and performance issues when launching Start on this build. We’re investigating. Fonts acquired from Microsoft Store may not work in some apps. When you upgrade to this build you’ll find that the taskbar flyouts (network, volume, etc) no longer have an acrylic background. There is a bug in this build (and in Build 17682) that will impact driver testing scenarios. When executing HLK Component/Device driver tests, you may experience a bug check that blocks test execution. We are aware of the issue and actively working on a fix. If you install any of the recent builds from the Fast ring and switch to the Slow ring – optional content such as enabling developer mode will fail. You will have to remain in the Fast ring to add/install/enable optional content. This is because optional content will only install on builds approved for specific rings. There has not yet been a RS5 build released to the Slow ring. Known issues for Sets & Office Sets UX for Office Win32 desktop apps is not final. The experience will be refined over time based on feedback. The top of some Win32 desktop app windows may appear slightly underneath the tab bar when created maximized. To work around the issue, restore and re-maximize the window. Closing one tab may sometimes minimize the entire set. Tiling and cascading windows, including features like “View Side by Side” in Word, will not work for inactive tabs. The Office Visual Basic Editor window will currently be tabbed but is not intended to be in the future. Opening an Office document while the same app has an existing document open may cause an unintended switch to the last active document. This will also happen when closing a sheet in Excel while other sheets remain open. Local files or non-Microsoft cloud files will not be automatically restored, and no error message will be provided to alert the user to that fact. REMINDER: Upcoming Bug Bash We are excited to announce the dates for the next Bug Bash: June 22nd – July 1st. And we will hold a Bug Bash Webcast on our Mixer channel on June 27th – exact timing will be announced closer to the date. We’re excited to do another Bug Bash with our Windows Insiders! No downtime for Hustle-As-A-Service, Dona <3 The post Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17686 appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

Today, ahead of E3, Dell announced they are updating their Inspiron Gaming Desktop, powered by Windows 10, with latest 2nd Gen AMD Ryzen processors (up to 8 core, 16-thread), providing gamers with strong performance at an accessible price. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/ad806ad790f912305ca46b614c0e2748-1024x578.jpg Here’s four things you can do with the Inspiron Gaming Desktop: Enjoy split-second responsiveness from the latest 2nd Gen AMD Ryzen processors (up to 8 core, 16-thread) Buy a game once and play it on both your Xbox One and Windows 10 PC with Xbox Play Anywhere. Optimize power consumption, task routing and clock speeds with Sense MiX FR technology. Engage with other gamers using simple, built-in Mixer streaming for low-latency, interactive moments for viewers and streamers. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/dcb0e358688e49776c83636df47828e8-1024x1024.png Other features include: A USB Type-C 3.1 port, up to six USB 3.0 ports, optional dual-drive, high-capacity hard drive, responsive SSD and up to five bays for future storage upgrades. Polar Blue LED lighting and a striking chassis design; intelligent thermal design for optimal airflow to cool the system Xbox Adaptive Controller compatibility, supporting accessible gaming towards connecting more gamers than ever before. Pricing and availability: Available initially in US, Australia, New Zealand, China and South Korea mid-June starting at $849 USD. In addition to the new Inspiron Gaming Desktop, Dell announced the Alienware Wireless Gaming Headset with 7.1 Virtual Surround Sound, wider frequency response (15Hz-25kHz) and acoustic signature, a second-generation, fast and responsive Alienware Elite Gaming Mouse and more. Head over to Dell.com to learn more! Four things you can do with Dell’s new Inspiron Gaming Desktop Tweet This The post Four things you can do with Dell’s new Inspiron Gaming Desktop appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

Satya Nadella recently shared our vision for the future of computing – one in which the intelligent edge and intelligent cloud create experiences where trusted technology is part of the fabric of our lives.Today at Computex 2018, joined by executives from Microsoft’s engineering, marketing and research teams, I had the opportunity to share what that vision means for our device partners. The opportunity to leverage artificial intelligence (AI), ubiquitous computing and Microsoft 365 multi-device and multi-sense experiences has never been greater. Together we can create new, compelling devices and experiences in the era of the intelligent edge and intelligent cloud. To accelerate innovation in this new era we invite all our partners to join our Intelligent Edge Partner Community. The community will help partners connect with one another to identify opportunities to collaborate on technology innovation and achieve shared business goals. In addition, community members will be able to participate in training and community events, and can participate in early-adopter programs that provide access to documentation, specs, OS builds and certification details. To sign up, simply head to http://Microsoft.com/intelligentedge. Today, in Taipei, we announced a new category of teamwork devices: Windows Collaboration Displays. These large, interactive displays will let people experience Microsoft 365 collaboration tools: Office, Teams and Whiteboard at room scale, and include built-in sensors that can connect to Azure IoT spatial intelligence capabilities. This incredible technology will allow facility managers to utilize environmental data to make real-time decisions. A variety of collaboration displays, from Sharp and Avocor will be available later this year. https://blogs.microsoft.com/uploads/prod/2018/06/Collaboration-Display.png A Windows Collaboration Display from Sharp. We also announced Windows 10 IoT Core Services. This new service offering enables partners to commercialize a secure Internet of Things (IoT)-device backed by industry-leading support. It provides device makers the ability to manage updates for the OS, apps, settings and OEM-specific files, and is backed by 10 years of support. Advances in ubiquitous computing and AI will drive the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge era Every part of our life, our homes, our cars and our workplaces are being transformed by digital technology. We are seeing this in every industry and sector of our economy. The era of the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge will be driven by advances in ubiquitous computing, artificial intelligence and multi-sense, multi-device experiences. First, with ubiquitous computing, Azure is being built as the world’s largest computer with cloud services from 50 regions around the planet, more than any other cloud provider. Azure also has the broadest set of compliance certifications in the industry, and brands across all industries are using Azure at scale. With offerings like Azure Stack, an extension of Azure that enables a truly consistent hybrid cloud platform; Azure IoT, a broad set of services that power IoT solutions; Azure IoT Edge, that allows devices on the edge to act on their own and connect only when needed; and Azure Sphere, a new solution to secure the 9 billion microcontroller unit (MCU)-powered devices that are built and deployed every year, Microsoft provides the most comprehensive ubiquitous computing fabric that partners can use to bring intelligence to edge devices from servers to gateways, to the smallest MCUbased sensors. Computer scientists at Microsoft have been working on AI technologies for decades. Thanks to the immense computing power of the Azure cloud, access to comprehensive and secure data spanning services such as Bing, Office and LinkedIn, and the AI breakthroughs coming out of our worldwide network of research labs, we are uniquely able to infuse AI into our core products and services. Beyond that we’re delivering AI tools and frameworks including cognitive, vision, spatial and object APIs, and the recently announced Project Brainwave, an architecture for deep neural net processing on the edge – all of which partners can use to enable next-generation AI applications and solutions that run on devices. Modern devices amplify the power of Microsoft 365 Using Microsoft’s programs, platforms and suite of services, our partners are bringing to life a breadth of devices at the intelligent edge that delight customers and empower them to do more. Microsoft 365 enables people and organizations to embrace the modern culture of work, to be more creative, work together more effectively and have a more productive experience – without sacrificing protection and security. This platform opens the door for new experiences brought to life by great hardware innovations from our partner ecosystem that helps users fluidly go from mouse to keyboard to touch to ink – and beyond, to multi-sense scenarios like voice and vision. Modern devices from our partners light up Microsoft 365 features. Today at Computex, for the first time, we showed the brand-new HP ProBook x360 440 built for growing businesses and professionals on-the-go. Powered by Windows 10, the ultra-slim device delivers the power, security and durability businesses demand in a versatile 360-degree design. Built-in security from HP BIOSphere Gen4, a firmware ecosystem that automates protection of the BIOS, coupled with Microsoft 365 and an infrared sensor supporting Windows Hello face authentication, provides incredibly strong protection. https://blogs.microsoft.com/uploads/prod/2018/06/HP-Probook.jpg The new HP ProBook x360 440, built for business. Another great device that takes advantage of Microsoft 365 is Asus ZenBook Pro 15 UX580, beautifully designed with an all-aluminum unibody in a luxurious Deep Dive Blue with Rose Gold detailing. This high-performance laptop isn’t just beautiful, it’s also powerful and able to handle the most demanding tasks with ease, powered by the latest eighth-generation Intel Core processors. The ZenBook Pro series also features Windows Hello capabilities and built-in support for Amazon Alexa voice services, giving users new, smart ways to interact with their laptop. https://blogs.microsoft.com/uploads/prod/2018/06/ASUS-zenbook-Pro.jpg The Asus ZenBook Pro 15 UX580. Last year at Computex we announced a new category of always-connected PCs that partners including, Asus, HP and Lenovo are bringing to market. These devices come with incredible battery life and work like your phone with always-on connectivity. Earlier this week, Qualcomm announced that Samsung is joining us to expand this category of always-connected devices. A new era needs a new level of trust This new era represents tremendous opportunity for the ecosystem and comes with a responsibility to ensure that the technologies, devices and solutions we all create are trusted by the individuals and organizations that use them. We also need to ensure everyone can experience technology’s benefits and are inclusive. We all need to work together to ensure privacy, protect the legal rights of people around the world, drive cybersecurity efforts to keep the world safe and take steps to ensure that AI works in ethical and responsible ways. Every part of our lives, every industry and every sector of our economy is being digitally transformed. There are limitless opportunities for Microsoft partners – from the largest Azure servers to the smallest devices using Azure Sphere and everything in between. I’m so inspired by the opportunity for innovation that’s made possible by the intelligent cloud, the intelligent edge and AI, and I look forward to the future we’ll build together. The post Driving opportunity for device partners in the era of the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge appeared first on The Official Microsoft Blog. Continue reading...

https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/aeed828b745d6de01a88e9e0d57c1a8c-1024x689.jpg Nick Parker, corporate vice president, Consumer and Device Sales and Roanne Sones, corporate vice president, Platforms, Microsoft Corp. on stage at Computex 2018 with the new the 70” Windows Collaboration Display from Sharp. Here are some of the highlights: “The opportunity to leverage AI, ubiquitous computing, Microsoft 365, multi-device and multi-sense experiences has never been greater. Together we can create new, compelling devices and experiences in the era of the intelligent edge and intelligent cloud. To accelerate innovation in this new era we invite all our partners to join our intelligent edge partner community. The community will help partners connect with one another to identify opportunities to collaborate on technology innovation and achieve shared business goals. In addition, community members will be able to participate in trainings and community events and can participate in early adopter programs that provide access to documentation, specs, OS builds and certification details. To sign up, simply head to this page. Today, in Taipei, we announced a new category of teamwork devices; Windows Collaboration Displays. These large interactive displays will let people experience Microsoft 365 collaboration tools: Office, Teams, and Whiteboard at room scale, and include built-in sensors that can connect to Azure IoT spatial intelligence capabilities. This incredible technology will allow facility managers to utilize environmental data to make real-time decisions. A variety of collaboration displays, from Sharp and Avocor will be available later this year. We also announced Windows 10 IoT Core Services. This new service offering enables partners to commercialize a secure IoT device backed by industry-leading support. It provides device makers the ability to manage updates for the OS, apps, settings, and OEM-specific files, and is backed by 10 years of support. Using Microsoft’s programs, platforms and suite of services, our partners are bringing to life a breadth of devices at the Intelligent Edge that delight customers and empower them to do more. Microsoft 365 enables people and organizations to embrace the modern culture of work: to be more creative, work together more effectively, and have a more productive experience – without sacrificing protection and security. This platform opens the door for new experiences brought to life by great hardware innovations from our partner ecosystem – that helps users fluidly go from mouse to keyboard to touch to ink – and beyond, to multi-sense scenarios like voice and vision. Every part of our lives, every industry, and every sector of our economy is being digitally transformed. There are limitless opportunities for Microsoft partners – from the largest Azure servers to the smallest devices using Azure Sphere and everything in between.” Head over to the Official Microsoft Blog to read more. The post Computex 2018: Microsoft outlines vision for how partners can build intelligent edge devices and solutions appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/46afe44c158bb39a2dea06c60fdaf2a5-1024x683.jpg Similar to the embedded devices that came before them, modern IoT devices are often used in places where physical servicing is difficult and expensive. For example, it’s expensive for an oil company to put a technician on a helicopter to service equipment on a platform at sea. As a result, commercial IoT devices need to be supported and in service for far longer than their consumer counterparts. Today at Computex 2018, we are excited to announce Windows 10 IoT Core Services. This offering will provide 10 years of support along with services to manage device updates and assess device health, enabling our IoT partners to create solutions to address their customers’ needs. Windows 10 IoT Core is an edition of Windows 10 designed for building smart things and optimized to power intelligent edge devices. First released in 2015, it has been adopted by industry innovators such as Johnson Controls, Askey, and Misty Robotics. Building on the Windows 10 IoT Core operating system, Windows 10 IoT Core Services will be a paid offering for IoT devices. The free edition of Windows 10 IoT Core will still be available via the Semi-Annual Channel (SAC). Windows 10 IoT Core Services will have three main benefits: 10 years of Windows OS support via the Windows Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) which provides quality updates to keep device security up to date. Devices using the LTSC release won’t receive feature updates, enabling them to focus on stability by minimizing changes to the base operating system. Microsoft typically offers new LTSC releases every two to three years, with each release supported over a 10-year lifecycle. Update control with the newly announced Device Update Center (DUC) which provides the ability to create, customize, and control device updates. These updates are distributed by the same Content Distribution Network (CDN) as Windows Update which is used daily by millions of Windows customers around the world. Updates can be applied to the operating system, device drivers, as well as OEM-specific applications and files. Updates can be flighted to test devices prior to broader distribution. Device Health Attestation (DHA) enables enterprises and OEMs to raise the security bar of their organization with hardware-attested security. Evaluating the trustworthiness of a device at boot is essential for a trusted IoT system and a device cannot attest to its own trustworthiness. Instead, this must be done by an external entity such as DHA Azure cloud service. This service evaluates device health and can be combined with a device management system, such as Azure IoT Device Management. With this, you can take actions, for example, re-imaging the device, denying network access or creating a service ticket. With these features, you can commercialize a device built on Windows 10 IoT Core and know that you have the enterprise-grade support and security that is synonymous with Windows. We are currently in limited preview with this service; to join, please email iotservices@microsoft.com. A broader preview will be ready in July 2018, with general availability later this year. Earlier in the year, we announced that with the next release of Windows 10 IoT, we will provide 10 years of support for both Windows 10 IoT Core and Windows 10 IoT Enterprise. We also announced a partnership with NXP to support Windows 10 IoT Core on their i.MX 6 and i.MX 7 processors. The Windows 10 IoT Core Services offering builds on these announcements, as we continue to evolve the platform and make investments to support the IoT devices of today and tomorrow. We are excited about the possibilities and hope you will join us to create the future of IoT. Windows 10 IoT – Tomorrow’s IoT today Tweet This The post Windows 10 IoT – Tomorrow’s IoT today appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

Today at Computex 2018, ASUS announced a new ZenBook Pro series with an interactive ScreenPad, the ZenBook S – a new 13.3-inch ultraportable notebook built with military-grade durability – two new gaming laptops, a convertible laptop with a 360° display and more. Let’s take a closer look at these devices. ZenBook Pro series Click to view slideshow. The new ZenBook Pro Series is a family of high-performance laptops for professionals that introduces the ScreenPad – a new way to work and interact with your laptop. ScreenPad combines a touchpad with a high-resolution, full-color touchscreen, and is fully customizable to allow you to personalize their experience. ZenBook Pro 15 with ScreenPad is the first ScreenPad-enabled model in the series, featuring a 15-inch 4K UHD display, up to an Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics. Enjoy immersive multimedia on its 15.6-inch 4K UHD NanoEdge PANTONE validated display with 100% Adobe RGB color gamut, ∆E (Delta-E) < 2.0 color accuracy and powerful Harmon Kardon certified audio system. With Windows 10, it arrives with your digital personal assistant Cortana,* comprehensive protection with Windows Defender, and new ways to talk and share faster with the people you talk to the most. Combined with Windows Ink and the optional ASUS Pen, ZenBook Pro 15 really lets creativity flow. ScreenPad is a Windows Precision Touchpad (PTP) combined with an interactive 5.5-inch FHD touchscreen that can intelligently adapt to what you’re doing, making it easier and quicker to multitask and get things done. A simple press of the F6 function key toggles ScreenPad between touchscreen mode and touchpad mode or you can use Screen Extender mode to use ScreenPad as an extension to the main display. Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint offer even closer integration with ScreenPad, with adaptive menus and editing controls on ScreenPad that change automatically according to the app and what task is being performed. Top features of the ZenBook Pro 15 include: Comprehensive connectivity includes up to gigabit-class 802.11ac Wi-Fi, USB-C with Thunderbolt 3, USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-A, and standard HDMI output. Up to the latest 8th Generation Intel Core i9 hexa-core processor, with up to 16GB of high-performance 2400Hz DDR4 RAM and up to a 1TB PCIe 3.0 x4 SSD Up to gaming-grade NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GPU for graphics performance Fingerprint sensor support for signing in effortlessly with Windows Hello 15.6-inch NanoEdge 4K UHD ultraslim-bezel touchscreen with PANTONE validation for professional color accuracy Availability: ASUS ZenBook Pro 15 will be available globally starting July 2018. ZenBook S https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/d2539b14854db6755a29e32c03c3eed4-1024x525.jpg The ZenBook S is a premium 13.3-inch ultraportable laptop that delivers effortless portability, powerful performance and no-compromise connectivity. ZenBook S is not only sophisticated and elegant, but incredibly tough, too: it meets the ultra-demanding MIL-STD 810G military standard for reliability and durability, which includes extended tests for operation in harsh environments including extreme altitudes, temperatures and humidity. ZenBook S incorporates the innovative new ErgoLift hinge that automatically tilts the keyboard by 5.5° for the ultimate typing comfort. The raised chassis also improves airflow and enhances audio performance. It also supports OneDrive Files On-Demand, so you can access all your files in OneDrive without having to download them and use storage space. Top features of the ZenBook S include: 12.9mm-thin, 1kg-light near-A4-size metal unibody with MIL-STD-410G military-grade toughness for dependable reliability anywhere 8th Gen Intel Core CPUs, up to 1TB PCIe SSD, up to 13.5hrs battery life and Thunderbolt 3 connectivity for all-day performance Beautiful visuals with up to 4K UHD NanoEdge touchscreen with 100% sRGB color gamut New ErgoLift hinge design with 5.5° keyboard tilt for ultimate typing comfort, improved cooling airflow and enhanced audio Availability: ASUS ZenBook S will be available globally starting June 2018. VivoBook S15 and S14 https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/9d996d0bb56900b313b0d55aa5cb2088-1024x512.png The VivoBook S15 and S14 are a pair of lightweight laptops powered by up to 8th Gen Intel Core i7 CPUs and featuring all-day battery life, unique color-blocking designs in five color options, and three-sided NanoEdge display. The 15.6-inch S15 weighs only 1.8kg, while the 14-inch S14 has an overall weight of 1.4kg. They both arrive with an ErgoLift hinge, which automatically tilts the keyboard by 3.5° when the laptop is opened to create the familiar feel of a desktop keyboard. S15 and S14 are powered by up to an 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, with NVIDIA GeForce MX150 discrete graphics. Both laptops feature dual-storage designs, with VivoBook S15 featuring up to a 512GB SSD and 2TB HDD. An optional fingerprint sensor built into the touchpad provides one-touch access with Windows Hello. Reversible USB Type-C (USB-C) port, as well as USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A and USB 2.0 ports, HDMI output, and a microSD card reader for hassle-free compatibility with current peripherals, displays and projectors. Available in Firmament Green, Star Grey, Silver Blue, Gun Metal, and Icicle Gold. Availability: ASUS VivoBook S15 and S14 will be available globally starting July 2018. VivoBook Flip 14 https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/fd2c885fccb8910c8ad3d98d9c311a85-1024x768.png With a 17.6mm profile and total weight of just 1.5kg, the VivoBook Flip 14 is a super portable 14-inch convertible laptop featuring a 360° display that allows this versatile device to be used in laptop, stand, tent and tablet modes. Top features include: ASUS NanoEdge touchscreen with an ultra-slim 6.15mm-thin bezel with an 82 percent screen-to-body ratio for more immersive viewing Up to an 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor with 16GB memory, plus up to a 1TB SSD Touchpad with an optional integrated fingerprint sensor for one-touch login via Windows Hello Touchscreen compatible with the ASUS Pen active stylus so you can write and draw effortlessly using Windows Ink, just like you would on paper. Stylish aluminum chassis with a high-quality stepless hinge finished in a choice of two stylish colors: Star Grey and Galaxy Blue. Keyboard with full-size backlit keys and ambient light control, so you can stay productive even in dark environments Availability: ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 will be available globally in the second half of 2018. ASUS Republic of Gamers Strix SCAR II https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/890dd047769733a456050923528c5fb9-1024x921.jpg The Strix SCAR II esports gaming laptop features a 144Hz super-narrow-bezel display with an ultrafast 3ms gray-to-gray (GTG) response time, a HyperStrike Pro gaming keyboard for improved control, and HyperCool Pro technology to cool its high-performance CPU and GPU, as well as multi-antenna Wi-Fi for improved connectivity. Strix SCAR II is 2.33cm narrower than its predecessor and lighter, with an overall weight of just 2.4kg. Powered by Windows 10, it has simple, built-in Mixer streaming for low-latency, interactive moments for viewers and streamers to engage with other gamers, while Xbox Play Anywhere enables you to buy a game once and play it on both your Xbox One and Windows 10 PC. Top features include: Narrow-bezel display features 144Hz refresh rate and 3ms gray-to-gray response time for incredibly immersive, supersmooth and vivid visuals HyperCool Pro technology aids in cooling the high-performance CPU and GPU; HyperStrike Pro keyboard provides supreme control in fast-paced games ROG RangeBoost multi-antenna technology with a unique algorithm covers dead spots and provides 30%-wider Wi-Fi coverage than dual-antenna configurations Immersive sound with side-firing speakers with smart-amplifier technology for more volume and more powerful bass Powered by up to the latest 8th Generation Intel Core processor with up to 32GB of DDR4 2666MHz memory, and a choice of either NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or GTX 1070 graphics. For storage, it can be specified with up to a 512GB M.2 NVMe PCIe 3.0 x4 and a 1TB Seagate FireCuda solid-state hybrid drive (SSHD). ASUS Republic of Gamers Strix Hero II https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/e6127cb2286da7bb98b1758c25bd2330-1024x921.jpg The Strix Hero II, an all-new version of the esports gaming laptop, is 2.33cm narrower than its predecessor, and lighter, too, with an overall weight of just 2.4kg for gaming on the go. Strix Hero II arrives with multi-antenna Wi-Fi for improved connectivity, a 144Hz super-narrow-bezel display with 100% sRGB color space, a HyperStrike Pro Gaming keyboard for improved control, and HyperCool Pro technology to cool its high-performance CPU and GPU. Top features include: Narrow-bezel display features 144Hz refresh rate and 100% sRGB color gamut for incredibly immersive, supersmooth and vivid visuals HyperCool Pro technology aids in cooling the high-performance CPU and GPU; HyperStrike Pro keyboard provides supreme control during gaming ROG RangeBoost multi-antenna technology with a unique algorithm covers dead spots and provides 30%-wider Wi-Fi coverage than dual-antenna configurations Immersive sound with side-firing speakers with smart-amplifier technology for more volume and more powerful bass Up to the latest 8th Generation Intel Core processor with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics and up to 32GB of DDR4 2666MHz dual-channel memory for faster processing speeds and lower power consumption. Pricing and availability: ROG Strix SCAR II and Hero II will start from $1,599. Visit ASUS.com to learn more about everything announced today! *Cortana available in select markets. The post Computex 2018: ASUS introduces the new ScreenPad and devices powered by Windows 10 appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

Paint 3D is a built-in creative application that comes free with Windows 10*. You don’t need any design experience – Paint 3D makes it easy to customize models from the built-in 3D library or create 3D designs from scratch. Here’s a couple of tips for how you can get started quickly in creating in 3D. How to edit a 3D model The easiest way to get started is to start by searching our 3D library** for a model to edit and customize. Simply click on 3D Library and browse through our staff picks of top models or type in the search bar a model you are looking for. Click on the tile to import the 3D model into your project. You now have a fully rotatable 3D model that you can recolor and personalize with great sticker textures. How to create a 3D Model One of my favorite ways to get started in 3D is to begin with a photo image or 2D sketch. You can use this as a guide for your 3D drawing. Click on 3D Shapes and select one of the 3D doodle tools, sharp or soft edge depending on your preference. Draw in a continuous movement, making sure not to overlap the lines and connecting to the starting circle. Watch as your 2D sketch instantly transforms into a fully rotatable 3D model. You can use the brushes to shade and color the model or the sticker tool to add additional finishes, such as wood or marble. See it in the real world https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/06/ce7e02a4ede66c2212a7d162cb18d732.gif Visualize your 3D model in the real world – perfect for showing a family member what a fountain will look like your backyard or using your 3D model to record an online tutorial video. When you’re finished editing your 3D model, simply go up to the task bar and click on the Mixed reality button (this will pre-load your 3D model in Mixed Reality Viewer). Tap your screen to place the object into your world. You can rotate the object or make it bigger or smaller or drag it to different locations on the screen. You can also add animations to your model, perfect for videos, at the bottom of the screen. To record a short video, click on the video record button to the right. You can also switch to take a picture with the camera button. Save and share a 3D creation Within Paint 3D, you can save or share your work in a variety of ways. If you want to save your work to edit again later, then you can click “Save As” a Paint 3D project. Paint 3D projects will retain all your 2D and 3D content without any compression – meaning you can re-open them and pick up exactly where you left off. If you want to take content out of Paint 3D, to share or use in other applications, then you have options to save a copy as a 3D model or an image. If you choose to Save a 3D model, then you can choose from different popular 3D file formats, such as .GLB or .FBX. If you choose to save an image, you are taken to the Image Preview window. Within this window you can choose to rescale your image, either by percentage or number of pixels. Ticking ‘Lock aspect ratio’ means changes to one side will automatically update the other. You can also adjust the desired angle and framing of the image. Paint 3D makes it easy to unlock your creativity and bring your ideas to life. To check out these features for yourself, you can get started by opening the Paint 3D app. If you’re new to Paint 3D, check out our video tutorials on Paint 3D. *To access all the latest Paint 3D features, you will need to update to the latest Windows 10 April 2018 Update. To learn how to get the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, check out this blog post. **3D Library is available in select markets. Check out the online library here. The post Windows 10 Tip: How to start creating in Paint 3D appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

Today, we announced an agreement to acquire GitHub, the world’s leading software development platform. I want to share what this acquisition will mean for our industry and for developers. The era of the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge is upon us. Computing is becoming embedded in the world, with every part of our daily life and work and every aspect of our society and economy being transformed by digital technology. Developers are the builders of this new era, writing the world’s code. And GitHub is their home. As every industry – from precision medicine to precision agriculture, from personalized education to personalized banking – is being impacted by technology, the developer community will only grow in numbers and importance. Developer workflows will drive and influence business processes and functions across the organization – from marketing, sales and service, to IT and HR. And value creation and growth across every industry will increasingly be determined by the choices developers make. In short, developers will be at the center of solving the world’s most pressing challenges. However, the real power comes when every developer can create together, collaborate, share code and build on each other’s work. In all walks of life, we see the power of communities, and this is true for software development and developers. That is why we are so excited about today’s announcement. More than 28 million developers already collaborate on GitHub, and it is home to more than 85 million code repositories used by people in nearly every country. From the largest corporations to the smallest startups, GitHub is the destination for developers to learn, share and work together to create software. It’s a destination for Microsoft too. We are the most active organization on GitHub, with more than 2 million “commits,” or updates, made to projects. Microsoft has been a developer-focused company from the very first product we created to the platforms and tools we offer today. Building technology so that others can build technology is core to our mission to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. https://blogs.microsoft.com/uploads/prod/2018/06/IMG_0271-Edit.jpg Chris Wanstrath (left), Github CEO and co-founder; Nat Friedman, Microsoft corporate vice president, Developer Services; Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO; and Amy Hood, Microsoft Chief Financial Officer. Microsoft is also committed to empowering communities, from the world’s professionals to IT professionals to gamers. We believe in the power of communities to achieve much more than what their members can do on their own. It’s our ability to work together that helps our dreams become reality, and we are dedicated to cultivating and growing communities to do just that. And Microsoft is all-in on open source. We have been on a journey with open source, and today we are active in the open source ecosystem, we contribute to open source projects, and some of our most vibrant developer tools and frameworks are open source. When it comes to our commitment to open source, judge us by the actions we have taken in the recent past, our actions today, and in the future. Given all of this, together with GitHub, we see three clear opportunities ahead. First, we will empower developers at every stage of the development lifecycle – from ideation to collaboration to deployment to the cloud. Going forward, GitHub will remain an open platform, which any developer can plug into and extend. Developers will continue to be able to use the programming languages, tools and operating systems of their choice for their projects – and will still be able to deploy their code on any cloud and any device. Second, we will accelerate enterprise developers’ use of GitHub, with our direct sales and partner channels and access to Microsoft’s global cloud infrastructure and services. Finally, we will bring Microsoft’s developer tools and services to new audiences. Most importantly, we recognize the responsibility we take on with this agreement. We are committed to being stewards of the GitHub community, which will retain its developer-first ethos, operate independently and remain an open platform. We will always listen to developer feedback and invest in both fundamentals and new capabilities. Once the acquisition closes later this year, GitHub will be led by CEO Nat Friedman, an open source veteran and founder of Xamarin, who will continue to report to Microsoft Cloud + AI Group Executive Vice President Scott Guthrie; GitHub CEO and Co-Founder Chris Wanstrath will be a technical fellow at Microsoft, also reporting to Scott. You can see how Chris, Nat and I envision the opportunity ahead in this public presentation. Together we will continue to advance GitHub as a platform loved by developers and trusted by organizations. The post Microsoft + GitHub = Empowering Developers appeared first on The Official Microsoft Blog. Continue reading...

Hello Windows Insiders! Today, we are releasing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17682 (RS5) to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring in addition to those who opted in to Skip Ahead. What’s new in Build 17682 Sets Improvements We’ve heard your feedback and have been hard at work updating the new tab page to make it more obvious you can launch apps. When you click the plus button in a Sets window, you will now see apps included in your frequent destinations list. You’ll also find that we’ve integrated the all apps list into this page so you can browse your apps, rather than just using the search box – apps that support Sets will launch into a tab when clicked. If you have News Feed selected, simply click the “Apps” link next to “News Feed” to switch to the all apps list. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/d84ef1110391c66c0757d5db44f9674b-1024x692.png Note: This is a server-side change flighting up for Insider who is on recent builds. Managing your wireless projection experience One of the things we’ve heard from you is that it’s hard to know when you’re wirelessly projecting and how to disconnect if your session especially if started from file explorer or from an app. In today’s build, just like remote desktop you’ll see a control banner at the top of your screen when you’re in a session. The banner keeps you informed of the state of your connection, allows you to quick disconnect or reconnect to the same sink and allows you to tune the connection based on what you are doing. This tuning is done via the settings gear, which optimizes the screen to screen latency based on one of the three scenarios: Game mode minimizes the screen to screen latency to make gaming over a wireless connection possible. Video mode increases the screen to screen latency to ensure the video on the big screen plays back smoothly and without glitching. Productivity modes strikes a good balance between game mode and video mode where the screen to screen latency is responsive enough that typing feels natural, while ensuring videos don’t glitch too often. By default, all connections start off in productivity mode. Stay tuned to this space as even more functionality is coming to the banner! Can’t wait to hear what you think of banner. Let us know via the Feedback Hub! https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/9ed877023c5e5f76ac1fbd0f2904baa5-1024x193.png Microsoft Edge improvements for web developers Web Authentication preview: Microsoft Edge now includes unprefixed support for the new Web Authentication API (a.k.a. WebAuthN). This evolves our previous support for the WebAuthN specification to enable the updated version of the API by default. Web Authentication provides an open, scalable, and interoperable solution to facilitate authentication, which replaces passwords with stronger hardware-bound credentials. The implementation in Microsoft Edge allows users to use Windows Hello (via PIN or biometrics) and external authenticators like FIDO2 Security Keys or FIDO U2F Security Keys, to securely authenticate to websites. We’ll have more to share about Web Authentication in Microsoft Edge soon! RSAT is now available on demand! What does that mean? You no longer have to manually download RSAT every time you upgrade! Just go to “Manage optional features” in Settings (the fastest way there is to search for that) and click “Add a feature” – you’ll now see all of the RSAT components listed. Pick the ones you want, and the next time you upgrade Windows will automatically ensure all those components persist the upgrade (just like any of our other on-demand features, like speech resources or OpenSSH). Thanks to everyone who logged feedback asking for this! We’d love for you to try this out on today’s build and let us know what you think. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/6b2d8b4333cf18aa3a923765ee53881e-1024x994.png Note: The “Add an optional feature” page will take a long time to load the features the first time you go to the page. Some Insiders may find they have issues installing these features in this build, we’re investigating. If you do encounter installations issues, deleting this registry key may resolve them: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Servicing\LocalSourcePath. Post-upgrade setup You may see this window showing after you upgrade. Don’t worry – all your stuff is still there! We know some of you bought and setup your devices a long time ago – the features available in Windows have changed since then, so we’re giving you an opportunity to go through the setup questions you may have missed to ensure your device has the best setup possible. Click “Let’s Go” to go through those setup questions or click “Skip for now” if you want to go straight to your desktop. The conditions for showing this page are cloud programmable and may change over time. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/25655d8f3b7759b9c618c2191f0f9ac4.png General changes, improvements, and fixes for PC We fixed the issue for Windows Insider Program for Business folks where PCs using AAD accounts to receive new flights (via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program) where they would see a “Fix me” option presented and couldn’t to receive the latest flights. We’re experimenting with adding tips and suggestions to the Settings homepage. If you see one of these, you can choose to opt out by clicking the “…” in the top corner. We fixed an issue resulting in some apps missing pinned and recent items when you right-clicked their icons in the taskbar. We fixed an issue resulting in File Explorer showing blank/generic icons for any file type associated with a UWP app. We fixed an issue where Alt + Tab would sometimes unexpectedly have duplicate entries for app windows in recent flights. We fixed a crash when asking Cortana to play any music in recent flights. This issue also impacted the ability to launch apps using voice commands. We fixed an issue where if the taskbar jump list didn’t show (for example if you clicked away before it finished launching), the next time you watched a video full screen the taskbar would unexpectedly appear on top of the video. We fixed an issue where you couldn’t scroll to the end of the clipboard items list (WIN + V) using mouse wheel/touchpad. We fixed an issue where the wallpaper and app preview thumbnails were unexpectedly flipped when using Task View in Arabic or other bidirectional display languages. Screen snipping (WIN + Shift + S, or other entry points) will now default to rectangular snipping. Your most recent mode selection (rectangular or freeform) is preserved across invocations, so you may not notice a change if you have already been using this experience. We fixed an issue resulting in the “Add a feature” page in Settings not finding any features in the last few builds. We fixed an issue where text written using OTF fonts wouldn’t show up when printed. We fixed an issue resulting in some apps failing to launch recently with application error 0xc0000005 when certain antivirus software programs were installed. We fixed an issue impacting certain touch-capable devices where all Bluetooth accessories would periodically stop working until the screen was touched. We fixed an issue resulting in some explorer.exe hangs when using Remote Desktop, projecting your screen, or having multiple monitors in recent flights. This issue may also have led to Microsoft Edge hangs. We fixed an issue resulting in multiple Win32 apps and system components becoming unresponsive after waking from sleep in the last two flights. Known issues We’re working on adding dark theme in File Explorer and the Common File Dialog, but we still have some things to do. You may see some unexpectedly light colors in these surfaces when in dark mode. After updating to this build, Mixed Reality Portal will reinstall the Mixed Reality Software and environment settings will not be preserved. If you need your Mixed Reality home experience to persist, we recommend skipping this build until these issues are fixed. Some Insiders may find increased reliability and performance issues when launching Start on this build. We’re investigating. Some Insiders may experience some bugchecks (GSOD) on this build with “Critical Process Died” error. If you have a Surface Studio, it will fail to update to this build with a “Your PC hardware is not supported on this version of Windows 10” error. Known issues for Sets & Office Sets UX for Office Win32 desktop apps is not final. The experience will be refined over time based on feedback. The top of some Win32 desktop app windows may appear slightly underneath the tab bar when created maximized. To work around the issue, restore and re-maximize the window. Closing one tab may sometimes minimize the entire set. Tiling and cascading windows, including features like “View Side by Side” in Word, will not work for inactive tabs. The Office Visual Basic Editor window will currently be tabbed but is not intended to be in the future. Opening an Office document while the same app has an existing document open may cause an unintended switch to the last active document. This will also happen when closing a sheet in Excel while other sheets remain open. Local files or non-Microsoft cloud files will not be automatically restored, and no error message will be provided to alert the user to that fact. REMINDER: Upcoming Bug Bash We are excited to announce the dates for the next Bug Bash: June 22nd – July 1st. And we will hold a Bug Bash Webcast on our Mixer channel on June 27th – exact timing will be announced closer to the date. We’re excited to do another Bug Bash with our Windows Insiders! No downtime for Hustle-As-A-Service, Dona <3 The post Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17682 appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

We live in a time of both great opportunity and great responsibility. Our children have access to more information, entertainment and more ways to connect than ever before, but with that comes plenty of new things that parents like you and I need to worry about and new ways to distract their attention. Today, we are excited to introduce new features that make it easier and safer for families to interact with technology and, each other, across devices and platforms. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/a2ce1ef6c7712bb4c25cdb992f1724c5-1024x682.jpg Creating tools and features that empower both parents and kids has always been an important part of our work and is becoming increasingly vital, not only to us as a business, but to us as individuals – parents, aunts and uncles, siblings and friends. As a mother to a young and curious daughter, I deeply understand the need for tools to help balance the use of technology in the home as well as out of the home. It’s especially near and dear to me as leader of a team building experiences for mobile devices. We emphasize the idea of transparency as a guiding principle for these new experiences. Today, I am happy to share new features that will help create greater transparency between parent and child, as well as between Microsoft and parents in what to expect from our tools. Updates to Microsoft Launcher for Android We’re bringing new features to the popular Microsoft Launcher app for Android with two new mobile experiences, currently in preview, that give parents more peace of mind for their family and a look at your child’s activity across their devices – Windows 10 PCs, Xbox One devices, and now their Android phone. With Microsoft Launcher installed on your family’s Android devices and a Microsoft family group of accounts set up, parents can: Stay up to date on kids’ whereabouts. At home and on the go, you can use Microsoft Launcher to get an update on your kids’ location and rest easier knowing they are safely where they should be. You can see your child’s (or children’s) last known location and time. Be aware of which apps your kids are using. Check in on your kids’ app activity on their Android device, including which apps are accessed and time spent on each app. With Xbox One or a Windows 10 PC set up in your family portal, you can also view their activities on those devices through Microsoft Launcher. Microsoft Launcher is the only launcher that gives parents this visibility across Android, Windows 10, and Xbox One devices. Children and parents always have the option to toggle features off and on at any time and, best of all, it’s free. If you have a Microsoft family group, you can install Microsoft Launcher on your family’s Android devices. If you don’t have a family group set up yet, it’s easy – here’s how. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/2e29ecde37a3cfab3b9b839d564b4338.gif Site blocking in Microsoft Edge for Android With Microsoft Edge, the ability to allow or block websites has always existed on your PCs. Now, we are extending this feature to you and your family’s Android devices. If you have set up a Microsoft family group, any websites you have already tagged as allowed or blocked for your kid(s) will carry the same settings as they try to access websites in Microsoft Edge on their Android devices. The update will begin rolling out today. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/ba2afbec08ff1e925ccd8d0303238e89.gif MSN Kids brings curated, kid-friendly news to the web We are also excited to announce MSN Kids, currently in preview, a curated news site created specifically for children in the elementary and middle school age group. We saw a need for a place for kids to learn about the world in a safe, trustworthy and fun environment. The site offers editorially curated, age-appropriate news and features from partner publishers such as Time for Kids, Popular Science, Sports Illustrated for Kids, National Geographic, and USA TODAY. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/8381d8b43498ccacf5fb0b14a3eb2780.jpg MSN Kids brings curated, kid-friendly news to the web Content is kid-friendly and helps children find things of interest to stay engaged, learn, and have fun – with no sponsored content or advertising. Kids can learn about animals, the world around them, kids like them doing interesting things around the globe and more. When using Microsoft Edge, kids can also use pen and read aloud to engage with puzzles or assist with reading articles. Check out the preview today at msnkids.com. Family experiences across devices and platforms These new experiences are the next step in a long history of creating products, features, and settings with families in mind, spanning gaming to mobile to PC and the web. Family safety settings in Windows 10 and Xbox One: With families today owning more personal devices than ever, including kids at increasingly younger ages, we’ve invested in family settings that work across devices and platforms. A core set of family safety settings – including the ability to block mature content and apps, set screen time limits, and review kids’ purchase requests – have long been available for Windows 10 PCs and Xbox One devices. These settings help parents keep kids safer, while also fostering independence and letting kids do homework, research, and be creative, using technology as a powerful learning tool. Safer online spending with Ask a parent: One especially useful setting, called Ask a parent, lets parents avoid surprise spending on Xbox or the Microsoft Store by receiving notifications when kids want to make a purchase. Parents can decide whether to approve based on the maturity level, cost, and whether it fits within screen time allowed. From the kids’ perspective, it’s a good way to let Mom or Dad know what cool new game they want. From the parents’ perspective, it’s a good way to help kids manage temptations (such as in-app purchases) and make good choices. Shared family notebook in OneNote: Earlier this month we released the new family notebook in OneNote. We know families are busier than ever and with a family notebook your whole family can stay in sync and organized – from shopping lists to vacation planning, the whole family can share, edit and access information in one place. These are just some of the many great features across our devices and services that empower families with peace of mind, tools to learn, grow and, of course, have fun. More information can be found at this page. Please download Microsoft Launcher and Microsoft Edge for Android and give the new features a try. We look forward to hearing your feedback so we can empower you with the best tools to create the safest, most productive and fun experiences for our families. Microsoft gives parents peace of mind with new family features across devices Tweet This The post Microsoft gives parents peace of mind with new family features across devices appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/588960261918e40d6988cfdbd825fed6-1024x576.jpg The OMEN 15 laptop arrives with up to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 graphics, 8th Generation Intel Core i+ H-series quad or six-core CPUs and stunning visuals on a 15.6-inch diagonal 144hz or 4k display. With Windows 10, this laptop also has simple, built-in Mixer streaming for low-latency, interactive moments for viewers and streamers to engage with other gamers, while Xbox Play Anywhere enables you to buy a game once and play it on both your Xbox One and Windows 10 PC. It’s also Xbox Adaptive Controller compatible, supporting accessible gaming towards connecting more gamers than ever before. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/aa5c7ec79fa23f74fc628cb3fcdd8592-1024x871.jpg Top features include: Astonishing graphics with up to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 with MAX-Q Design 8th Generation Intel Core i+ H-series quad or six-core CPUs and up to 32GB DDR4-2666 RAM will power the latest titles and manage multi-tasking and memory intensive programs with ease. A flexible variety of storage options up to HDD + Intel Optane memory for storage acceleration. Engineered for the heat gaming generates with larger fans, a 3-phase motor and fluid dynamic bearings to create less friction and more consistent fan speed control in all configurations. Stunning visuals on the 15.6-inch diagonal 144hz 1080p, 60Hz 4k, or 60Hz 1080p display, with NVIDIA G-SYNC technology on select configurations. Vibrant sound blasts through stereo speakers powered with audio by Bang & Olufsen along and a discrete audio amplifier. Do-it-yourself additions are made easy through Phillips-head screws on the base of the laptop along with single panel access for storage and memory. OMEN 15 Laptop is expected to be available in July 29, 2018, via HP.com and other retailers for a starting price of $979.99. In addition to the new OMEN 15 Laptop, HP also announced a range of professional-grade gaming accessories today, including the OMEN by HP Mindframe Headset, OMEN by HP Sequencer Keyboard, OMEN by HP Reactor Mouse, OMEN X by HP Transceptor Backpack, and more. Head over to HP.com learn more! The post HP announces the most powerful OMEN 15 Laptop yet appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

Hello Windows Insiders! Today we are pleased to release a new build of the Windows Server vNext Long-Term Servicing Channel (LTSC) release that contains both the Desktop Experience and Server Core in all 18 server languages, as well as a new build of the next Windows Server Semi-Annual Channel release in English. There are two major areas that we would like you to try out in each preview release and report back any issues: In-place OS Upgrade (from Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows Server 2016) Application compatibility – please let us know if any server roles or applications stops working or fails to function as it used to Build-to-build upgrade is currently not supported. What’s New in the Latest Build Performance history for Storage Spaces Direct In this build, the performance history feature of Storage Spaces Direct gets even better: The Get-ClusterPerf cmdlet now includes self-diagnosis logic: if the cmdlet finds nothing to report, it now looks for common issues that would prevent performance history from working properly (for example, if its storage is missing) so that the cmdlet can provide clear error text. New cmdlets, Start-ClusterPerformanceHistory and Stop-ClusterPerformanceHistory, that are provided in this build make it easy to remediate such issues by cleaning up and/or re-provisioning performance history. New series, provided in this build, record how much Storage Spaces Direct data needs to repair/resync per server. Container Improvements In our continued effort to improve Windows Server Core and reduce its image size, we made the following changes: – we converted non-critical font components into optional components (OC) in Windows Server Core editions, and then removed these OCs from Windows Server Core container images. This change won’t affect the user experience of Windows Server Core, except that users now have the ability to enable or disable non-critical font components, like they can do for any other OC. For Server Core containers, only the default font, Arial, is supported; no other fonts are supported, and no others can be installed. Click here to see the full list of new functionality introduced in earlier builds. Available Content Windows Server 2019 Preview is available in ISO format in 18 languages, and in VHDX format in English only. This build and all future pre-release builds will require use of activation keys during setup. The following keys allow for unlimited activations: Datacenter Edition 6XBNX-4JQGW-QX6QG-74P76-72V67 Standard Edition MFY9F-XBN2F-TYFMP-CCV49-RMYVH Windows Server vNext Semi-Annual Preview The Server Core Edition is available in English only, in ISO or VHDX format. The images are pre-keyed – no need to enter a key during setup. Symbols are available on the public symbol server – see Update on Microsoft’s Symbol Server blog post and Using the Microsoft Symbol Server. As before, matching Windows Server container images will be available via Docker Hub. For more information about Windows Server containers and Insider builds, click here. This build will expire December 14th, 2018. How to Download To obtain the Insider software downloads, registered Insiders may navigate directly to the Windows Server Insider Preview download page. If you have not yet registered as an Insider, see GETTING STARTED WITH SERVER on the Windows Insiders for Business portal. We value your feedback! Use your registered Windows 10 Insider device and use the Feedback Hub application. In the app, choose the Server category and then the appropriate subcategory for your feedback. Please indicate what build number you are providing feedback on. We also encourage you to visit the Windows Server Insiders space on the Microsoft Tech Communities forum to collaborate, share and learn from experts. Known Issues In-place OS upgrade: Domain Controllers. Active Directory (AD) Domain Controllers (DC) might not be upgraded correctly by an in-place upgrade unless the NT Directory Service (NTDS) is stopped before initiating the upgrade. To ensure recoverability in the case of failure, back up any AD DC before performing an in-place OS upgrade. On recent preview releases of the operating system, the Failover Clustering feature might not install correctly, leaving the feature in “InstallPending” state. Drivers that are supplied with the operating system for network adapters from a specific manufacturer may fail to work on recent preview releases of the operating system. Creating or modifying environment variables by using setx on a system running Nano Server fails. On an affected system, setx requires a specific path in the registry, HKCU\Environment\, to exist by default. The Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (lsass.exe) may fail, causing the Active Directory server service to fail. When removal of a domain is attempted on an affected system, it reports an error: “The operation cannot continue because LDAP connect/bind operation failed.” The Virtual Machine Management Service (VMMS) may experience an error, APPLICATION_FAULT_INVALID_POINTER_READ, in Cluster Manager. When a system is running a recent preview release of the operating system, Windows Server Containers may experience an idle time of 240 milliseconds before Docker is started. A virtual machine that uses a Microsoft Virtual BIOS may fail to start and report an error: “Failed to restore with Error ‘Indicates two revision levels are incompatible.’ (0x8007051A)” Creation of a basic Linux system image in a Hyper-V container fails. On an affected system, Docker reports an error: “The command ‘/bin/sh -c /bin/echo echo test > test.txt’ returned a non-zero code.” Some third-party apps do not start when run in a Hyper-V container, possibly due to an incorrect character set. For affected apps, a workaround is to manually set the character set to UTF-8 in your JVM for the Container by running set JAVA_OPTS=-Dsun.jnu.encoding=UTF-8. Editing or creating policies for AppLocker can cause the MMC snap-in to crash when generated rules for a packaged app. After upgrading the operating system, the AppX database may have corrupted entries, which causes problems for components that use those entries. An administrator might notice this issue when generating packaged app rules or when managing an installed package, resulting in error messages such as “This wizard has encountered a fatal error and cannot continue” and “MMC has detected an error in a snap-in and will unload it.” Terms of Use This is pre-release software – it is provided for use “as-is” and is not supported in production environments. Users are responsible for installing any updates made available from Windows Update for as long as this build is available All pre-release software made available to you via the Windows Server Insider Program are governed by the Insider Terms of Use, which takes precedence over any license agreement that may be in the product. No downtime for Hustle-As-A-Service, Dona <3 The post Announcing Windows Server 2019 Insider Preview Build 17677 appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

Did you know that with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, it’s now easier than ever to take a note or write a paper – with just your voice, using your device’s microphone? https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/91b276bcfec0c1df27cc7b4039ccdd70.gif Natural computing experiences enable us to speak directly to our devices to accomplish tasks, without typing. One way we’ve done this is with the improved Dictation feature in Windows 10. With your cursor in any text field, either in Windows 10 or in an app, simply press Win + H and start talking. Head over here to learn more about what’s new in the April 2018 Update! Windows 10 Tip: Capture your thoughts easily with Dictation Tweet This *Dictation available in select markets; experience may vary by region and device. The post Windows 10 Tip: Capture your thoughts easily with Dictation appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

Hello Windows Insiders! Today, we are releasing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17677 (RS5) to Windows Insiders in the Fast ring in addition to those who opted in to Skip Ahead. What’s new in Build 17677 Microsoft Edge Improvements New, clearer “Settings and more” (“…”) menu: We’ve redesigned the “Settings and more” menu in Microsoft Edge so it’s easier to find the options you’re looking for. The menu options are now organized into groups, with icons for each entry, and keyboard shortcuts (where applicable). Click the “…” button in the top-right corner of Microsoft Edge to see what’s new! https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/6dac3ed3acd4fbfa7d445c719ce953b2.png See your top sites in the Jump List: You can now see your top sites in the Jump List on the Windows taskbar or Start Menu. Just right-click the Microsoft Edge icon to see a list of your most visited sites and pin the ones that matter most to you. Right-click on any entry to remove it from the list. Organize the tabs you’ve set aside: We’re making it easier to organize the groups of tabs you’ve set aside, so you can remember what’s in each group when come back to it later. Once you’ve set a group of tabs aside, choose the “Tabs you’ve set aside” icon (top left corner), and click on the label for any group to rename it. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/9f34e5926628f789d5b6eb01d2cf5df0.png Do more from the “Downloads” pane: We’ve added options for “Show in folder” and “Copy link” to the right-click menu for downloads in the “Downloads” pane. https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/7ef1dea04396659a084747ffe918aace.png Narrator Improvements Selection commands in Narrator Scan Mode: Narrator’s scan mode now supports selecting content in Microsoft Edge, Word, Outlook, Mail and most text surfaces. Standard shift- selection commands can be used as well as Control + A for the entire document. Caps + Shift + Down Arrow will speak the current selection. For a full list of selection commands, you can refer to Narrator’s Show Commands List by pressing Caps+F1. Once content is selected you can copy it to the clipboard by pressing Control + C. Formatting information will also be retained. There is a known issue in Edge where selecting forward will get stuck. This issue is being worked on. Selection in general is a work in progress. We would love to hear your feedback as you try out these improvements. This link will take you to the Narrator section of the Feedback Hub, or you can press Caps + E while Narrator is running. Kernel Debugging Improvements We are adding support for IPv6 to KDNET. To make room for the larger headers required for IPv6, we’re decreasing the payload size of packets. As a result, we’re declaring a new version of the protocol, so that host PCs running the latest version of the debugger can be used to debug target PCs that only support IPv4. An updated SDK and WDK will be released soon with this support. There is a version of WinDbg Preview available at Get WinDbg Preview - Microsoft Store today. Follow the Debugging Tools for Windows blog for updates on KDNET IPv6 support and documentation in the future. Task Manager Memory Reporting Improvements We are making a small change in how memory used by suspended UWP apps/processes appears in Task Manager. Going forward, the main memory column in Task Manager “Processes” tab will not include memory used by suspended UWP processes. This is to more accurately reflect the OS behavior in which the OS can reclaim memory used by suspended UWP processes if needed. This means that if you have several UWP processes suspended in the background, the OS can take back memory from these suspended UWP processes if needed and use it for something that requires more memory. New and old memory columns will be available in “Details” tab for you to do comparisons if you want. Mobile Broadband (LTE) connectivity on Windows gets a makeover Windows is transforming the networking stack after 20 years through the NetAdapter framework. This framework introduces a new, more reliable, network driver model that inherits the goodness of the Windows driver framework while bringing an accelerated data path. More details coming soon. We introduced the new and improved Mobile Broadband USB class driver based on the NetAdapter framework in Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17655. We also shared instructions around how you can try out this latest non-default driver. Starting with this build, the MBB USB NetAdapter driver becomes the default driver. To try this out – install this build on a PC that relies on mobile broadband for cellular connectivity and setup cellular connectivity and turn off Wi-fi. In case of issues using the driver, fall back on Wi-Fi or ethernet adapters for connectivity. Don’t forget to report issues, Use Feedback Hub on your PC and set Category and subcategory as Network and Internet > Connecting to a cellular network. Use [cxwmbclass] in the summary. We look forward to your continued support! General changes, improvements, and fixes for PC We fixed an issue causing Narrator to read extra text when invoking Alt + Tab. We fixed an issue resulting in Chinese and Japanese characters not rendering correctly in Command Prompt. We fixed an issue where double-clicking text in Command Prompt only selected up to the first punctuation mark, not up to the space. We fixed an issue resulting in the Home and End keys not working in Microsoft Edge in recent flights. We fixed an issue resulting in a high volume of reliability issues in any XAML surface using Reveal in the previous flight. We fixed an issue resulting in some apps like Adobe XD from crashing on launch in recent flights. When you press F1 in Microsoft Edge it will now take you to the Microsoft Edge support page, rather than Microsoft Edge tips. When a tab in Microsoft Edge is playing audio, the volume icon in the tab will now light up when you hover your mouse over it. When you open local files (like PDFs) in Microsoft Edge, those files will now appear in the History section. We fixed an issue where downloading files in Microsoft Edge could appear stuck on doing the security scan. We fixed a recent issue where Ctrl + Shift + Left to select backwards in Notepad wouldn’t work at the end of a line. When you execute “start cmd” from a Command Prompt window, a new Command Prompt tab will now be created if you have Sets enabled. This will also work for other start launches, like “start notepad”. To start something in a new window you can use the new /newwindow flag, for example “start /newwindow notepad”. We fixed the issue that was preventing users from enabling Developer Mode through the For developers settings page. Known issues Important note for Windows Insider Program for Business folks: If you use your AAD account to receive new flights (via Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program) there is an issue causing the “Fix me” option to be presented which unfortunately will not work and you will not be able to receive the latest flights. We’re working to fix this as soon as possible in an upcoming build. We’re working on adding dark theme in File Explorer and the Common File Dialog, but we still have some things to do. You may see some unexpectedly light colors in these surfaces when in dark mode. Insiders who use Remote Desktop, project their screen, or have multiple monitors may experience explorer.exe hangs on this build. This issue can also lead to Microsoft Edge hangs. If you right-click apps in the taskbar you may find that the jump list is missing pinned and recent items. After update, Mixed Reality Portal will reinstall the Mixed Reality Software and as a result environment setting will not be preserved. If you need your Mixed Reality home experience to persist it is advised you not take this build until these issues are fixed. Known issues for Sets & Office Sets UX for Office Win32 desktop apps is not final. The experience will be refined over time based on feedback. The top of some Win32 desktop app windows may appear slightly underneath the tab bar when created maximized. To work around the issue, restore and re-maximize the window. Closing one tab may sometimes minimize the entire set. Tiling and cascading windows, including features like “View Side by Side” in Word, will not work for inactive tabs. The Office Visual Basic Editor window will currently be tabbed but is not intended to be in the future. Opening an Office document while the same app has an existing document open may cause an unintended switch to the last active document. This will also happen when closing a sheet in Excel while other sheets remain open. Local files or non-Microsoft cloud files will not be automatically restored, and no error message will be provided to alert the user to that fact. Insider Community We love celebrating Insiders doing great things. Nori from Argentina has a visual impairment and is an amazing speaker of Japanese. Check out how she uses Cortana, Narrator, and other Windows 10 accessibility features to pursue her passion for anime culture and learning Japanese. Read her inspiring story. Upcoming Bug Bash We are excited to announce the dates for the next Bug Bash: June 22nd – July 1st. And we will hold a Bug Bash Webcast on our Mixer channel on June 27th – exact timing will be announced closer to the date. We’re excited to do another Bug Bash with our Windows Insiders! No downtime for Hustle-As-A-Service, Dona <3 The post Announcing Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 17677 appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

Today, Acer announced a new notebook designed for people on-the-go, as well as several new gaming desktops and laptops powered by Windows 10 that arrive with simple, built-in Mixer streaming for low-latency, interactive moments for viewers and streamers to engage with other gamers, while Xbox Play Anywhere enables you to buy a game once and play it on both your Xbox One and Windows 10 PC. The 15-inch Swift 5 Notebook https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/c3490abb6482a5c99a54183f886a867a-1024x916.jpg The new Swift 5 notebook is powered by Windows 10 and the latest Intel Core processors, while weighing less than 1kg – ideal for people on-the-go. The Swift 5 arrives with your digital personal assistant Cortana,* comprehensive protection with secure and manageable PCs and Windows Defender, and new ways to talk and share faster with the people you talk to the most. It also supports Windows Hello through a fingerprint reader for fast and secure login and OneDrive Files On-Demand, so you can access all your files in OneDrive without having to download them and use storage space. Features include: A Full HD IPS touchscreen features ultra-narrow bezels measuring just 5.87 mm, giving it an incredible 87.6% screen-to-body ratio, maximizing the viewing experience. The Intel Wireless-AC 9560 offers 2×2 802.11ac wireless Gigabit performance that enhances streaming, sharing, conferencing, and gaming experiences. Up to 1TB of SSD storage and up to 16 GB of DDR4 memory, with connectivity is provided through one USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 2 port (10 Gbit/s data transfer, supporting power delivery and display output), two USB 3.1 Type-A ports (one with power-off charging functionality), an HDMI port, and an SD card reader. Acer Color Intelligence technology, which dynamically adjusts gamma and saturation in real-time, optimizing screen color and brightness without clipping or over saturation, while Acer BluelightShield technology allows adjusting of the screen’s blue-light emission over extended periods of use. Predator Helios 500 Notebook https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/a199744f27d2a4758e76dcf926064fce.jpg Designed for extreme gamers, the Predator Helios 500 features up to overclockable 8th Gen Intel Core i9+ processors and overclockable NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 GPUs. Intel Optane memory increases responsiveness and load times, while ultra-fast NVMePCIe SSDs, Killer DoubleShot Pro networking, and up to 64GB of memory, making the Helios 500 the ideal gaming notebook for graphic-intensive AAA titles and live streaming. Features include: Bright, vibrant 4K UHD or FHD IPS 17.3-inch displays with 144Hz refresh rates for blur- and tear-free gameplay. NVIDIA G-SYNC technology support on both the built-in display and external monitors. Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports, and display and HDMI 2.0 ports support up to three external monitors. Two speakers, a subwoofer, and Acer TrueHarmony and Waves MAXXAudio technology deliver incredible sound and hyper-realistic 3D audio using Waves Nx. Two of Acer’s proprietary AeroBlade 3D metal fans, and five heat pipes that distribute cool air to the machine’s key components while simultaneously releasing hot air. A backlit RGB keyboard offers four lighting zones with support for up to 16.8 million colors. The Predator Helios 500 gaming notebooks will be available in North America in June starting at $1,999; in EMEA in May starting at €1,999; and in China in June starting at ¥15,999. Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To find out about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office or retailer via acer.com. Predator Helios 300 Special Edition https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/1ec31a50b22181bdd275e0ce090342c6.jpg The Helios 300 Special Edition (PH315-51) features an all-white aluminum chassis accented with gold trim. It also allows for ultra-smooth gameplay with its 15.6-inch FHD IPS display with an upgraded 144Hz refresh rate. It’s powered by up to an 8th Gen Intel Core i7+ processor, overclockable NVIDIA GTX 1060 GPUs, up to a 512 GB PCIe Gen 3 NVMe solid state drive, and up to a 2 TB hard disk drive. Features include: Up to 16 GB of DDR4 memory; upgradable to 32GB. Intel Optane memory speeds up load times of games and applications, access to information and improves overall system responsiveness. Gigabit Ethernet provides fast wired connections, while Gigabit Wi-Fi is provided by the latest Intel Wireless-AC 9560 that delivers up to 1.73Gbps throughput when using 160Mhz channels (2×2 802.11ac, dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz). Two of Acer’s ultrathin (0.1mm) all-metal AeroBlade 3D fans, designed with advanced aerodynamics and superior airflow to keep the system cool. Predator Orion 5000 Gaming Desktops https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/96f7a871a7ffffc5c56ef1e5fe982a6b-1024x990.jpg The new Predator Orion 5000 Series gaming desktops feature up to 8th Gen Intel Core i7+ 8700K processors paired with the latest Intel Z370 chipset, up to 32 GB of Intel Optane memory for fast load times and improved responsiveness, and up to 2-way NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti GPUs in SLI. These desktops also feature easy-open side panels – so you can quickly swap out components and cables during upgrades – IceTunnel 2.0 airflow management design, a front mesh panel with dust filters, Killer LAN high-speed Ethernet, cradles for audio headsets and a carry-handle for portability. The Predator Orion 5000 gaming desktops will be available in North America in July starting at $1,499; in EMEA in June starting at €1,699; and in China in June starting at ¥15,999. Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To find out about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office or retailer via acer.com. Predator Orion 3000 Series https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/6c897c083b19bc4102126f2eab943473-786x1024.jpg With up to 8th Gen Intel Core i7+ processors, and up to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 GPUs, the VR- ready Predator Orion 3000 supports 4K gameplay. Like the 5000 series, the Predator Orion 3000 can be configured with up to 32 GB of Intel Optane memory to increase responsiveness and load times, and up to 64 GB DDR4-2666 RAM to support lightning fast action while playing the latest titles. Excellent heat dissipation is achieved with a front-facing intake LED fan, mesh cover and rear exhaust for optimized air flow throughout the chassis. Pricing and availability: The Predator Orion 3000 gaming desktops will be available in North America in October starting at $999; in EMEA in July starting at €1,299; and in China in July starting at ¥6,999. Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To find out about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office or retailer via acer.com. Acer Nitro 50 Desktops https://blogs.windows.com/uploads/mswbprod/sites/2/2018/05/6b7ebc258215f85d320f17bdcecc406f-713x1024.jpg These performance PCs are powered by up to 8th Gen Intel Core i7 processors and equipped with up to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 GPUs to deliver superior performance for graphic-intensive tasks including gaming. They deliver stunning 4K resolution visuals and can support up to four displays simultaneously for immersive gameplay. And with up to a 3TB HDD and a 512GB SSD, there’s no shortage of storage. They sport a handy wireless charging deck for keeping users’ Qi-enabled wireless devices powered up and ready to go. Lastly, the Nitro 50 desktops optimize network speed for gaming, browsing, and streaming through Realtek Dragon LAN. Pricing and availability: The Acer Nitro 50 gaming desktops will be available in North America in July starting at $799; in EMEA in May starting at €999; and in China in July starting at ¥5,999. Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To find out about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office or retailer via acer.com. To learn more about everything Acer announced today, head over here! The post Acer announces the new Swift 5 Notebook, gaming desktops and more appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...

State of Decay 2 is the ultimate zombie survival fantasy, where it’s up to you to decide how to survive in an open, post-apocalyptic world. State of Decay 2 takes everything you loved about the first game and greatly expands on it – giving you more unique survivor characters, more backstories and skills for each member, more community and base management options, and bigger maps to survive in. State of Decay 2 also adds one of the most requested features from the community: cross-platform co-op. You and up to three of your friends can survive together on Xbox One or Windows 10 PC and help develop one player’s community, and then everyone returns to their games with extra supplies and loot after playing co-op. As an Xbox Play Anywhere title, you’ll get both versions with one digital purchase and be able to switch seamlessly between them, as all game progress, Gamerscore and Achievements are saved on and accessible through Xbox Live. The Standard Edition of State of Decay 2 is available to Xbox Game Pass members ($9.99 monthly subscription) starting today. In addition, the State of Decay 2’s Standard Edition ($29.99) and State of Decay 2: Ultimate Edition ($49.99) can be purchased via the Microsoft Store or your favorite retailer. Read more over at Xbox Wire! State of Decay 2 now available worldwide on Windows 10, Xbox Game Pass and Xbox One Tweet This The post State of Decay 2 now available worldwide on Windows 10, Xbox Game Pass and Xbox One appeared first on Windows Experience Blog. Continue reading...