Windows 10 Creators Update Explained

No doubt you will be aware that the next major Windows 10 update, dubbed “Creators Update” is due to start rolling out from April 11th. I have wondered about the significance of the name “Creators Update” and, following a a little research, discovered that Microsoft is pushing its new Paint 3D app as the major new feature – hence the “Creators”. However, the majority of changes have little to do with any sort of creativity.

In fact, overall, this “Creators Update” seems rather like a minor major update to me, not too many major new features but lots of minor tweaks, changes, and enhancements. It all seems a tad contrary to Microsoft’s much trumpeted “Windows as a Service” policy to include all these minor changes, many of which have been ready for weeks or months. Surely one of the points of “Windows as a Service” is that these features aren’t held back for a “major release” but rather shipped as soon as they become available?

Creators Update Major Features

As mentioned earlier, the new Paint 3D app is, apparently, the main inspiration behind Microsoft’s naming protocol and it is also being touted as one of the major new features shipping with the Creators Update:

With the new Paint 3D app in the Creators Update, it’s simple to create 3D objects from scratch, easily changing colors, stamping textures, or turning a 2D picture into a 3D work of art.

Beam streaming gameplay platform is also included, which I guess does involve a certain degree of creativity:

Built-in game broadcasting on Windows 10. Now you can effortlessly stream your gameplay using the Game Bar—just hit Windows + G, click Broadcast, and start streaming on Beam—all without the need for additional log-ins.

Mixed Reality is a rebranding of the Windows Holographic platform which allows users to experience Virtual Reality on their Windows 10 device:

A new world of mixed-reality experience is waiting for you. Use your Windows 10 PC and a compatible headset to enjoy familiar Windows apps, features and navigation while discovering new apps, games and media. Ideal for AR, VR and everything in between.

NOTE: This is more of a future proofing feature than ready right now: “Our partners – including HP, Lenovo, Dell, Acer and ASUS – will be introducing a range of VR headsets starting at 299 $ US with innovative built-in sensor technology for more flexibility and easy, marker-free set-up. Watch for yours. Coming in 2017″.

Minor Tweaks, Changes, Innovations

For gamers too; there’s a new Game Mode option which allegedly minimizes background processes while gaming. Privacy setting have been condensed/simplified and the “Enhanced” telemetry option has been removed to leave only either “Full” or “Basic”. Apparently, the “Basic” option will also involve a newly reduced level of data collection.

There is a plethora of other minor enhancements, many associated with Edge and Cortana; here is a summary of the most notable:

  • Action center shows download progress for apps
  • Braille support (in Ease of Access settings)
  • Cortana “pick up where you left off” feature
  • Cortana: additional voice commands
  • Download Windows 10 themes from Store
  • New ebook section in Windows Store
  • Dynamic lock: lock PC automatically when paired phone is not connected
  • Added Epub support in Edge
  • Edge: read aloud mode for ebooks
  • Gaming section in Windows settings
  • New options for Windows Update and Share
  • New inking features including left-handed option
  • Night Light option in Display settings; reduces blue light
  • PowerShell given more prominence than Command Prompt
  • Redesigned camera app
  • RegEdit has new Address Bar, for easier navigation
  • Start menu: show or hide app list
  • Storage Sense setting automatically frees up space
  • Troubleshooting option in Settings
  • USB Audio 2.0 native support
  • Virtual touchpad for external displays
  • Windows Defender new notification icon and security center
  • Windows update no longer reinstalls removed applications
  • Pause Windows Updates for up to 35 days

*Some of these features may not be available in Windows 10 Home.

Bottom Line

These major Windows 10 updates are definitely a bit of a worry. I, for one, experienced a lot of problems when trying to install the Anniversary Update. However, the Creators Update can be deferred for a period, until such times as maybe any wrinkles have been ironed out. Richard Pedersen recently wrote a terrific article on this very topic which you can refer to here: How To Defer The Scary Creator’s Update.

Of course, creating and saving a full system image prior to the installation of any major update is always a good idea.

12 thoughts on “Windows 10 Creators Update Explained”

  1. THOMAS LINTON

    Jim,

    Sorry, not one of these, so called, improvements moves me. I am not a game player and who cares if Paint can do more. I don’t paint. I would actually uninstall it.

    When VR actually becomes useful, my interest might increase. It does nothing for me in the real world.

    All the rest appear could be accomplished with smaller updates over the next few months.

    Now, if MS would give oppt outs for the big useless stuff I might be happy. Now I just worry that the update will break my systems and give me days of headaches.

    Wishing MS would improve their codec to cover all the image formats currently popular. I hate that I must take double images (jpeg & RAW) with my Olympus digital camera so I can see what the image is before I edit it.

    Deading, but hoping for the best,

    Tom

    1. Hello Thomas,

      I too had an issue with not being able to view RAW images. I downloaded MicrosoftCodexPack_amd64.msi and I can now view all my Canon RAW files directly.

  2. I would have to agree with Mr Linton. I see nothing with the Creator update that I just really have to have. There should be an opt out for users, but I do not see that happening, unless I opt out on my own accord.

  3. Sorry to say that, but you’re all beta testers and that’s why the updates are imposed to the majority!

    1. Peter Thompson

      I Suppose that’s the downside of something that was given away free. However I like that they are actually regularly working on windows more now. September’s update looks a lot bigger with a design overall with project neon and possibly tabs being integrated across windows e.g. apps, explorer etc.

  4. Jim,
    I went to https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/4014184/windows-10-creators-update-here and installed the Creator Update to try out on one of my windows notebooks on Friday, April 7, 2017.
    The download started at 11:15 AM and I went for lunch. When I returned at 1:50 PM it was almost finished. Finally, by 2 PM it was done. That’s a long update, but of course, while I was at lunch maybe it needed me to click restart now and probably eventually timed out while I was at lunch. Just the same this is a long update.
    Before it logged in, it asked a series of “ads” questions. I said “no” to all of them.
    New features? Don’t need them.
    I run computer classes every Thursday night here in Cameron, Ontario, Canada and I wanted to go through the pain of updating this so that I can pass the news on to my students. Many of my students are elderly and they aren’t computer savvy for things like this. I have a feeling I’ll be getting calls from them when the update hits their machines.
    To be perfectly blunt, I don’t like the way Microsoft has released Windows 10 after all the B.S. we went through with Windows 8 and 8.1.
    I tell as many people that I can to stay on Windows 7 but with the end of support in 2020 they’ll all be either purchasing the new OS (if it’s still Windows 10 by then) or buy a new computer by that time and install Linux on their older machines.

    1. Totally agree with you George Price. IMHO, after viewing the extract below, it might be an excellent idea to have your students get exposure to Windows 8.1 which is much more user friendly and the Start menu can be customized with third party addons.

      Extract from “Windows lifecycle fact sheet”, Mindblower!

      Client o/s Latest update End of mainstream support End of extended support
      or service pack End

      Windows XP Service Pack 3 April 14, 2009 April 8, 2014
      Windows Vista Service Pack 2 April 10, 2012 April 11, 2017
      Windows 7* Service Pack 1 January 13, 2015 January 14, 2020
      Windows 8 Windows 8.1 January 9, 2018 January 10, 2023
      Windows 10 N/A October 13, 2020 October 14, 2025

  5. Other than taking almost 4hrs to download and install, very little has changed on my machine. Not really worth the the time, but MS thinks differently.

  6. Just got the Creator’s Update last night and immediately noticed that all my text settings changed. Seems Microsoft took away the Advanced Display settings in control Panel. Only option is to change display magnification. No more changing text size in folder headers, icons, no more bold text. Guess us old geezers don’t need to be using computers anymore. According to Microsoft, it was dropped because it wouldn’t work in Edge and across some other apps. Anyone know of a third party program that does same thing?

  7. Hi Jim
    I stumbled​ upon this after reading your review of scanguard. I have a laptop that came w Windows 10. Also free McAfee trial, which I purchased & renewed after 1 yr. ( Live save) love it.
    Windows hello stopped working. Called Microsoft. Instead of trying to fix, they uninstalled old & gave me nightmare CREATORS ED. So much stopped working. Countless hrs w Dell tech who’d use virtual tech. They’d fix the camera.(1 of many lost( 3 days later. An update, then I’d lose everything again! My new bff in India from Dell was my savior. After 3 wks of madness he wiped it clean and went back to a brand new clean machine. It did do updates & all is still great
    My question. Defender is not active. I went local n didn’t use Microsoft to login…AM I SAFE W MACAFEE LIVE SAFE ALONE-NO DEFENDER?? I use Google. Not crazy about edge. If I sign into Microsoft again, I fear defender will automatically start. Isn’t it bad, as 2 antivirus can fight each other? Microsoft dances around question. WHY WOULD THEY OFFER FREE MACAFEE WHEN I ALREADY HAD THEIR DEFENDER?? U ARE THE MAN!!PLZ HELP ME.
    I look fwd to talking w my new friend abroad. But NOT AS A TECH TO HELP ME FIX SOMETHING I MAY DO..
    HELP? THANK U SO MUCH IN ADVANCE

    1. I have two machines running W10, one is with a MS account and the other is with a Local account. Both are using Windows Defender without any problem. If you want to pay for and use McAfee, then OK, but running Windows Defender would be better than nothing.
      Doing a clean install of W10 is one of the best ways to install W10, since it removes all the garbage that manufactures think one needs, or might want to buy.

Comments are closed.

Exit mobile version

WHY NOT SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER?

Get great content like this delivered to your inbox!

It's free, convenient, and delivered right to your inbox! We do not spam and we will not share your address. Period!