This is a major update, but it’s also pretty lightweight in terms of forward-facing features that consumers will notice.
The latest major operating system update to Windows 10 – the Windows 10 May 2020 Update – has arrived. It’s now free to download and use.
Just a few weeks after Microsoft released a final version of the Windows 10 May 2020 Update to testers, the company has officially rolled out the software update to the public, allowing anyone on Windows 10 to access it through the Windows Update system tool. Here’s everything you need to know, including what’s new in the May 2020 Update and how to get it. What is the Windows 10 May 2020 Update?
Microsoft has been updating its Windows 10 operating system twice a year – once in the spring and again in the autumn – for years. These are big feature updates completely separate from the monthly security updates that Microsoft also rolls out to Windows 10 users. The latest version is the May 2020 Update, and it’s actually rolling out a few weeks early to testers in the Insiders program.
Microsoft has a Windows release health dashboard that offers a status on the rollout and any known issues for the May 2020 Update. This is Microsoft’s way of being more cautious and transparent about updates following the October 2018 Update that caused file deletion issues. Looking for a new Chromebook? Here are the top picks from Asus (promo)What’s new in Windows 10 May 2020 Update?
Microsoft detailed every new feature in the May 2020 Update here. We’ve rounded up a few of the more interesting ones below.1/5Microsoft
NEW CORTANA EXPERIENCE
Browse the gallery above to see photos of some of the new features. Control your updates
Windows Update automatically installs several updates. Now, there’s a new screen that shows all these updates in one area, whether it’s driver updates, big features, quality updates, what have you. To find this screen after updating, go to Settings > Update and Security > Windows Update > View optional updates. You can then choose which updates you might want to install. Improved Cortana (with typing)
Microsoft is showcasing a “new Cortana experience” with a chat-based interface. You can now type questions to Cortana instead of speaking aloud. The history of your conversation will appear like a chat window, after opening Cortana from the taskbar. You can resize it and move it around on your desktop by dragging the title bar. It supports both light and dark themes, as well. Cloud download for reinstallations
There’s a new “Cloud Download” option you can use when resetting your PC to a default Windows system. Go to Settings > Update and Security > Recovery and choose to reset your PC and remove everything, and then tell Windows to use “Cloud Download”.
