The Windows 10 April 2018 Update has been officially named and promises to bring a huge range of new features to Windows 10. Here’s everything we know.
Microsoft has officially announced that the Windows 10 April 2018 Update will be made available on Monday April 30, so read on to find out why this new update is worth getting excited about.
In a lot of ways, Microsoft crafted one of the best operating systems it’s ever made with Windows 10. One of the reasons it’s so popular is the way Microsoft continues to support it with free major overhauls, like the Windows 10 April 2018 Update.
As with any major update for Windows 10, the April 2018 Update (which was previously called the Spring Creators Update) will bring a ton of exciting new features to the operating system, and we’ll gather up everything we know about the upcoming update and dump it right here in this article.
It is now also available to Windows Insiders, and we have a guide on how to download and install the Windows 10 2018 April Update right now .
We were looking forward to the April 2018 Creators Update launching on April 10, but it was delayed due to some reliability issues leading to frequent BSODs on some PCs. Thankfully, it looks like those problems have been patched out and it will be making its way to Windows 10 devices around the world imminently.
We now know that the official release date for the Windows 10 April 2018 Update is April 30. This will be the day when people can manually download and install the update.
However, if you want to wait until the Windows 10 April 2018 Update becomes available to download automatically, then it should start appearing from May 8, as previous rumors suggested .
This update is the product of over a year’s work, with features that were first tested by Windows Insiders, a group of testers who try out early versions of Windows 10, back in early 2017.
It was thought that the then-named Spring Creators Update would be releasing on April 10. Everything was pointing towards that date being real, until a major bug pushed Redstone 4 back. At least we don’t have to wait any longer.
Redstone 4 is just the codename for the next major update to Windows 10, so expect it to have a catchier name closer to release. Previous major Redstone updates were called ‘ Anniversary Update ’, ‘ Creators Update ’ and ‘ Fall Creators Update ’.
Earlier this yeah, It looked like Microsoft let slip what it will finally call Windows 10 Redstone 4, with a reference found in its Feedback Hub to ‘Spring Creators Update’ .
Microsoft quickly removed the reference, but not before people were able to take screenshots, like the one shown in the tweet below:
For a while, we were pretty convinced that Windows 10 Redstone 4 would be called Spring Creators Update. For a start, Microsoft’s haste in removing the reference maked us pretty suspicious, and it follows the naming convention of previous Redstone updates.
Another leak again showed that Microsoft will likely call Windows 10 Redstone 4 the Spring Creators Update, this time from infamous Microsoft leaker WalkingCat. The reference to Spring Creators Update was found in the code for the update, pretty much confirming the name.
However, since the delay of the update, it looks like it could be getting a new name. On the Edge browser landing page there was references to the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, which now appears to be the name Microsoft is going to use.
Because of the extensive testing process of the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, we have a good idea of some – but not all – of the features that are coming.
Timeline
The Timeline feature was supposed to arrive with last year’s Fall Creators Update, but Microsoft didn’t feel it was ready, so it was cut from the release. Now, after months of testing, it looks like it will debut in Redstone 4.
It shows a visual timeline of the desktop, allowing the user to jump right back into what they were doing on another device – and that includes Android and iOS handsets.
As well as allowing for this seamless transition when switching between different devices, it will also let the user revisit a desktop state from an earlier time. A bit like a Windows version of macOS Time Machine.
It could prove to be a really useful feature, so fingers crossed it’s ready in time.
User interface improvements
The way Windows 10 looks will get a big overhaul with Windows 10 April 2018 Update, with the ‘Fluent Design’ look giving making the operating system look better than ever when the Spring Creators Update arrives.
Many windows and menus you’re used to seeing will get a fresh lick of paint, and not only will Windows 10 look nicer, the operating system will be easier to use as well.
Near Share
Microsoft is looking to make wirelessly sharing files between devices easier than ever in Windows 10 April 2018 Update thanks to its new Near Share feature.
With Bluetooth and Near Share turned on (from the Action Center), you can quickly share documents and more by pressing the ‘Share’ button in apps (or in Windows Explorer) – which will then display nearby devices you can send the file to.
Quick Bluetooth pairing
Connecting your Windows 10-powered device to Bluetooth peripherals is also set to be much quicker and easier in Windows 10 April 2018 Update thanks to the new quick pair feature. When a device in pairing mode is within range of your Windows 10 device running the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, a notification will appear prompting you to pair it. Click on it, and it will be accessible to your Windows 10 device, without having to go into Settings.
At the moment this only works with Microsoft peripherals, but hopefully we’ll see devices from other manufacturers make use of it when Windows 10 April 2018 Update officially releases.
Progressive web apps
The Microsoft Store and Microsoft’s Edge browser will also be getting some new features in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update. Most noticeably, you’ll be able to run Progressive Web Apps (PWAs) from within Edge, and these can be installed though the Microsoft Store.
PWAs work like regular Windows apps, but being web-based means they’re lightweight and many don’t need to be installed. By making them searchable in the Microsoft Store, Microsoft is giving them equal billing as full Windows 10 apps, as well as giving users more apps to choose from.
Edge improvements
The Edge web browser is also getting a hefty amount of updates with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, as Microsoft continues to improve its software to compete with Chrome and Firefox.
A new-look menu grants you quick access to your bookmarks, history and other essential parts of the browser, and you can now quickly pin eBooks to the Start Menu when reading them in Edge.
Edge will also be better at automatically filling in forms with your information as well, making it easier to sign up for websites and the like. It will remember your payment card details as well (but not the security code on the back), making it easier to pay online. It’s good to see these new features, which Edge’s competitors have had for a while. Better late than never.
If you’re sick of websites blaring out sounds and music when you’re browsing, then the new ability to right-click on a tab and mute it will be a blessing, and InPrivate mode can now run certain extensions if you want it to.
Printing has also been improved thanks to the ‘Clutter Free’ option that removes the unnecessary text, images and more from pages when you print out websites, making them look nicer and saving on ink.
Edge will also get an updated look to match the Fluent Design theme of Windows 10.
