Microsoft has begun the rollout of Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803) and with it comes a slew of new features, upgrades, and functionality improvements.
Devices are supposed to start automatically updating on May 8, but it also might take a few months for some. If you want to update, you can follow the instructions on Windows Central. You can also use CrossBrowserTesting, which already has the Windows 10 April Update and Edge 17 available for testing.
In the meantime, take a look at some of the newest features in Microsoft’s latest release.
The Best New Features in Windows 10 April Update and Microsoft Edge 17
Find which tab is blasting music – If you’re one of those people who has more than a few tabs open while you do work, you know the struggle of trying to find the one tab that’s playing audio. With autoplay being common on popular websites, there’s nothing more annoying than having your favorite song interrupted by a blaring video advertisement. Microsoft knows your struggles and wants to give you back control over your online experience, which is why they created an icon that shows you which tab is playing media that you can click to turn on or off.
Faster checkout – Nobody likes to enter their credit card, address, contact details, and all the other time-consuming information required every time they want to check out. That’s why Microsoft Edge has been upgraded to remember it all for you when you’re signed into your Microsoft account. Skip the hassle of manually entering your personal details and save it instead — just be warned it may fuel your online shopping addiction.
Check your grammar – Microsoft is revamping the way you interact with your documents. The new Grammar Tools button makes writing and editing a breeze in Reading View, while the Books tab allows you to save EPUB books, add bookmarks, and manage them in one place with reading suggestions. Additionally, using Fluent Design System elements, you get a cleaner experience and a UI that’s easy on the eyes.
Go back in Timeline – Replacing the Task View button comes Timeline, which shows you what apps are currently running as well as which ones you’ve used within the past month and includes a scrollbar to see past activity. Timeline syncs across devices that you’re signed into or that have Microsoft Edge so you can access your browser history and pick up where you left off whether you’re at work or on the go, on your laptop or mobile device.
Sharing is caring – Windows 10 now uses Bluetooth and WiFi to identify compatible devices for sharing, similar to AirDrop. This makes it simple to send documents, files, photos, and web pages to others without having to physically connect or send over messaging. This new feature is called Nearby Share, and we can imagine that it will be widely used among friends, co-workers, and pretty much anyone close by for easier sharing.
Other updates – While there are many shiny new features to the latest Microsoft OS, there are also many minor improvements to make your life easier. Some of these include a clutter-free printing option, upgraded Focus Assist, improved support for touchpad gestures, advanced scaling options to improve blurriness, privacy improvements, Cortana tweaks, support for progressive web apps, offline browsing, and new extensions — because sometimes it’s the little things.
Staying on Top of Testing
Alongside the browser wars, it’s also important to pay attention to major operating system updates. This is the fifth major Windows 10 release, and with the update, we also get an update to Edge’s rendering engine, which means the browser experience will differ from the last version.
As users have their operating systems and browsers automatically updated, it’s important to test on new configurations to ensure your application still works as intended. If your device is late to the rollout or you don’t have a Windows OS on hand, having a cloud testing tool like CrossBrowserTesting ensures you’re always prepared when the newest operating system and browser updates are announced.
If you have updated for the most recent update, make sure to also keep older OS versions as part of your cross-browser testing strategy and enjoy Microsoft’s enhanced browsing.