If you’ve been holding off updating to Windows 10 until the first “service pack” then now’s the time to seriously think about upgrading. Last month Microsoft released version “1511”, code named “Threshold 2” (Threshold was the code name for Windows 10). The update brings the new operating system right up to date with all the latest updates and features, here we cover some of those new features…
Colour Personalisation
The title bar (the bit at the top of each of your programs, the start bar (the bit with the start button at the bottom of the screen) can now be customised to a colour of your choosing. In order to access this new feature just go to Start > Settings > Personalisation > Colours
Start Menu Advertisments
The start menu will now offer you recommendations for apps that you might like, if you dont want it to do this then you can turn off the feature by going to Start > Settings > Personalisation > Start and disable the “Occasionally show suggestions in Start” option.
The Start Menu and ‘context’ (the menu you get when you press the right hand mouse button) menus look nicer
OK, this is only a cosmetic change but it brings a more ´polished´feel to the operating system, the menus are more consistent across the system and it makes the whole thing feel better.
New Improved Cortana
Microsoft’s digital assistant is much enhanced in this version of Windows, she (or he) no longer requires a Microsoft account in order to work, you can link Cortana to your microphone so that you can talk instructions, you can also enable the “hey Cortana” function (click the Crtana search in the start bar and choose settings), once set up its pretty good, I was easily able to say “Hey Cortana, whats the weather going to be like today” and get an accurate (well accurate for Spain anyway) spoken reply from her.
Background on the login screen
One of the frustrating things (since Windows 8) has been that you have to go playing around in the registry order to change the background screen on the login page, well now you can make that change direct from within Windows, Start > Settings > Personalisation > Lock screen
Integrated Skype Video
Microsoft have now integrated the Skype app into the operating system so there is no need to have a separate Skype installation for video calling, you can find the new app in the list of applications under “S” for Skype Video
Storage Locations
Its now much easier than it has ever been to set the default location for saving your files, if you have multiple hard drives or partitions then you can specify individually where you want your new apps, documents, music, pictures and videos to be saved to straight from the control panel, to do this you should go to Start > Settings > System > Storage