Microsoft rolls out new build for Windows insiders

Jun 9, 2017 04:40 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft has published a new Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (internally codenamed Redstone 3) build for users participating in the Windows Insider program, bringing a ton of improvements on PCs. 

Windows 10 build 15216 is only available for the Fast ring, and it comes with both visual tweaks and new features that are projected to be part of the final release in the fall if feedback is positive.

What's new in Windows 10 build 16215? 

One of the first things you'll notice after installing this build is the new look for the Start menu and the Action Center, as both of them have made the transition to Microsoft's new Fluent Design and include visual tweaks like acrylic.

Furthermore, the Start menu has been improved for smoother resizing and transition to tablet mode, while the Action Center has been completely redesigned.

Microsoft Edge browser is getting lots of improvements as well, including full-screen mode, an option to pin favorite websites to the taskbar and book annotations because, as we know already, Edge is not only a browser but also a PDF and eBook reader.

Digital assistant Cortana has also received tons of updates, including camera roll insights and reminder improvements. A new feature called Cortana Lasso helps detect future events on the screen that are written with a pen, and Microsoft says that users can simply use the lasso tool to circle relevant information and have it added to Cortana's reminders.

The handwriting experience has also been improved with new conversion and overflow model, options to select text to edit it, and make corrections using ink gestures.

Pen interaction now supports scrolling and selection with pen, while the emoji experience includes two new shortcuts, namely Win + period (.) or Win + semicolon (;), for bringing up the emoji UI on a hardware keyboard.

The touch keyboard has also been improved, and so has the Settings app, so this is clearly one of the biggest releases as part of the Windows Insider program so far. We're going to take a closer look at the improvements that Microsoft implemented in this build, so check back in the next few hours for more updates and information.

UPDATE 1: Microsoft has also released Windows 10 Mobile build 15222, though this one comes with no new features, but only a handful of fixes.

UPDATE 2: And here is the new Windows 10 Start menu with acrylic as part of the Fluent Design visual update.

UPDATE 3: Microsoft Edge has also received a major update, and check out all the details here.