Windows 10 Build 14316 - Anniversary Edition Features Begin to Show

On April 6, MS released Windows 10 Build 14316 for PC.  MS did not release an Mobile update - so my expectation that both versions would be consistently released through the remainder of the Redstone 1 branch has already be broken.

 As announced at the Build 2016 conference - the Redstone 1 branch is now referred by MS as the Anniversary release with an expected production release of late July 2016.

 Beginning with 14316 - several of the new Windows 10 features that were presented at Build began to show up - they include
  • Bash for Windows 10 - a Linux Subsystem and BASH shell co-developed with Cannonical the supporters of Ubuntu Linux.  
  • Updated Cortana with Cross Device Features
  • Updates to Edge Browser with improved Extension Support
  • Skype UWP App - with Updated Emojis
  • Universal Dark Color Theme
  • New Connect App for Continuum support
  • Virtual Desktop Improvements
  • New Update experience - for new builds
  • Updated Battery Settings 
MS also announced that coming soon will be what is called Messaging Everywhere - so the ability to send/receive texts from your PC to and from phones

One big feature that was announced at Build and I was hoping to see that did not make the 14316 build was the new Ink API and Apps like SketchPad.   Hopefully we will see that soon.

As with all recent builds - the update downloaded quickly and installed correctly on desktop, laptop and tablets.  Personally I liked the older build installation screen.  The new one is just the spinning dots, with some text telling you what phase the update is in.  Additionally some of the text on some of my machines was squished together making it difficult to read.

Generally I found 14316 to be a little clunky with some issues that don't make sense to me.   For example the Store.  Typically right after I complete a build update - I open to the Store to update any apps.  In my case the Store showed an HP AIO Remote App - but wouldn't let me update it.  In fact it provided no actions.  I even deleted the app - and it still shows in the store.  MS still has a lot of work to do on the Store.  It's still a pretty junky app.

The developer focused Bash support is probably the biggest feature add to 14316.  As mentioned Bash is implemented in two parts.  First is a new Linux Subsystem that is not installed by default.   First you must turn on Developer Mode, then you must go to Control Panel and add this Windows feature.  Once the feature is installed you.  Finally after you open the command prompt you type in bash to get the actual shell to install from the Store.  

So the good news is there is now a proper Linux shell that developers can work with.  Quoting from the Bash on Windows team:


"You can now run Bash scripts, Linux command-line tools like sed, awk, grep, and you can even try Linux-first tools like Ruby, Git, Python, etc. directly on Windows. You can also access your Windows file system from within Bash allowing you to work on the same set of files using your preferred Windows tools or Linux command-line tools".  

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is very limited in it's function.  It it not designed to run server applications like Apache, etc.   Honestly while this may provide value to developers - I expect this to really be a niche feature that few will use.

The new Skype is also just okay.  While it checks the box of being another UWP app for Windows and combines the video component it's just not that exciting of an app.  

Edge to me is still "edgey".  MS continues to loose market share in browser to Chrome (which is what I use) and there is nothing compelling enough in Edge to make me change.  

I was unable to test the new Connect app for Continuum support.  While my Dell Venue 8 Pro does support being a receiver - I do not have a Continuum supported phone even though my Lumia 735 is running build 14291.

Based on the Build announcements we now know what features to expect for the Anniversary edition.   So it's just a matter of when the all show up (i.e Ink) and the various bug fixes that will go on.   

Similar to Windows 10 for phone - you are beginning to see new features coming in that are more focused towards newer "Windows 10" hardware.  The question will be - will the availability of these features drive folks to purchase new PCs that can take advantage of them.   

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