Windows 10 Build 14965 - Creators Update continues forward
On Nov 9, MS released build 14965 of the Redstone 2 branch of Windows 10 for both PC and Mobile.
Recently renamed to the Creators Update - to be released sometime in Spring of 2017, this build continues to build on the core themes of this update, primarily Ink and Continuum.
The feature updates called out for this build included:
Downloading and applying the build was a mixed bag. While it worked fine for my traditional PC and Laptop, my tablet downloaded and prepared the update - but failed during the actual update. A second attempt was needed to get it to update properly.
Similarly on my phone, at the end of the download, windows update displayed an error, but when I went to clear it immediately went into preparing mode, then applied the update with no further issues.
Personally I had not observed any update download, preparation or application performance improvements with the new differential update method. In fact in some cases it actually seems slower.
As far as the features themselves. The new RegEdit shortcuts work - but I really don't like the new Registry Editor address bar. The new address bar does NOT update as you work down a hive tree, it's does not update until you reach a container with values in it. So not 100% on the value there, plus the font and general feel of the UI seems really old now..
The zoom stuff around Hyper-V works - so okay - check the box.
On the Ink and Stick Notes update - I am limited now to only my tablet for testing. Yes the new features work - but it's not anything to get super excited over.
But more importantly - it's becoming harder and harder to get a real feel for the Creators update without a hardware platform that can support all the features.
On platforms like my desktop and laptop that do not support touch or pen capabilities, these apps have less value and in fact the Ink Workspace doesn't even show up in the task bar. So the value around new builds is limited unless it is directly addressing a traditional desktop issue.
Same on Phone, none of the Ink capabilities are enabled, so there is little value. It appears to me as though Windows 10 Mobile development is crawling to a stop.
An even on my tablet, even though it has an Intel AV Stream camera - the camera app fails saying it can't find the camera and when you do the due diligence on the 0xA00F4244 error you find it is in theory is a supported device - but still not working and any workarounds published are pretty much worthless.
Bottom line is - that without a new touch/pen enabled device, infrared cameras, etc, the day to day value of the Creators Edition is limited. In fact outside of Microsoft's Surface line it's not easy to find a 2-in-1 or other laptop that supports pen input. If you don't believe me look at the latest holiday releases from Dell, HP or Lenovo. In most cases features like Hello support are optional and while many model support touch they don't even offer a pen.
My point here being is that to realize all the benefits of Windows 10 Creators update - you need that type of a device and there are few to choose from outside of Surface.
The question is - will these new Creators Update capabilities be enough to drive new PC sales and will the major OEMs actually have competitive products to the Surface line that support this branches main goals. It looks like we won't know until Spring of 2017.
Recently renamed to the Creators Update - to be released sometime in Spring of 2017, this build continues to build on the core themes of this update, primarily Ink and Continuum.
The feature updates called out for this build included:
- Controlling external monitors from tablets
- Sticky Notes App Update
- Windows Ink Workspace Improvements
- Enhancing the Address Bar in Registry Editor
- Improving Your Hyper-V VM experience with improved zoom support
Downloading and applying the build was a mixed bag. While it worked fine for my traditional PC and Laptop, my tablet downloaded and prepared the update - but failed during the actual update. A second attempt was needed to get it to update properly.
Similarly on my phone, at the end of the download, windows update displayed an error, but when I went to clear it immediately went into preparing mode, then applied the update with no further issues.
Personally I had not observed any update download, preparation or application performance improvements with the new differential update method. In fact in some cases it actually seems slower.
As far as the features themselves. The new RegEdit shortcuts work - but I really don't like the new Registry Editor address bar. The new address bar does NOT update as you work down a hive tree, it's does not update until you reach a container with values in it. So not 100% on the value there, plus the font and general feel of the UI seems really old now..
The zoom stuff around Hyper-V works - so okay - check the box.
On the Ink and Stick Notes update - I am limited now to only my tablet for testing. Yes the new features work - but it's not anything to get super excited over.
But more importantly - it's becoming harder and harder to get a real feel for the Creators update without a hardware platform that can support all the features.
On platforms like my desktop and laptop that do not support touch or pen capabilities, these apps have less value and in fact the Ink Workspace doesn't even show up in the task bar. So the value around new builds is limited unless it is directly addressing a traditional desktop issue.
Same on Phone, none of the Ink capabilities are enabled, so there is little value. It appears to me as though Windows 10 Mobile development is crawling to a stop.
An even on my tablet, even though it has an Intel AV Stream camera - the camera app fails saying it can't find the camera and when you do the due diligence on the 0xA00F4244 error you find it is in theory is a supported device - but still not working and any workarounds published are pretty much worthless.
Bottom line is - that without a new touch/pen enabled device, infrared cameras, etc, the day to day value of the Creators Edition is limited. In fact outside of Microsoft's Surface line it's not easy to find a 2-in-1 or other laptop that supports pen input. If you don't believe me look at the latest holiday releases from Dell, HP or Lenovo. In most cases features like Hello support are optional and while many model support touch they don't even offer a pen.
My point here being is that to realize all the benefits of Windows 10 Creators update - you need that type of a device and there are few to choose from outside of Surface.
The question is - will these new Creators Update capabilities be enough to drive new PC sales and will the major OEMs actually have competitive products to the Surface line that support this branches main goals. It looks like we won't know until Spring of 2017.
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