Windows 10 - Build 15063 - The Creators Update is here. Does it Matter ?

On March 21, MS released Windows 10 build 15063 to Fast Ring insiders.  The build was for PC and Mobile.   On March 23 the release was also deployed to Slow Ring.

As with several of the most recent builds - there were just a handful of fixes and by all educated guesses - 15063 does appear to be the Creators Update release. The watermarks are gone.

One interesting note is that MS called out in very bold text that you can not update directly from the Anniversary Update (14393) to 15063.  If you use the WDRT tool - you must first update to 15055, then update again to get to 15063.

MS also released 3 different cumulative updates to 14393 this month in preparation to allow "production" users to upgrade directly to Creators Update. This also included notices that the Creators Update was coming soon.

As with the Anniversary update I expect there to be some .xxx cumulative updates deployed with 15063 in the coming week so that the final version may be something like 15063.111.

So now the question - should I update to Creators ?  

So first off mostly likely you'll have to at some point - that is just the nature of the new Windows as a Service model.  So just like Service Packs were in the past - updating to Creators will at some point become mandatory.

The Creators Update for most folks will be evolutionary.  There will be improvements in areas like settings and new native apps that support Creators.

But the big focus in Creators was around features like Windows Hello, Touch, Ink, Pen and 3D support.  If you have a device that supports all of that (i.e. Surface Pro 4, Surface Book or Surface Studio and some OEM devices) then yes you'll see some very cool improvements.   

Conversely if you don't - yes you'll still see improvements in Settings, Native Apps, etc - but not as dramatic.   

To me this is the challenge of Windows 10.   MS is trying to do 2 things at the same time.  First - move the needle forward in terms of use cases and productivity via Hello, Touch, Pen, etc.   Second is provide an upgrade path to Windows 7 users that does not dramatically change the way many folks are used to working.  

I'll use this example.  I have two new laptops I've been using recently - both HP - an Elitebook 745 G3 and Elitebook 850 G3.  Both are 2016 devices.  Both support Windows Hello Fingerprint - but neither supports Hello camera, Touch or Pen.  Both machines run well with 15063 - but neither really take advantage of the new capabilities of the OS & Apps.

And so while the experience is better with Creators than Anniversary - it is not earth shattering.   But that is really due to the limitations of the hardware.

Do I recommend updating to Creators ?  Yes.   It is better than Anniversary.

If your planning to purchase a new laptop this year - and want the best Windows 10 experience you can get - make sure you do your home work around Windows Hello, Touch, Ink & Pen support.   In most cases to get all of that support will increase the cost of your purchase.  

But then ask yourself will I really use these features ?   And that can be a hard one to answer.  I still argue that MS needs much more work in Office in the touch, pen capabilities to drive that further adoption.   Apps like Sticky Notes and Sketchpad are cool, but I can't say they are a driving force in Windows 10 adoption.  

And that is the industry challenge.  Part of the goal of Windows 10 is to help drive PC/Laptop sales.  As I've reported - PC/Laptop sales have dropped 5 - 10% every year for the last 5 years and are now in the 250M unit per year range.  I expect them to drop another 5 - 7% in 2017.  

For many folks their use cases can push them towards either A) an iPad or B) a Chromebook.  They really don't "need" a new PC.  

And with MS loosing the browser war to Chrome, is there enough compelling features in Windows 10 that would drive you to buy a new Touch, Pen, Hello based device ?   

Sure the hardware available today is great with new gen Intel CPUs, M.2 SSD, improved WiFi and battery life.  And that in itself may be enough of a catalyst. But the key is - will you pay the premium for the advanced features like touch, pen, hello, etc ?   I say that for many the answer will most likely be no.  

So now on the the new branch of Windows 10 called Redstone 3.  We're probably about 3 weeks away from the first build..   





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