Start & Action Center
Build 16215 is one of the largest Insider Preview releases in months, taking development of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update a significant step further towards completion. Microsoft has expanded the rollout of its new Fluent Design System across the operating system, adding it to the Start Menu and Action Center for the first time.
Along with the new visual elements enabled by Fluent, Action Center itself has seen substantial changes. The way in which notifications are ordered has been dramatically changed so the app groups are clearer and individual alerts have more space. The app title now appears centrally above its notifications, making the identity of each one more obvious when Action Center is housing a lot of unread messages.
Microsoft Edge
Windows 10 Build 16215
Microsoft
Microsoft Edge has been updated with several new features, including a highly-requested full screen mode. This works like the F11 view on other web browsers, letting you remove Edge’s window chrome so the webpage fills your entire monitor. The option works with the F11 keyboard shortcut or the new button in Edge’s menu.
Windows 10 Build 16215
Microsoft
Edge is also getting improved animation performance, new reading functions with annotation capabilities and the ability to pin individual website shortcuts to the taskbar. This feature was formerly a headline capability of Internet Explorer. It’s now reinstated in Edge as a result of user feedback.
Cortana
Microsoft is preparing new Cortana features that can intelligently keep track of events you might be interested in. With your permission, Cortana will monitor your camera roll to find event posters and advertisements you may have taken photos off. Rather than leave them buried with your photos, Cortana will extract the information from the image and add the event to your reminders.
Windows 10 Build 16215
Microsoft
Similarly, pen users can now draw around on-screen advertisements and images to have Cortana add the text as a reminder. This lets you immediately clip an event poster into your calendar so you don’t forget about it.
Typing, touch and ink
The Windows 10 touch keyboard has been completely overhauled. Addressing a longstanding request from users, Microsoft has brought over its Word Flow keyboard from Windows Mobile, letting you type by swiping your fingers over the keys. It also has improved predictive text accuracy and an enhanced emoji experience.
Windows 10 Build 16215
Microsoft
Pen users have access to an expanded handwriting input panel that features new gestures for correcting text. If you strike through a word with your pen, it will immediately be removed. Gestures are also available to join words together and split them with a space. Additionally, Windows now supports scrolling using a pen, albeit only in Windows Store apps. Microsoft is working on support for desktop programs too.
“#TacoHat Thursday”
Microsoft’s latest “taco Thursday” Insider build is one of the biggest it has ever released. With development of the next major Windows update now in full swing after the release of the Creators Update, Insiders are regularly getting access to new features and the revised Fluent Design interface.
Windows 10 Build 16215
Microsoft
Build 16215 also comes with a host of smaller features, improvements and changes. Some notable ones include the option to copy a link from the share UI, usability tweaks to the Wi-Fi menu flyout and support for taking screenshots of 4K and HDR games using the Xbox Game Bar.
As ever with an Insider build, this is pre-release software and contains bugs and unfinished features. Issues in this version include apps that crash on launch, broken Wi-Fi on certain devices, printing problems and disappearing apps. Unless you’re confident in resolving this kind of issue, it’s best to wait to try the features until Microsoft releases the Fall Creators Update publicly later this year.
