If you’re a tech enthusiast or just a Microsoft fan, you’re probably aware that Microsoft releases two major software updates a year for Windows. Windows 10 version 1809 was just released and is the second update of 2018. This comes as an incremental update, bringing a number of small improvements to various features like the Snipping Tool, Clipboard, and SwiftKey. Of all the changes Microsoft has brought in to Windows 10 version 1809, here’s a list of the top five enhancements that make it worth upgrading.

  1. Dark Mode

Some form of dark mode has been the standout feature of every major software update released in 2018. Microsoft introduced its own Dark Mode in version 1803, but it was limited to the dock, menu bar, and window borders. Now, with the Windows 10 October 2018 update, Dark Mode is more comprehensive and has been made available for File Explorer too.

  1. Edge improvements

Many argue that Microsoft Edge is already a better and faster alternative to its elder sibling, Internet Explorer. Even so, Microsoft isn’t done releasing improvements to Edge. With the Windows 10 October 2018 update, Microsoft is enhancing Edge’s capabilities as a basic PDF reader by bringing in some editing options for PDFs like drawing, writing, highlighting, and rotating. The changes don’t just end with that; Edge also has a new, refreshing look that offers customization to enhance productivity.

  1. Redesigned Snipping Tool

Windows 10 brought us the Snipping Tool, which is a lot more user-friendly than taking a screenshot with the printscreen option. With version 1809, the Snipping Tool has been replaced with Snip & Sketch, which offers three different screenshot options: rectangle, freeform, and fullscreen. After snipping the desired region, the Snip & Sketch app lets you edit and annotate the image.

  1. Enhanced security

Microsoft has brought several security measures with version 1809 to improve user protection. Standalone users can now install and configure their Windows Defender Application Guard (WDAG) settings in Windows Security without needing to change registry key settings. Windows Security also received a new user interface with this update.

  1. Your Phone app

With Windows 10 version 1809, Microsoft has provided easy access to Android smartphones through the Your Phone app. With this app, you can send and receive text messages, and access photos on your phone, from your PC.

Upgrading to the latest OS version is often exciting. However, manually deploying updates to a large number of machines can be tiring. Desktop Central, our unified endpoint management solution, simplifies the deployment process by automatically deploying software updates to all your endpoints. You can also upgrade to the latest Windows version using our exclusive patching solution, Patch Manager Plus. Gain the hands-on experience and let us know in the comments section which features were exciting to you!

    • Aravind Ekanath

      Hi, John. Yes, I agree. Fortunately, Windows 10 version 1809 has been withdrawn temporarily. For those who have manually downloaded, it is advised not to install them.