Windows 10: A guide to the latest update (version 1903)
Release date: May 21, 2019
Note the May 2019 Update is on a phased rollout, so you may not have received it yet.
When shutting down your PC over the last couple of days, you may have been asked to update and shut down. That’s because there is a new Windows 10 update available, released on 21st May 2019 (version 1903).
The launch of a major Windows 10 update like this one tends to start a series of updates by Microsoft to fix bugs, release security patches and occasionally add new features, so keep an eye out for future update requests, and be sure to install as soon as conveniently possible.
Version 1903, called the Windows 10 May 2019 Update, is the most recent feature update to Windows 10. We’ve summarised the details below:
- Windows 10 Home and Pro users can now control whether to install the twice-yearly feature updates like the Windows 10 May 2019 Update via a new “Download and install now” option.
- Windows 10 users can pause any minor Windows updates that Microsoft issues in between the big feature updates for up to 35 days.
- Cortana and the search box have been separated. To perform a Cortana search, you can say “Hey Cortana” and speak your search, click the Cortana icon to the right of the search box and speak, or press the Windows key + C and speak. All other searches are done by Windows Search.
- You can now use search to find files in any location on your PC, not just in default libraries and folders like OneDrive, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, Videos, and Desktop. However, that requires indexing, which reduces laptop battery life and could slow down PC performance.
- You can uninstall more built-in apps than previously, including 3D Viewer (previously called Mixed Reality Viewer), Calculator, Calendar, Groove Music, Mail, Movies & TV, Paint 3D, Snip & Sketch, Sticky Notes, and Voice Recorder.
The Professional and Enterprise versions of Windows 10 get a new security tool called Windows Sandbox which allows you to test out software and websites in their own containers. If they are dangerous, they can’t get to Windows 10 itself. Close the sandbox, and the software or website vanishes.
IT administrators can also extend the safety features of Windows Defender Application Guard beyond Edge via browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox and an app from the Microsoft store.
When users browse to an untrusted site in Chrome or Firefox, the site will open in Edge, inside a virtual machine using Windows Defender Application Guard.
Why is it important to install Windows updates?
Take a look at our article all about ‘Patching’
If you have any questions about the update, or would like more information on Windows 10, give us a call on 01242 580654.
