Review: Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

Microsoft has released the second of this year's updates to Windows 10. Called the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, the latest upgrade comes free to existing Windows 10 users and brings a surprisingly large set of updates.

I've been testing Windows 10 FCU as a Windows Insider for a few months now and despite a few glitches (Mail App shutting down for no reason while I'm composing an e-mail), it's been rather stable. For the rest of my review hit jump.

Overall, I've found the increase in speed, performance and battery life to be worth it. I run Windows 10 on an older Lenovo ThinkPad with fourth generation Intel Core processors and the system runs effortlessly for the most part.

On the surface, there aren't any major visual changes with FCU. The biggest addition, which only a few users will be able to truly take advantage of (unless you have spanking new machine) is Windows Mixed Reality, which enables PCs with modest specs to act as a hub for VR experiences when combined with Windows Mixed Reality headsets.

 

Check out my first impressions of this experience, which is like using an Oculus Rift or HTC ViVE but without the need for a crazy powerful computer or an insane graphics card.

The windows 10 Photos App has now become more powerful. We are all lamenting the demise and disappearance of Windows Movie Maker, well the Photos App can now edit videos and a new Remix feature allows for merging photos and videos into engaging presentations.

The My People hub, which appears in the Task Bar makes it possible to interact with people directly and without you needing to go to an app.

 

Edge Browser has gotten many performance upgrades as well and now shares some continuity with mobile variants for iOS and Android. A sure sign that Microsoft has thrown in the towel on mobile, it released betas of Edge for what were once competing devices and now you can continue where you left off on your phone. 

Microsoft's Fluent Design System is even more pronounced in the FCU. We see more transparency based on backgrounds and real-world materials. Subtle scrolling effects as well as neat, yet subtle parallax effects add nuance and elegance to the OS. Again, a lot of this is subtle, almost easy to miss.

 

Personally, I like the Windows Defender Security Centre, which gives an overview of your system's security status. 

The Phone functionality, which now allows you to link an iPhone or Android device so you can begin emails or web searches on them and continue your PC seems to be very new and not working 100 per cent. But this is what kept me on macOS and iOS for a long time, the interplay between devices. If Windows 10 FCU can enable some of this functionality, it will certainly make things easier for users.

 Conclusion

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update brings a lot of improvements to all Windows 10 users. If you have a newer PC or Surface device, you'll likely enjoy some of the more cutting-edge features like Mixed Reality and 3D paint and creation functionality.

I find that Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is a must-have update for the performance and security improvements alone. Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is rolling out to most compatible devices. 

Some advice, if it isn't available for your device yet, don't force the update. There's likely many driver or device specific issues that need to be fixed and it should be made available soon enough.

Rating: 4 out of 5