If you are running Windows 10, get ready for the next big update. The “creator’s edition” is due to be released this spring. In addition to adding more features, Microsoft has attempted to address two areas of concern in their user base; forced updates and privacy. They have also incorporated more advertising within Windows itself.

Forced Updates:

The last big update, the “anniversary update”, was released the end of July 2016. As with other Windows 10 updates, many users left their computers one night and woke up to a new version of Windows the next morning. I’ve seen some computers that still don’t have the anniversary update and I’ve seen some that required some TLC to get them running properly again after receiving the update.

One of the biggest changes with Windows 10 has been its need to have more connection time to the internet. A common misconception seems to be that Windows 10 has to have an internet connection in order to work. This in itself is not true but with the forced updates, the trend toward cloud storage and the ever increasing sharing of information mentioned in a previous blog post on privacy, Windows 10 does need a higher amount of on-line time than ever before. If you have your login tied to a Windows account rather than a local account as described in the same previous blog post, then it needs an internet connection just to sign you in – which “may” be what has led some people to believe that it needs a connection in order to function. (This feature has existed since Windows 8).

The creator’s edition will not give you total control over updates like we used to have with Windows 7 and prior where you could literally go for long periods of time without updating your computer. But the good news is that Windows will now notify you with a full screen prompt that an update is needed and give you the choices to “restart now”, “pick a time”, or “snooze”. The snooze will allow you to postpone the update for three days. This can be continued until after 35 days have passed at which point the reminder will become more insistent. In my reading it is not entirely clear, however, if this feature will be offered to Windows 10 Home users.

This is at least a step better than forcing the computer to restart without warning, especially in a business environment. Keep in mind that letting your computer do the necessary updates is a good first line of defense in your computer’s security and your overall protection strategy!

Privacy:

Microsoft has not made any big changes or reversed their direction as to the information they hope to collect about you and your computer usage, whether on-line or not. They have, however, made it a little easier for you to manage those settings. Included in the creator’s edition is a new privacy “dashboard” that will allow you to see and change the most significant settings in one place.

This new dashboard will also present itself to the new user just starting Windows 10 for the first time (e.g. on purchasing a new computer) instead of only offering “express” or “custom” settings. I might caution that the “express” settings pretty much assumed that you want to share everything you do.

The biggest concern I see with the creator’s edition is the addition of a new “dynamic lock” feature that will allow you to have your computer automatically lock itself when you get up from the computer and leave. This feature can be disabled but, in order to work properly, will require that the computer use your web cam to determine if you are sitting in front of the computer or not.

Advertising:

Be aware that with the creator’s edition Microsoft is escalating its push to display ads and suggested services in your start menu and potentially within your browsers. This is in part something that I have been concerned about since the beginning of the push to give Windows 10 away for free to tens of millions of users – that Microsoft would need to be able to monetize Windows 10 somehow to justify that loss of revenue from upgrades.

Just because Windows will now suggest that you download an app from their store or subscribe to a new service doesn’t mean that it is necessary for the proper functioning of your computer. As a user, you are going to have to become more discerning in recognizing an ad for what it is and deciding if it is something you need or not to enhance your computing experience.

Resources used for this article:
https://blogs.windows.com/windowsexperience/2017/03/01/providing-customers-choice-control-creators-update/#GLWfLivQX22fqteM.97
https://www.cnet.com/news/microsoft-forced-windows-update-auto-restart-snooze-indefinitely-windows-10/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2017/01/19/microsoft-windows-10-creators-update-changes-ads/#72410f4b21c3
https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2017/01/14/microsoft-windows-10-privacy-update-controls/#705d98297375

Footnote:
I personally find it funny that the CNET website above, which discusses the forced restart of Windows 10, forces you to have to click an ad to stop it from playing. Ah, the miracles of the internet.