Q) What’s going on with Windows 10? I keep getting updates and the computer gives me messages that it needs to reboot. And I hear rumors about another major update like I got last summer. Please explain if you can.
A) I’ll try. Yes, you get lots of updates from Microsoft for Windows 10. They are on a schedule of sorts and they usually release their updates on Tuesday, although not always. If some major fault is discovered and it creates a real danger for Windows 10 users, the fix is likely to be released as soon as possible. Most of the updates are pretty normal things and you never even realize that anything has changed. But some of them modify the Windows registry, which is the heart and soul of Windows.
When this happens, the computer must be rebooted in order for the registry to be reloaded and the changes to take effect. You can either close the programs you’re working on and do the reboot, or tell Windows (through the dialog box that’s presented) to tell you again in an hour or two. If you’re planning on turning off your computer at the end of the day anyway, that’ll take care of it, as the reboot in the morning will reload the registry. And speaking of that, I recommend turning the computer off at night and back on in the morning. That way Windows will refresh itself every day.
As to your other question, it is more than a rumor. Microsoft is planning another major update, probably this summer or late spring. It’s called the “Creator’s Update” for unknown reasons. And it includes a bunch of changes, many of which won’t mean much to most of us. Two examples of these kinds of changes are the “App Throttling Mode” and the “Gameplay Mode.” Both of these enhancements redirect computer resources in such a way that the game playing experience is improved for those who play games with others on the internet. This is mostly young people.
There are other enhancements, however, which many of us will probably like. One of them is called the “Privacy Dashboard.” This improves on the privacy settings that Windows allows to be tweaked. Back when Windows 10 was released, the issues of how privacy was handled were criticized. This feature, while not the ultimate solution, should help in that area. Another is something they’re calling “Power Mode Slider.” It will only be available on some devices, but they haven’t said which ones. Basically, this feature will allow you to trade off between more power (for internet speed, for example) or longer battery life.
And maybe the most welcome changes involve the way that updates are delivered and applied. Microsoft has created something called a “Universal Update Platform.” This is a behind-the-scenes change in Windows that reduces the processing power needed to update, shrinks the size of the update files and streamlines the updates themselves.
This major update has already been released to a select group of insiders and power users for testing. So hold onto your seats. It is coming. And don’t expect this to be the last. Microsoft has publicly announced that, unlike in the past where there was a new version of Windows every couple of years, Windows 10 will be the platform of the future, with updates and enhancements showing up routinely.
Al Loebel is a retired technology consultant with over 50 years of high tech experience. He has been a Healdsburg resident for over 16 years. If you have a technical question for Al, email him at Al*******@Ou*****.com.
