As we wrote two months ago, the latest update to the Windows 10 operating system, codenamed Redstone 2 and officially named the Creators Update, brings a variety of new programs tailored for creative types, professional artists and illustrators, and fans of virtual and augmented reality headset equipment.

Among some of the highlights include a 3D version of Microsoft Paint, its first major update since the GDI+ version that was available in Windows XP. While the previous Windows 7, 8 and 10 (version 1607) versions of 2D Paint uses the Ribbon GUI, the new 3D Paint app features a hybrid ribbon-sidebar interface with broader support for pen input and a focus on modifying basic 3D models.

Game Mode: Dynamically shifting resources to improve game performance

One of the highlight features of this release, particularly for PC gamers, is a new feature called Game Mode that was originally spotted in build 14997 back in December. The feature allows CPU and GPU resources to be dynamically shifted to prioritize smoother gameplay when applications are loaded into the foreground. While previous version of the feature had some thread-scheduling problems, reviewers have already jumped into benchmarking tests and are eager to share their results with new processor options, including Intel's Kaby Lake series for desktop and AMD's Ryzen lineup.


Back in October, the company unveiled a complementary gaming feature called Beam that allows real-time interaction options for spectators of live streaming gameplay sessions. The ultimate goal here is to help broadcasters expand their potential audiences. Players can also create custom tournaments using Arena in Xbox Live, which Microsoft equates to creating a fantasy football league.

Notable improvements: Night Light, Group Tiles, Dynamic Lock

The Creators Update also includes improvements to Quick Access icons in the Action Center (notification panel on left corner of the desktop), a blue light color temperature control called Night Light similar to F.lux and Apple’s Night Shift option on macOS Sierra, manual touchpad assignments, a virtual touchpad for secondary displays, “Group Tiles” on the Start Menu that can be arranged into folders, resizing of virtual machine connections in Hyper-V, and the synchronization of Windows Store apps across multiple PCs signed into the same account.

One more interesting feature is called Dynamic Lock, which is capable of locking a PC whenever a paired Bluetooth device is within range. The total list of changes includes 40 additional improvements and 16 patches, along with the welcome addition of full color emojis in Microsoft Edge.

Installer now includes Cortana voice support

Microsoft has also added Cortana support to the Windows installer, which now enables users and system admins to go through the various customization settings using voice commands rather than finger, mouse and keyboard inputs. In addition, the update includes some revamped privacy settings at the installation screen that presents options much more clearly than the simple yet very deceiving “Express” settings option in place since July 2015.

Official debut of Windows Mixed Reality platform

For gamers, this update is also a significant milestone in Windows 10 that now includes support for Microsoft’s Windows Mixed Reality Platform (formerly Windows Holographic). This is essentially a shell that runs on top of the OS and allows users to run native Windows Universal Apps or launch traditional Win32 programs inside of an augmented, virtual, mediated or mixed reality (AR/VR/MR) desktop window.

The first developer kits for the platform from Acer was announced at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco last month, while most consumer headsets should start shipping this fall starting at $299. Microsoft has recently hired former chief markering officer of Oculus VR, Elizabeth Hamren, to run the Mixed Reality team. According to ZDNet, the company plans to invest in a dedicated set of Mixed Reality retail partners around July, while actual headsets from partners including Acer, ASUS, Lenovo, HP, and Dell are expected to begin shipping later this fall.

Today, company officials said in a blog post that there are now 150 “exclusive Mixed Reality” apps available in the Windows Store.

Microsoft’s next major update, codenamed Redstone 3, is expected to arrive this fall around the same time that most consumer Mixed Reality headsets will go on sale.

Windows 10 Creators Update for x86 and x64 systems can be found here.