Windows 10 Redstone 5 Features, Release Date And More

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Microsoft, as we all know, has promised continued support for Windows 10 with major updates now and then. Now that Microsoft is over with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update – Redstone 4, its time to focus on the next one, i.e., Windows 10 Redstone 5.

Similar to the April update, the next major Windows 10 update – codenamed Redstone 5 – is expected to come with several new features and updates to the operating system. Microsoft released the Windows 10 Redstone 5 (Build 17666) to the members of the Windows Insider early-access program on May 9.

A major addition was a revamped version of Sets, which allows users to group several apps into a single window with the help of a tabbed interface. In the Redstone 5, Sets will possibly give users a choice to open apps and websites in a new window or tab. Also, if any webpage in the Sets grouping plays audio, a volume icon will automatically appear to enable users to mute the sound.

Another important update with the Redstone 5 is the clipboard, which will be accessible from other devices as well. “Not only can you can paste from the clipboard history, but you can also pin the items you find yourself using all the time,” the company said. The improved feature would allow users access to recent clipboard contents from the clipboard history.

Also, users will be allowed to pin the items that they believe could be needed later. “Today we’re addressing that and taking the clipboard to the next level – simply press WIN+V and you’ll be presented with our brand-new clipboard experience!” the company said in a blog post announcing the Build 17666.

Presently, the clipboard history supports HTML, plain text and images below 1MB. Further, the supported roamed text on the clipboard is less than 100kb. Separately, the build released to the Insiders allows them to choose a dark theme for File Explorer, Common File Dialog and the File Explorer context menu.

Microsoft’s new Your Phone app is another much-awaited feature, which is expected to come with the next update. The app will make it easier to share files using the phone. For instance, users will be allowed to just drag and drop files between devices. As of now, it is not clear if the new app will support both iOS and Android.

In addition, the Redstone 5 is expected to integrate better Progressive Web Apps, which are nothing but web pages that work like an app. Better integration would mean notifications, offline use and more. To make the experience even better, the update must also improve the interface along with giving users the ability to download web apps directly from the Edge browser.

Microsoft has always worked toward enhancing the design in Windows 10. So, one can expect more and more apps to adopt the Fluent Design layout, which will help make the user interface more effortless. Also, keep an eye out for visually stunning 3D effects for Mixed Reality experiences.

Improved search previews is another useful feature coming with the Redstone 5. The new feature would make it easier to search for apps, documents and other files. Search previews allow users to go back to what they were earlier doing in documents or Remote Desktop sessions. Further, it will allow users to get more information and get quick answers from the web.

Talking about when we can expect the public rollout of the Windows 10 Redstone 5, there is no definite date from Microsoft yet. However, it can be expected sometime later this year, around September or October. A September or October release would also be in line with Microsoft’s update schedule, and would allow another Redstone update in March or April.

Also, based on the version released to the members of the Insiders program, the Redstone 5 appears on track to come later this year. However, the company did face some issues in pushing the April 2018 Update out on time, so a slight delay in the upcoming update shouldn’t be surprising.

Further, there is no information on the name of the next major update to Windows 10. Previous major Redstone updates from the company were called the Anniversary Update, Creators Update and Fall Creators Update. Though it was largely expected that the Redstone 4 would be called “Spring Creators Update,” Microsoft eventually named it April 2018 Update. So, based on this, the Windows 10 Redstone 5 update could be named October 2018 Update, or something similar.

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