Microsoft starts testing Windows 10’s next major update

Microsoft released Windows 10’s Anniversary Update last week, but it’s already getting ready to unveil new features for its next major update. The software giant has started testing its “Redstone 2” update to Windows 10, with an initial build available for Windows Insiders testing public beta copies. The new update doesn’t have any big new features for public testers yet, as Microsoft is in the early stages of making structural improvements to its OneCore shared code of Windows across PCs, tablets, phones, HoloLens, Xbox, and IoT.

The first few builds available for testing “may include more bugs and other issues that could be slightly more painful for some people to live” according to Windows software engineer Dona Sarkar. Microsoft has released Windows 10 build 14901, and the company is testing out new notifications within File Explorer to provide tips on what’s new in Windows 10. You can opt out of the notifications, and they’re just a test for now.

While the first build is thin on features, Microsoft is expected to start rolling out new additions shortly. Microsoft first started testing its November update for Windows 10 back in August last year, and bigger features didn’t start appearing until September. Microsoft employees already have access to new features as part of an internal “canary” build program, and some employees have been teasing new feature additions. Expect to see a lot more features arriving in September or October. Microsoft has promised two major updates for Windows 10, and both will arrive in 2017.

Source: TheVerge