Microsoft delivers new Windows 10 'Threshold 2' test build for PC users
Microsoft released a new Windows 10 Insider Preview build -- No. 10565 -- to PC testers on the Fast Ring on October 12.
- Integrated Skype messaging, calling and video apps. These Universal Windows Platform apps are the replacement for the formerly integrated "Modern"/Metro-Style Skype app. These same, individual Skype apps are coming to Windows 10 Mobile, too.
- Tab preview in Microsoft Edge browser
- Ability to sync Favorites and Reading List items in Edge
- Improvements to Cortana, including the ability to understand inked notes and the addition of more leisure-time event tracking options, such as movie and event reminders.
- UI tweaks, including "more vibrant" title bars; improved context menus on Start; new icons for devices (like Device Manager and Registry Editor).
- Improvements around device activation for those having issues with Windows 10 automatically activating.
- New mode for managing users' default printers.
This is the first new Windows 10 Insider test build for PCs since September 18, when Microsoft delivered Build 10547.
Mary Jo Foley
Microsoft has fixed a number of issues with today's Windows 10 build, according to today's blog post outlining changes in this build. Background audio playback works again when apps like Groove music are minimized, and Windows Store apps now should update automatically, officials said. Users also can now pin contacts to the Start menu from the People app.
Since this is a test build, there are also known issues. Search doesn't work if users are in a location where Cortana is not yet available. And the Xbox app for Windows 10 is consuming gigabytes of memory on users' PCs if they have certain Win32 games installed. Also be warned that small form-factor devices like Dell Venue 8 Pro may experience bluescreens on upgrade under certain conditions.
Microsoft is aiming to deliver around November 2015 the "Threshold 2" update to Windows 10, which will include a number of new features and updates to the "Threshold 1" release of Windows 10 which the company released to manufacturing in July 2015.
Next year, Microsoft is expected to roll out more Windows 10 feature updates in the form of "Redstone 1" and "Redstone 2."