The Windows 10 Anniversary Update—the largest update to the PC software since it was launched last year—will become available to consumers today, according to a report from the US.
More than 350 million devices have been upgraded to Windows 10 since the software was released last year as part of their free offer to upgrade all older versions, Press Association reported.
The new update sees Microsoft’s virtual assistant Cortana become more central, being used as part of any search, while a new feature called Windows Ink enables users to annotate on their screens more freely, and across different apps, with a stylus on devices that support the app.
The Microsoft Edge web browser, introduced in Windows 10 to replace Internet Explorer, is also being tweaked so it becomes more power efficient to compete with Google’s more popular Chrome browser.
The technology firm said: “We are committed to delivering continuous innovation to you, including features that bring Windows Ink and Cortana to the mainstream; a faster, more accessible and more power-efficient Microsoft Edge browser; advanced security features for consumers and enterprises; new gaming experiences and new tools for the modern classroom.
“Everyone running Windows 10 will get these new features for free,” including those running the Windows 10 mobile operating system.
The advanced security features include facial recognition technology, Windows Hello, being made available to log in to websites and apps.
The Anniversary Update comes days after Microsoft ended a free upgrade program for users eligible to update to Windows 10, which was released in July last year.
This latest update follows reports that Microsoft missed its one billion update goal, the company said last week.
However, according to new data, Windows 10 has grabbed more than 20% of the world’s desktops in its first year of its release, according to the Register Magazine, Netmarketshare and StatCounter, which now have data covering the entire year since Redmond released Windows 10 on July 29, 2015.
StatCounter says Windows 10 had 23.52% of the desktop as of July 31, although Netmarketshare says it had 21.13%.
Users in Iran are unable to pay for the official upgrade, but the software is sold on third-party discs and available for download through Iranian websites.
Microsoft has denied it has any presence inside Iran, although local companies have claimed to represent the company following its takeover of Nokia two years back.
