REDMOND, Wash., June 29, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft
Corp. on Wednesday announced that the Windows 10 Anniversary Update
is coming to all Windows 10 devices — for free1 — on
Aug. 2. Windows 10 continues to be
the fastest-growing version of Windows ever and is now running on
more than 350 million devices. The Windows 10 Anniversary Update
has all-new breakthrough features that bring Windows Ink and
Cortana2 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. To help protect businesses from
today's modern threats, Microsoft also announced two new security
features for enterprise customers: Windows Defender Advanced Threat
Protection and Windows Information Protection, formerly referred to
as enterprise data protection.
"When we introduced Windows 10, our vision was not only to
deliver the best and most secure version of the OS ever, it was
also to create an experience that would keep getting better," said
Terry Myerson, executive vice
president, Windows and Devices Group. "The Windows 10 Anniversary
Update is a great example of this — and we look forward to building
on it even further in the future."
New deals, plus security, productivity and fun features for
consumers
To celebrate the availability of the Windows 10 Anniversary
Update, Microsoft is making it easy for everyone to enjoy the great
new features with special offers. Students can save $300 when they purchase an Xbox One and
Surface3 or get a free TV when they purchase a Dell PC
over $699.4 Plus,
consumers can get $150 off select
HP5 devices or $100 off
select ASUS6 and Samsung devices.
The Windows 10 Anniversary Update is full of innovations that
help people be more productive, stay safer online — and, of course,
have fun too.
- More security features for the most secure
Windows. For all Windows 10 customers, the Anniversary Update
brings new improvements to Windows Hello and Windows Defender.
- With Windows Hello, customers can sign in with enterprise-grade
security, password-free, to apps, and access supporting websites
with biometric authentication using Microsoft Edge, the first and
only browser to natively support biometrics.7
- Windows Defender anti-malware improves with the option to
automatically schedule periodic quick scans of a PC, and provide
notifications and summaries when scans are complete and if scans
find any threats.
Building on the existing security features in Windows 10 are
these two new security benefits for enterprise customers:
-
- Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection is designed
to detect, investigate and respond to malicious attacks and is
informed by the world's largest array of sensors and expert
advanced threat protection, including a team of expert security
researchers at Microsoft.
- Windows Information Protection, formerly referred to as
enterprise data protection, helps protect businesses from
accidental data leaks by separating personal and organizational
data, protecting corporate data wherever it goes.
- Windows Ink. An all-new experience that puts the
power of Windows in the tip of a digital pen enables people to
write on a device as they would on paper. Integration with Office
and other applications such as Microsoft Edge and Maps bring the
power of inking everywhere.
- Improvements to Cortana. The world's most
productive personal digital assistant gets even better with access
above the lock screen, more ways to remember with the ability for
Cortana to save and recall information, and synchronization across
devices.2
- Increased power efficiency, extensions and accessibility
with Microsoft Edge. The Anniversary Update includes even more
power-saving improvements in Microsoft Edge, using fewer CPU
cycles, consuming less memory, and minimizing the impact of
background activity and peripheral content such as Flash
advertisements. Microsoft Edge extensions, such as Pinterest's Pin
it Button and Amazon Assistant, will also be available in the
Windows Store. The new accessibility architecture for Microsoft
Edge also now supports modern web standards, including HTML5, CSS3
and ARIA. With this update, page structure and content are exposed
more clearly with assistive technology. Visual presentation of web
pages in high-contrast mode provides additional visual context,
while preserving text contrast. Also, form entry when using
keyboard navigation and screen readers improves the browsing
experience for people of all abilities.
- An even better gaming experience. With Xbox Play
Anywhere, gamers can buy a game once and play on a Windows 10 PC or
Xbox One with shared progress, shared game saves and shared
achievements. Every new title published from Microsoft Studios will
support Xbox Play Anywhere and will be easily accessible in the
Windows Store on both Windows 10 and Xbox One. Cortana is also now
available on Xbox One to help gamers find great new games, see what
friends are up to, start a party, accomplish common tasks, and turn
on Xbox One by saying, "Hey, Cortana, Xbox On"8. Top
fan-requested features including Language Region Independence so
gamers can choose any supported language on Xbox One, regardless of
their location, and support for background music will come with the
Anniversary Update. As well, the new Xbox One S, available this
summer starting at $299, will include
the Anniversary Update. With a limited 2TB Xbox One S launch
edition available in August for $399,
it is the only console with support for HDR gaming and 4K Ultra HD
video and Blu-ray.
- Innovations for the modern classroom join great devices
starting at $179. An all-new Set
up School PCs app will enable teachers to set up devices in three
easy steps with a Shared Cart of Devices. For schools with
dedicated IT support, the updated Windows Imaging and Configuration
Designer tool enables the setup of shared devices, in bulk, in a
matter of minutes. For high-stakes tests that should not have
copy-and-paste privileges, access to files or other distractions,
the Take a Test app creates a browser-based, locked-down
environment for more secure online assessments.
One of the best ways to get the Windows 10 Anniversary Update is
to upgrade to Windows 10 before the free upgrade offer ends
July 29, 2016. More information can
be found at
https://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-10-upgrade.
Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) is the leading platform and
productivity company for the mobile-first, cloud-first world, and
its mission is to empower every person and every organization on
the planet to achieve more.
1 Hardware and software requirements apply.
Feature availability may vary by device. Some editions
excluded. More details at
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/windows.
2
Cortana available in select global markets at launch; experience
may vary by region and device.
3 This offer will be valid for seven weeks, beginning on
June 29 and ending on Aug. 14. This offer is limited to students only
and is not eligible for commercial purchase. Students should review
the Microsoft Store verification methods here to prove they are
eligible for the offer. Limit one bundled offer per customer. This
offer applies to all Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book models. This
offer is valid in the United
States and Canada
exclusively at Microsoft Stores and microsoftstore.com.
4 Type of TV: 32-inch Samsung TV ($319 value). Customers can get details here at
http://www.dell.com/us/p/free-tv-deals/free-tv-laptops.
5 More details at
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/hp-spectre-x360-2-in-1-13-3-touch-screen-laptop-intel-core-i7-8gb-memory-512gb-solid-state-drive-natural-silver/4334300.p?id=1219732370298&skuId=4334300.
6 More details at
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/asus-q524uq-2-in-1-15-6-touch-screen-laptop-intel-core-i7-12gb-memory-2tb-hard-drive-chocolate-black-aluminum-hairline-with-dark-copper/5216301.p?id=bb5216301&skuId=5216301.
7 Windows Hello requires specialized hardware, including
fingerprint reader, illuminated IR sensor or other biometric
sensors.
8 Cortana will initially launch on Xbox One in the U.S.
and U.K. with additional markets coming at a later date.
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SOURCE Microsoft Corp.