For all PCs with Windows 10, the important update of 2017 is already available, called by Microsoft Creators Update (or version 1703), which can already be downloaded manually on each Windows 10 PC. Although we have already discovered the best news brought by Creators Update in Windows 10, in this in-depth article we are going to make a more substantial summary to find out everything, absolutely everything, what has changed in Windows 10 after installing this update, especially the less visible, the more hidden things that make the difference.
We remind you that every update of Windows 10 follows the indications and the feedback of the users therefore every added option and every modification answers to precise requests.
Creators Update is really a huge update that adds a number of great new features, tricks and notable, useful and powerful improvements .
In this article we find out, trying to be as synthetic but complete as possible, 20 hidden tricks and more interesting special features of Windows 10 Creators Update .
READ ALSO: Download now Windows 10 Creators Update as update or ISO
1) Create folders on the Start menu in Windows 10
In the Start menu you can now hide the All applications menu (in Settings> Personalization> Start) and show only the section with the tile icons.
The application list is still accessible from the All apps button at the top left of the Start menu.
The best thing, though, is that you can create folders to keep multiple applications or programs in one tile.
By dragging with the mouse one app on the other, you create a folder that shows in small size the icons of the included programs.
By clicking on a folder, the program icons are enlarged to click on the one to be opened.
2) Optimize the hard disk space using the Memory Sensor
The memory sensor is a rather useful hidden trick, which allows you to keep, even if only minimally, the PC disk cleaner and free from temporary or old files that are no longer needed.
We saw in another article how to activate the memory sensor to keep free space in Windows 10.
3) Address bar in the registry key editor.
The registry key editor is the tool for systems engineers that allows you to modify practically everything in Windows and has remained unchanged forever.
Adding the address bar makes it much easier to copy and paste registry key paths.
4) Turn your tablet into a virtual touchpad
On Windows 10 tablets, if they are connected to an external monitor, you can make a virtual touchpad appear in order to move the mouse cursor by moving your finger on the touchscreen, without the need for an additional mouse.
This function can be easily activated by right-clicking on the taskbar, pressing the Show touchpad button and then clicking on the icon in the taskbar.
5) Install desktop themes
With the Creators Update, the themes arrived in the Windows 10 store, which become easy to search and install.
In addition, the theme section in the Screen Customization Settings allows you to change the desktop background, color, sounds and mouse cursor.
We explained in another article how to install desktop themes in Windows 10 to change the background and colors.
6) Allow the installation of applications only from the Store
An important security feature in Windows 10 Creators is the ability to control how applications are installed on the computer.
By going to Settings> Apps> Apps and features, under the Add / Remove Programs section, you can change allow apps from any source in Notify me first ... or on Allow apps from the store .
The best option, unless you want to arm your PC from the installation of new programs, is to be warned, in order to protect your computer from the automatic installation of malicious programs or from untrusted sources.
7) Protect your PC with dynamic lock
Dynamic lock is a new security feature of the Creators Update that allows you to connect your phone (or another bluetooth device) to automatically lock your PC when you leave your computer.
When you activate Dynamic Lock, if the phone is not close to your PC, Windows 10 waits about 30 seconds before turning off the screen and locking the PC with a password.
To use this lock mode, you must first pair the phone with the PC from Settings> Devices> Bluetooth and other devices .
Then go to Settings> Accounts> login options, scroll down the right screen and activate the dynamic lock that allows Windows 10 to detect when we move far and must lock the device automatically.
This security feature is certainly very valuable if you are working in an office with other people.
8) Ethernet as consumption connection
The option of the connection on consumption allows you to control and limit the traffic of internet transfers in order to limit it.
If you connect a PC to the internet with a limited data plan, you can then set the connection as consumption to keep the use of background data to a minimum.
In Windows 10 this option was reserved only for wifi networks, but then, from the moment you install the Creators Update, this option also becomes available for Ethernet connections.
To do this, go to Settings> Network and Internet> Ethernet and press on the connected Ethernet network connection to be able to activate the option of the connection on consumption.
9) Add a new Wi-Fi network manually
You can add new wifi networks to Windows 10 without necessarily having to connect first.
To add a new network manually just go to Settings> Network and security> Wi-Fi, press on Manage known networks and then on Add new network .
10) Problem solving tools all organized
In Windows 10 the most common errors can be solved with one of the included and all automatic troubleshooting tools.
The problem, to date, is that they were really hidden inside the Control Panel.
With Creators Update you can find the tools to be used to solve the most common Windows 10 problems by going to Settings> Update and security> Troubleshooting and clicking on what we need.
11) Watch videos while working on other things using the Picture-in-Picture
The picture-in-picture allows you to watch a movie or make a Skype video call while doing other things, such as surfing the internet.
This feature is hidden in the Movies and TV app.
Watch a movie and press the button at the bottom right to use the mini mode playback.
12) Reduce the screen brightness automatically at night and blue light
Windows 10 now includes, after the installation of Windows 10 Creators Update, a night light function that allows you to dim the blue lights of the screen, the main causes of eye fatigue.
You can then make sure that night mode is automatically activated at sunset or at any time you want, to adjust the color temperature of the screen, to reduce eye fatigue and improve sleep quality.
To activate the night light go to Settings> System> Screen .
13) Reinstall Windows 10 complete with updates with the Fresh Start
One of the best features of Windows 10 is the possibility of being able to reset it at any time, deleting all programs, making it like new, including the latest updates.
The Fresh Start, which was already available as a download program before, is integrated into Windows 10 and hidden in the Windows 10 security center, under the Device performance and integrity section.
As already explained, with the Fresh Start you can clean up Windows 10 completely.
14) Microsoft Edge ebook reader
The Microsoft Edge browser is now also a very efficient Ebook reader, which opens ePub files.
With Edge it is possible to bookmark, search for words and phrases and listen to the reading of books by voice.
There are customization options to change the font style and size, the theme and a number of other controls.
15) Spatial audio
Another great feature hidden within Windows 10 Creators Update is 3D spatial audio which optimizes the sound of the headphones.
When this feature is activated, the sound feels like it's all around us.
16) Graphic improvements and DPI scaling
In this version of Windows 10, Microsoft has also improved the look and feel of applications on high resolution screens so that they are sharper on high pixel density screens such as 4K monitors.
The Creators update also includes a new compatibility option called System (Advanced) to improve the scalability of traditional desktop programs.
To activate this function, right-click on the program's .exe file or on a desktop shortcut, go to Properties and then to the compatibility tab.
From here, check the box override the resizing behavior for high DPI values and then, in the drop-down menu, select the System mode (Advanced) .
17) Native support for screen capture
Another great hidden feature in Windows 10 Creators Update is native support for screen capture, for taking photos on the desktop.
You can use the combination of states Shift + Windows + S to capture a region of the screen and copy it to the clipboard.
By pressing the Windows + Alt + Stamp keys instead, you can capture the program window in the foreground.
You can then open an image editor or a program like OneNote and press the Paste key to paste the captured image.
18) Optimize battery life
Windows 10 Creators introduces new energy-saving improvements including a new option to optimize battery life when watching movies or videos.
The option is found on laptops and tablets in Settings> System> Battery, under the section Other saving options .
This can lower the quality of the videos and movies seen when running on battery power.
19) Game mode
Game mode is a prominent feature in Windows 10 settings.
As already noted, however, you can use the game mode trick in Windows 10 to improve the performance of each program
20) Turn off the screen
As already written, you can use the PC power button to turn off the screen in Windows 10.
