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Update 1703: How do I update to the Creators Update using the Media Creation Tool? Features that are not included in the update

You've probably already heard that Windows 10 Creators Update is officially coming out today. In this article, we decided to be one step ahead and tell you about new features for system administrators in the next Windows 10 update (1703).

Configuration

Windows Configuration Designer

Previously this component was called Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer, ICD and was used to create provisioning packages. In this version it received a new name Windows Configuration Designer. In previous versions of Windows, it can be installed as part of the Windows ADK Deployment and Assessment Toolkit.

To make it easier to create provisioning packages in Windows Configuration Designer, Windows 10 version 1703 includes a number of new wizards.

Both desktop and kiosk versions of the wizard have the option to remove pre-installed software using the CleanPC configuration service provider.

Bulk connection to Azure Active Directory

New wizards included in Windows Configuration Designer let you create provisioning packages to join devices to Azure Active Directory. Bulk connection to Azure Active Directory is available in wizards for desktop, mobile, kiosk, and Surface Hub devices.

Windows Spotlight

New group policies and mobile device management (MDM) settings have been added:

Structure of the Start menu, Start screen, and taskbar

You probably know that businesses can change the appearance of the Start menu, Start screen, and taskbar on computers running Windows 10 Enterprise and Education editions. In version 1703, these modifications can also be applied to the Pro edition.

Previously, a custom taskbar could only be deployed using Group Policies or provisioning packages. In the new version, support for custom panels has been added to mobile device management (MDM).

Attack Detection

Key improvements in attack detection include:

Other improvements

The following improvements have also been added:
  • SD card encryption;
  • remotely reset Azure Active Directory account PINs;
  • archiving SMS text messages;
  • Wi-Fi Direct control;
  • Continuum display control;
  • individually turning off the monitor or phone screen when inactive;
  • individual definition of screen timeout;
    • .

On October 17, Microsoft begins distributing version 1709, also known as the Fall Creators Update, to devices running the Windows 10 operating system. This is the fourth major update to Windows 10 and a continuation of the Creators Update released in the spring. It contains new functionality and a number of changes to improve device productivity and security.

The new version will feature a People hub and OneDrive files on demand, and the Fluent Design interface will be gradually introduced. Windows Defender Security Center includes a new data protection feature, and the Settings app has received many new settings, including for the Cortana voice assistant. The Edge browser and many other aspects of the system were not forgotten.

Like previous updates, 1709 will be distributed in stages. This means that a small number of users will see it on the first day. It will take months to fully roll out, so chances are you'll see this version in the update center closer to the new year. For those who don't want to wait, there are several ways to install the update yourself.

In this guide, we'll cover four methods to do this on computers, laptops, and tablets: through Windows Update, using the update Assistant, the Media Creation Tool, and the Windows Insider testing program.

Installation via Windows Update

The easiest installation method is to wait for the Windows Update notification to appear. You don’t have to wait: when the update starts to spread, you can force install it through the update center.


When you have completed these steps, the update will begin to install on your device, but it will take a little longer. If a window appears, select your privacy settings and continue with the installation.

You should also remember that in the previous version, Windows 10 introduced a mechanism called the Unified Update Platform. Thanks to it, the size of updates has become 35% smaller and installation is faster.

Update using Update Assistant

The computer may be compatible with the latest version of Windows 10, but for various reasons it does not appear in the update center. In this case, you can use a tool called Windows 10 Update Assistant.

If you want to install the update immediately after it becomes available, or if it still hasn't appeared in Update Center after a few weeks, follow these steps:

  1. 2. Double-click to launch the Windows10Upgrade.exe file.
  2. 3. Click on the "Update Now" button.
  3. 4. If the device is compatible, click on the “Next” button.
  4. 5. Click on the “Restart Now” button to begin the installation.
After installation, settings, applications and user files will be saved. When installation is complete, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the setup.

This process usually takes less than 30 minutes, although it all depends on the speed of Internet access and the hardware characteristics of the device.

Installation using Media Creation Tool

Microsoft offers a tool called the Media Creation Tool. It allows you to update or clean install Windows 10 version 1709. Sometimes you have to wait before the update becomes available in this tool.
When this happens, you need to follow these steps to install:


After completing these steps, the update installation process will be completed, saving files, settings and applications.
If you encounter problems during updates, the Media Creation Tool can also be used to create bootable media from which you can perform a clean install or update of Windows 10.

How to update to the Fall Creators Update using the Windows Insider Program

Those who want to install the update before everyone else can join the Windows Insider testing program. This program is designed to give app developers and enthusiasts early access to future Windows 10 features and help them get the final update before anyone else.

The testing program contains three different update channels: Early Access, Late Access and Release Preview. The first two offer recently created assemblies, for this reason they may contain errors.

It is recommended that you select the Release Preview option, which will give you the opportunity to receive the update a few days before it is distributed to other users. If you then want to leave the testing program, you do not have to reinstall the operating system.

The Release Preview channel is designed to provide early access to high-quality updates, device drivers, and Microsoft Store app updates.

Here's how to join the testing program:


Once these steps are completed, you can use Windows Update to force the Fall Creators Update to download.

Quitting the Windows Insider Program



After you restart your computer, you will continue to use the latest version of Windows 10.

Conclusion

While it's always recommended to install the latest version of Windows 10 to have access to new features and security improvements, it's best to wait for the automatic installation through Windows Update. The reason is that new versions may not be compatible with all devices, so the distribution is gradual. In the first days, bugs may be found in the system that can lead to problems with the computer.

Before using any update method, it is recommended that you back up the data you need. You can also create a complete copy of the system so that in case of problems you can return to the previous version.

On April 25, 2017, Microsoft will begin distributing the Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update. In this article, I decided to tell you what new functions will become available to users, what has disappeared from the system, and also express my opinion in general about this update.

Warning: the review contains the personal subjective opinion of the author, therefore the review belongs to the “Thinking out loud” category.

Which devices will receive the update?

The update is only for a small part of the Lumia lineup, as well as for several smartphones from other manufacturers. The list looks like this:

  • Microsoft Lumia 550, 640, 640 XL, 650, 950 and 950 XL.
  • Alcatel IDOL 4S and OneTouch Fierce XL.
  • HP Elite x3.
  • 4 models only for the Japanese market: Lenovo Softbank 503LV, MCJ Madosma Q601, Trinity NuAns Neo and VAIO VPB051.

As you can see, all Lumia 2nd and 3rd generations are missing from the list.

Such a move on Microsoft's part looks rather strange. Windows Phone's market share is currently around 1%, so eliminating many devices will reduce it even further. On the other hand, there is some logic in this. Firstly, 3rd generation devices are really old, which entails problems with drivers and optimization. Their firmware needs to be rewritten, which is expensive and hardly profitable. Secondly, 62% of devices running Windows 10 Mobile are Lumia 4th and 5th generations. That is, the lineup has been greatly reduced, but most Windows 10 Mobile users will still receive the Creators Update.

The situation with other manufacturers whose smartphones will receive the Creators Update is quite deplorable. Alcatel IDOL 4S is a flagship that is not yet available in Russia and the CIS countries. Alcatel OneTouch Fierce XL is a budget smartphone with not the latest hardware on board, almost similar to Lumia 550/650. By the way, I also failed to find it in Russian online stores. 4 smartphones from Japanese companies can only be purchased and used in Japan. The only smartphone available to Russian users is the HP Elite X3, which, despite all its features, is too expensive for most users.

Special mention should be made of smartphones from Acer. Perhaps someone else remembers that the company released 2 devices on Windows 10 Mobile - the flagship Liquid Jade Primo and the budget model M330. They are not on the list, and most likely they will remain without the Creators Update. Let me remind you that Liquid Jade Primo did not even receive the Anniversary Update (although the younger model, M330, received it).

What's new in Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update (1703)

There are quite a few changes in the update for smartphones, and some are not available for the CIS countries. Nevertheless, it is still possible to compile a small list of innovations.

Microsoft engineers could not do without removing certain functions from the system. This time the following features have disappeared from Windows:

  • Application Corner. Let me remind you that in the previous major update it was removed Children's Corner. At the moment, the system does not have any way to divide the workspace for several users.
  • Manual Wi-Fi settings. In Windows 10 Mobile 1607, you could, which allowed you to manually configure DNS, IP address, and other Wi-Fi settings. The Wi-Fi settings page update in 1703 removed this functionality.
  • Disable cellular data download limit. In Windows 10 Mobile 1607 was available. Users report that it no longer works in version 1703.

This list may not be complete, and we'll later learn about other things that no longer work in Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update.

Subjective assessment of innovations

The changelog is a pretty interesting thing, but it's even more interesting to know how it all works. I tested the update on several devices and studied insider reviews about it. I have accumulated enough impressions on this matter, which I will tell you about.


What was promised but not added to the Windows 10 Mobile Creators Update

At the Microsoft Ignite, Build conference and the event dedicated to the Creators Update, Microsoft managed to please us with the features that will be available in the update. The developers chose to ignore most of the innovations presented and not add them.


Of course, most (or even all) of these innovations are probably in development and will be presented in future updates, but why were they shown at presentations a year or two before? We will not get an answer to this question.

Conclusion

Subjectively, the Creators Update for smartphones is a minor update. Nevertheless, little things that can please owners of supported devices are still present here. Let's hope that Microsoft will take the development of future updates to Windows 10 Mobile more seriously, and the list of innovations will not consist of only little things.

After the release of the final Windows 10 Creators Update 1703, many users encountered a number of problems. For some, the Control Panel has disappeared; for others, the font has become large and cannot be replaced with a small one. Also, on some computers, lags began to appear when launching Explorer. Naturally, such problems are associated with new components of Windows 10 version 1703. The Microsoft forum reports that fixes will be released in the near future. However, those users who do not want to wait for the next update and want to roll back to build 1607 can use the following recommendations.

The first way to roll back working Windows 10 1703 to build 1607

If you have problems with Windows 10 build 1703, but the system works, you can rollback using the following method.

  • Click “Start” and select “Settings”. Find the “Update and Security” section.
  • In the menu on the left, select the “Recovery” subsection. Here we click on the “Start” button in the “Return to the previous build of Windows 10” item.

  • A small window will appear with the reasons why you are going to rollback. Select the one you need or write a comment. Click “Next”.

  • The next step is to click “No, thanks.” The system will prompt you to install updates. Maybe updates will solve the problem, but you will install them at your own peril and risk.

  • Click “Next”.

  • Remember your login password (if you set it). Click “Next”.

  • At the last stage, click “Return to previous Windows”.

  • The computer will reboot and recovery of build 1607 will begin.

It is important to note that restoring a previous build of Windows 10 will preserve your data and settings. All settings will be saved.

Rollback of non-working Windows 10 build 1703

If your system stops booting after downloading the Creators Update, you can perform a rollback using the following method:

  • We connect the installation flash drive to the PC. Let's start the installation. Select the language and region. Click “Next”.

  • Click "System Restore".

  • A new window will appear. Select "Troubleshooting".

  • In "Advanced options" select "Return to previous version".

  • Select "Windows 10". If you just recently switched to ten, Windows may also be on the list. Click “Return to previous Windows.”

As in the previous method, the computer will reboot and recovery of the operating system will begin.

To learn how to roll back the system after a failed Windows 10 Creators Update 1703, watch the video:

With the new Creators Update (“for designers”), Microsoft is offering the fourth free update within the . As the name suggests, the Redmond-based company is targeting creative users. But in addition to the updated Paint application, which now has a 3D version, Microsoft is offering other improvements and optimizations. In the article we will talk about them.

Features that are not included in the update

But first I would like to talk about the functions that, despite, were not included in the Creators Update. For example, placeholders or “smart” files should have returned to the OneDrive cloud service. Until now, under Windows 10, only the entire OneDrive library can be synchronized with the selected device. And experienced users no longer have the opportunity to rid the system of unnecessary files from the cloud. Under Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, some files could be presented as “smart” files or placeholders. They were displayed in the system, but the content was in the OneDrive cloud. The file was downloaded only directly when accessing it. Thus, it was possible to save space on the system. And when a file was needed, it was simply downloaded into the system. This feature will now come in the next major update. Microsoft probably had problems with its implementation.

Also on the to-do list was the “My People” hub; the feature was greeted with enthusiasm at the presentation, but later they decided to remove it. Through this hub, you can quickly access the contacts you need to send a message or letter, or call via Skype. To communicate with contacts, you can use a variety of types of communication, including from third-party developers. This feature will also be implemented later, with the Windows 10 Redstone 3 update.

What's more, smartphone users won't yet get the ambitious 3D Scanner app, which lets you import any object in 3D through your smartphone's camera so it can then be used in apps like the new Paint 3D.

Updated settings, games menu

Windows Creators Update

Among the new features, an interesting feature is the ability to change white balance on a schedule. For example, you can set a warm color rendering at night, which is less irritating to the eyes and better suited for work/play before bed. In principle, the same functionality can be achieved using the f.lux application, available for Windows and Mac OS X. On the Apple iPhone, this feature is known as Night Shift.

There's a new Xbox menu that partially replaces the Xbox app. It allows you to set a key combination to display the game menu, set up a broadcast to the Microsoft Beam.io proprietary service, or simply enable recording of the game in the background. If you previously required logging into your Microsoft account through the Xbox app, now the settings work even without a connected account.

Moreover, you can now get to the list of applications directly from the “Settings” menu; you do not need to go to the additional “Applications and Features” menu through the “System” item, which dates back to the pre-Windows 10 era. Moreover, here you can even delete -UWP applications, which was not possible before.

However, the old control panel can still be reached, although not as obvious as before. The easiest way is to search for Windows 10 “Control Panel”, after which you will have access to the old panel that existed since earlier versions of Window. However, not all new features are included. Fortunately, important and in-depth settings options remain, for example, networks.