8 cool free features of the Microsoft Windows 10 Anniversary Update

This update has all-new breakthrough 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.

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.

Listed below are 8 cool features that all Windows 10 users will be able to enjoy for free.

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1. Improved 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.

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2. Improved Windows Defender Windows Defender anti-malware improves with the option to automatically schedule periodic quick scans of your PC; and provide notifications and summaries when scans are complete and if scans find any threats.

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3. Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection Designed to detect, investigate and respond to malicious attacks and informed by the world’s largest array of sensors and expert advanced threat protection, including a team of expert security researchers at Microsoft.

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4. Windows Information Protection Formerly referred to as enterprise data protection, helps protect businesses from accidental data leaks by separating personal and organizational data where ever it goes.

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5. 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.

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6. Improved 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.

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 like 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 improve the browsing experience for people of all abilities.

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 share 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”.