This will be the seventh major refresh that Microsoft is planning to release sometime in April (or early May) time frame with new features and improvements after the October 2018 update as posted earlier. Thanks to the previews available in the Windows Insider Program, we now have a clear idea of the changes that will be coming with the “April 2019 Update” (assuming the name will follow the scheme as we’ve been seeing in previous releases). We have highlighted a few improvements and changes the update comes with it.
1. Search and Cortana
Starting with the Windows 10 April 2019 update, Microsoft is breaking Cortana and Search into two separate experiences in the taskbar. As a result, when you start a search, you’ll notice an updated landing page with better spacing to show recent activities and most recent apps, adding light theme support with some subtle acrylic effect over all the search filter options.
2. Taskbar
There’s a new microphone icon in the system tray which appears when your microphone is in use, which if hover over with the mouse will also show which app is currently accessing the device. If you have multiple apps accessing the microphone, then you’ll only see the number of apps using the device.
3. Action Center
Starting with this new version, Action Center adds a new slider to quickly adjust the brightness of the screen.
4. File Explorer
The File Explorer is getting a new icon with a modern design similar to the design language Microsoft is using for its Office apps icons.
5. Clipboard
If you’re using the new clipboard experience on Windows 10, beginning with this new version, the interface is getting updates to optimize the design for text snippets making each entry smaller to see more content.
6. Light theme
Starting with Windows 10 version 1903, there’s a new system light theme that brings lighter colours for the Start menu, Action Center, taskbar, touch keyboard, and other elements that didn’t have a true light color scheme when switching from the dark to light system theme.
7. Game bar
On Windows 10 version 1903, the Game bar is getting a new gallery to view screenshots and videos without having to leave the game. And there’s an option to share content directly into Twitter.
8. Sign-in experience
If you use a Microsoft account linked with your phone number, you can now use an SMS code to sign-in, and continue setting up your account without the need of a password. Once you’re in your Windows 10 account, you can use Windows Hello Face, Fingerprint, or a PIN as your primary method of authentication.
9. Power & Sleep
In the Power & Sleep page, you’ll now find a slider option to change your system power mode. (This is the same option that was previously available in the power flyout in the taskbar.)
10. Storage
The Storage settings page has been redesigned to see at a glance how space is been utilized, instead of having to select each drive to see the same information, which wasn’t very intuitive for many users.
As a result of this change, you’ll no longer find the Storage sense section, but you can still access the settings to enable, disable, and configure the feature by clicking the Configure Storage Sense or run it now link under “Storage.”
As a result of this change, you’ll no longer find the Storage sense section, but you can still access the settings to enable, disable, and configure the feature by clicking the Configure Storage Sense or run it now link under “Storage.”
11. Apps & features
Starting with version 1903, Microsoft is making changes to allow you to uninstall even more built-in apps that you don’t use, including:
- 3D Viewer.
- Calculator.
- Calendar.
- Groove Music.
- Mail.
- Movies & TV.
- Paint 3D.
- Snip & Sketch.
- Sticky Notes.
- Voice Recorder.
Previously, you were only to able uninstall these:
- Microsoft Solitaire Collection.
- My Office.
- OneNote.
- Print 3D.
- Skype.
- Tips.
- Weather.
13. Emoji panel
Starting with the April 2019 Update, when you press Windows key + (period) or Windows key + (semicolon), in addition to emoji the picker that appears will now include symbols and kaomoji too.
14. Reserved Storage
Reserved Storage will set aside around 7GB of storage for updates, temporary files, system cache, and apps. When a new update is available, Windows 10 will delete the files located in the reserved storage automatically to make room to install the update.
15. Windows Console
The Windows 10 April 2019 update is also updating the properties page for consoles by adding a new “Terminal” tab introducing new settings, such as cursor shape and colours, terminal colours, and more.
Editor's note: There are other features and improvements that have not been included in this guide. It should be noted that this guide focuses on features for consumers.