Windows 10 news recap: Windows 10 version 1809 finally begins “phased rollout”, build 18317 splits Windows Search from Cortana, and more

2 min. read

Published on January 20, 2019

published on January 20, 2019

Readers help support Windows Report. We may get a commission if you buy through our links.

Welcome back to our Windows 10 news recap, where we go over the top stories of the past week in the world of Microsoft’s flagship operating system.

Microsoft launches XAML Studio, a free app for making UWP XAML UIs

To make it easier for developers and designers to make UWP XAML user interfaces (UIs), Microsoft has launched a new app called XAML Studio. The aim is to help prototype apps in a quicker fashion.

XAML Studio lets you preview your XAML code in real-time and interact with the result just like it was running in your own app!

This instant response lets you quickly iterate on ideas visually, copy in examples from docs to explore, and test the final behavior all at the same time in one app easily downloaded from the store. You can even download it and get started prototyping while installing Visual Studio!

Microsoft finally kicks off “phased rollout” of Windows 10 version 1809, with some upgrade blocks still in place

After many troubles, Windows 10 version 1809 is officially beginning its “phased rollout”. Some users still won’t receive the latest update, however, as there are still some ongoing compatibility issues with hardware such as Intel display drivers, AMD GPU drivers, F5 VPN clients, and finally, Trend Micro’s OfficeScan and Worry-Free Business Security software.

Windows 10 19H1 build 18317 is out, splits up Windows Search and Cortana, adds better Start reliability

To the delight of many, one of the latest Windows 10 Insider builds, 19H1 build 18317, splits Cortana away from Window Search. The idea is to allow Window Search and Cortana to better serve their different use cases and to be able to update independently of each other. Additionally, this new build brings better reliability for the Start menu.

Windows 7 begins its last year of free-support life as time marches on

Microsoft’s older and much-loved operating system, Windows 7, is fast-approaching the last of its free support life, as it enters its last year of free support.

Poll: What's your favorite Windows? Not so much what you're using now, but which one did/do you enjoy the most?

— OnMSFT.com (@onmsft) January 14, 2019

That’s it for this week. We will be back next week with more Windows 10 news!

Radu Tyrsina

Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time). For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web. Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they're looking for.