Microsoft’s Windows 10 April 2018 Update is designed to help you make the most of your time

Windows 10 users – pay attention! Microsoft has announced a range of new features which will be available for download from today and roll out to Windows PCs worldwide.

The Windows 10 April 2018 update includes a number of enhancements and new features including Timeline, a way for users to go back in time and find their stuff, Focus Assist to help keep you on task, Dictation to help get your work done with your voice and an updated Microsoft Edge browser.

With this update, Microsoft is aiming to help you make the most of your time to create, play and work.

Microsoft has also announced new management capabilities and updates that are coming for Microsoft 365 which makes it easier for IT managers in workplaces.

It will also streamline device management, help simplify the modern workplace while still empowering end users and protecting and securing corporate assets.

Here’s a look at the top new features.

TIMELINE

With Timeline, users will be able to find their documents, photos and videos even faster.

It’s called Timeline because it will enable your Windows 10 PC to go back in time up to 30 days to retrieve the item you’re looking for.

Users will also be able to pick up what they were doing if they were signed into their Microsoft account while using Microsoft Edge or Office 365 on their iOS or Android device when you get back to your Windows 10 PC.

So if you’re working on a document during your commute, you can easily pick it up again when you’re back at your desk.

FOCUS ASSIST

it’s not unusual for us to spend up to six hours each day on a screen and there is a myriad of content that can distract us from our work including social media.

As a result it is often hard to focus. The average amount of time people spend on any single event before interruptions or switching tasks is only about three minutes.

The average person needs about 23 minutes to regroup and get back to work.

With that in mind, the new Focus Assist feature will live up to its name and close you off from the rest of the world so you can get the job done.

And when you finish your task, you can receive a summary of the notifications, emails and updates that came through while you were busy.

Users can even choose for certain people, calls and emails they have been waiting on to come through at any time.

DICTATION

Speaking to our devices without typing is nothing new but Dictation has now made it easier than ever to take a note or write a paper using only your voice.

If the cursor is in any text field either within Windows 10 or in an app, all you need to do is press Win + H and start talking.

Dictation is quite responsive and captures your thoughts quickly and accurately.

MICROSOFT EDGE

The Microsoft Edge browser has also had a significant update and has a range of new functionality.

This includes the ability to mute and unmute a tab that is playing sound.

Books, PDFs and Reading View pages can now go full screen for a distraction free experience.

And if you’re shopping, It’s now even easier to autofill your address, payment and other information on the web payment forms.

If you’re printing from the Edge browser, you can choose a cleaner format for a clutter free printout.

Also on board is Grammar Tools which can highlight different parts of speech including nouns, verbs and adjectives as well as breaking words up into syllables.

The Windows 10 PC April 2018 Update is available now as a free download.