Windows 10 preview build 18282 finally supports smarter Windows updates, a new light theme

The main feature of Windows 10 Insider build 18282 is probably the "bright theme" of your Windows desktop. But the most useful addition is the new Intelligent Active Hours tool designed to introduce unwanted interruptions to Windows updates.

The preview version, leading to the next big update of Windows 10 scheduled for early next year (named 19H1), does not have any really new features. These enhancements to existing features are rather amenities that you can try if you want. Here they are:

The "light theme"

You're probably aware of Windows' existing 'dark theme', which uses darker colors and accents to soften the vast expanses of white in Explorer, Edge, and more. And you probably thought that the existing light theme was an alternative to that. Well, not so much, apparently.

The new optional "light theme" ensures that even accent colors and other elements of the user interface are shaded, making it easier to distinguish between the two themes, as follows:

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If a lightweight theme is already enabled, Microsoft will not switch your PC to the new lightweight theme (lighter?). (Remember that you can move from one theme to another Settings> Customization> Colors.) Instead, your PC will exist in a "Custom" state. You can then manually select the mode you prefer. A new "Windows Light" wallpaper is also available. Settings> Personalization> Themes.

Windows Update becomes smarter, more convenient

Microsoft promised that Windows Update would become smarter in the April 2018 update, then mumbled and kicked the floor when asked where it was. Microsoft has launched what it calls "Intelligent Active Hours" in version 18282, designed to automatically adjust Active Hours based on your behavior.

If you do not know, active hours are when you do not you want Microsoft to launch a Windows update, that is, when you are actively using your PC. You will need to enable this setting manually, however, via Settings> Update and Security> Windows Update> Change Active Hours.

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Here's another bonus: Microsoft uses the "Suspend Updates" option to make it easier to put updates on hold. Microsoft has stated that there will be a default number of days during which you can suspend updates, but you can configure it from the "Advanced Options" page. (Historically, this option was only available for Windows 10 Pro users – see our tutorial for more information.)

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Snip & Sketch wins a snip window

Personally, Snip & Sketch seems to be a new way for Microsoft to reinvent the wheel by removing the perfectly functional snipping tool to add another utility that does essentially the same thing, although it incorporates inking features. Microsoft has been busy bringing together Skip & Sketch in the same way as the Capture tool by adding a delay feature, which now allows you to select a window automatically.

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The print dialogue has been finalized

Printing under the new version has not changed much, but Microsoft has added icons and explanatory text to tell you what features are doing what.

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The brightness of the screen will remain more constant

One of the disadvantages of Windows is that it can happen that the brightness changes when you switch from the AC power to the battery of your laptop. With 19H1, this will not happen – the brightness of your screen will remain the same regardless of the mode selected. The only exception will be the battery saving mode, where your screen will darken if you have it set to reduce the brightness so as to back it up. drums.

Microsoft has added some other improvements: Narrator will become more detailed, to provide additional information to users who are having problems reading on the screen; and the OneDrive drop-down menu also received a dark mode. With the holidays approaching, this is also the time of the Windows development cycle where Microsoft is starting to add new features to Windows – stay tuned for more.