[Review] What’s New in Windows 10 November Update

When Windows 10 operating system was released to public, the build number of Windows 10 was 10240 which came with lots of new features, changes and improvements compared to previous Windows versions. We posted an exclusive review of Windows 10 RTM build which can be found at following link:

[Review] What’s New in Windows 10?

Recently Microsoft released November Update for Windows 10 users which is actually a new build 10586 of Windows 10. November Update is also known as Version 1511, Threshold 2 and Fall Update. This new build of Windows 10 comes with many interesting changes and improvements and today in this review, we are going to list all these stuff with details and screenshots for your reading pleasure.

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We have already told you about major changes in each build of Windows 10 released after RTM build in our following exclusive article:

Windows 10 November Update (Version 1511) Changelog

And now its time to talk about all these changes and new features present in Windows 10 November Update build 10586 in details.

So without wasting time lets start our exclusive review of Windows 10 November Update:

1. New Option to Enable Colored Titlebars

When Microsoft released Windows 10 RTM build, it featured White titlebars in program windows which was not looking good and hurting eyes of people. We posted solutions to get rid of White titlebars but now you can enable colored titlebars using a built-in option present in Settings app.

Enable_Color_Start_Taskbar_Titlebar_Windows_10.png

Microsoft has added option to apply colors in titlebars in Windows 10 November Update. Check out following tutorials to learn about this new feature and interesting tweaks to customize colorization feature settings:

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Tweak Colorization Settings for Titlebar, Taskbar and Start Menu in Windows 10

[Tip] Get Colors on Titlebars of Inactive (Background) Program Windows

2. New Option to Disable Background Image of Login Screen

Microsoft added a new background image to Windows 10 Login Screen which was actually Microsoft’s official Hero wallpaper but there was no way to remove the background picture. We posted a tutorial to disable background picture on Windows 10 login screen which used a Registry tweak.

Now Microsoft has added a direct option to disable background image on Windows 10 Login Screen.

Disable_Background_Image_Windows_10_Sign_in_Screen.png

You can read more about it at following link:

How to Disable or Change Background Image of Windows 10 Login Screen

3. New Option to Show More Tiles on Start Menu

Microsoft has added a new option to show more tiles per group in Start Menu. You can enable this option in Settings -> Personalization -> Start page.

Show_More_Tiles_Windows_10_Start_Menu.png

Once you enable this option, you’ll be able to show 4 tiles per group in Start Menu. If the option is not enabled, only 3 tiles are shown per group.

More_Tiles_Per_Group_Windows_10_Start_Menu.png

Also now Start Menu supports up to 2048 tiles instead of the previous 512 tiles limit.

Check out our exclusive review of Windows 10 Start Menu:

[Windows 10 Start Menu] Review, Tips-n-Tricks and Customization

4. Classic Options Re-Added to Personalization Window

To promote use of Settings app, Microsoft removed classic options such as Desktop background, Color, Sounds, Screen Saver, etc from Themes and Personalization window in Windows 10 RTM. We posted a tutorial to access all such classic options and programs in Windows 10 RTM.

Now in November Update build, Microsoft has re-added all classic options to Personalization window.

Windows_10_Themes_Personalization_Window_Classic_Options.png

5. Windows Spotlight As Lock Screen Background

When Windows 10 was under development, the Insider Preview builds came with a new feature which used to show a new background picture on Lock Screen at each user login. We shared those secret Lock Screen background images in following topic:

Download Windows 10 Wallpapers and Lock Screen Backgrounds

Now that feature is called Windows Spotlight and Microsoft has added the feature back to Windows 10 November Update build. You can enable/disable Windows Spotlight as Lock Screen background using Settings -> Personalization -> Lock screen page. Just select Windows Spotlight from the background drop-down box.

Windows_Spotlight_Lock_Screen_Background_Windows_10.png

Windows Spotlight automatically shows new images taken from Bing and other modern apps on Lock screen background and also shows tips about new features in Windows 10.

6. Install Apps on Different Drives

Now you can install or save modern apps in a different location other than C: drive. You can change the default save location to install apps using Settings -> System -> Storage page. You can also change save locations for documents, music, pictures and videos.

Change_Apps_Save_Location_Windows_10.png

7. New Option to Customize Snap Feature

Microsoft has added a new option to customize Snap feature which can be accessed from Settings -> System -> Storage page. The option is labeled as “When I resize a snapped window, simultaneously resize any adjacent snapped window“. It automatically resizes adjacent snapped windows when you resize a snapped window.

New_Snap_Options_Windows_10_Settings.png

8. UI Changes in Environment Variables Window

Very few people might have noticed this change. After a long time, Microsoft has finally modified the look of Environment Variables window in Windows 10 November Update build. You can check the Environment Variables window by going to System properties -> Advanced -> Environment Variables button. You can also directly access it using control sysdm.cpl,system,3 command in RUN dialog box.

Windows_10_Environment_Variables.png

9. Improvements to Microsoft Edge Web Browser

Microsoft has improved Edge web browser a lot in Windows 10 November Update build. Edge now shows tab previews, allows to sync favorites and reading list, can cast media to any Miracast or DLNA enabled device and supports new elements of HTML5 and CSS3.

Windows_10_Spartan_Web_Browser.png

You can read our exclusive review of Microsoft Edge web browser at following link:

[Review] Microsoft Edge (or Spartan) Web Browser in Windows 10

There are a few noticeable changes in Edge Settings as well.

10. Some Other Changes which are Worth to Mention

Apart from above mentioned changes and new additions, following are some more new features and changes which are worth to mention:

  • Now Windows 10 can be activated using Windows 7/8/8.1 product key (Check this)
  • New modern apps (Messaging, Phone, Skype Video and Sway) (Check this)
  • New options added to improve privacy in Windows (Check this)
  • Jumplists are shown on tiles too
  • Start Menu context menu has been modified and now shows icons and jumplists
  • Default context menus now have grey background color instead of white (Check this)
  • Taskbar context menu is now dark similar to Start Menu context menu (Check this)
  • Cortana now works for local user accounts as well
  • New animation for opening and closing modern apps
  • Instant change in screen scaling in Settings -> System -> Display page
  • New “Find My Device” option in Settings -> Update & Security page
  • Some new icons such as Registry Editor and many devices in Device Manager
  • Many UI Improvements to Settings app such as logos, colors, etc
  • Nested virtualization functionality in Hyper-V

Also Check:

[Guide] Things To Do After Installing Windows 10

Published in: Windows 10

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Hi VG great review, just wanted to let you know that it seems Microsoft has pulled build 10586 from all 3 sources (Media Creation Tool/Tech Bench and Windows Update sometime last night.

    Now, both the Media Creation Tool download and the ISO from Tech Bench are now back to build 10.10240.16480.

    I wonder what happened?

  2. When I enter my PIN to sign in to Windows 10, my account name, email address and profile picture move a little bit to the right. It happens really fast. Have you ever experienced that?!

  3. ^^ At Login Screen? It might be a slow animation which is not playing properly at your end.

    @NewWindows10User
    Yes. I have also heard from a few readers via emails that they are getting previous build 10240 via these links. No official words from Microsoft yet. Might be a technical glitch or may be they are fixing something in the new builds.

  4. @NewWindows10User
    And here’s your answer:
    The November update was originally available via the MCT (Media Creation Tool), but the company decided that future installs should be through Windows Update. People can still download Windows 10 [Build 10240] using the MCT tool if they wish. The November update will be delivered via Windows Update.

    I think it’s all about this: https://www.askvg.com/now-you-can-activate-windows-10-using-windows-7-8-or-8-1-product-key/

  5. ^There are bug in this build
    – Bitlocker hardware encryption cannot be activated after clean install.
    Workaround :- Enable bitlocker encrypted in build 10240 and upgrade it to build 10586.
    – Windows Installation stuck at 40% for tablet user with sd card inserted.
    Workaround :- remove the sd card

  6. Hi! There a small update but useful and more enhanced security

    Now Bitlocker support XTS-AES Mode. But ONLY compatible with Windows 10 Update 2 and later only. Proof : i.imgur.com/uxYbJXc.png

    Also, if you compress your file/folder, the small centered line will appear in top-right corner of File/Folder’s Thumbnail. Proof : i.imgur.com/0aFp2BC.png

    That’s it! Enjoy amigo! From Indonesia

  7. Hi VG.

    Can you please let me know how to get access to “Temp” folder in “Windows” directory? It says “Access Denied” since the Windows upgraded.

    Thanks in advance.

  8. Hi!

    Why Windows 10 Pro (TH2/1511) x64 update history shows two status for the updates as first Failed Status and second Successfully Installed?

    How can I block advertisements in Windows 10?

    Thanks & Regards!

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