What you need to know about the Windows 10 20H1 update

Since Microsoft's support for the Windows 7 operating system (OS) ended last January, your small- to medium-sized business (SMB) should be using computers with Windows 10 OS. For those businesses who have successfully transitioned from Windows 7 to Windows 10, there's a major update coming some time this spring.

Called 20H1 Vibranium, this will be the ninth major update since Microsoft released Windows 10. This update comes with new features and improvements designed to enhance user experience that will help your employees be more productive at work. This article will highlight some features that come with the upcoming Windows 10 20H1 update.

#1 Start menu

Microsoft added a new list to the Start menu called Start typing to search. This feature will allow users to search for documents, apps, and online results without having to open the Search function on the taskbar.

#2 Passwordless sign-in

The new update will soon allow you to make your device "passwordless." This new setting will require you to sign in using a PIN or biometrics like the one used by Windows Hello instead of a password. This new feature will also work in Safe Mode. If you configured your PC to allow Windows Hello sign-in, you can use a PIN instead of a password to log in after starting your computer in Safe Mode.

#3 Create calendar events faster

The Time & Date flyout found on the taskbar will come with a new option that will allow you to create calendar events easily without having to open the Calendar app.

#4 File explorer

The File Explorer app will now feature a drop down list showing all of your previous searches when you click on the search box. Microsoft is also integrating the search box of File Explorer with OneDrive to make it similar to the search function found on the taskbar.

Another notable change to the File Explorer includes updates to the context menu logic. This will enable you to print or set a .HEIC image file as your desktop background the same way you can with other image files.

#5 Updated Task Manager

The Performance tab under Task Manager will now show the type of hard drive installed on your computer (like an SSD) and will also display the graphic processing unit (GPU) temperature as well. This is assuming that your computer comes with a dedicated graphics card (it will not work with onboard and integrated GPUs) and a new driver.

#6 Notification & Action page update

Microsoft also added new changes to the Notifications & Action page of Windows 10. This includes an option that will let you mute all notifications at once and another option to deactivate the post-upgrade setup page. It also shows you which apps recently received notifications from senders.

#7 Changing mouse cursor speed

This update comes with an updated Mouse page that will let you adjust the cursor speed of the mouse without having to go through the Control Panel.

#8 Reinstalling Windows from the cloud

If you need to reset your computer but don't have a physical copy of your Windows 10 installer, you can now reinstall through the cloud. The cloud download will include the latest version of Windows 10 so you won't have to sit through all the updates after installing it.

#9 Downloads folder removed from Disk Cleanup

The Downloads folder will be removed from the Disk Cleanup application after installing this update. This is because too many users have been accidentally deleting files from their Downloads folder without even knowing it. This update was developed to prevent such incidents from occurring again.

#10 Drag and drop using your eyes

The new Windows 10 update will come with an eye control function designed to work with eye-tracking devices. The eye control function allows you to perform drag-and-drop operations using only certain eye movements.

These are just some of the features you can expect with the upcoming Windows 10 20H1 update. To ensure your computers are ready for the update, a managed IT services provider (MSP) like Complete Document Solutions can help maintain and prepare your network system once the new update is released. If your company is currently not working with an MSP, read our FREE eBook to learn why you should.