Microsoft Corp. has released its Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14971 for the personal computer, allowing Windows Insiders in the Fast Ring upgrade path to get an early look at what features users can expect when the Windows 10 Creators Update is released next spring.

In addition to various bug fixes, Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14971 incorporates Paint 3D, brings PowerShell into the limelight and turns your Edge browser into an e-reader.

Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14971 features

To get access to the latest build and all its features, you will need to be part of the Windows Insider Program. To join, head over to Microsoft’s Windows Insider website, sign in with your Microsoft account and click “Get Started.” Follow the step-by-step instructions on how to get started with the Windows Insider Program.

Note: The Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14971 is available for insiders in the Fast Ring. So if you want to access these features you will need to select the Fast Ring when selecting your Insider level.

Paint 3D

Paint 3D Preview, the 3D version of Microsoft’s iconic Paint app, is now integrated into build 14971. Changing a 2D object into a 3D version is made easy with Paint 3D, there are also various brushes, textures and stickers available to bring your 3D object to life.

Currently, Paint 3D is only available in English, regardless of your display language. Microsoft will support other languages in the future.  

Paint 3D Preview also offers users access to the Remix 3D Preview community where users can share their 3D creations with other creators and get access to a variety of customizable 3D art. Remix 3D Preview has now been expanded to Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland for Windows Insiders. Like Paint 3D, the Remix 3D Preview is currently only available in English, but additional languages and region support will be available in the future.  

Read our Paint 3D article to learn more about the various features.

Microsoft Edge as an e-reader

Starting with the Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 14971, Microsoft is introducing the ability to read EPUB books in Microsoft Edge. When you open an unprotected ebook, in the EPUB file format, in Microsoft Edge you will go to a customizable reading experience.

Here you will be able to customize the font and text size, choose between different themes, including light, sepia and dark, and leave bookmarks on the ebook. You can use the table of contents to navigate through the ebook or you can use the “seek bar” at the bottom of the browser. Cortana will also be on hand to define specific words.

Unprotected ebooks are available from places like Feedbooks, Project Gutenberg, Free eBooks, ePubBooks, Open Library and Microsoft Press.

PowerShell instead of the Command Prompt

As PowerShell celebrates its 10th anniversary, Microsoft has made it the default command shell from File Explorer.

In build 14971, when you tap the Windows key + X or right-click the Start button you will see the Command Prompt has been replaced by options to open PowerShell.  

The Command Prompt has not been removed completely and if you prefer it to PowerShell you can still access it. Click on the Start menu > Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. Turn the slider option for “Replace Command Prompt with Windows PowerShell in the menu when I right-click the Start button or press Windows key+X” to Off.

Get Office app

Microsoft has updated its Get Office (Beta) app for Insiders in the Fast Ring. Previously the Get Office app was merely a collection of links to help users get started with Office. The new version of the app gives users access to their recent Office documents, files saved in OneDrive and other Office 365 apps and features.

Small changes and fixes

Windows 10 Insider Build 14971 also brings a number of fixes and improvements, these include:  

• The Outlook Mail app now supports OAuth for Yahoo Mail.
• The experimental Microsoft Edge “Snooze” action has been removed. It was first introduced in build 14926 and allowed users to set a Cortana reminder that would take them back to an Edge tab after a specific time period.
• Improved typing experience with Japanese and Chinese Input Method Editors.

Check out SiliconANGLE’s recent Microsoft Creators Update article for additional features you can expect from the update next year.

Source: Microsoft

Image credit: DobaKung; Flickr