Microsoft's Windows 10 was just the beginning. In 2016, the tech giant is set to release its next major update codenamed Redstone, bringing significant improvements to the Windows ecosystem. This update represents Microsoft's continued commitment to its "Windows as a Service" model, delivering regular feature updates to keep users at the cutting edge.

What is Windows Redstone?

Redstone is the codename for Microsoft's 2016 wave of major updates to Windows 10. Following the successful launch of Windows 10 in July 2015, Redstone was planned as two major updates:

  • Redstone 1 (Anniversary Update) - Released August 2016
  • Redstone 2 - Released in spring 2017 as the Creators Update

These updates continued Microsoft's shift from monolithic OS releases to continuous delivery of new features.

Key Features of the Redstone Update

1. Enhanced Start Menu and Action Center

Microsoft refined the Start Menu with better organization and customization options. The Action Center received improvements for better notification management.

2. Windows Ink Workspace

Redstone introduced advanced pen support with the new Ink Workspace, making Windows 10 more appealing to creative professionals and note-takers.

3. Cortana Improvements

Microsoft's digital assistant became more powerful with:
- Cross-device synchronization
- Enhanced natural language processing
- Deeper system integration

4. Bash on Windows

In a surprising move, Microsoft partnered with Canonical to bring a full Ubuntu Bash shell to Windows 10, delighting developers.

5. Edge Browser Enhancements

Redstone brought:
- Extension support
- Improved performance
- Better standards compliance

Under the Hood Improvements

Beyond flashy features, Redstone included important technical upgrades:

  • Improved Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) - Better compatibility with Linux binaries
  • Enhanced security features - Including Windows Defender improvements
  • Better gaming support - With DirectX 12 optimizations

The Impact of Redstone

The Redstone updates demonstrated Microsoft's commitment to:

  1. Continuous improvement of Windows 10
  2. Bridging the gap between desktop and mobile experiences
  3. Embracing open source and developer tools
  4. Enhancing security in an increasingly dangerous digital landscape

While some expected Redstone to be a completely new OS version, it instead reinforced Microsoft's Windows-as-a-Service approach with substantial but incremental improvements.

Looking Back: Redstone's Legacy

Though the Redstone name has been retired in favor of more descriptive update names (like Anniversary Update and Creators Update), its innovations live on in current Windows versions. Many features introduced in Redstone have become fundamental parts of the Windows experience today.

For Windows enthusiasts, Redstone represented an exciting time when Microsoft was rapidly evolving its flagship OS to meet modern computing needs while maintaining compatibility with legacy applications.