Windows 10 Creators Update expected to arrive in April

Microsoft’s next major Windows 10 update will arrive in April, according to a new report. Dubbed the Creators Update, the release will bring a number of big features and significant changes to things like the Action Center and Windows Defender.

Microsoft originally promised that the Creators Update would drop in “early 2017,” but it is yet to offer a more specific timeline. Now MSPowerUser, citing sources familiar with Microsoft’s plans, reports that the upgrade will be arriving in April.

“While the update initially had a version number of 1703 in Insider Builds leading to speculation that it would be released in March 2017, we can reveal that the final version number will actually be 1704 for an April release,” the report adds.

Microsoft is expected to make the Creators Update available gradually to ensure a seamless experience for Windows 10 users, but those who wish to upgrade manually on launch day should have the option to do so.

“Microsoft is currently in the process of finalizing things for the Windows 10 Creators Update,” MSPowerUser continues. “The Creators Update is expected to be “feature locked” by mid/late January which means most of the shipping features will be present by that period.”

The report warns, however, that this is simply Microsoft’s internal plan for now, and the launch date could change at any point if problems arise.

The Creators Update will allow Windows 10 users to pick custom accent colors and apply themes to the OS, which you’ll be able to download from the Windows Store. It will also add the People Bar, Groove Music Maker, tab browsing in Microsoft Edge, and full pen support in Word.