Windows 10 Version 1607 (OS Build 14393.10)

Windows 10 Anniversary Update: A Year of Innovation

Released on August 2, 2016, the Windows 10 Anniversary Update (Version 1607) was the first major milestone in the "Windows as a Service" era. One year after the initial launch of Windows 10, this update polished the rough edges and introduced several features that are now central to the PC experience.

Creativity with Windows Ink

The Anniversary Update turned the PC into a digital canvas with the debut of the Windows Ink Workspace.

• Sticky Notes: These became "smart," allowing users to scribble a phone number and dial it directly or write a flight number for real-time tracking.

• Sketchpad & Screen Sketch: These tools provided a dedicated space for drawing and annotating screenshots with a digital pen.

Microsoft Edge Gets Extensions

For many on Chasms.com, this was the update that finally made Microsoft Edge a viable daily browser.

• Extensions Arrive: Users could finally install popular add-ons like AdBlock, LastPass, and Pinterest directly from the Windows Store.

• Web Notifications: Edge began supporting standard web notifications, allowing sites to send alerts to the Action Center.

Security and Windows Hello

Microsoft significantly expanded its biometric security suite. The Anniversary Update allowed users to use Windows Hello (facial recognition or fingerprint) not just to sign into the computer, but to sign into supported apps and even websites within Microsoft Edge.

The "Dark Mode" Setting

This update introduced the first official system-wide Dark Mode toggle. By switching to "Dark" in the Personalization settings, users could instantly transform the look of the Settings app, Calculator, and other built-in Windows apps.

Bash on Ubuntu on Windows

For developers, the biggest surprise was the introduction of the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). This allowed users to run a native Ubuntu Bash shell directly on Windows—a move that fundamentally changed how web developers and sysadmins viewed the platform.