MICROSFT WINDOWS 10 SPRING CREATOR UPDATE FEATURES
USE VIRTUAL DESKTOPS
Windows 10 lets you split your active windows and apps across multiple desktop panels and swap between them with ease. You can click into Task View from the taskbar and then add and swap between desktops there, or use Windows + Ctrl + the left and right arrows to quickly move between them.
USE THE DARK THEME
Find Windows 10's white window backdrops off-putting? Fair enough: your computer screen is probably already bright enough without a big chunk of whiteness blinding you every time you double-click a folder. Windows 10 added a dark theme that switches to black folder backdrops, and it's a lot easier on the eyes. Just hit Settings, go to Personalisation and then Colours, and you'll find the Light/Dark option near the bottom.
USE BATTERY SAVER
If you use a Windows 10 laptop or tablet and want to some extra life out of every complete charge – not just when you're running low – then use Battery Saver. The feature disables unnecessary background functions, including live tile updates and email and calendar syncing, and can also auto-dim your screen brightness. Click on it in the Action center, or find it under System in Settings. You can also see which apps are using up the most battery life.
SAVE MAPS OFFLINE
Microsoft has its own local Maps program in Windows 10, but it's dependent on internet connectivity for basic usage. However, there is a way round that, in that you can save big chunks of the world offline for access at any time and any place. Just hit Settings and go to Apps – "Offline maps" is an option listed there. You'll be able to pick the regions you want saved locally, choose where to save them on your PC, and decide what type of connection to let them download over.
LEAVE THE NIGHT LIGHT ON
A heavy day – or rather, evening – of screen usage can make it harder for you to fall asleep at night, as the blue light reduces melatonin production. The Creators Update gives you a way to avoid that fate without having to take the extreme measure of, y'know, shutting down your PC and reading a book instead. Just hit Settings, System, and Display, and you can activate Night Light, which displays warmer colours to help your body avoid disruption. Better yet, you can schedule it from sunrise to sunset or pick custom hours. And you can also turn it on/off from Action Center.
