Windows 10 Build 14971 Released: PowerShell, EPUB Books, And Office Updates

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Microsoft has released a new build of Windows 10 today but this release is only for the desktop; version 14971 is now rolling out for fast ring Insiders. In this release, there are a couple of new updates that impact Edge, PowerShell and Office.

Edge now has the ability to read EPUB books directly in the browser. If you have ever used Edge to view a PDF, the experience is nearly identical to that format but with the eBook format; this will only work for unprotected files.

The new Paint 3D app is now included in every build of Windows 10 and will replace the traditional Paint app in Windows. For some, this may not be good news because if you are like me, I prefer the older app for quick and dirty edits to photos and the new app has a completely different UI which takes a bit of time to learn and navigate, unlike the old ribbon interface.

Other small updates include PowerShell now being the default command shell from File Explorer; it replaces Command Prompt. Also new is the ‘Get Office’ has been updated and now acts more like an Office 365 hub; you can read more about this change here.

There is a long list of known issues and bug fixes, that you can read about here and as always, let us know if you run into any issues with this release or find any hidden features too.

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Conversation 23 comments

  • 5528

    17 November, 2016 - 12:24 pm

    <p>Well, nothing really exciting there. EPUB? Hardly come across those types of files. PS instead of CMD? I prefer CMD still, and one can change it back to CMD. Paint App? Not seen it myself yet, but I’m already dreading another UWP screwup.</p>

    • 2130

      17 November, 2016 - 1:04 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#25987">In reply to </a><a href="../../../users/StephenCWLL">StephenCWLL</a><a href="#25987">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>Epub? It’s only the standard eBook format for pretty much every eReader except Kindle. Unlike the stupid Mobi stupid proprietary format, Epub is actually an open format that anyone can use. Just go to Project Guttenberg and you’ll find lots.</p>

  • 5528

    17 November, 2016 - 12:27 pm

    <p>I’d love to install this build, but I’m one of two insiders (that I know of) who have been unable to see new builds in Windows Update for the best part of 6-8 months due to an issue server side in Microsoft HQ that their de-duplication algorithm produces. The result is that my machine never gets a new build. I have however been working with a Microsoft Employee to resolve this issue but it’s dragging. At least I’m not missing out on too much excitement :/</p>

  • 223

    Premium Member
    17 November, 2016 - 1:24 pm

    <p>If Edge can read EUPB, does this mean we might finally see Word have the ability to export to EPUB? That would be nice.</p>

  • 774

    17 November, 2016 - 2:24 pm

    <p>Re Paint: &nbsp;"…unlike the old ribbon interface." My goodness, we’re several years past reading about "that horrible new ribbon thing". Time flies.</p>

  • 1377

    Premium Member
    17 November, 2016 - 2:29 pm

    <p>Re Paint, I kept the XP version because I didn’t like the ribbon UI in the Windows 7 version, and for me the Windows 7 version fubarred rectangles with rounded corners. The XP version runs fine so far in all later versions.</p>
    <p>If you prefer the current desktop paint, save its .EXE and help files to use after Windows ceases to include it.</p>
    <p>Lovely that I now have to switch back to CMD.EXE. If I want a more comprehensive shell, I’ll use WSL. If I want simple console sessions, I’ll use CMD.EXE. The only thing I use Powershell for is Remove-AppxPackage.</p>

  • 442

    17 November, 2016 - 3:37 pm

    <p>The Office Hub idea seems pretty smart.&nbsp; It kind of moves it into the useful category rather than just another sales pitch (which I’m sure it will still do that just as annoyingly.)</p>

  • 5447

    17 November, 2016 - 7:05 pm

    <p>&nbsp;Lets see if SMS integration is any better in this build. </p>

  • 5447

    18 November, 2016 - 12:15 am

    <p>Is it just me or is this build super slow?</p>

  • 610

    Premium Member
    18 November, 2016 - 12:45 am

    <p>This is the second Fast Ring release with the same bug. The bug first appeared in the previous release (14965) and I was hoping it was fixed in this release (14971). It was not fixed. <strong>There are two bugs:</strong>&nbsp;R-click Start and 1) Control Panel is missing, and 2) Click Programs and Features and you get Settings &gt; Systems &gt; Apps and Features instead of Control Panel &gt; All Control Panel Items &gt; Programs and Features where you can Uninstall, Change, or Repair a program.</p>

    • 490

      18 November, 2016 - 10:23 am

      <blockquote><em><a href="#26081">In reply to </a><a href="../../../users/jvpulver">jvpulver</a><a href="#26081">:</a></em></blockquote>
      <p>Control panel&nbsp;link removal change was intentional. It’s not a bug.</p>

      • 610

        Premium Member
        18 November, 2016 - 1:10 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#26157">In reply to </a><a href="../../../users/Lopan">Lopan</a><a href="#26157">:</a></em></blockquote>
        <p>Are you Microsoft? 😉 That is the standard answer, "it is not a &nbsp;bug, <strong>it is a Design Feature</strong>." The right-click pop-up menu has useful Techie commands. Why would Microsoft intentionally remove a high-level command such as Control Panel? I could understand them removing "Programs and Features" as that is a sub command in the Control Panel. But removing Control Panel, which has 52 commands does not make any sense, unless it was an "accidental removal."</p>

        • 1584

          18 November, 2016 - 4:42 pm

          <blockquote><em><a href="#26191">In reply to </a><a href="../../../users/jvpulver">jvpulver</a><a href="#26191">:</a></em></blockquote>
          <p>Well, it was intentional. Fortunately, you can "pin" the control panel to the taskbar … so it’s even closer than it was before! (Display the control panel on the desktop via, say, "System" and navigating from there. Then right click on the taskbar icon and select "pin").</p>

  • 397

    18 November, 2016 - 6:37 am

    <p>FYI I have not exprienced the issue of Excel crashing if you open an Excel file directly from File Explorer.</p>

  • 1775

    18 November, 2016 - 10:37 am

    <p>Another change to Edge is the Reader settings have been moved from Settings to a strip at the top of the reader.&nbsp; Unfortunately, you can’t hide it.</p>

  • 5530

    19 November, 2016 - 3:49 am

    <p>"The new Paint 3D app is now included in every build of Windows 10 and will replace the traditional Paint app in Windows"</p>
    <p>Ah shit.</p>
    <p>"Other small updates&nbsp;include PowerShell now being the default command shell from File Explorer"</p>
    <p>Kill me.</p>

  • 996

    Premium Member
    23 November, 2016 - 8:22 am

    <p>The new get office hub beta is just a web wrapper within a .net application. On my machine it doesn’t scale, all the text is fuzzy and unreadable and the window doesn’t obey OS settings (for example the drop shadows are different, the window can’t scale and there’s no minimise or maximise buttons). Why would they do this and not make a UWP app? Seriously, wtf? This would be a sublime app otherwise.</p>

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