Microsoft on Monday released another build of Windows 10, the first with the Edge browser branding.
With build 10158, Microsoft marked the one-month countdown to the final code launch on July 29.
Prominent in 10158 -- which was issued only to testers on the "Fast" ring of Windows Insider -- is Microsoft Edge, the OS's new browser. "The Microsoft Edge branding is now included," wrote Gabriel Aul, engineering general manager for Microsoft's operating system group, on a Monday blog.
Microsoft introduced the Edge nameplate in April after referring to the browser for several months by its code name, Project Spartan. Edge is the successor to Internet Explorer (IE), particularly IE11, and will be the default browser in Windows 10 on all devices, from PCs to smartphones. IE11, however, will continue to be packaged with the new OS on desktops, notebooks, 2-in-1s and larger tablets to provide legacy support for enterprises that run line-of-business Web apps and sites requiring the older browser.
The name change demands some work on the part of users, who must first back up bookmarks previously saved in Spartan, then restore those and password-retaining cookies, said Aul.
Microsoft also made several modifications to the browser with the debut of the Edge moniker, including an optional Home button, a password manager and customization options that let users tweak the new tab page so it better resembles the familiar look of IE11.
Improvements and enhancements were also made to Cortana, Microsoft's proactive digital assistant. For subscribers to a corporate-grade Office 365 rent-not-own plan, Cortana will automatically assemble information on people and documents critical to upcoming meetings, for example. Business subscribers to Office 365 must be on the "First Release" track of the service.
Aul said that a Windows 10 SDK (software development kit) preview would appear Tuesday for developers. A week ago, Microsoft said it would issue updated SDK previews alongside each new Fast ring build.
The Insider program boasts two "rings," or tracks: Fast and Slow. The former is updated more frequently, but the code is less polished.
Microsoft will release Visual Studio 2015 on July 20, then on July 29 follow with Windows 10, its final SDK and a suite of development tools for building "Universal" apps. OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) like Lenovo, Dell and Hewlett-Packard will receive the approved launch code prior to July 29.
Build 10158 has no substantial known bugs, a first for a Windows 10 preview, signaling that the company is making progress toward final release. "We don't have any significant known issues for this build worth noting in the blog post, but we are servicing several issues so make sure you check Windows Update for those," cautioned Aul.
Build 10158 can be downloaded via Windows Update on Windows 10 devices that have been set to the Fast ring.