The Windows 10 April Update (1803): The Littlest Big Update
by Brett Howse on May 25, 2018 8:00 AM EST- Posted in
- Software
- Operating Systems
- Windows
- Microsoft
- Windows 10
Command Line and Windows Subsystem for Linux
The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) has dramatically changed the development opportunities on Windows, and has become very popular. Microsoft has updated it continuously as well, bringing requested features and updates to really improve the experience. With the April Update, there’s once again some nice additions to Linux support on Windows.
What was once a somewhat arduous task, installing Linux distros on Windows now is something that’s moved to the Store, and for the April Update, there’s a couple of new distros available. Kali Linux is now an option, as well as the very popular Debian GNU/Linux. For those that want to run multiple distros, Windows 10 supports having multiple versions installed and running simultaneously.
Likely a very vocal request, background tasks were previously available but would end if the console window was closed. With the April Update, that’s no longer the case.
The WSL team has now brought Unix sockets to Windows as well, so you can communicate over these sockets between Windows and WSL.
People that do Linux admin will be aware of OpenSSH, and Microsoft has brought both a the OpenSSH client and server to Windows. The client is enabled by default, and the server is an on-demand feature as it likely should be.
Both Tar and Curl commands have also arrived in Windows 10’s command line interface, and Microsoft has created a new tool called wslpath to let you easily convert paths between Windows and Linux.
You can now do Linux permissions on files, with the new permission added as metadata to the file, and case sensitivity is now an opt-in feature, although to start an argument, case sensitivity is one of the most annoying features of Linux.
Console Applications Now Supported as UWP
There’s often no easier solution to a problem than a quick console application, but before the April Update, there was no way to distribute these apps through the Store. With the April Update, Console UWP is now supported, so developers can ship and update through the store just like any other UWP app.
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ChristopherFortineux - Friday, June 8, 2018 - link
Windows 10 has a dark mode across the entire system. MacOS is currently about to implement a dark theme. Selecting Settings > Personalization > Colors, Then at the bottom select "Dark" under Choose your default App mode. As for enabling it within Explorer that will require changes to core files through other means. You can choose dark colors for title bars etc and save the theme under the Themes tab.tamalero - Tuesday, May 29, 2018 - link
This patch is buggy as hell compared to the past ones for me. For example.. clicking on timeline/task view instantly crashes windows explorer. Closing all my windows.cm2187 - Tuesday, May 29, 2018 - link
Is the start menu working now or is it one of these “hard computer science problems”?sadsteve - Tuesday, May 29, 2018 - link
Updated 9 desktops and 2 laptops with only one problem. My AnyDesk connection to my headless SageTV server no longer works properly. It connects and just sits there waiting for the screen to update. I have to plug a monitor into the server to get it to function. I've ordered a monitor emulator to fix the issue.Icehawk - Tuesday, May 29, 2018 - link
Ugh. RDP was changed in this update and now it’s a UWP app :( yay it doesn’t work. Thankfully the old RDP is still available if you search for it.MS for the love of god stop with the UWP crap in the OS, it looks like garbage and have half the functionality of the original ones we all know and have been using for ages. Settings can go eat a donkey dick
ChristopherFortineux - Friday, June 8, 2018 - link
Everything will be built into new menus and functions. You are not going to change this choice. Maybe, change platforms.croc - Tuesday, May 29, 2018 - link
I think I am beginning to see a pattern here... Fall updates for lots of new goodies, Spring updates to clean up the mess and maybe add a gadget or two.ChristopherFortineux - Friday, June 8, 2018 - link
Process of evolving an OS. Build up features. Fix issues and resolve any messes that occur. Continue design directives.Mark Woodward - Wednesday, May 30, 2018 - link
I feel Microsoft engineers should check the update thoroughly before rolling it out to the masses, like they do on https://drasticds-emulatorapk.com/Because there will be another update to fix the issues created by this one! Read more at https://cheatengineandroidapk.com/
BigDragon - Thursday, May 31, 2018 - link
My tablet PC (Yoga 720) pulled this update down Tuesday night. I noticed when I tried to use the machine Wednesday only to be greeted with update screen after update screen. Not like I was trying to use the computer to do stuff or anything.Sadly, the update broke my microphone and mouse cursor. Took an hour to figure out why I could listen to my mic, but Discord couldn't detect or use it. Turns out disabling the "let apps use my microphone" and then turning it right back on was all that was needed. Driver and settings changes elsewhere had zero impact. As for the mouse cursor, it disappears the moment I touch the screen and never comes back. Previously, using the touchpad would cause the mouse cursor to come back. Now it's just permanently gone. Windows no longer distinguishes between touch and touchpad input.
This has been one frustrating update. Definite regression in features I use. I don't use any of the stuff outlined as changes and additions in this article.