Coming Soon: Windows 10 Creators Update (Information and Suggestions)

The date that has been rumored for the global release of the Windows 10 Creators Update is April 11, 2017, just two weeks away.  Although no official announcement has been made or is expected from Microsoft, with the news today that ISO files are available for Build 15063 for both PCs and phones in the Fast Ring, PCs in the Slow Ring and those on the Xbox Insider Program, it appears the rumored date may indeed be correct.

Update:   Windows 10 Creators Update coming April 11, Surface expands to more markets

As with the Anniversary Update last year, it is expected that the initial roll-out of the Creators Update will be slow, gradually picking up over several months.  As Gregg Keizer wrote in Microsoft paces delivery of Windows 10 upgrades,

"According to advertising network AdDuplex, 60 days after the Aug. 2, 2016, introduction of Windows 10 1607 -- aka Anniversary Update -- just 35% of measured Windows 10 PCs were running the upgrade. By the 90-day mark, however, that number had soared to 80%, showing that Microsoft, after a purposefully slow start, had stomped on the update accelerator."

This was confirmed by John Cable, Microsoft Director of Program Management within the Windows Servicing and Delivery (WSD) team in Providing customers with more choice and control in the Creators Update.

Important: 

💥 Having installed each of the Insider Builds, I really like the improvements in that have been made along the way.  Although I have not had any failures installing the numerous Insider Builds on my 2008 device, hardware and drivers vary from device to device.  Thus, before proceeding with the installation of the Creators Update, be sure that, minimally, all important documents, irreplaceable pictures and other files are backed up prior to installing the new version.  Ideally, create a system image before installing the update.

💥 In the event you have Windows 10 Pro and need to delay the update, it can be deferred for up to four months.  From Settings, navigate to Update & Security.  In Windows Update, select the link for "Advanced options" and check the box for "Defer feature updates".

💥 The installation of the Creators Update is essentially replacing the entire operating system.  As a result, all previously created System Restore points are gone since they no longer apply.  It is important after the update has completed to enable System Restore.  To do this

1. Navigate to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\System
2. Select "System protection"
3. Click your system disk and note that it is shown as "off" 
4. Click "Configure" and select "Turn on System Protection" 
5. Ok the change and close the windows. 

Following is a small collection of articles by various journalists providing different perspectives of what to expect in the Creators Update.  Additional articles of interest are included below in the "References".

• Get ready for the Windows 10 Creators Update
• Microsoft Reveals Windows Defender Security Center Scheduled for Creators Update
• What to expect from the Windows 10 Creators Update
• Windows 10 Creators Update: An overview of the new features and improvements on the way

References:

• Features that are removed or deprecated in Windows 10 Creators Update
• Introducing Windows Defender Security Center
• Managing the Windows 10 Creators Update rollout for a seamless experience
• Microsoft Edge helps you organize your web
• Microsoft paces delivery of Windows 10 upgrades
• Providing customers with more choice and control in the Creators Update
• What’s new in the Windows Defender ATP Creators Update preview

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