Windows 10 May 2019 Update: Sandbox And A Better Windows Update Improve Your PC

Microsoft’s latest 19H1 feature update isn’t as aspirational as Windows 10 once was. And that’s OK.

- Mark Hachman

Microsoft's Windows 10 May 2019 Update offers some badly needed improvements to Windows Update, a much speedier search function, and troubleshooters that solve problems on their own. There’s even an updated emoji keyboard with symbols and the more sophisticated kaomoji. The best feature, however, is the cool new Windows Sandbox.

The May 2019 Update (also known as 19H1 or version 1903) may not officially be pushed to your PC until later in May, but it’s already available (go.pcworld.com/alv) if you want to manually download it via Windows Update. We’ve also compiled a separate roundup of the best hidden features of the Windows 10 May 2019 Update (go.pcworld. com/9up) that lurk beneath what we’ve talked about here, including a better Focus Assist and reserved storage.

WINDOWS SANDBOX: A SAFE SPACE FOR NEW APPS

Windows Sandbox stands out as a secure lockbox for testing new apps and sites—but only if you’re running Windows 10 Pro. If you’re familiar with Windows 10 Pro (go.pcworld. com/wnpr), you’re aware that virtualization is one of the key differentiators—everything from a full-fledged Hyper-V virtual machine, to the more purpose-driven WDAG secure browser (go.pcworld.com/ scbr). Sandbox is somewhere in the middle: It’s a simplified, protected, virtual “Windows PC” that lives within your actual, physical PC.