Pick Up Where I Left Off: Windows Innovative New Feature Coming Soon?
This spring, the Windows Fall Creator team will research a new Microsoft feature coming out over the next few months. The Windows Fall Creator/Redstone 4 update will provide users with the ability to continue right where they left off on other devices, as well as after power state changes. It is similar to Apple’s Auto Resume feature, except that it will be cross-platform enabled.
The Project
Before the release of the Windows Fall Creators Update, Pick Up Where I Left Off was discussed as a cross-platform version of Apple’s Handoff and Auto Resume features. Our focus is on how it works, where the information is stored, and the security risks involved. The official launch of “Pick Up Where I Left Off” has been delayed until the Windows Redstone 4 Update. This update should be rolling out at some point this spring. While the Pick Up Where I Left Off feature isn’t available yet, pieces are through which we can start to see its functionality.
Our Procedure
We have researched and played around with the pieces of Pick Up Where I Left Off that are available. After that, we joined the Windows Insider Program to get preview builds of the Redstone 4 update. This will allow us to test the actual feature before it’s released to the general public. We have created 4 virtual machines to run this preview build of Windows 10. These machines will be used to test different aspects of the feature. The following scenarios will be tested: the feature with only one person who uses the computer, the feature with two people who use the same computer, and one person who uses two different computers with the feature. After, we will test the feature out with cross-platform smartphones and a Microsoft Surface Pro.
Conclusion
The next step for our project will be researching the current Insider’s build for Windows 10. We will experiment using the new features it has to offer. After the Redstone 4 Update is released, we will experiment using the feature on that version of Windows. By the end of this project, we hope to have an understanding of what Pick Up Where I Left Off is doing behind the scenes. We also hope to learn about its functionality and implications. Stay tuned for more updates to come and follow us on Twitter @ChampForensics, Instagram @ChampForensics and Facebook @ChamplainLCDI.
References
Bowden, Z. (2015, October 30). Windows 10 Redstone: Continuum to be big focal point with new ‘Continuity-like’ features. Retrieved February 12, 2018, from https://www.onmsft.com/news/windows-10-redstone-continuum-to-be-big-focal-point-with-continuity-like-features
Bright, P. (2017, May 11). Microsoft reaches beyond Windows with Timeline and Pick Up Where I Left Off. Retrieved February 12, 2018, from https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2017/05/timeline-and-cortana-make-windows-better-even-when-youre-not-using-it/
Brink, S. (2018, January 09). Turn On or Off Cortana Pick up where I left off in Windows 10. Retrieved February 12, 2018, from https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/82752-turn-off-cortana-pick-up-where-i-left-off-windows-10-a.html
Brink, S. (2017, April 11). Windows 10 help and support forum. Retrieved February 12, 2018, from https://www.tenforums.com/windows-10-news/81566-what-s-new-windows-10-creators-update.html
Hay, R. (2017, August 31). Cortana’s “Pick up where you left off” Feature is almost Windows Timeline Light. Retrieved February 12, 2018, from http://www.itprotoday.com/windows-10/cortanas-pick-where-you-left-feature-almost-windows-timeline-light
Martin, J. (2018, January 23). Microsoft is experimenting with some radical new features in Windows 10, including sets. Retrieved February 12, 2018, from https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/new-product/windows/windows-10-fall-creators-update-3496959/
TinsleyNET Admin. (2017, October 25). Windows 10 “Fall Creators Update” [Web log post]. Retrieved February 8, 2018, from https://www.tinsleynet.co.uk/2017/windows-10-1709/#more-1397