If you're looking for a permanent solution to disable Windows Defender, in this guide, we show you how to turn it off using Group Policy and the Registry.

Windows Defender Antivirus is an anti-malware engine that comes included on Windows 10 to protect your device and data against viruses, ransomware, spyware, and many other security threats.

Although it's an antivirus that provides robust real-time protection, and even disables itself automatically when a third-party solution is detected, it's not possible to permanently disable or uninstall the engine entirely like in previous versions.

However, there are still a number of scenarios when you may not want to use the default antivirus. For example, when setting up a kiosk computer that won't connect to the internet and no one will be allowed to connect peripherals. Or when performing specific tasks that otherwise will be blocked by the security feature. If you must disable Windows Defender Antivirus, despite the risks of leaving your device vulnerable to threats, there are a few ways to turn off the antivirus permanently using the Group Policy Editor and Registry.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to permanently disable Windows Defender Antivirus on your computer. (Also, we'll show you the instructions to temporarily disable the antivirus.)

• How to disable Windows Defender using Local Group Policy
• How to disable Windows Defender using the Registry
• How to disable Windows Defender using the Security Center app

How to disable Windows Defender using Local Group Policy

If you're running Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can use the Local Group Policy Editor to disable Windows Defender Antivirus on your computer permanently using these steps:

1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
2. Type gpedit.msc and click OK to open the Local Group Policy Editor.

3. Browse the following path:

   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender Antivirus

4. On the right, double-click the Turn off Windows Defender Antivirus policy.

5. Select the Enabled option to disable Windows Defender.

6. Click Apply.
7. Click OK.

Once you've completed the steps, restart your computer to apply the changes.

You'll notice that the shield icon will remain in the taskbar notification area, but that's because the icon is part of the Windows Defender Security Center and not part of the antivirus.

At any time, you can enable the Windows Defender Antivirus again using the steps, but on step No. 5, make sure to select the Not Configured option. Then reboot your device to apply the changes.

How to disable Windows Defender using the Registry

Alternatively, if you're running Windows 10 Home, you won't have access to the Local Group Policy Editor. However, you can modify the registry to permanently disable the default antivirus using these steps:

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the Registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. It's recommended to make a full backup of your PC before proceeding.

1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
2. Type regedit, and click OK to open the Registry.

3. Browse the following path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

   Quick Tip: You can now copy and paste the path in the new Registry's address bar to quickly jump to the key destination.

4. If you don't see the DisableAntiSpyware DWORD, right-click the Windows Defender (folder) key, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.

5. Name the key DisableAntiSpyware and press Enter.

6. Double-click the newly created DWORD and set the value from 0 to 1.

7. Click OK.

After completing the steps, restart your device to apply the settings, and then the Windows Defender Antivirus should now be disabled.

If you no longer want to keep the security feature disabled, you can enable it again using the same steps, but on step No. 6, make sure to right-click the DisableAntiSpyware DWORD and select the Delete option.

How to disable Windows Defender using the Security Center app

In the case that you're simply looking to disable the Windows Defender Antivirus temporarily, then you can use these steps instead:

1. Open Windows Defender Security Center.
2. Click on Virus & threat protection.

3. Click the Virus & threat protection settings option.

4. Turn off the Real-time protection toggle switch.

Once you've completed the steps, the Windows 10 antivirus will disable its real-time protection temporarily, which is more than enough time to install applications or performing a task that was getting blocked by the feature.

However, because this is a temporary solution, the next time you restart your computer Windows Defender Antivirus will re-enable automatically on your machine.

Wrapping things up

Although we're outlining more than one way to disable Windows Defender on Windows 10 permanently, we're don't recommend to run a device without malware protection. However, there are always scenarios when you may need to turn off this security feature on your computer.

If you're trying to disable Windows Defender Antivirus to install a third-party solution, Windows Defender will disable itself automatically during the installation of the new anti-malware software.

Here are some antivirus alternatives that won't cost you a penny if you're looking for basic malware protection:

• Bitdefender
• Kaspersky
• Avira
• AVG

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

• Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
• Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

Updated July 20, 2018: We refreshed this article with the latest information on how to disable Windows Defender.

The Fallout 76 beta is your chance to explore the wasteland early. Here's how and when to play.

Fallout 76 marks a new direction for Bethesda's post-apocalyptic role-playing franchise and is shaping up as one of its most ambitious titles yet. As a shared-world multiplayer experience, you'll have the ability to build a home, hunt creatures, and uncover secrets with friends for the first time.

While its expected November 14 release is still some time away, Fallout 76's beta test is your opportunity to play early. Here we wrap up everything we know about the Fallout 76 beta and explain how to play it yourself.

Fallout 76: Everything we know

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft

What to expect from Fallout 76 beta

As announced alongside Fallout 76 at E3 2018, Bethesda plans to host its B.E.T.A. (Break It Early Test Application) for the game ahead of release. Common among most big upcoming titles, these tests are an ideal opportunity to squash issues before release. And being the first online Fallout title, a large pool of players is ideal for scaling its networking technologies.

As seen in beta tests for previous shared-world role-playing titles, expect the beta to provide access to limited content ahead of release. Expect a smaller number of quests, capped progression, and other restrictions, ensuring content is saved for the final release. However, it's still likely to showcase the game's opening stages, somewhat indicative of the launch experience.

How to sign-up for Fallout 76 beta

To gain access to the Fallout 76 beta test, Bethesda currently requires players to preorder a copy of the game ahead of launch. Fallout 76 is available for preorder in three separate versions: the standard game ($59.99), the premium "Tricentennial Edition," ($79.99) and the highly coveted "Power Armor Collector's Edition" ($200). Each of these editions guarantees a key upon preorder, across Xbox One, PlayStation 4 or Windows PCs.

For those who preorder Fallout 76 digitally, beta access will be provided automatically once the test commences. After preordering digitally on the Microsoft Store, PlayStation Store, or Bethesda.net eShop for PC, beta access will be tied to that account. There's no need to worry after ordering – you're ready to go.

For those who preorder at Amazon, GameStop, Best Buy, and other participating retailers, you'll be provided a redeemable key. These keys can be redeemed at Bethesda's online beta portal, securing access for later this year. After placing your order, expect the key to arrive via email a few days after.

Further details on accessing the Fallout 76 beta upon its release are expected at a later date.

Fallout 76 beta release date

Bethesda isn't currently discussing firm dates for the Fallout 76 beta test, but a community administrator has confirmed an October start date on its forums. This places the Fallout 76 beta test roughly a month before launch, providing the chance to implement last minute tweaks to gameplay and stability. The publisher has announced the Fallout 76 beta will be released first on Xbox One, with PlayStation 4 and PC tests commencing at a later date.

Whether showcased at Gamescom in August or via a surprise announcement, there are plentiful opportunities for more information to surface.

The beta awaits

As Fallout 76's release nears, we'll be sure to update this article with the latest details on its beta. In the meantime, Fallout 76 is now available for preorder starting at $59.99, ahead of its planned November 14 release for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Windows PCs.

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft

Updated July 24, 2018: Updated this post with details on the B.E.T.A. start date.

Here are the steps to quickly enroll your PC in the Windows Insider Program to get all the latest builds for the next version of Windows 10.

The Windows Insider Program has been designed to allow developers and enthusiasts to get early access to upcoming features and improvements to provide feedback to help shape the future of Windows 10.

The program includes three levels of readiness known as "rings," including Fast, Slow, and Release Preview. Usually, the Fast ring is the readiness level you want to use when planning to test new features as soon as they're ready (roughly every two weeks). However, preview builds available in this ring are known to include significant bugs and problems.

On the other hand, the Slow ring also offers early access to the latest features, but with previews that are less risky. The only caveat using this readiness level is that builds are not available as frequent as in the Fast ring.

The Release Preview is the third ring designed to get only the latest fixes, drivers, and apps, but because every new version of Windows 10 has to pass through every ring, as soon as a new release is complete and stable, it'll also be available in this ring. Typically, pre-releases will be available in this ring several days before the final version becomes available to the public.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to join the Windows Insider Program to test upcoming features and improvements. Also, we even show you the steps to opt-out of the program.

• How to join the Windows Insider Program
• How to opt-out of the Windows Insider Program

How to join the Windows Insider Program

The process to join your device in the Windows Insider Program is simple, follow these steps:

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that during an upgrade things can always go wrong. It's recommended to make a full backup of your PC before making significant changes to your installation in case you need to rollback.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & security.
3. Click on Windows Insider program.

4. Click the Get started button.

5. Click the Link an account option.

6. Select your Microsoft account, and click the Continue button.

7. On the "What kind of content would you like to receive?" page, use the drop-down menu, and select one of the following:

   • Just fixes, apps, and drivers: Enrolls your device in the Release preview ring without getting preview builds. However, pre-releases will be available in this ring as soon as the new version is considered complete.
   • Active development of Windows: (Recommended) Enrolls your device in the program to get preview builds regularly depending on the pace you want to receive them. (See step No. 9.)

8. Click the Confirm button.

9. On the "What pace do you want to receive preview builds?" page, use the drop-down menu, and select:

   • Slow: Gets preview builds with the latest features and changes with minimal risks of coming across bugs and significant problems.
   • Fast: (Recommended) Gets preview builds with the latest features and changes but using these updates you're likely to come across bugs, errors, features may not work, and other issues.

10. Click the Confirm button.

11. Click the Confirm button again to agree to the terms.

12. Click the Restart Now button.

Once you've completed the steps, your device will be enrolled in the Windows Insider Program, and it'll start receiving preview builds as soon as they become available depending on the cadence you have selected.

After joining the program, new builds will download and install automatically, but you can always go to Settings> Update & Security> Windows Update, and click the Check for Updates button to force the download, just note that it could take up to 24 hours before you can start downloading builds.

How to opt-out of the Windows Insider Program

If you no longer want to participate in the Windows Insider Program, you can unenroll your device using the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Insider Program.

4. Click the Stop Insider Preview builds button.

5. Select the option that you want to use to opt-out of the program:

   • Roll me back to the latest Windows release: Opens the Settings app on the Recovery page to use the rollback option to go back to the previous version. However, this option is only available within the first ten days you installed the first test preview of Windows 10.
   • Keep giving me builds until the next Windows release: (Recommended) This is the option to gracefully opt-out of the program without having to reinstall Windows 10. You'll continue to receive test previews but until the new version becomes available. Once the final version releases, it'll download and install automatically, and then your device will no longer download pre-releases of Windows 10.

6. Click the Confirm button.

After completing the steps, you'll no longer be able to test upcoming features, but your device will be back to the most stable release.

If you're looking to opt-out of the program immediately, and the option to rollback isn't available in the Settings app, you can either use the full backup that you created before joining the Windows Insider Program to restore your device. Or you can wipe out your computer's hard drive and start fresh with a clean installation with the latest public release of Windows 10.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

• Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
• Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

Everything we know about Fallout 76, and how to survive its new multiplayer wasteland.

Later this year, Bethesda plans to release the next installment of its post-apocalyptic role-playing series – Fallout 76. Diverging from series roots in pursuit of online multiplayer, its emergent shared-world brings a new dynamic edge to gameplay. With a rich open world expected at launch and promise of regular free updates, the ambitious title reworks the wasteland experience from the ground up.

Ahead of Fallout 76's Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Windows PCs debut, we've wrapped up everything you need to know, alongside extensive guides to help you on your journey.

Getting started in Fallout 76

While there's still a lot unknown about Fallout 76, pre-release videos have established the foundations for its online world. With the debut of West Virginia, players can experience new locations, fight its strange creatures, and uncover post-war secrets. For those new to Fallout, we've wrapped up the basics we know so far into a handy, regularly updated article.

Fallout 76: Everything you need to know

How to play Fallout 76

Between the three available editions of Fallout 76 and various retailer bonuses, it can be challenging to choose the best for you. These purchasing guides break down game availability, gifts for series fans, and what how to play the anticipated beta test.

• Fallout 76 preorder guide: Power Armor Edition, bonuses, release date
• 10 fantastic Fallout 76 gifts every fan will love
• How to play the Fallout 76 beta

Fallout 76 gameplay guides

Among Fallout 76 announcements so far, we already know the basics surrounding its map, weapons, progression, and other systems. When you need a helping hand, these guides are here to help.

• Fallout 76 map breakdown: Size, regions, locations, and more
• Fallout 76 weapons, crafting, and mods explained
• Fallout 76 SPECIAL, Perk Cards, and leveling explained
• Fallout 76 Perk Cards complete list
• Fallout 76 complete weapons list
• How to launch nukes in Fallout 76

Fallout 76 news

Say in the loop with future Fallout 76 announcements with Windows Central's dedicated Fallout 76 game hub. Not only will you see breaking news as it happens – guides, reviews, and editorials are also spotlighted here.

Windows Central's Fallout 76 Hub

In the meantime, Fallout 76 is now available for preorder starting at $59.99, ahead of its expected November 14 release. Let us know what you're excited about in Fallout 76 in the comments section.

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The multiple desktops feature in Windows 10 has been tweaked for the April 2018 Update.

Windows 10 has made it extremely easy to set up and use multiple virtual desktops in Windows 10. Multiple desktops are great for keeping unrelated, ongoing projects organized, or for quickly hiding from the boss that browser game you can't stop playing.

Ready to tackle the day with multiple desktops? Let's go!

• How to create a new virtual desktop in Windows 10
• How to switch between virtual desktops in Windows 10
• How to move windows between virtual desktops in Windows 10
• How to duplicate windows across virtual desktops
• How to remove a virtual desktop in Windows 10

How to create a new virtual desktop in Windows 10

Creating a new virtual desktop can be done with a couple of clicks or with a keyboard shortcut.

1. Click the Task View button in your taskbar.

   • You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.

2. Click New Desktop. (It's located in the top left corner of your screen.)

That's it. Easy, right? There's also a Ctrl + Windows key + D keyboard shortcut that will immediately create a new virtual desktop.

How to switch between virtual desktops in Windows 10

Now that you've created a new virtual desktop, you can quickly switch a few different ways.

1. Click the Task View button in your taskbar.

   • You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.

2. Click Desktop 2 or any other virtual desktop you've created.

You can switch back to your original desktop at any time by following the above steps but choosing Desktop 1. There's also a Ctrl + Windows key + Left and right arrow keyboard shortcut that you can use to switch between virtual desktops. Using a device with a touchpad? You can perform a four-finger swipe left or right to switch between virtual desktops.

How to move windows between virtual desktops in Windows 10

There are two ways you can move windows between virtual desktops. First, you can click and drag windows; second, you can right-click the window and use the menu.

Click-and-drag method

1. Click the Task View button in your taskbar.

   • You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.
2. Click and hold the window you want to move.

3. Drag and release the window on an alternate desktop.

Right-click menu method

1. Click the Task View button in your taskbar.

   • You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.

2. Right-click on the window you'd like to move to another desktop.

3. Hover your cursor over Move to.

4. Click the desktop to which you'd like to move the window.

You can move windows back and forth between desktops to your heart's content.

How to duplicate windows across virtual desktops

Certain windows or collections of windows from one app can be duplicated across all virtual desktops.

1. Click the Task View button in your taskbar.

   • You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.

2. Right-click an active window.

3. Click Show this window on all desktops to duplicate a single window.

4. Click Show windows from this app on all desktops to duplicate all windows from one app.

How to remove a virtual desktop in Windows 10

Want to get back to just one desktop? No problem.

1. Click the Task View button in your taskbar.

   • You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.
2. Hover your cursor over the desktop you'd like to remove.

3. Click the X in the top-right corner of the desktop icon.

Open and running windows in a desktop you close will be moved back to your original desktop. You can also use the Ctrl + Windows key + F4 keyboard shortcut to immediately close the virtual desktop you're currently viewing.

More resources

• Windows 10 April 2018 Update ultimate resource guide
• Windows 10 April 2018 Update review: It's about the little things

Updated July 23, 2018: We refreshed this article to include changes made for the Windows 10 April 2018 Update.

They're close, yet so far apart ...

Storage in a laptop or tablet is a big deal. It's usually one of the main features advertised by a manufacturer, but it's also one of the spots where a big number (1TB!) can hide some lesser-known hardware terms that will affect the device's overall performance. In the case of budget or ultraportable laptops and tablets, you'll often see storage advertised as eMMC, which stands for embedded MultiMediaCard. Let's take a look at how it compares to solid-state drive (SSD) storage, and why you might want to skip it.

Related: Surface Go 64GB vs. 128GB: Which model should you buy?

What is eMMC storage?

MultiMediaCard (MMC) storage was the precursor to what we now commonly know as Secure Digital (SD) storage. MMC still exists, but you'll no doubt find its embedded version much more often.

eMMC storage is mostly found in phones, as well as compact, budget laptops or tablets. The "embedded" part of the name comes from the fact that the storage is usually soldered directly onto the device's motherboard. eMMC storage consists of NAND flash memory — the same stuff you'll find in USB thumb drives, SD cards, and solid-state drives (SSD) — which doesn't require power to retain data.

Despite both containing a type of NAND memory, SSDs and eMMC storage are quite different.

How fast is eMMC storage?

This Samsung PCIe SSD is FAST.

The current standard for eMMC storage is 5.1, which can effectively deliver transfer speeds of up to about 400MB/s. That's not necessarily a slow speed, as SATA SSDs will top out around the same.

However, it's not just overall transfer rate that determines how a device's performance will be affected. eMMC storage usually operates with fewer memory gates than an SSD, meaning it can still deliver at the same speed, just not at the same volume.

Think of it like a road — the more lanes, the more cars you can move at a time. eMMC is a single lane each way, while an SSD is a multi-lane highway. You'll go the same speed on either one, but the on-ramp to get onto the road won't be nearly as slow on the highway.

If you'd like storage that can deliver data as fast as possible, you'll want to check out a PCIe SSD. Some of the top performers in class can reach read speeds up to 3,500 MB/s. Write speeds are a bit slower — up to about 2,100 MB/s — but still much, much faster than eMMC storage.

How big can you get eMMC storage?

The new Surface Go will be available in a 64GB eMMC configuration.

If you've been shopping for a budget laptop or tablet, you've no doubt noticed that many come with either 32GB or 64GB storage. These are the most common sizes of eMMC storage, but you can also find 128GB storage. eMMC storage works best with small file sizes (those holes in the bucket don't clog as easily), so if you're often working with large files, you'll no doubt want to look at an SSD.

SSDs are available in much larger sizes, usually from 128GB all the way up to terabytes. They are also usually much more expensive. If you're looking at an eMMC drive, always factor in the cost of the cloud storage fees you'll no doubt end up paying for in the end. Sizes like 32GB and 64GB just don't hold up anymore; if the price of cloud storage will come out somewhere around the price of an SSD, you might just be tempted to pay more up front and not worry later.

Check out Microsoft OneDrive pricing plans

Should you avoid eMMC storage?

CHUWI's 14.1 LapBook is an awesome budget device with eMMC storage.

Cheaper, smaller eMMC storage isn't necessarily bad. There's definitely a market for it, especially in the budget laptop category. As far as durability goes, you'll no doubt see a display or touchpad crap out on you way before eMMC storage degrades to an unusable condition.

Whether or not you should avoid eMMC storage is more based on your budget and what you're using your device for. If you need a tablet or cheap notebook for browsing the internet and watching some streaming media, eMMC storage should be just fine. Keep in mind that eMMC storage is not all made the same, and you'll no doubt want to check reviews for speed benchmarks before making a final decision.

Grab a fast SSD if you like your laptop's performance snappy.

If you plan on using a laptop for pretty much anything else — including gaming and productivity — you'll no doubt want to grab an SSD. Like eMMC storage, not all SSDs are made the same, and there is plenty of slow hardware out there. Read reviews and check benchmarks to ensure you're getting a drive with the speed you require.

A hard-disk drive is also an option, especially if you're dealing with large file sizes, but in general, you'll be much more satisfied with an SSD.

More resources

If this talk about eMMC and SSD storage has you thirsty for more information, we have a bunch of other guides on the same topic. Check them out!

• What is an SSD and why would I want one?
• SSD vs. HDD: Which should I have in my PC?
• Best SSDs for Windows PCs

Updated July 24, 2018: We reviewed and refreshed this article to ensure all the information within is still up to date.

The Edge browser is not to blame for a slow YouTube experience, and you can easily fix the problem.

Microsoft's Edge browser has a lot of challenges in the modern web world, not the least of which is Google's Chrome browser, which is still top dog for preferred browser usage. Microsoft, though, for its part is playing by the rules – that is, adopting open and agreed upon web standards to make its browser the friendliest.

Nonetheless, if there is one complaint we all hear about (and have experienced) is the YouTube website taking what seems like forever to load in Edge. Today, we'll explain why that is and how to get around the problem to make Edge behave just like Chrome.

The problem is Google

Recently, Chris Peterson, the technical program manager at Mozilla (who oversees the Firefox browser), finally gave a detailed analysis and confirmation of what we all have experienced: YouTube is slower on Firefox and Edge.

YouTube page load is 5x slower in Firefox and Edge than in Chrome because YouTube's Polymer redesign relies on the deprecated Shadow DOM v0 API only implemented in Chrome. You can restore YouTube's faster pre-Polymer design with this Firefox extension: https://t.co/F5uEn3iMLR

— Chris Peterson (@cpeterso) July 24, 2018

Google's recent redesign of YouTube, which is named Polymer, uses the "Shadow Document Object Model (DOM)" version-zero API, which is a form of JavaScript. It's that dependency on what is an older version of Shadow DOM that is the issue. Even Polymer 2.x supports Shadow DOM v0 and v1, but YouTube, ironically, has not yet been updated to the newer refreshed Polymer.

Google is using outdated APIs while the rest of the web world has moved on to adopt current standards. Since this is encoded in YouTube's page coding, it causes issues for other browsers that are complying with modern standards.

As to why Google would do this, Peterson wrote, "I assume Google has metrics showing that the Polymer redesign increases Firefox and Edge user engagement more than the slow polyfills hurt it." That is certainly a generous interpretation.

According to Peterson, this decision by Google results in Edge and Firefox being up to five times slower than Chrome – specifically with comments and related material seemingly taking forever to load.

For it's part, Kyle Pflug, who works on Edge for Microsoft says this issue will be sorted in time between the two companies:

Re: the YouTube kerfuffle - they’re committed to supporting the standard (and we’re committed to shipping it), so this will work itself out in time. In the meantime, you can use the workarounds Chris suggests to speed things up: https://t.co/ItmVxP7OBUhttps://t.co/LwnhJUvtRB

— Kyle Pflug (@kylealden) July 25, 2018

To make matters stranger, Google serves up the pre-Polymer YouTube website to Internet Explorer 11 by default. That means Google could do the same for Firefox and Edge, but it chooses not to ...

So users complain that "Edge sucks" even compared to Internet Explorer 11 for YouTube. The problem is at Google's feet, however. Here's how to fix it.

Solution No. 1: Modify the cookie

Following the observed behavior that YouTube serves up a pre-Polymer YouTube experience to Internet Explorer 11 but not Edge, we can modify the saved cookie on the computer to spoof YouTube.

This trick was noted by Reddit user hamzah77, and it's very easy to do. Just follow these steps:

1. In Edge navigate to any video on YouTube (so the player loads).
2. Open the Edge Developer Tools using the "Ctrl + Shift + I" shortcut.
3. Navigate to the Debugger.
4. Double tap Cookies to expand the sub-menu.
5. Double-click watch.

6. In the middle area where values are displayed, find PREF.

7. Under "Value" for "PREF," replace whatever is there with al=en&f5=30030&f6=8.
8. Close Edge.
9. Navigate back to YouTube. (Videos should now load instantly.)

The downside with this approach is two-fold:

• If that cookie is wiped or deleted, you need to re-do the process.
• This method reverts YouTube to pre-Polymer, so it looks flatter and less modern than the current redesign.

Those downsides are more than acceptable given the resulting performance gain. YouTube is now just as fast as it used to be before Google futzed with things.

Solution No. 2: Tampermonkey script

The alternative to the above is to run Tampermonkey in Edge (or Firefox). The extension is a popular userscript manager that lets you auto-run scripts on specific websites.

Twitter user @hypertextc0ffee links to the Pastebin script that you can copy and paste to Tampermonkey. That script then runs anytime you land on YouTube and does the same as the trick above; it reverts to the old version of YouTube.

1. Download Tampermonkey from Microsoft

2. Go to PasteBin, where you can access the "youtube disable polymer" script.

3. Copy and paste that script using the "Create new script" function.

The Tampermonkey version has a few advantages over the editing the cookie:

• It persists even if you wipe your cookies.
• It's easy to undo or pause by controlling the extension for Edge.

The downside to Tampermonkey is Edge will load YouTube and then reload the page again with the script running. The result is not as fluid and a tad slower than using solution No. 1, but it still delivers the desired result.

Bonus solution: Use MyTube!

Finally, a third unofficial solution to this Edge and YouTube mess is to use something like MyTube! on your PC.

MyTube! has been around for ages and is one of the best YouTube clients available. It includes many advanced features, such as working on Xbox One, support for 4K video, mini-window, and picture-in-picture, and it has a modern, Fluent design.

See at Microsoft

Did you know Windows can work along with eye-tracking devices? Here's how to set it up and control your PC with it.

Starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, Microsoft introduced a new ease-of-access feature that allows users to control their PCs with just their eyes, using third-party hardware from the likes of Tobii. This new feature gives the user full control of their desktop via the eyeballs, allowing them to interact with it without needing to use a mouse of keyboard.

The feature is pretty easy to set up, and here's how!

Prerequisites

Before we begin, there's a prerequisite you'll need to acquire: an eye tracking device. You can grab the Tobii Eye Tracker 4C from Amazon for around $150, which is the only eye tracker that works with the feature right now. Microsoft says it will be adding support for other eye-tracking devices in the future.

See at Amazon

Download and set up eye tracker

To begin, we need to download a bit of software from Tobii to get our Eye Tracker device working.

1. Download the Tobii Eye Tracker software.

2. Select Run when prompted.

3. Plug your Eye Tracker device into your PC via a USB port.

4. In the software installer, tick Agree and then select Next.

5. Wait for the installer to complete, this should take just a couple of minutes.

6. Once the install is complete, select Continue.

7. Select Next.

8. Select "This Display" on the monitor where your Eye Tracker will be set up.

9. Make sure your Eye Tracker is positioned at the bottom center of your monitor and align the lines that are on display with your mouse.

10. Select Done.

11. Make sure the Eye Tracker can see your eyes.

12. Follow the on-screen instructions to calibrate your eye tracker

13. Type your name and select Save.

14. When prompted, press the escape key on your keyboard.

Enable Windows eye tracking

Now that we've set up the eye tracker and software, we need to enable the eye tracking functionality from within Windows 10.

1. First, head to the Windows 10 Settings app and check for updates to make sure we're up to date.

2. In the Settings app, select the Ease of Access category

3. Scroll down and select Eye control.

4. Enable eye control.

5. A bar should now be visible at the top of the screen.

And with that, your PC is now ready to be used with just your eyes. To get started, just glance at any of the four icons in the new eye-tracking bar at the top of the screen and Windows should activate them for you.

Get ready for The Division 2 beta, your chance to reclaim the streets of Washington D.C. a little early.

Tom Clancy's The Division 2 is shaping up to be a potential major hit for Ubisoft, building on previous series traction with a slew of improvements. Headed to the U.S. capital of Washington, D.C., the successor is promising major upgrades through reworked mechanics and deeper end-game activities.

While The Division 2 is set to launch early next year, the game's private beta test is your chance to play at home early. Ahead of the release, we wrapped up everything about The Division 2's beta test, gameplay, requirements, and expected start date.

What to expect from The Division 2 beta

Although The Division 2 is currently on track for a March 15, 2019 release, Ubisoft plans to host a closed beta test prior to launch. As is common among countless video games, this is an opportunity for studios to test gameplay, performance, and server load. For gamers, this is a chance to play a small slice of The Division 2 before its street date.

Specifics on The Division 2 beta are yet to be unveiled, though following The Division's successful 2016 beta, we expect a similar setup. The original test provided a taste of opening missions and progression, as well as endgame activities like the player-versus-player "The Dark Zone." With The Division 2 expected to revive similar core mechanics, don't expect anything hugely different from the beta.

Like most Ubisoft beta tests, you can also expect some form of exclusive cosmetic reward for taking part.

How to sign-up for The Division 2 beta

While many of today's biggest video games tie beta access to preorders, Ubisoft plans to distribute The Division 2 beta invites to those registered via the beta sign-up page. Without monetary commitments ahead of release, this provides the chance for anyone to experience its offerings. This is currently the only announced form of registration, yet signing up doesn't guarantee access.

For now, all you need to do is commit to a platform and wait for future instructions. Here's how to sign up:

1. Visit Ubisoft's The Division 2 beta sign-up portal.
2. Choose your preferred platform from Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Windows PC.
3. Fill the checkbox to agree to the beta terms.
4. Click Sign Up Now.
5. Sign into your Ubisoft account when prompted. A message to confirm your email address will be displayed.
6. Click Confirm to continue to sign-up process. A confirmation message will now be displayed. An email will also be sent to your provided email address.

Going forward, all future updates related to The Division 2 beta will be sent to your email address.

Can we expect The Division 2 open beta?

Leading up to launch, marketing has focused on The Division 2's upcoming invite-only closed beta. Ubisoft has not discussed a public open beta but its existence hasn't been ruled out. To obtain as many signups as possible, we likely won't hear mention of further testing until the closed beta concludes.

We expect a sizeable number of invites among those who register, but an open beta could lie ahead. Looking back at 2016's The Division, Ubisoft hosted an invite-only closed beta, followed by an open beta one month later.

The Division 2 beta start date

Ubisoft hasn't committed to a release date for The Division 2 beta, aside from the promise of playing before launch. With the full game slated for March, the test should commence at least a month before release.

The Division's original beta started in January 2016, ahead of the full launch two months later. With a comparable release schedule, we could see a similar debut during the early weeks of 2019. The first beta also saw 24-hour early access on Xbox One, which could transpire for The Division 2 also.

Your chance to shine

As The Division 2's release nears, we'll be sure to update this article with the latest details on its beta.

In the meantime, The Division 2 is available for preorder at select retailers, ahead of its planned March 15, 2019 release for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Windows PCs. Although we're yet to see availability across major U.S. storefronts, expect listings to surface in the coming months.

The Division 2: Everything we know so far

See at Amazon UK

It's almost like I'm really there

Between the International Champions Cup or your favorite sporting team having a match, watching live events in VR can be quite rewarding. We all wish we could make it out to the stadiums and fields our favorite performers are in, but sometimes that's just not in the cards. But, don't you worry, the other option you have is to watch your favorite shows and sports in VR. Here you can feel like you're actually in the crowd without having to spend hundreds of dollars on tickets. Find it on Oculus here!.

Check out the live events coming to your Oculus Rift and HTC Vive in August!

Next VR

You can find the app for NextVR on your HTC Vive or your Oculus Rift. It offers countless wonders when it comes to watching live events in VR. One of the spectacular events they'll be covering for the rest of July, and into August, is the International Champions Cup. If you've been watching it on your TV instead of inside of your VR headset you're missing out! Outside of the ICC, you can also find a few comedy skits on the 26th and the 30th of July. Find it on Oculus here.

Outside of the live events listed below, you can also check out their line up for live sports. NextVR offers VR viewing for WWE, NFL, NBA, Boxing and even live concerts! You can see all of the channels they offer by clicking here.

NextVR August schedule

• August 2 @ 12 AM: International Champions Cup | Barcelona vs. AS Roma Match Highlights
• August 2 @ 7 PM: Gotham Comedy Live
• August 6 @ 12 AM: International Champions Cup | AC Milan vs. Barcelona Match Highlights
• August 6 @ 12 AM: International Champions Cup | Real Madrid vs. Juventus Match Highlights
• August 6 @ 8 PM: School Night! Live From Hollywood
• August 9 @ 12 AM: International Champions Cup | Real Madrid vs. AS Roma Match Highlights
• August 9 @ 7 PM: Gotham Comedy Live
• August 13 @ 8 PM: School Night! Live From Hollywood
• August 20 @ 8 PM: School Night! Live From Hollywood
• August 27 @ 8 PM: School Night! Live From Hollywood

See on Viveport.

YouTube live events

Another option you have to watch live events on the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift is good ole' YouTube. All you have to do to find amazing live content, at any time, is search "Live Stream" in the search bar. Make sure you subscribe to your favorite live streamers so you can be notified next time they're live!

See on Steam

Oculus Venues

Oculus Venues is the most fun you'll have watching live events in VR. Not only does it put you in the crowd like you're really there, it puts you in a crowd of other viewers as well. Yes, this means you'll have seats in a stadium that you can give commentary, cheer or chat with during the events. People across the world are watching the same shows as you, so why not watch together? This takes bringing a community together to a whole new level.

If you prefer watching alone, no worries! The schedules for Oculus Venues almost mirror the schedules for NextVR entirely.

Late July and entire August Oculus Venues schedule

• July 26 @ 7:00 pm PT: Gotham Comedy Live
• July 28 @ 8:00 pm PT: International Champions Cup: FC Barcelona v Tottenham Hotspur
• July 30 @ 8:00 pm PT: School Night! Live from Hollywood
• August 2 @ 7:00 pm PT: Gotham Comedy Live
• August 3 @ 7:00 pm PT: Lionsgate Presents: Reservoir Dogs
• August 5 @ 7:00 pm PT: Lionsgate Presents: Sinister
• August 6 @ 8:00 pm PT: School Night! Live from Hollywood
• August 9 @ 7:00 pm PT: Gotham Comedy Live
• August 13 @ 8:00 pm PT: School Night! Live from Hollywood
• August 19 @ 7:00 pm PT: Lionsgate Presents: Apocalypse Now
• August 20 @ 8:00 pm PT: School Night! Live from Hollywood
• August 26 @ 7:00 pm PT: Lionsgate Presents: National Lampoon's Van Wilder
• August 27 @ 8:00 pm PT: School Night! Live from Hollywood

See on Oculus Store

What will you be watching?

Tell us in the comment section below, or shoot me a tweet telling me which live events you'll be checking out. Already watched a few? Let us know what your favorites are!

No Man's Sky NEXT drastically changed the game, so here's a beginner's guide to help you get started

With the release of No Man's Sky on Xbox One, the game is finally getting the second chance that it deserves. It notably suffered a controversial initial launch on PS4 in 2016 after its marketing promises didn't live up to the final product. The game's biggest update yet, NEXT, means to change this.

Whether you're just jumping into No Man's Sky for the first time or have been here since the beginning, you may be confused as to where to begin now. Here are some tips to get you started on your journey.

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First or third person

Such a simple aspect can make a world of difference. NEXT introduces the ability to play No Man's Sky in third person. Your game might start you out in third person by default, but should you want to change your camera view, here's how:

1. Press down on the D-pad.
2. Scroll to the left to Utilities.
3. Press up on the D-pad to open the Utilities menu.
4. Select Toggle camera view. Your view will switch between the third-person and first-person options.

The same can be done while in your starship.

You're all alone on a strange planet. What to do first?

No Man's Sky features a nearly limitless amount of procedurally generated planets (18 quintillion, to be exact) so it's impossible for me to guess what hazards you'll face immediately after beginning your game. Will it be toxic rain? Oppressive heat? Radiation? The possibilities are endless, and that's what makes jumping in so intimidating. It's easy to think you'll get screwed by starting out on a bad planet if you're unlucky. And considering the amount of planets there are, there's a good chance you just end up in a dump. But fear not! There are quick and simple solutions.

Unless you're jumping into its Creative mode, I recommend starting on Survival, which is what the game considers its Normal mode. Once you're set onto a planet, you'll immediately know what hazards you are dealing with.

Gather Materials

You might want to charge up your Hazard Protection System when the game tells you its shields are falling, but your first order of business should actually be searching for Ferrite Dust.

Before wandering around aimlessly, search for small rocks near you. These may look different on every planet, but they're easy to spot. You'll use your multi-tool mining beam to gather Ferrite Dust from these. After you gather enough Ferrite, which takes less than a couple of minutes, you can repair your Scanner. This may be the point where you'll want to acquaint yourself with the game's menus, but if you're saving that for later, simply drag your cursor over the Scanner in the multi-tool menu where you view your resources and repair it as prompted.

Charge equipment

The bottom left of your screen displays two bars for life support and your exosuit's Hazard Protection System. Near the beginning of your journey, the latter will be your most pressing matter between the two. Go into your inventory again and find your Hazard Protection Shielding (this should be in one of the first slots in the first row). Hover over it and information will pop up telling you what resources charge that specific item. With your Scanner now fully repaired, you can press the left thumbstick to scan your environment. Symbols will then appear denoting the elements that can be found within range of your Scanner. If you need to charge it with Sodium, for instance, you'll see a waypoint with the symbol Na.

The same steps can be followed to charge your mining beam. See what elements it needs to charge, scan your environment, and follow the waypoints to your destination.

The gameplay loop in this regard is very cyclical and involves gathering resources frequently. When you eventually make your way to your crashed starship (the Scanner will detect this the first time you use it), you'll need to find even more complicated elements and craft different materials to get it back up and running.

Don't instigate fights

This sounds like common sense, but don't start fights you're not ready for. You're already at a disadvantage when starting out and it's easy to get overwhelmed by enemies who could have been avoided. You might see some robotic sentinals scanning the area. Don't attack, just stay out of their way! If you kill one, reinforcements will follow. And if you haven't gathered enough materials to charge your tools, you'll be outmatched. Your HUD should warn you when an enemy is near so you can avoid them.

Acquaint yourself with the menus

They're dense, but important. No Man's Sky is almost a test in micromanagement skills.

No Man's Sky contains various menus for your inventory, missions, discoveries, guide, options, and more. Unless you're interested in the more granular details of your journey or want a more in-depth guide, stick with the menu that displays Exosuit, Starship, and Multi-Tool for now— though the Guide will be useful should you need more specific help regarding its gameplay.

It's within these menus that you'll spend the most time during the opening hours of No Man's Sky. This is where you'll see what resources you have available, what can be crafted, and what can be repaired. All of the symbols may look overwhelming, but I promise they're not.

Recover lost items

If you do find yourself meeting an untimely demise, you can still recover your lost items. A waypoint will pop up on-screen labelled "Grave." Just follow the waypoint until you're at the site where you died and you can gather any items you lost.

The good news about dying early on is that there isn't much at stake and you're not losing a lot of progress.

Start all over

Worse comes to worst and you hate your starting planet? Create a new save file and you'll be plopped onto a whole new one. You have several save files so you can keep doing this as long as you'd like until you're on a planet you're comfortable with.

Creative mode

Don't be afraid to start in Creative mode to get a better feel for the controls and gameplay before diving into the deep end. A lot of "hardcore" gamers tend to scorn the idea of easier modes, but there's nothing wrong with wanting less of a challenge so you can enjoy a game.

You're all set!

When you're accustomed to the game you may want to know what exactly NEXT brings to the table to its complete experience. For that, hop on over here and read everything you need to know about No Man's Sky NEXT.

Now go forth and have fun! If you have any other tips, let us know in the comments.

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Here are two easy ways to create a bootable USB media to install Windows 10 on PCs using UEFI.

If you're planning to install a fresh copy of Windows 10, part of the process involves creating a USB media to boot your device into the setup wizard. However, if you have relatively new hardware, the chances are that you're using Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), instead of the legacy Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) firmware, in which case you also have to ensure that the bootable media supports the firmware that you're using before you can proceed with the Windows 10 installation from USB.

Luckily, when dealing with a computer using a UEFI firmware, there's more than one way to create a compatible USB bootable media. For example, you can use the Media Creation Tool, which is a Microsoft utility that makes it easy to copy the Windows 10 installation files onto a removable drive with support for both, BIOS and UEFI. Or you can use Rufus, a free third-party tool that lets you create an installation media specifically for devices using UEFI firmware.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to create a bootable USB flash drive with support for UEFI using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool and Rufus.

• How to create a Windows 10 bootable media using Media Creation Tool
• How to create a Windows 10 bootable media using Rufus

How to create a Windows 10 bootable media using Media Creation Tool

If you're planning to upgrade or install a fresh copy of Windows 10 on a system using UEFI, you can use the Media Creation Tool to create a compatible bootable media. Just insert a USB flash drive with at least 4GB of storage to your computer, and then follow these steps:

1. Open the official Download Windows 10 web page.

2. Under "Create Windows 10 installation media," click the Download tool now button.

3. Double-click the MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe file to launch the utility.
4. Click the Accept button to agree to the Microsoft terms.
5. Select the Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC option.

6. Click the Next button.

7. Select the correct language, architecture, and edition of Windows 10 if the default selection doesn't reflect the desired options.

   Quick Tip: Under "Architecture," you can select the Both option to create a bootable media that will work for devices using 64-bit and 32-bit processors.

8. Click the Next button.

9. Select the USB flash drive option. (If you don't see the drive, click the Refresh drive list option.)

10. Click the Next button.

11. Select the removable drive you want to use from the list.

12. Click the Next button.

Once you complete these steps, the wizard will download the Windows 10 installation files, and it'll create the bootable media compatible with devices using UEFI as well as legacy BIOS.

How to create a Windows 10 bootable media using Rufus

Using the Media Creation Tool is the recommended method to create a USB bootable media. However, if the option isn't working, you can alternatively download the Windows 10 ISO file from a different source and use the Rufus tool to create an installation media with UEFI support. Simply connect a USB flash drive with at least 4GB of space, and then follow these steps:

1. Open the official Rufus web page.

2. Under "Download," click the latest release of the tool.

3. Double-click the Rufus-x.x.exe file to launch the tool.
4. Under "Device," select the USB drive with at least 4GB of space.

5. Under "Boot selection," click the Select button on the right.

6. Browse to the folder with the Windows 10 ISO file.
7. Select the image.
8. Click the Open button.
9. Under "Image option," select the Standard Windows installation option.
10. Under "Partition scheme and target system type," select the GPT option.
11. Under "Target system," select the UEFI (non CSM) option.
12. Under "Volume label," enter a descriptive name for the drive. For Example, "win10_boot_drive."
13. Under "File system" and "Cluster size," leave the default settings.
14. Click the Show advanced format options button, and make sure that "Quick format" and "Create extended label and icon files" options are selected.
15. Click the Start button.
16. Click the OK button to confirm that the USB flash drive will be wiped out.

After completing the steps, the Rufus tool will create a Windows 10 installation media with support for systems using UEFI.

Wrapping things up

Once the USB bootable with support for UEFI has been created, you can start your device with the installation media to perform an upgrade or clean installation of Windows 10.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

• Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
• Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

With so many Xbox One games and so little time, these are the Xbox Game Pass titles you can't miss.

Xbox Game Pass is Microsoft's all-in-one subscription for Xbox One games, providing access to a Netflix-style library for a flat monthly fee. Priced at $9.99 per month, subscribers gain access to an ever-changing collection of over one hundred games, spanning three generations of Xbox hardware. Among the games are hit Xbox One releases, underrated indies, and an abundance of backward compatible classics.

We've rounded up our ten best games currently on Xbox Game Pass, spanning ten varied genres.

See Xbox Game Pass at Microsoft

Best shooter: Gears of War 4

Gears of War 4 is the latest entry in the iconic Xbox franchise, following a trio of soldiers on their journey to uncover a mysterious new enemy. Beyond its campaign, the five-player Horde mode pits teams against overwhelming waves of enemies, while its Versus mode offers unique competitive multiplayer.

With modes for everyone, and Gears 5 also on the way, Gears of War 4 shouldn't be missed under your subscription. Support for Xbox Play Anywhere brings the experience to PC too, while Xbox One X players receive exclusive visual enhancements.

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Best role-playing: Fallout 4

With the highly anticipated Fallout 76 on the horizon, there's no better time to revisit Bethesda's past hits. Fallout 4 is the latest mainline entry to the post-apocalyptic role-playing franchise, exploring Vault 111 settled in Boston, Massachusetts. After the bombs fall and everyday life ceases, a sole survivor finds themselves on a journey to track their missing son.

Staples of the franchise return in one of the best Fallout games yet, with a deep narrative, expansive open world, countless loot to uncover. The Xbox One version also offers support for an official mods solution and 4K resolution on Xbox One X.

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Best online: Tom Clancy's The Division

With Ubisoft's continued investment in "games as a service" titles, Tom Clancy's The Division has grown strong from flawed beginnings. Set in the heart of New York City, The Division sees players fight to restore peace after a deadly virus ravages the nation. Players must collect gear and fight rival factions, while its player-versus-player (PvP) mode pits rogue agents in tense battles.

While the shared-world role-playing title was heavily scrutinized at launch, regular updates have increased its content and player base exponentially. With The Division 2 set for a 2019 launch, you can jump in for free with Xbox Game Pass, alongside a discount to DLC.

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Best story: Metro Last Light

Metro Last Light Redux offers all-inclusive single-player survival, set among the ruins of Moscow after wide-scale nuclear conflict. Playing as Artyom, a ranger taking refuge in the city's metro system, you'll be tasked with hunting down mysterious creatures known as the "dark ones." You'll need to account for the dangers of the post-war world, such as radiation, mutations, and factions fighting for survival.

Nailing its atmosphere, Metro Last Light is an unforgettable blend of story, survival horror, and first-person combat. With the Redux edition, you'll also receive all DLC, bonus modes, general optimizations, and a slight graphical upgrade.

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Best sports: Rocket League

Soccer and remote-control cars fuse together in Rocket League, which is ideal for fans of both racing and sports titles. Using a variety of rocket-powered vehicles, players must knock the ball into the opposing team's goal, while rebounding off the vertical pitches. A variety of other game modes have since been added, offering support for basketball and ice hockey.

Furthermore, Rocket League sits among the leading cross-platform titles, with multiplayer support between Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, and Linux.

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Best survival: State of Decay 2

With all future first-party Xbox titles headed straight to Xbox Game Pass, State of Decay 2 is the latest title up for grabs with your subscription. This open-world zombie game handles survival differently, putting players in control of a whole community, rather than a single survivor. Managing a settlement comes with sizeable challenges, with a need to gather resources, build defenses and expand to new locations. Just remember to keep an eye on your survivors – permadeath means that one small mistake can kill them forever. Support for Xbox Play Anywhere also brings this game to your Windows 10 PC for free, while Xbox One X owners see a 4K, HDR upgrade.

For those looking for the complete State of Decay experience, the DLC-packed State of Decay: Year One Survival Edition is also available with Xbox Game Pass.

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft

Best strategy/simulation: Cities Skylines

While Cities Skylines first saw success on PC, the city-building simulator has since made its Xbox One arrival. Allowing players to construct and manage worlds of unmatched scale, it comes as no surprise that the game found a strong following. While buyers will encounter challenging and creative opportunities as they build their city, managing resources is a further pillar of gameplay.

On Xbox One, Cities Skylines has also be redesigned around the controller, alongside accompanying user interface enhancements, and 4K resolution on Xbox One X.

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft

Best for kids: Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection

Based on the classic series of PC games, Zoo Tycoon: Ultimate Animal Collection features the tools to build and maintain a zoo on the console. Trials of the classic games return, where players must consider both animals and visitors as they expand their business. Although the game first released alongside the Xbox One in 2013, Ultimate Animal Collection brings new content and visual upgrades on Xbox One X. Furthermore, Play Anywhere support draws the game to Windows 10 PCs.

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Best original Xbox: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic

Among the few original Xbox titles playable with Xbox Game Pass, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is an unmissable classic for any fan of role-playing titles. Set thousands of years before the main line of movies, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic put players in control of Jedi Knight thrown into the galaxy's conflicts. With a diverse set of unique locations, characters exclusive to the game and deep interwoven story, the RPG still provides one of the deepest Star Wars video game experiences on the market.

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Best Xbox 360: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion is often considered one of the Xbox 360's best titles, pushing the boundaries of world-building and storytelling. Oblivion continues Bethesda's line of legendary fantasy role-playing games, exploring the province of Cyrodiil and its magical inhabitants. Despite being over 10 years old, the game features most of the modern-day Elder Scrolls formula.

This game is also among the select Xbox 360 titles with tailored Xbox One X upgrades, smoothly bringing the game back into the current generation.

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Best of the pass

Which Xbox Game Pass titles do you recommend for new subscribers? Drop into the comments section below with your top picks.

For those yet to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass, access starts at $9.99 per month.

See Xbox Game Pass at Microsoft

Achieving Open NAT on Xbox One is key for an ideal gaming experience – here's how port forwarding can help.

Network Address Translation (NAT) plays a huge role in connectivity with multiplayer Xbox One games, deciding how incoming traffic is handled. For gamers, NAT can play a huge role in who you can play with, establishing barriers between players if closed. With the help of port forwarding, your NAT type can likely be quickly improved.

Everything you should know about Xbox One networking

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Why you need Open NAT on Xbox One

When connected to Xbox Live and playing online games, you may have seen terms thrown indicating the leniency of NAT types. This somewhat represents your compatibility with other players, with stricter NAT types often experiencing issues with multiplayer connectivity. A good way of showing how NAT influences connectivity is through a handy grid courtesy of Xbox Support. This shows compatibility between NAT types and why aiming for Open NAT makes for the best overall experience.

On a surface level, users with Open NAT will usually see the best experience on Xbox Live. While getting your NAT open is ultimately the end goal for the best connectivity, this has proven to be difficult for many users. One of the common solutions is port forwarding, helping route gaming traffic directly to your console.

Understanding port forwarding

Ports are essentially digital channels for your router, used for sorting incoming and outgoing internet traffic. Port forwarding makes your console more accessible over the internet, allowing for traffic to be routed directly to your device. Using user-created rules to forward specific ports, connectivity can be drastically improved. More importantly, port forwarding can be configured on a per-service or per-game basis, tailoring your network setup for the best connectivity with certain experiences.

In short, port forwarding can frequently solve many issues related to low-latency games and chats on Xbox One.

How to port forward your Xbox One

To get the most from Xbox Live, we recommend forwarding specific ports recommended by Microsoft. These ports are used by Xbox One and ensure all incoming Xbox Live traffic makes it directly to your console. The below steps provide an outline of port forwarding, although exact steps can vary between router models and manufacturers.

1. Open the Settings app on your Xbox One.
2. Select the Network tab.
3. Select the Advanced settings tile.
4. Note the IP address of your console. This will be required later in the port forwarding process.
5. Note the MAC address of your console. This may also be required for later steps.
6. Navigate to your router login page. For more details on logging into your router, search online for guides related to your specific model.
7. Log into your router using the required credentials.

8. Manually assign an IP address to your Xbox One, using the previously fetched IP and MAC addresses. This action once again varies between models, so search for specifics on your router.

9. Open the Settings app on your Xbox One.
10. Select the Network tab.
11. Select the Test network connection tile.
12. Follow the on-screen steps to ensure your Xbox One connects to your network.
13. Navigate to the port forwarding tools on your router. This action once again varies between models, so search for specifics on your router.

14. Open the following ports, making sure to utilize the correct protocol:

    • UDP: 88, 500, 3544, 4500
    • TCP & UDP: 3074
15. Open the Settings app on your Xbox One.
16. Select the Network tab.
17. Select the Test NAT type tile. You should now have Open NAT on your Xbox One.

Following these steps, you should now have obtained Open NAT on your Xbox One console. If issues occur, ensure your provided IP and MAC address match that of your console, while the correct ports and protocols have been used.

Getting the most from your Xbox

For more tips and tricks related to Xbox One networking, be sure to read our cohesive Xbox One networking guide. Furthermore, if you've been having NAT issues, let us know how port forwarding worked for you.

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Don't have cable TV? That doesn't mean you can't watch live TV on your Xbox One. Here's what you need to know.

OneGuide is one of the core features of the Xbox One, and it integrates cable TV with the console in a single seamless interface. But what if you don't have cable TV?

The good news is you're not frozen out, and you can very easily — in certain areas at least — integrate over-the-air (OTA) TV channels into your Xbox One experience. Here's how.

How to watch live TV with the Xbox OTA Tuner

To get OTA TV channels directly onto the Xbox One you need a tuner that runs between the aerial and the console. They aren't expensive, but depending on where you live they will look a little different. In Europe, for example, there is an official Xbox-branded tuner that's still available, while in North America it's produced by Hauppauge. (That same version is also now available in Europe, too.)

It's an interface with an aerial input on one side and a USB cable on the other to connect to the console. Upon plugging it in, the console will automatically recognize it and send you into the set-up process.

For more information on how to get up and running, check out our full review of the Xbox One TV Tuner.

Xbox One TV Tuner review

As for pricing, it'll cost you $55 in the U.S., while the official Microsoft version can be had as low as £10 now in the UK . The official Xbox-branded tuner seems to have been phased out in favor of this one, but should you be able to find one it'll cost you a lot less than the Hauppauge.

Channel availability will depend on different factors, such as location and the quality of your aerial. If you're in the U.S. and curious about what's actually going to be available in your area, AntennaWeb is a terrific resource.

Without paying for cable, though, the TV tuner is a fairly inexpensive way to pass TV through your Xbox One, keeping it at the heart of your home entertainment setup.

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How to watch live TV with HDHomeRun

Using the official TV tuner isn't the only way to watch TV on your console. If you're using something such as the HDHomeRun to put TV onto your home network, the Xbox One is a great companion.

Not only can you use it with the official companion app, but also with Plex, with the added bonus that both of these services provide access to a DVR.

How to watch live TV with Plex on Xbox One

Microsoft had originally planned to offer DVR functionality for folks using the OTA tuner directly with the console but it was then cancelled. So if you want this kind of feature you're forced to use a third-party solution such as Plex, HDHomeRun or Emby.

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Updated July 20, 2018: We added information to this guide on using third-party devices and services like HDHomeRun and Plex.

No Man's Sky can be challenging right off the bat, but these three tips will help keep you alive.

No Man's Sky recently released on Xbox One, and players are excited to experience the complexity, scale, and detail that its randomly-generated worlds offer. However, before exploring at will, you'll need to survive the perils of your starting planet long enough to repair your ship. We made a full beginner's guide to help you get through most early obstacles, but there are some other things you should be prepared for, too.

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Use what your ship offers you

It's tempting to immediately venture far from your starting point, but your best bet is to stick close to your ship as long as you can. Though it's functionally nothing but a piece of scrap since it needs extensive repairs, that doesn't mean it can't be used as shelter. Violent wildlife, relentless storms, and a toxic atmosphere are all serious threats early on in No Man's Sky, but hiding in your ship gives you a way to hide from or avoid all three.

Let the environment work for you

Once you've exhausted the resources that surround your ship, you will eventually be forced to investigate farther out. This is dangerous because of prolonged exposure to threats, but you can use your surroundings to minimize risks. Various forms of plant life will almost always be useful for creating restorative items to regain lost health, and if you figure out what animals native to your planet eat and feed them some, they'll become friendly with you and highlight points of interest.

If you get attacked by predators or pesky robotic sentinels, or simply need to get away from a storm, caves can serve as emergency shelter. When inside of them, most enemies won't detect you and you'll be unaffected by weather conditions, which allows your shields a chance to recharge.

Get yourself a weapon

While having a solid grasp on how to detect and avoid hostile threats will usually let you remain hidden, there are instances where conflict is simply inevitable. Whether you stumble across a pack of angry carnivores or accidentally let a sentinel see you mining, you'll need a way to defend yourself.

Your best bet is to craft a boltcaster, which functions as a single-fire laser weapon. To make it, you'll need 25 units of both Iron and Plutonium. The former can be commonly found inside rock formations, while the latter resides within large red crystals. Plutonium is a little harder to find, but there's usually a decent amount of it around the outside of your ship. You need more of it to charge your boltcaster if it runs out of energy, though, so don't fight unless it's absolutely necessary.

Your thoughts

What do you think of No Man's Sky? Do you agree with the advice I've offered? Let me know.

Read: Hands-on with No Man's Sky for Xbox One

No Man's Sky is available now on Xbox One for $49.99.

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How do I limit Start menu searches to only my files?

Updated July 31, 2018: Unfortunately, these steps no longer work in Windows 10 version 1803 or newer. To tweak Bing in the Windows search bar, you must now work exclusively with the registry editor.

When you search in the Windows 10 Start menu, it's actually picking up results from both your computer and Bing. While this can be handy, there are several upsides to disabling Bing in Windows 10's Start menu: you'll be able to wade through search results much easier (as they are restricted to items on your machine), and will reduce the work-load when you open the Start menu, if your computer is on the slow side. Ready to disable Bing? We'll help you through the process.

How to disable Bing search in the Windows 10 Start menu

Note: Proceeding through these steps will also disable Cortana, Microsoft's helpful AI assistant.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Type Cortana in the Search field.

3. Click Cortana & Search settings.

4. Click the switch beneath Cortana can give you suggestions, reminders, alerts, and more at the top of the menu so that it turns off.

5. Click the switch beneath Search online and include web results so that it turns off.

If you want to turn Bing searches back on, follow steps 1-4, but click the top switch (beneath "Cortana can give you...") so that it turns on.

Your Start menu

Do you have Bing searches disabled in your Start menu? Why? Why not? Let us know in the comments section below how you have things set up!

The Surface Book 2 continues the revolution for versatile computing form factors, but it isn't without its problems.

The Surface Book 2 is the best device I have ever owned. It's sleek, sexy, relentlessly powerful, and has impressive battery life. However, I have had my fair share of issues with some of its more unique features.

The Book 2, like its predecessor, has a detachable display, which comes with a few benefits. You can use the display separately as a tablet if you want to, but the most useful function here is the ability to reverse the screen, so you can rest it flat for inking, or set the laptop upright in tent mode.

When detached, the dedicated NVIDIA d-GPU becomes separated. The CPU and integrated GPU power the laptop from within the screen. It's this unique design that helps Microsoft get the different segments of the device so flat and so thin, but occasionally the Surface Book 2 will sometimes refuse to detect the d-GPU in the base, even when docked. Thankfully, it seems to be pretty easy to fix.

See Surface Book 2 at Microsoft

Check if your NVIDIA GPU is connected to Surface Book 2

If your Surface Book 2 has been struggling with graphics-intensive tasks such as games or certain types of editing, you might be suffering from phantom d-GPU syndrome. Here's how to check if your Book 2 is correctly seeing its d-GPU:

1. Right click on the Start Menu.

2. Click on Device Manager to open it.

3. Scroll down and select Display Adaptors.

You should now be able to see both your Intel Graphics driver, and your NVIDIA GeForce d-GPU driver. If you can't see the NVIDIA d-GPU, you have a problem.

If you see the d-GPU but still think it's not providing juice to your games and apps, here's a separate article detailing how to force your programs to use the powerful NVIDIA d-GPU in your Surface Book.

Detaching, reattaching, and cleaning your Surface Book 2

The first thing to check is that your Book 2's display is properly docked with your PC, and that the connectors are adequately cleaned. Here's how:

1. Disconnect all USB devices and power charging cables from your Surface Book.
2. Close any programs you can find.

3. Press the Surface Detach key. (See below.)

4. Once it has turned green, and you hear a clicking sound, you can safely remove the display by gently pulling upwards.
5. Locate the connectors as seen in the picture below.

6. Use compressed air to gently remove any dust or lint from the sockets, or a soft cloth with a small amount of rubbing alcohol.

7. Check to make sure no small magnetized metals or other small debris has become lodged in the socket.
8. Gently place the display back on the connectors.
9. Go back to Device Manager (detailed in above section) to see if your d-GPU drivers have reappeared.

Boot Surface Book 2 from the BIOS

Cleaning the connectors seemed to serve as a temporary fix for me, but what fixed it permanently was booting from the BIOS menu (thanks Joshua for the tip).

1. Save all of your work, then press and hold down the power and volume up buttons on the top of the display for around 30 seconds. (After a few seconds, the Surface Book 2 will reboot.)

2. Keep holding the buttons down until you see the Surface UEFI BIOS screen.

3. You do not need to change any settings here. Simply click or tap Exit.

The Surface Book 2 will reboot, having refreshed some BIOS settings. Note that some login tokens for certain apps might expire as a result of this, but now your Surface Book 2 should be able to detect the d-GPU more reliably. You can also check the Device Manager to see if your d-GPU NVIDIA drivers have reappeared.

Surface Support

If none of these things fix your issue, you might need a replacement unit. Consult the guide below on how to get your Surface serviced by Microsoft.

How to get a Surface repair from Microsoft

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

• Windows 10 on Windows Central – All you need to know
• Windows 10 help, tips, and tricks
• Windows 10 forums on Windows Central

The reality of MoviePass might be more complicated than you hoped for.

MoviePass offers an interesting service: for $9.95 per month, you can see a new movie in theaters every day. If that sounds too good to be true, that's because it's turning out to be. While the idea of a flat rate subscription to see multiple movies in a week is certainly intriguing, the reality of MoviePass is turning out to be a lot more complicated.

For starters, you can only see movies in 2D on standard screens, you can't watch the same movie multiple times in a week, and most recently, that flat $9.95 per month? Well, there's now surge pricing (sorry, "Peak Pricing") that you'll need to pay on top of your subscription for popular movies and showtimes. Add to that the fact that the service recently ran out of money one night and was unable to pay for tickets, and what you've got on your hands is a mess.

So if you're looking at all this and thinking about canceling your account, here's how you go about doing that.

How to cancel your MoviePass account

1. Open the MoviePass app on your iPhone.
2. Tap Account.

3. Tap Account Details.

4. Tap Plan & Billing.
5. Tap Cancel next to your plan.

6. Tap the Reason for cancellation drop-down.

7. Tap on a cancellation reason.

8. Tap Cancel Subscription.

9. Tap Cancel Membership.

10. Tap OK.

Just be sure that you want to cancel your subscription when you go to do this. As MoviePass notes, if you cancel your membership plan, you won't be able to reactivate it for nine months.

If you still want to give a movie ticket subscription service a shot, check out Christine Chan's great rundown of the pros and cons of MoviePass, AMC A-List, Cinemark, and Sinemia.

MoviePass vs. Sinemia vs. AMC A-List vs. Cinemark: Which movie subscription service should you get?

Questions

If you have any additional questions about canceling your MoviePass account, let us know in the comments.

Windows 10 will block some apps it thinks are dangerous, but there is a workaround.

Yes, it is a good thing that Windows 10 has security features like Defender SmartScreen built in, but sometimes they get in the way. You really want to install this app — you know there's nothing wrong with it — but you're locked out.

Windows Defender SmartScreen acts as a sort of guard dog while you use Windows 10. It will block you from opening some apps if they come from an unknown place or are created by an unknown publisher. While these steps will get you around the Windows 10 block, you should use them with care. Some apps really are harmful and really will get you in a mess. Only go around the Windows 10 app block if you know for sure that the file is safe.

• How to open a file blocked by Windows Defender SmartScreen
• How to disable Windows Defender SmartScreen
• How to enable Windows Defender SmartScreen

How to open a file blocked by Windows Defender SmartScreen

If a file you know is safe is going to give you trouble when you attempt to launch it, you can quickly give it permission to open.

1. Navigate to the file or program that's being blocked by SmartScreen.
2. Right-click the file.

3. Click Properties.

4. Click the checkbox next to Unblock so that a checkmark appears.

5. Click Apply.

The file should now be treated as safe by SmartScreen and you'll be allowed to open it. If you're running into further problems, try running the program as an Administrator in addition to the steps above.

How to disable Windows Defender SmartScreen

Although not recommended, SmartScreen can be disabled through Windows Defender. If you must completely disable SmartScreen, we recommend re-enabling it soon after.

1. Launch Windows Defender Security Center from your Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.
2. Click the App and browser control button on the left side of the window.

3. Click Off in the Check apps and files section.

4. Click Off in the SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge section.

5. Click Off in the SmartScreen for Windows Store apps section.

SmartScreen is now completely disabled. If you'd like to still receive a warning when a potentially malicious file or program is detected, you can choose Warn in each SmartScreen section.

How to enable Windows Defender SmartScreen

Once you've done everything that SmartScreen was preventing you from doing, you should immediately go back and re-enable it. Even if the file or program you were working with was known not to be malicious, forgetting to enable SmartScreen could lead to big problems in the future.

1. Launch Windows Defender Security Center from your Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.
2. Click the App and browser control button on the left side of the window.

3. Click Block in the Check apps and files section.

4. Click Block in the SmartScreen for Microsoft Edge section.

5. Click Warn in the SmartScreen for Windows Store apps section.

More resources

When attempting to download a file through Microsoft Edge, you might sometimes run into a SmartScreen block. Use this guide to get around it and download the files you want.

How to bypass or disable Microsoft Edge's SmartScreen filter

Updated August 1, 2018: I've refreshed this guide to ensure you're still getting current information about SmartScreen and how to get around it.