Your Phone for Windows 10 is currently in testing, so here's how to set it up.

Want to try out the new Your Phone app on Windows 10? We've got you covered with a quick how-to showcasing all the steps you need to take to get things set up and ready to go.

How to use the Windows 10 Your Phone app

Right now, the Your Phone app only works on Android, and it allows you to see and share photos from your Android device directly on your PC. You must be a Windows Insider for this feature to function at this time. So, to begin, you need to open up the Your Phone app on your PC. You can either search for it or find it at the bottom of your Apps List in the Start menu!

1. If you do not have the app installed, you can download it here.

2. Open the Your Phone app on your PC.

3. Select Get Started to begin the setup process.

4. Select Link phone.

5. Type your phone number and press Send to send a text message to your mobile phone.

6. Select Close and wait for your mobile phone to receive a text message from Microsoft.

7. Once received, tap the link sent to you in the text message to open the Google Play Store on your device.

8. Tap Install to download the "Microsoft Apps" app required for Your Phone to function.

9. Launch the "Microsoft Apps" app and select Get started to begin pairing your phone with the Your Phone app.

10. Make sure you're already a member of the Windows Insider Program and then select I'm already an Insider.

11. Tap sign-in and enter your Microsoft Account details. (Make sure you login with the same Microsoft Account used on your PC.)

12. Tap allow to give the app permission to show your photos on your PC.

13. Select return to Home Screen.

14. On your PC, in the Your Phone app, select see photos.

You should now be able to see all the photos on your phone directly on your PC. From here, you can open them up, edit them, share them, and more! Let us know what you think in the comments!

Learn more about Your Phone here!

If you want to get rid of the built-in Mail app on Windows 10, we'll show you how.

On Windows 10, the Mail app comes with the Calendar companion, and together they offer the default experience to manage multiple email accounts and calendars on your device.

Although the app offers a great experience for most users, it's not for everyone. But if you try to remove it, the Settings app won't allow let you because it's a built-in app.

Luckily, you can use the PowerShell command-line tool to remove the Mail app on Windows 10 permanently or reinstall it to fix sync and other issues.

In this Windows 10 guide, we' walk you through the steps to uninstall the Mail app on your device. And we outline the steps to get it back in case you change your mind or you're just trying to troubleshoot issues.

• How to remove the Mail app using PowerShell
• How to install the Mail app using Microsoft Store

How to uninstall the Mail app using PowerShell

If you're having issues with the Mail app, and the reset option isn't working, or you want to get rid of the app, you can uninstall it using PowerShell with these steps:

Important: Uninstalling the Mail app also removes the Calendar app, as it's part of the experience.

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Windows PowerShell, right-click the top result and select Run as Administrator.

3. Type the following command to uninstall the app and press Enter:

   Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps | Remove-AppxPackage

Once you completed these steps, the Mail app and the Calendar companion experience will be removed from your device.

If you're getting rid of the Mail app because you don't like the experience, you can check out our guide highlighting the best alternative email apps for Windows 10.

How to install the Mail app using Microsoft Store

If you ever need to reinstall the default email app, you can use the Microsoft Store using these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Microsoft Store, click the top result to open the experience.
3. Use the search box in the top right, search for Mail and Calendar, and click the top result.

4. Click the Install button.

After completing these steps, the Mail app, along with the Calendar app, will be available once again in your installation of Windows 10.

If you need help reconfiguring the app, you can use our guide that walks you through everything you need to know to get started with the Mail app.

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

You can prevent Windows 10 from dimming and restricting access to the desktop when you get an elevation prompt request, and in this guide, we'll show you how to do it.

On Windows 10, the User Account Control (UAC) feature works as an additional security layer to prevent malicious code from running undetected on your device. If the feature is enabled (by default it is), when an app requires administrator access, Windows 10 will display an elevation prompt requesting the user to approve or deny the action.

Depending on your settings, you probably noticed that when an app requires elevation, the user desktop dims to display the UAC prompt, and then you're temporarily blocked from the desktop until an administrator allows or denies the request, which is a behavior known as "secure desktop."

If you're noticing that dimming is taking a significant amount of time, or you prefer to retain an interactive desktop, you can disable the dimmed secure desktop using the User Account Control settings, Local Group Policy Editor, or Registry.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to allow access to the desktop and any of the applications you may be running during a User Account Control prompt.

• How to disable secure desktop for UAC using Control Panel
• How to disable secure desktop for UAC using Group Policy
• How to disable secure desktop for UAC using Registry

How to disable secure desktop for UAC using Control Panel

If you want to be able to interact with the desktop when you get a User Account Control prompt, you can use the following steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Click on System and Security.

3. Click the Change User Account Control settings option.

4. Adjust the slider to the third position: Notify me only when apps try to make changes to my computer (do not dim my desktop).

5. Click OK.

After completing the steps, you'll continue to get an elevation prompt request when apps try to make changes to your device, but you'll still be able to interact with the desktop.

You can always reverse the setting by restoring the slider to its previous position.

How to disable secure desktop for UAC using Group Policy

Alternatively, if you're running Windows 10 Pro, you can use the Local Group Policy Editor to disable the dimmed secure desktop behavior 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 > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Security Options

4. On the right side, double-click the User Account Control: Switch to the secure desktop when prompting for elevation policy.

5. Select the Disabled option.

6. Click Apply. 
7. Click OK.

Once you've completed the steps, when you get a User Account Control prompt, you'll still be able to access the desktop and other apps.

If you want to revert the changes, you can use the same instructions, but on step No. 5, make sure to select the Enabled option.

How to disable secure desktop for UAC using Registry

In the case you're running Windows 10 Home, you won't have access to the Local Group Policy Editor, but you can still disable the dimmed secure desktop behavior on Windows 10 by modifying the Registry.

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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

   Quick Tip: On Windows 10, you can now copy and paste the path in the Registry's address bar to quickly jump to the key destination.

4. Right-click the System (folder) key, select New, and click on Key.

5. Name the key PromptOnSecureDesktop and press Enter.

6. Double-click the newly created DWORD and make sure the value is set to 0.

7. Click OK.

After completing the steps, when trying to run a command, executable, or change settings that requires elevation, you'll get the prompt, but you'll still be able to interact with the desktop.

If you want to go back to the previous settings, you can use the same instructions, but on step No. 6, make sure that the value for PromptOnSecureDesktop is set to 1.

We're focusing this guide on Windows 10, but you can also refer to these instructions to stop the User Account Control experience from dimming your desktop when you get an elevation prompt in Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.

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

You can claim free Rainbow Six Siege charms this weekend with Six Major Twitch Drops.

While Ubisoft is gearing up for the next major update to Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, a major tournament is on the horizon. Mid-August marks the "Six Major Paris 2018," bringing together the world's top players for a week of tense tactical shooter gameplay.

Dedicated live streams show the unmissable action as it happens, but Ubisoft is offering further incentives to tune in. Watching the final days on the Six Major Paris grants access to exclusive cosmetic rewards – all completely free.

Here's how to enable Twitch Drops and claim your free charms this weekend.

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft

What are Rainbow Six Siege Six Major Twitch Drops?

Exclusive charms were previously distributed for the USA Pro League 2018 finals.

"Twitch Drops" is a reward system integrated into live-streaming website Twitch, dealing rewards to viewers of select channels. For Rainbow Six Siege, Ubisoft is distributing exclusive in-game items on the platform, serving as a memento for major esports events. These can be earned on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and PC.

Rewards are available across Pro League Finals, Six Majors, and Six Invitationals streams, with the next opportunity being the Six Major Paris 2018. While the entire week-long event is streamed online, Twitch Drops rewards will be enabled from August 17 to August 19 during the quarter, semi, and grand finals.

Rainbow Six Siege Six Major weapon charms

Each of these Six Major charms will be available from August 17 to August 19.

As with previous Rainbow Six Siege Twitch Drops streams, six universal weapon charms have been made for the Six Major. All charms will be available exclusively over the three-day period, making for a coveted item in coming years. Copper, Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond variants of the charm are available, matching with the game's multiplayer ranking system. The longer you watch, the more charms you'll earn, making higher-tier charms harder to obtain.

Ubisoft hasn't been transparent with required watch time for each charm, though Diamond charms have unlocked after a single day of streaming in previous events. We recommend leaving the stream constantly open to be safe, ensuring the Twitch tab remains active and unmuted throughout the show.

How to earn Rainbow Six Siege Twitch Drops charms

To earn Twitch Drop rewards for Rainbow Six Siege, you'll need to prepare beforehand with your Ubisoft account. This means the account used with Uplay on PC, or your linked Ubisoft account on Xbox One or PlayStation 4.

Follow the steps below the enable Twitch Drops for your account:

1. Visit Ubisoft's Twitch Drops portal.
2. Click Login to begin the setup process.
3. Enter your Twitch account credentials when prompted.
4. Click Log In.
5. Enter your Ubisoft account credentials when prompted.
6. Click Log In. (A confirmation message will be displayed on-screen.)

Ubisoft promises to deposit awards August 20, 2018, after the Six Major weekend concludes. Upon their debut, earned charms will appear in your Twitch Inventory, alongside notifications pushed to your Twitch account.

To access the Six Major charms in Rainbow Six Siege, there are no further steps to complete. All unlocked charms will be available when customizing weapon charms in-game. If your charms don't appear, we recommend contacting Ubisoft's support team.

How to watch the Six Major Paris stream

Ubisoft is streaming the Six Major Paris across 16 different regions in their respective languages, via dedicated Twitch channels. Twitch Drops can be earned from any of these 16 outlets, provided the above steps are completed.

Related: How to watch Rainbow Six Siege Operation Grim Sky reveal

To watch the stream in your region, check out the full list of channel links below.

• English
• French
• German
• Spanish
• Italian
• Brazil
• Netherlands
• Russian
• Polish
• Korean
• Australia
• Japan
• Taiwan
• Hong Kong
• Thailand
• SEA

For those uninterested in cosmetics, streams are also hosted on YouTube and Mixer.

Over to you ...

Will you be watching the Six Major in Paris? Drop into the comments section below with your thoughts. In the meantime, for more details on Operation Grim Sky, including its upcoming Operators, reworked map, and fixes, check out our cohesive breakdown below.

Rainbow Six Siege Operation Grim Sky: Everything we know

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft

Check out Windows Central's Rainbow Six Siege hub for in-depth coverage of upcoming content, latest updates, and tips to improve your gameplay.

Setting up FreeNAS, a popular open-source network attached storage (NAS) solution, is not a difficult task. Here's how to get started and configure a working home server.

FreeNAS offers a stable platform for home and office use. From a simple file server to a connected media hub, it's possible to configure FreeNAS to perform a variety of tasks on behalf of other PCs on the same network. Thankfully, to install the OS, it doesn't require much time or knowledge.

What is FreeNAS and why should you use it?

What you need to get up and running with FreeNAS

Before you begin, you need to ensure that you have everything you need. This includes the following:

• A device that meets minimum requirements (see the link above).
• 8GB USB drive (for OS).
• 1GB USB drive or DVD (for OS install).
• FreeNAS .iso file.

In order to install FreeNAS on a free PC, you need to make sure the USB drive is bootable and has all the necessary files. Because disks are fading out in favor of removable media, here's how you can get a USB drive ready to go:

1. Download FreeNAS.
2. Insert your USB drive.
3. Download Rufus (a program to create bootable USB drives).

4. Run Rufus, and select the USB.

5. Click the disk image next to Create a bootable disk using.
6. Navigate to the downloaded FreeNAS .iso file.
7. Select the .iso file.
8. Click Start.

The USB drive is now ready to be inserted into the FreeNAS PC to install the OS.

Installing FreeNAS OS

When firing up your FreeNAS PC, you should see a boot screen that displays FreeNAS as an option. You'll want to select this to continue. If nothing appears, you may need to hit the boot menu shortcut for your motherboard (ours is F11) during startup or make sure the USB drive has been successfully set up. Then do the following:

1. Select Install/Upgrade.
2. Select the spare USB drive (FreeNAS will not install on the one containing the OS so fear not if you select the wrong one) with the spacebar.
3. Hit Ok.
4. Enter a root password.
5. Hit Ok.
6. Wait for the OS to install.
7. Reboot the PC.

Once FreeNAS has loaded, it's possible to select from various entries on the main menu, or detach the PC from a monitor and log in to the web interface from another PC on the same network. The FreeNAS machine should provide a URL, which is essentially the IP that has been assigned to that particular machine by the network. For example, we access our FreeNAS test machine using 192.168.0.13 in the web browser.

Initial FreeNAS setup

After successfully connecting to the machine from another PC, the web interface will walk you through configuring various settings, including language, keyboard layout, and more. It's possible to exit this wizard and do everything manually. We'll run through the Wizard in our setup process to keep everything simple.

1. Enter a pool name (can be unique or simply "storage").

2. Click Next.
3. Choose RAID setup (can be left on "automatic").
4. Click Next.
5. Select desired Directory Service (can be left on Active).
6. Click Next.
7. Enter share name.
8. Select Windows (SMB).

9. Hit Ownership.

10. Enter a username and select Create User.
11. Enter a password.
12. Create a new group and select Create Group.
13. Alter permission boxes to reflect what we have.
14. Hit Return.
15. Hit Add.

16. Click Confirm.

17. Click Next.
18. Only configure this window if you wish to set up email on the server.
19. Click Next.

The web interface will now run through the configuration and apply all changes you made. This may take some time.

Setting up volumes

Here's how to set up a new volume:

1. Go to Storage> Volumes> Volume Manager.
2. Enter a name for the volume.
3. Add an available disk.
4. Configure the volume layout.
5. Click Add volume.

Now you'll need to configure services for sharing and access.

1. Click on Services at the top.
2. Enable SMB.

That's it. This is a basic setup using FreeNAS that will now allow for connections to be made via OS file viewer programs (Explorer on Windows and Finder on macOS, for example). Simply connect through the respective GUI options or directly by using the same IP address that is used for the web interface. A credentials window will pop up asking for login information. Enter the same user account and password you created back in the wizard.

Mapping Windows

In Windows, you can map the FreeNAS location to a specific drive letter so it appears in Windows Explorer as an internal hard drive. Here's how:

1. Open Explorer.
2. Right-click on This PC.
3. Click on Map network drive....

4. Choose a drive letter.

5. Hit Browse.
6. Browse to the network location.
7. Click Ok.
8. Click Finish.

Now a virtual drive will appear in Explorer, allowing for more convenient access.

Your turn to play around

Now's the time to play around with FreeNAS, exploring different aspects of the OS through the web admin interface. You can activate various services that you may desire to use, remembering that this is quite the capable platform that can be deployed as a media center with full support for popular media services, such as Plex. The best part about learning through trial and error is that it doesn't take long to reinstall the OS if you happen to really mess everything up.

Got FreeNAS up and running? Let us know in the comments what you're using it for.

Updated August 15, 2018: We updated this guide to include the latest info on installing FreeNAS.

If you're having problems with a Windows 10 app, you can use these troubleshooting steps to get it up and running again.

On Windows 10, apps you acquire from the Microsoft Store or those that come preinstalled with the OS will sometimes suddenly "break." It could be that your app keeps crashing, you're unable to start it, or the app becomes unresponsive for no apparent reason. Other problems you may face with an app are issues trying to connect or sync content with a particular cloud service.

Whatever the issue, Windows 10 offers a number of ways to fix most common problems with Microsoft Store apps, as well as for built-in apps, such as Microsoft Edge, Mail and Calendar, and Photos.

In this Windows 10 guide, we' walk you through three different ways you can resolve problems with Microsoft Store apps.

• How to fix issues with apps using Microsoft Store
• How to fix issues with apps using Settings
• How to fix issues reinstalling the broken application

How to fix issues with apps using Microsoft Store

When an app isn't working as expected, the first step to resolve any issue involves checking for updates using these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Microsoft Store, click the top result to open the experience.
3. Click the three-dotted menu button in the top-right corner.

4. Select the Downloads and updates option.

5. Click the Get updates button.

Once you completed these steps, if an update is available, the Microsoft Store will download and install it automatically, which may fix the problem.

How to fix issues with apps using Settings

If there isn't an update available, or you're still having the same issue after the update, you can use the reset feature to delete and restore the default settings using these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Settings, and then click the top result to open the experience.
3. Click on Apps.
4. Click on Apps & features.
5. Under Apps & features, select the broken application.

6. Click the Advanced options link.

7. Click the Reset button.

   Important: Some apps, such as Microsoft Edge, include a repair option, which could fix the problem without affecting the app's data. If you see the "Repair" button, we recommend using this option first, before using the "Reset" button.

8. Click the Reset button again to confirm.

After completing these steps, the process will reinstall the app and restore the default factory settings, but your files will not be deleted.

The only caveat to using this option is that depending on the application, you may need to configure it again. If you're having problems with the Mail app, you can use these steps to reapply the settings.

How to fix issues reinstalling the broken application

Alternatively, if you're not dealing with a built-in app, another way to fix problems is by uninstalling and reinstalling the app.

On Windows 10, there are a number of ways to remove an app, but you can always uninstall an app using these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Settings, and then click the top result to open the experience.
3. Click on Apps.
4. Click on Apps & features.
5. Under Apps & features, select the broken application.

6. Click the Advanced options link.

7. Click the Uninstall button.

8. Click the Uninstall button again.

Once you walk through these steps, the app in question will be gone from your computer, and you will have to reinstall it manually using the Microsoft Store.

Reinstalling an app on Windows 10

To reinstall an app from the Microsoft Store, follow these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Microsoft Store, and then click the top result to open the experience.
3. Use the search box in the top right corner to find the app again.

4. Select the app you want to reinstall.

5. Click the Install button.

After completing these steps, you should be able to start using the app without any issues. However, you may need to re-apply some of your old settings.

If everything fails, you can also try to use the "Windows Store Apps" troubleshooter to repair apps on 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

If you bought a Dell XPS 15 (9570) with only 8GB of RAM, you may want to add more. Here's how to double, or even quadruple, the amount of RAM in your XPS 15.

Dell XPS owners upgrade their RAM to as much as 32GB of premium DDR4 2666 MHz memory, but doing so isn't exactly simple, due to specific RAM brands required and difficult-to-manage screws.

That why we put together this XPS 15 (9570) RAM guide.

Dell XPS 15 RAM: Faster or more (or both)?

Before going to the actual how-to, let's talk about why you want to upgrade your RAM. Chances are, you either want more RAM, faster RAM, or both.

If your XPS 15 has 8GB of RAM and you want 16GB, you can easily drop in more memory.

Is 32GB overkill in a laptop? Probably.

Faster RAM is a bit trickier. The XPS 15 (9570) ships with 8GB, 16GB, or 32GB of DDR4-2666MHz (CAS 19) memory, which is great already. The only way to really make it any "faster" is by buying RAM with better Column Address Select (CAS) latency, but this a dubious upgrade and probably not worth the effort or cost alone.

Additionally, there seem to be issues with the XPS 15 9570 handling anything less than CAS 17, making CAS 16 RAM a no-go. Dell is constantly releasing BIOS updates to address this but for now, it means you must be very selective on which RAM you choose.

More RAM also uses more energy from the system, but it's such a negligible amount that you'll barely notice it. In fact, if you're maxing out your current RAM, you're using more power by putting the power-hungry SSD to work as overflow memory.

Finally, the Dell XPS 15 (9570) maxes out at 32GB of DDR4 RAM (a pair of 16GB sticks), but theoretically models with an Intel Core i7 or Core i9 processor could support up to 64GB. However, there are currently no dual 32GB sticks on the market.

How to find the right RAM for your XPS 15 (9570)

Unfortunately, you cannot just buy any random sticks of RAM to put into the XPS 15 (9570), due to some drive and BIOS compatibility issues. The good news is the fine folks on Reddit have cobbled together a working list of what is working and what is not.

Here are two brands and sizes that should work:

• 16GB (2x 8GB) Crucial 8GB 2400 (CT8G4SFS824A) [$156].
• 32GB (2x 16GB) Corsair Vengeance DDR4-2666MHz SODIMM [$350].

Remember it is always preferable to increase RAM amount over RAM speed. If you must pick one, go for more RAM. I do not advise buying less RAM that is clocked faster. The XPS 15 (9570) already ships with fast RAM, so it is the amount we are looking to improve.

RAM upgrade difficulty rating

We previously rated XPS 15 RAM upgrades as simple, but that's changed a bit with the 9570. The actual swapping of RAM is easy, but removing the bottom cover on the XPS 15 (9570) is harder than it should be due to two reasons:

1. Dell used very soft Torx T5 screws that strip easily.
2. Dell used a light thread-locker, which makes them harder to remove.

Doing this upgrade on our XPS 15 (9570), we ended up just stripping out all the screws and using a Torx T6 driver, but it was very hard to remove them. It was arduous, intensive, and if you slip you could scratch the body of the XPS 15.

Having a good Torx screwdriver is a good start. The other is having patience. The bright side is even if you strip out the head of the screw by using a larger format you can still force the screw off. But it can be laborious and stressful.

Difficulty rating: Moderate to hard.

Tools you need to upgrade Dell XPS 15 (9570) RAM

You need Torx and Philips screwdrivers and a small pry tool to help remove the bottom cover on the XPS 15.

You may have your own tools, but I picked up the Kingsdun 14 in 1 Precision Screwdriver Repair Tool Kit on Amazon. Ignore the "for Apple" marketing, as this kit has all bits you'll need for this job, including a Torx T5 screwdriver. It was a mere $14 and includes every tool you will need to work on electronics like a laptop, and it will also likely come in handy in the future.

Kingsdun Repair Tool Kit ($14)

You will also want a clean and well-lit workspace, and somewhere safe to put the screws from the bottom of the XPS 15. An anti-static wrist strap is not necessary, but it's very useful.

Rosewill Anti Static Wrist Strap ($6)

If you would like to purchase some screws in anticipating of having to replace them (not a bad idea at all) this $10 kit has the right M2*3 screws (black) that will fit. They're also regular Philips screws, which will be more convenient later if you need to remove the cover again.

Opening the Dell XPS 15 (9570)

Before you begin, power down (not sleep or hibernate) your laptop and unplug it from the power adapter.

To open the XPS 15 (9570), you should follow these steps

All 12 of the screws holding the XPS 15 together

1. Place the XPS 15 face down. (I recommend using a cloth to prevent any scratches.)
2. Remove the 10 Torx head screws from the bottom edges.
3. Remove the 2 Philips head screws from beneath the XPS label in the center (lift the cover).
4. Pry the cover off gently using a pry tool.

The cover should just click and come off without much force after all 12 of the screws are removed.

Changing the XPS 15 (9570) RAM

The RAM in Dell's XPS 15 (9570).

The RAM is easily found on the opened XPS 15 (9570) as it is right in the middle of the machine and unobstructed. You can see the placement in the above image.

The RAM is held down by clamps on each side of the chip. Using a small pry tool, push the clamp to the side, away from the RAM. Once you do this for each side, the chip should pop up at a 45-degree angle.

The clamps holding the RAM down on the XPS 15

Next, follow these steps to remove and replace the RAM in your XPS 15:

1. Push clamps to the side for each RAM chip. (When RAM is free from the clamps they should pop up slightly.)

2. Gently pull the chip away from the motherboard.

3. Slide in the new RAM (label will be facing out).
4. Gently press downwards on the RAM until you hear the clamps click.

5. Repeat for secondary RAM chip.

Once the RAM is clicked into place, and the clamps are holding it, you can reassemble the XPS 15. Start from the center (under the XPS label cover) then do the four corners and finally fill in the middle and side screws. Do not overtighten the screws because the Torx head screws are soft and you can easily strip the heads. Tighten them gently.

Finishing up your Dell XPS 15 (9570) RAM upgrade

32GB of Corsair 2666 RAM installed on the XPS 15 (9570) via CPU-Z.

When you turn the XPS 15 on for the first time after the upgrade, the display will stay black for around 30 seconds. Don't panic, as the BIOS is checking for changes. Soon you will see a BIOS-like screen informing you that the hardware changed. This is normal, and you can select "Continue" to proceed to boot up Windows.

This screen is normal after you swap out the RAM.

You should not have to change anything in the system BIOS or Windows, as both will just recognize the new RAM. If you want to, you can check that you have the correct speed and amount when the XPS 15 is booting, using these steps:

1. Hit F12 when you see the Dell logo.
2. Go to BIOS settings.
3. Navigate to General > System Information and check Memory Speed.

You should see 2666MHz and the amount of RAM listed under "System Information."

Alternatively, you can use the free app CPU-Z to verify even more details about your system's configuration.

Dell XPS 15 (9570), RAM and you

Were you able to successfully upgrade your XPS 15's RAM? Did you come across any issues? What RAM did you use for your upgrade, and how much? Let me know in comments.

If you need a microSD card for the Surface Go, you should avoid the more expensive options. Here's why.

For some users, the included 64GB or 128GB of internal storage found in the Microsoft Surface Go may not be enough. Thankfully, unlike Apple and its iPad, Microsoft included the option to expand that storage with a microSD slot.

For the purposes of this story, we focused on 64GB memory cards. So which one should you get? The fastest and most expensive (Delkin, $80) or the best-selling and cheapest (Silicon Power, $15)? And what can you do with that card in Windows 10 and the Surface Go?

Check out this new Surface Go guide to microSD cards for answers.

How to expand Surface Go storage using microSD

Using a microSD card on Surface Go is very simple. You just slide it into the slot under the Surface Go's kickstand.

Windows 10 will recognize the drive, and you can begin using it right away. However, if you want to use it for apps, games, and more you need to tell the OS to do so.

What can you do with expandable storage in Surface Go?

Back in the day, SD memory cards were treated merely as external storage that you could keep photos or media on but not install apps or games, limiting their usefulness. By contrast, Windows 10 lets users mainly do anything they want with an SD or microSD card.

By heading to Settings > Systems > Storage > Change where new content is saved, you can choose to have the following put on a microSD card for the Surface Go:

• New apps.
• New documents.
• New music.
• New photos.
• New movies and TV shows.
• Offline maps.

If you already have apps or games installed to the primary drive on the Surface Go, you can navigate to Settings > Apps > Apps & features and move existing software to the newly-mounted microSD card (see above image).

There are limitations, however. So-called Windows 10 "inbox apps" like Mail, Camera, and Calculator, cannot be moved. Likewise, a developer can flag their app or game as not installable to an SD card due to degradation in performance (the popular YouTube app MyTube! is one example).

If you use the app or game frequently, keep it on the main drive and put rarely used apps or games on the microSD card. Even better, try to keep all apps and games on the main drive with just media (music, movies, photos, and documents) on the microSD card, because the performance hit is inconsequential for those items.

The fastest microSD card isn't always the best

Surface Go owners obviously need to pick which card to purchase. Like all flash media, microSD cards range in speeds, class, size, and more.

For this test, we bought three microSD cards to use on the entry-level 4GB Surface Go:

• Silicon Power 64G ($15).
• Lexar Professional 1000x 64GB ($60).
• Delkin 64GB microSDXC 1900X ($80).

The Silicon Power and Lexar options are both Class 10 cards, but the Silicon Power is Ultra High-Speed Phase-1 (UHS-1), and the Lexar is UHS-II. UHS refers to the bus interface for the SD card, and UHS-II or even UHS-III is faster than UHS-1.

The Delkin is the most expensive and is a UHS-II Video Speed Class 60 (V60) meant for 4K video, high-speed photography, and more. It has theoretical read and write speeds of 285MB/s and 100 MB/s, respectively, compared to the "professional" Lexar with 150MB/s and 45 MB/s.

Going by the rule of computers faster is always better, right?. But splurging for the $80 Delkin likely isn't the best choice here.

Using CrystalDiskMark we measured all three cards for sequential read and write speeds.

microSD card comparison

While the $60 Lexar is technically faster than the $15 Silicon Power, the price difference hardly justifies the gains. Meanwhile, the most expensive card – the $80 Delkin – had slower read speeds than the $15 Silicon Power on Surface Go.

In real-world file transfers between the Lexar and Silicon, we saw the following results using the Surface Go 4GB with 64GB of eMMC internal storage.

Transfer from card

• Silicon Power: 1.80GB (2x files) took 33 seconds to eMMC.
• Lexar Pro: 1.80GB (2x files) took 29 seconds to eMMC.

Transfer to card

• Silicon Power: 1.80GB (2x files) took 49 seconds to SD.
• Lexar Pro: 1.80GB (2x files) took 34 seconds to SD.

The Lexar is faster, but the differences are minor.

Surface Go storage speed comparison

The Delkin is a fast card, but it doesn't matter for the Surface Go.

Another real-world test is playing a 10GB MP4 video file in the Windows default video player. Both cards loaded up the video instantly and scrubbing (using the slider to jump to different parts of the movie) works without buffering or delays. There was no discernable difference.

The Lexar and Delkin are not bad cards. The issue is the Surface Go does not seem capable of hitting more than 85 MB/s for read speeds (and 55 MB/s for write) on any card. That is likely a hardware issue although software or firmware could play a part too.

For comparison, the Delkin, when used with the Surface Book 2 (using the SD adapter), managed a respectable 224 MB/s for read and 69 MB/s for writes, confirming our suspicion about Surface Go hardware limitations.

That makes any purchase of an SD card for use solely with Surface Go with over 105 MB/s (anything above UHS-1/Class 10) not worth it.

Therefore, our recommendation is to buy the cheapest UHS-1/Class 10 micro SD card you can find with the storage amount you want (up to 512GB) for use exclusively with the Surface Go. Buying something that is faster or more expensive does not yield significantly better performance and is a waste of money.

The Silicon Power 64GB card used here has a 4.6-star rating on Amazon, ships free with Amazon Prime, and performs just as well as a more expensive card for casual use with the Surface Go.

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If you're encountering issues with your Xbox One NAT, UPnP could be an easy solution.

When encountering connectivity issues on Xbox One, your Network Address Translation (NAT) type is the first place you should look. NAT determines how easily you connect to other players, potentially limiting who you can enjoy games with. While various solutions can alter your NAT type, enabling Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) is generally accepted as the first step.

Related: Everything you should know about Xbox One networking

See Xbox One X at Amazon

Why you need Open NAT on Xbox One

When connected to Xbox Live and playing online games, you may have seen terms 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 (below) courtesy of Xbox Support. This shows compatibility between NAT types and why aiming for Open NAT makes for the best overall experience.

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 to route gaming traffic directly to your console.

Understanding UPnP in gaming

Ports are digital channels for your router, used for sorting incoming and outgoing internet traffic. UPnP essentially allows applications to forward ports automatically, avoiding the hassle of manual "port forwarding." Although they often achieve the same end result, UPnP allows the console to seamlessly request a port, rather than requiring specific port numbers to be entered manually. And for many, it's a simple flick of a switch.

It should be noted that UPnP has seen heavy criticism in the past, due to a long list of security flaws associated with the technology. Malicious programs can leverage UPnP vulnerabilities, simply as a result of its open nature. So there might be some related security risk here. The technology is also far from standardized, meaning implementations can vary between routers, especially on older or less reputable models. It's a case of slightly relaxing security for convenience, though generally, the risk isn't high for home users.

To maintain higher levels of security, port forwarding only creates specific port maps but requires a bit of manual work.

How to enable UPnP for Xbox One

If you want to enable UPnP on your router, the setup process is simple. Steps will vary between router models, though we've provided a general guideline of what to expect.

(Note: Do not use a combination of UPnP, port forwarding, or DMZ when configuring your Xbox One's connectivity. Make sure these are all disabled before moving forward.)

Just follow these steps:

1. Navigate to your router login page. (For more details on logging in to your router, search online for guides related to your specific model.)
2. Log in to your router using the required credentials.
3. Navigate to the UPnP menu on your router. (This action once again varies between models, so search for specifics on your router. If UPnP isn't available, we recommend port forwarding.)
4. Enable UPnP.
5. Save your changes.
6. Open the Settings app on your Xbox One.
7. Select the Network tab.
8. Select the Test NAT type tile. (You should now have Open NAT on your Xbox One.)

If the above steps didn't work for you, we recommend trying port forwarding with your Xbox One. For a step-by-step explainer, check our Xbox One port forwarding guide.

Over to you

Did the above steps solve your Xbox One NAT problems? Be sure to drop into the comments with your experience, or any issues you found along the way.

See Xbox One X at Amazon

Keybinds are there to be changed for this very reason.

Have you wondered why your shooting game is on point in Fortnite, but you continue to lose out in the battle royale mode due to not being able to get the building mechanics working in sync? The issue could well be the default keybinds, which can cause issues with how you access walls, ramps, and more while focusing on landing those killing blows. I'm going to quickly run you through the process of changing keybinds to win more games.

By default, the building is handled using the first four function keys — F1 through F4. Yes, that layout is horrid. Luckily, Epic Games makes it easy to switch it up to something more accessible. Popular streamers have also changed their settings with different professionals opting for specific layouts. If you have a MOBA/MMO mouse like the Razer Naga or Corsair Scimitar, you could bind one of the side buttons to the building of objects.

Or you could choose keys that are easily accessible without having to move your hand from the WASD movement keys. Shroud, for example, tied building walls to Q, floors to X, and ramps to E. As well as these three keys, you could also try out C and F. In order to change the necessary settings, simply fire up Fortnite, click on the main menu in the top-right and choose settings. Hit the input tab and switch out the keybinds you wish to alter.

Now you should be able to get some wins under your belt.

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We Happy Few is tough early on, but these tips will help your chances of survival considerably.

We Happy Few's twisted world is dangerous, especially during the first few hours of gameplay. Since you start with no items, things are pretty difficult. However, there are ways you can make it through the early game if you keep your eyes peeled and use your wits. Here are five tips to help you survive.

Read: We Happy Few review

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Use nature to your advantage

While much of We Happy Few's game world is made up of urban areas, there are plenty of open fields filled with a variety of plants in the Garden District area. A few of these plants can be collected by the player and consumed or used for crafting.

The most useful of these is the Gilead Petal, which comes from red rose plants. These petals can be used to create healing items. Other notable plants include the Night Blooming Nonsuch, which is used to make sneaking easier, and the Rowan Berry, which can be eaten to reduce hunger.

Dress for the occasion

In We Happy Few, clothes make the man. What you're wearing plays a large role in how nearby NPCs will act towards you. If you're in the urban districts where high-strung citizens live, wearing anything other than a clean suit will make others wary. Conversely, if you're in the slums where the societal rejects live, it's best to intentionally damage your suit so you look more like the locals.

Transitioning from a regular suit to a torn suit is easy; just use a rock. However, repairing a torn suit back into a regular suit is a little trickier. For this, you'll need several pieces of cloth, which can be found in many containers or by destroying clothes. You'll also need a sewing kit, which tend to be rare. These items have a low chance of spawning, so grab every one you find.

Stay off the streets

If you don't have the necessary clothing to avoid suspicion in an area, you'll want to stick to the alleyways and backyards. You have a better chance of staying hidden if you're not in the streets, and you can usually still move to where you need to go without too much trouble.

Be smart about how you kill

There will come a point where you have to kill an NPC, either for self-defense or for an important item they have that you need. We Happy Few has no karma system, so you don't need to worry about getting "bad endings" for committing murder. However, you do need to worry about being caught.

Generally, you should only kill an NPC when they're isolated from others. This way, there isn't a risk of you being spotted during the event. Killing carelessly or recklessly can lead to the police searching for you, and while they can be killed, they're difficult opponents.

Get more weapons

You start the game with easy access to a lead pipe, but it breaks fairly easily after a few battles. Most weapons in We Happy Few have low durability, so you'll want to collect every single one you come across. You should also keep an eye out for glass bottles and pointy sticks, as these are arguably the two best weapons early on.

The glass bottle can be used as a ranged projectile, hitting enemies and shattering to do moderate damage. This lets you hit a foe before they are in melee range. The pointy stick is also fantastic because it has a large reach and can cause the bleeding effect on people that you hit with it.

Your thoughts

What do you think of these tips? Let me know.

We Happy Few is available now on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Steam for $59.99.

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You can now detect and block harmful third-party apps using Windows Defender Antivirus, and in this guide, we'll show you how to do it on Windows 10.

Windows 10 comes with Windows Defender Antivirus to protect your device and files against viruses, spyware, rootkits, ransomware, and many other types of malware.

Although the antivirus has been proven to be a very reliable security shield, you can now also enable the Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) protection feature, which allows Windows Defender Antivirus to detect and block certain unwanted apps that are not categorized as threats, but they can increase the chances of your device being infected with dangerous malware or affect performance.

Usually, these are apps that have low reputation, such as apps that bundle additional software or inject unsolicited advertisements into the web browser, and apps that promise to detect and optimize your device, but most of the time they turn out to be scams.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to enable the Potentially Unwanted Application protection feature included with Windows Defender Antivirus to add an extra layer of security on your computer.

• How to enable PUA protection on Windows Defender Antivirus
• How to allow apps blocked by PUA on Windows Defender Antivirus

How to enable PUA protection on Windows Defender Antivirus

To add an extra layer of security, you can enable the Potentially Unwanted Application feature in the default antivirus for Windows 10 using these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Windows PowerShell, right-click the top result, and select Run as Administrator.

3. Type the following command to enable Potential Unwanted Application (PUA) protection feature in Windows Defender Antivirus and press Enter:

   Set-MpPreference -PUAProtection 1

Once you've completed the steps, Windows Defender Antivirus will detect and block suspicious applications that are not categorized as malware, but they may still be potentially harmful.

Checking configuration

If you want to make sure the Potentially Unwanted Application (PUA) protection feature has been enabled, and it's working correctly, use these steps:

1. Open this Microsoft website.
2. Under "Scenario," click the available link.

3. Click the Download the Potentially Unwanted Application 'test' file link.

Once you've completed the steps, if the feature has been enabled correctly, Windows Defender Antivirus will automatically block and stop the app from running on your device.

At any time, you can revert the changes using the same instructions, but on step No. 3, make sure to run this command: Set-MpPreference -PUAProtection 0.

How to allow apps blocked by PUA on Windows Defender Antivirus

In the case that the feature blocks an application you know that can be trusted, you can allow the app using these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Windows Defender Security Center, and click the top result to open the experience.
3. Click on Virus & threat protection.

4. Click the Threat history option.

5. Under "Quarantined threats," select the file, and click the Restore button.

   Quick Tip: You can also click the Remove button to get rid of the unwanted app and other infected files.

After completing the steps, the application will be restored to its original location, and you should now be able to run it without issues.

Do you think that Windows 10 should have the extra layer of protection enabled by default? Tell us in the comments.

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

A major VRidge update has added extra support for using Oculus Go controllers with SteamVR.

Thanks to some savvy developers, it's possible to stream SteamVR games to mobile VR systems, like Oculus Go. I already wrote a guide on using Air Light VR (ALVR) to get this done, but a recent update to RiftCat's VRidge software, an alternative method for streaming, has added better controller support. This is key when trying to make up lost ground between the two motion controllers PC-based VR uses and the single controller used with the Oculus Go. Let's take a look at how to get everything set up, as well as what to expect when using a Go controller with SteamVR games.

Related: Best laptops for VR

How to install VRidge on your PC

First, you need to install VRidge on your PC. A free version is available, but it limits play time to 10 minutes per session. If you'd like, you can purchase a full version of VRidge for about $17.

1. Navigate to the VRidge download webpage at RiftCat's website.
2. Click Download.

3. Click Save.

4. Click Run.

5. Click Accept.

6. Click Install.

7. Click Start RiftCat. You can leave the client running on your PC while you get VRidge set up on your Oculus Go.

How to install VRidge on your Oculus Go

Now you need to get VRidge set up on your Oculus Go.

1. Navigate to the RiftCat key webpage.
2. Click Register. If you already have a RiftCat account, enter your username and password to proceed.

3. Type your email address.

4. Type a password.

5. Type your password again to confirm.

6. Click the checkbox next to I accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

7. Click Register.

8. Highlight and copy the unique Oculus key displayed on the page.

9. Navigate to the Oculus key redeem webpage.

10. Paste the RiftCat VRidge code into the field.

11. Click Redeem.

The next time you start your Oculus Go, VRidge will show up in your library. If it doesn't check the Uninstalled section and select it to install.

How to stream SteamVR games to your Oculus Go

Now that everything is downloaded and installed, you can start streaming SteamVR games to your Oculus Go.

1. Launch the VRidge app on your Oculus Go.
2. Click Yes in the RiftCat client on your PC.
3. Launch a SteamVR game on your PC.

4. Click the Play button in the RiftCat client if it does not start automatically.

You should now be able to see the SteamVR game within your Oculus Go.

Using your Oculus Go controller with SteamVR

Most SteamVR games are designed to work with two motion controllers, each with six degrees of freedom (6DOF). Unfortunately, the Oculus Go only has a single controller with three degrees of freedom (3DOF), so you won't get the same experience, but VRidge has added better support for button mapping.

The Go controller's trigger remains the same, but the touchpad now has four extra inputs along its edges.

• Menu: Press the upper part of the touchpad.
• Grip: Press the left or right side of the touchpad.
• System: Press the bottom part of the touchpad.

Running your thumb along the middle touchpad will still emulate a joystick, allowing you to move as normal. It will take a bit of getting used to, but tapping the edges for extra buttons does come in handy and should prove to make most SteamVR games a bit more accessible when streaming to the Oculus Go.

Related resources

• How to play SteamVR games on Oculus Go with ALVR
• Best HTC Vive games set to launch on SteamVR this month

If you're running Windows 10 32-bit, you can use these steps to make the switch to the 64-bit version without spending a dime.

Windows 10 is available in 32-bit (x86) and 64-bit (x64) architectures, and if your PC is using a 32-bit installation, you can upgrade to 64-bit as long as you have a capable processor and enough memory.

Although both architectures include the same set of features, the 64-bit version of Windows 10 unlocks support of up to 2TB of RAM, which overcomes the 4GB of RAM limitation found in the 32-bit variant.

This additional access to memory enables you to run more apps simultaneously, and it improves productivity with memory-intensive tasks, such as video editing, virtual machines, and web browsing when dealing with a lot of open tabs. In addition, you can run x64 as well as x86 applications, something that it's not possible on a 32-bit installation.

Unlike upgrading from Windows 10 Home to Pro, switching from 32-bit to 64-bit doesn't require to purchase a new license. However, there's not an in-place upgrade path to switch, which means that if you're planning to move to a different architecture, you must perform a clean installation of the OS.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to upgrade from the 32-bit to the 64-bit version of the OS.

• How to check if Windows 10 64-bit is compatible with your PC
• How to upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit version of Windows 10

How to check if Windows 10 64-bit is compatible with your PC

You can only install the 64-bit version of Windows 10 on compatible hardware, which means that the first step to leaving 32-bit behind, you have to determine if your computer has a 64-bit processor and at least 2GB of RAM.

Checking 64-bit compatibility using Settings

To check if you have a compatible processor, you can use the Settings app with these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on About.

4. Under "Device specifications," check the System type details.

If it reads 32-bit operating system, x64-based processor, then your device is running a 32-bit version of Windows 10 on a 64-bit processor. If it reads 32-bit operating system, x86-based processor, then your device doesn't support the 64-bit version of Windows 10.

While in the "About" page, also check the Installed RAM details, and make sure that your device has at least 2GB of memory, as it's the minimum amount required to install the 64-bit version of the OS.

Checking additional CPU compatibility

While most newer devices are likely to meet the minimum requirements to run Windows 10, if you have a relatively old system, you also want to make sure that the processor includes these required features:

• Physical Address Extension (PAE).
• No-eXecute (NX).
• Streaming SIMD Extensions 2 (SSE2).
• CMPXCHG16b (CX16).

The installation wizard always checks for hardware compatibility, and it won't continue with the installation if the processor does not support these features. However, you can also check if the processor includes these features using Microsoft Sysinternals Coreinfo tool using these steps:

1. Open the Microsoft Sysinternals website.

2. Click the Download Coreinfo link.

3. Right-click the Coreinfo.zip folder and select the Extract all option.

4. Click the Extract button.

5. In the File Explorer address bar, type cmd, and press Enter to open Command Prompt in the folder location.

6. Type the following command and press Enter:

   coreinfo

7. Use the Ctrl + F keyboard shortcut to open the find command, and look for these features:

   • PAE.
   • NX.
   • SSE2.
   • CX16.

After completing the steps, if all the features are present, then you can upgrade to Windows 10 64-bit.

Checking device driver compatibility

Additionally, you want to make sure that other components, such as video and sound cards are also 64-bit compatible as 32-bit drivers won't work.

If you have a device that is only a few years old, there's a good chance that there are drivers designed for the 64-bit version of Windows 10. However, it may not always be the case, as such before switching from 32-bit to 64-bit, make sure to check with your manufacturer support website to see if there are 64-bit drivers available for download.

How to upgrade from 32-bit to 64-bit version of Windows 10

Microsoft doesn't offer a direct path to switch architectures, but you can make the jump from 32-bit to 64-bit performing a clean installation of Windows 10.

Creating bootable media

To perform a clean installation of Windows 10, you'll need to use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable media. Just insert a USB flash drive with at least 4GB of storage to your device, and 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 and edition of Windows 10, and choose the 64-bit (x64) option for "Architecture."

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've completed the steps, the wizard will download the required files, and it'll create the bootable media compatible with Windows 10 64-bit.

Installing Windows 10 from scratch

To do a clean install of Windows 10, restart your computer with the bootable media, and then follow these steps:

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that you'll be making significant changes to your current installation that can cause problems and data loss if you don't do it correctly. It's recommended to make a full backup of your PC before proceeding.

1. On "Windows Setup," click the Next button.

2. Click the Install Now button.

3. If you're installing Windows 10 for the first time or upgrading a previous version, you must enter a genuine product key. However, if you're reinstalling Windows 10, you can click the I don't have a product key link to continue (assuming that your device was already properly activated).

4. Click the Next button.

5. Select the edition of Windows 10 (if applicable). This selection must match the edition your license activates.
6. Click the Next button.
7. Check the I accept the license terms to agree.

8. Click the Next button.

9. Click on the Custom: Install Windows only (Advanced) option.

10. Select the partition with the current installation of Windows (usually "Drive 0"), and click the Delete button to remove the partition from the hard drive.

    Quick Tip: If you have multiple partitions, on the primary hard drive (Drive 0), you can select and delete each one of them. Windows 10 will recreate the required partitions automatically. However, you don't have to delete partitions on secondary drives.

11. Select the empty drive (Drive 0 Unallocated Space).

12. Click the Next button.

After completing the steps, the setup will install the 64-bit version of Windows 10 on your computer, and after several reboots, you'll need to continue with the on-screen directions to complete the Out-of-box experience (OOBE) setup the OS with your preferences.

Finally, make sure to go to Settings> Update & Security> Windows Update, and click the Check for updates button to download the latest security patches, drivers, and software updates.

If some of the device drivers are not available using Windows Update, you'll need to check your manufacturer support website to download and install the 64-bit version of the drivers. Also, don't forget to reinstall your applications and restore your files from backup.

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

Bias lighting looks awesome, and it can help your eyes.

Bias lighting for PCs is something you might have seen before but never known what exactly it was. Simply put, it's a series of (usually) LED lights that you place on the rear of your PC monitor or TV, creating a kind of halo effect that projects behind it.

Not only does it look amazing, but it's affordable and there are some actual benefits for your eyes.

This excellent post from PCPartPicker outlines some of the positives:

If you use your computer in complete darkness a lot, the sudden drop in luminance from your monitor to the surrounding darkness creates a sharp contrast that your eyes strain to manage.

The second benefit is what gives it the name 'bias' lighting. The color of the light used behind the display changes how your brain interprets the colors from the display itself, i.e., you bias your brain's color interpretation. If you shine an orange light behind the monitor, you perceive everything on-screen as slightly more orange. Same with every bias color, including white.

White light can actually help your brain to perceive more accurate colors, which is beneficial to anyone who does creative work where accuracy is a necessity.

If all of this sounds interesting, the good news is it's really low-cost and very simple to install.

A kit like this one is a great example of what to look for, and there are plenty of options out there. Make sure to find one that's powered by USB, because you'll be able to just plug it into your PC, or even your monitor to power it. No additional power outlets are required.

You'll also need to make sure you get the right length to go around your monitor. Attaching it is simple, because the kits come with adhesive strips on the rear so you literally just need to stick them on, plug them in and go with the glow.

You don't have to go with white, either. Other colors will change your perceptions a little, but whatever you go for you'll feel a benefit if you work a lot at night on your PC. Eyestrain is common if you spend long hours looking at a PC screen, so anything you can do to help make the effects less is worth the effort.

See at Amazon

Updated August 19, 2018: We added some fresh new bias lighting recommendations to get you off and running!

Find the perfect Xbox One controller for you with our complete list of special and limited edition controllers up for grabs.

Since the Xbox One's 2013 debut, Microsoft has launched an array of unique and stylish Xbox One controllers, even providing the opportunity to design your own. While the standard issue Xbox One controller gets the job done, designs based on various franchises, patterns and aesthetics make it easy to find one that truly expresses you. We've rounded up every special edition and limited edition controller available for Xbox One so far and where to find them.

• Every Xbox One console released so far
• Best Xbox One controller of 2018

Third generation Xbox One controllers

This is the latest revision of the Xbox One controller, which offers several improvements over its predecessor. Among its highlights is Bluetooth connectivity for PCs and a textured grip on the rear. Third generation Xbox One controllers can be identified by their single face plate which surrounds the Xbox button. The design was first introduced with the launch of the Xbox One S in 2016.

Phantom Black

The Phantom Black controller features one of Microsoft's more unique designs, comprised of a blend of black and champagne gold. Its translucent plastic uncovers its internals, while a rugged texture grip keeps your hands firm on the trigger. The Phantom Black Xbox One controller is now available for preorder at $69.99, ahead of an expected September 11, 2018, release.

See at Microsoft Store

Gray/Blue

Another simple colorway returns with the Gray/Blue design, blending dark gray, light gray, and blue accents into a single controller. This controller once again packs Microsoft's textured back, keeping your grip firm over previous controllers. The Gray/Blue Xbox One controller is now available for preorder at $69.99, ahead of an expected October 9, 2018, release.

See at Microsoft Store

Armed Forces II

Delivering a modern take on a classic design, the Armed Forces II Special Edition revives the same angular lozenge camouflage of its predecessors. This military-inspired aesthetic has been explored multiple times, though this latest revision brings the benefits of the third-generation feature set. The Armed Forces II Special Edition is now available, priced at $64.99.

See at Microsoft Store

Sport White

Bearing similarities to the "Tech" line, this Sport White special edition controller is one of Microsoft's sleekest yet. Its clean white military-inspired design is paired accompanying mint and silver accents, while the rubberized diamond finish helps you maintain grip. The Sport White design is currently available from various retailers, priced at $69.99.

See at Microsoft Store

Combat Tech

Combat Tech is the latest entry in the "Tech" line of Xbox One controllers, featuring a sleek look embracing a dark military green. Featuring the signature diamond grip, icons embossed down the center and matching accents, this controller fully embraces military design.

See at Microsoft Store

Sea of Thieves

The Xbox One's latest game-themed controller takes inspiration from Sea of Thieves– Microsoft's upcoming pirate-themed adventure title. With a sleek nautical design plucked from the depths, the controller stands out as one of the most distinct yet. Among its highlights is a translucent purple casing etched in barnacles, a gold trigger resembling a pirate's tooth and a glow in a dark skull symbol. The Sea of Thieves controller retailed for $74.99 and while stock has depleted, some units still surface online.

See at Microsoft StoreSee at Amazon

Project Scorpio

Microsoft first formally discussed the Xbox One X at E3 2016 under its "Project Scorpio" codename, prior to settling on a formal name for the device. While the codename has since been dropped, the "Project Scorpio Edition" console and controller pays homage with its unique branding. The Project Scorpio Edition controller can be picked up via the Xbox One X bundle and isn't sold separately.

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Minecraft Creeper

This Creeper design is a one of a pair of Minecraft controllers, designed around the game's iconic foe. On the front, you'll find the Creeper's face, reconstructed in a subtle, yet identifiable tile pattern. The A, B, X and Y buttons are represented in a blocky Minecraft front, while a secret explosive surprise lies under the battery pack. Although the controller is available for standalone purchase at $64.99, dedicated fans can also pick up the controller in the Minecraft Xbox One S bundle.

See at Microsoft StoreSee at Amazon

Minecraft Pig

Minecraft fans also have the choice of the limited edition Pig controller, based on everyone's favorite porky friend. Like the Creeper controller, the Minecraft Pig design features the pig face on the front of the controller in a tiled pattern. The A, B, X and Y buttons have also been skinned with a blocky Minecraft font, while the rear is rounded off with a curly tail. The Minecraft Pig controller can be purchased standalone for $64.99.

See at Microsoft StoreSee at Amazon

Volcano Shadow

The Volcano Shadow controller offers a fiery twist to "shadow" line of designs, with a black gradient descending into a metallic orange base. Characterized by its shifting colors, black buttons, and red accents, you won't find a controller hotter than this. The Volcano Shadow is currently available from various retailers, priced at $69.99.

See at Microsoft StoreSee at Amazon

Patrol Tech

Inspired by modern military forces, the Patrol Tech Xbox One controller offers a utilitarian design with a sleek finish. Complementing its dark blue faceplate, the Patrol Tech controller features a rubberized, etched diamond grip and three stacked icons down the center. The Patrol Tech controller is currently priced at $69.99.

See at Microsoft StoreSee at Amazon

Gray / Green

This controller offers a simple yet striking colorway, blending a two-tone gray design with subtle green highlights. While soft gray makes up a majority of the controller, bright green accents lay hidden underneath the two thumbsticks. The Green/Gray Xbox One controller is available for $64.99 in the U.S.

See at Microsoft StoreSee at Amazon

Recon Tech

As the first of the "Tech" line of controllers, Recon Tech established the sharp, modern design used across future entries. Defining aspects of the controller are its warm grey base color, diamond grip etched in gold and three minimalistic icons down the center. This model has been discontinued, however remaining stock is available from some retailers.

See at Microsoft StoreSee at Amazon

Ocean Shadow

The Ocean Shadow controller features a metallic blue merging into a rich black. Complemented by black buttons highlighted with blue accents, the controller offers a simple yet distinct look. This controller is currently priced at $59.99 at most retailers.

See at Amazon

Winter Forces

The Winter Forces Xbox One controller is draped in a lozenge camouflage, comprised of various polygonal shapes. Taking advantage of clean whites and lighter grays, this controller is perfect for any arctic operation. The Winter Forces controller is currently available for $59.99.

See at Microsoft StoreSee at Amazon

Green / Orange

This controller comes in a dark military green, with matching buttons, thumbsticks and triggers. Hidden underneath the thumbsticks are sharp neon orange highlights, contrasting with the main body. This controller retails for $59.99 in the U.S.

See at Microsoft StoreSee at Amazon

Red

For those that want something simple, yet striking, nothing beats the red Xbox One controller. With a vibrant red front and a darker tone on the rear, this controller is a fit alternative to the standard black or white colorways. This controller is available for $54.99.

See at Microsoft StoreSee at Amazon

Blue

Like its red alternative, this Xbox One controller comes in a bright blue. On the front, you'll be getting a vibrant flat blue, while the back and accents rock a darker tone. This controller is available for $54.99 across most retailers.

See at Microsoft StoreSee at Amazon

Dawn Shadow

The Dawn Shadow Xbox One controller embraces an eye-catching metallic magenta rising into to matte black finish. Having sold fast at launch and since being discontinued, the remaining stock can be hard to come by.

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Military Green

Coinciding with the launch of Battlefield 1, Electronic Arts' brutal First World War shooter, a special edition Xbox One S bundle hit the market. Packing a unique military green 1TB console, a matching controller and a copy of Battlefield 1, the bundle proved the best way to experience the game on Xbox One. While Microsoft has since discontinued the console, the remaining stock is still circulating among retailers.

See at Amazon

Deep Blue

Shortly after the launch of the Xbox One S, a 500 GB variant of the console was released in "Deep Blue" across select regions. Packaged alongside Battlefield 1, Gears of War or FIFA 17, this was the only way to obtain a "Deep Blue" Xbox One controller.

See at Amazon

Storm Grey

Like the Deep Blue console, a "Storm Grey" variant of the 500 GB console was available in select regions. Included in this bundle was a Storm Grey console, matching all-grey controller and a copy of Battlefield 1 or FIFA 17.

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Gears of War 4 Crimson Omen

The Crimson Omen controller was one part of controller duo, based on Microsoft's Gears of War shooter series. Celebrating the game's fourth main installment, this controller reflected its brutal universe, etched with lasers and painted with a gritty design. This controller is still available today, priced at $64.99.

See at Microsoft StoreSee at Amazon

Gears of War 4 JD Fenix

The second controller in the Gears of War 4 series opted for a grey and blue color scheme based on the game's protagonist, JD Fenix. With a rustic form similarly styled to Fenix's armor, this controller is a must-buy for any Gears fan. This controller is also still available, priced at $64.99.

See at Microsoft StoreSee at Amazon

Second generation Xbox One controllers

The second generation of Xbox One controller delivered a welcome revision of the original design, adding a dedicated 3.5 mm headphone jack next to the proprietary accessory port. This allowed standard 3.5 mm headsets to be used on the device without a Xbox One Stereo Headset Adapter. The second generation design was first introduced in June 2015 and retired one year later for the launch of the Xbox One S.

Gears of War 4 Elite

Microsoft raised the bar for special edition peripherals with this Gears of War Elite controller. Etched with lasers, brutal battle scars and several layers of detail, this Gears of War Elite truly captures the aesthetic of the universe itself. As an Elite controller, it features removable joysticks, fully configurable buttons, interchangeable d-pad options and four additional paddles for extra tactical control. However, due to the design of the Elite line, you'll be losing out on Bluetooth connectivity. Don't expect these to come cheap either, with remaining controllers scarce at high price point.

Dusk Shadow

Taking influence from the skies, the Dusk Shadow controller offers a deep metallic blue, slowly descending into a matte black finish. The controller also features black thumbsticks and buttons, with blue highlights on A, B, X and Y. This controller has since been discontinued, although stock remains through select retailers.

See at Amazon

Copper Shadow

In contrast to its Dusk Shadow partner, this controller features a metallic copper and black finish, bound to grab attention. Black thumbsticks and buttons are also included, with stylish copper highlights on A, B, X, and Y. This controller has also been discontinued but lucky buyers may find stock at some retailers.

See at Amazon

Halo 5: Guardians Master Chief

Marking the release of Halo 5: Guardians, Microsoft released two limited-run controllers, designed around the game's main characters. One of these captures the series' most iconic figure, the Master Chief, with a green and gold design mimicking his unique armor. This controller has been discontinued, however, several retailers still stock the item for a markup.

See at Amazon

Halo 5: Guardians Locke

The second controller within the Halo 5: Guardians line is inspired by Spartan Locke, the Master Chief's main foe throughout the game. Designed to replicate gunmetal plating with blue highlights, the controller fully captures the styling of the character's armor. This controller is also stocked at a variety of retailers, sold at a markup.

See at Amazon

Armed Forces

Covered by lozenge camouflage in an iconic military green, the Armed Forces controller perfectly captures military operations. With a design made of angular polygons, the controller offers a unique blend of sharp, modern geometry and the natural feel of the wilderness.

See at Amazon

Lunar White

The Lunar White Xbox One controller provides one of the best premium designs to date, embracing a space-age aesthetic of white, black and gold. While the matte white finish and black highlights make for a sleek design, the gold directional pad and triggers provide a look out of this world.

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Forza Motorsport 6

Marking the launch of Forza Motorsport 6, 2015's entry to Microsoft's racing franchise, a special edition controller was released. Its dark navy color scheme is layered with dual racing stripes, and two silver triggers on the rear. This controller has since been discontinued, meaning collectors will now pay an above-retail price.

See at Amazon

Covert Forces

Take part in only the most surreptitious operations with the Covert Forces controller, which features a dark camouflage design. This controller takes influence from the original Camouflage controller, however, with a dark gray color scheme. This controller was the first of the second-generation controllers, debuting the 3.5 mm headphone jack for stereo audio and voice chat.

See at Amazon

First generation Xbox One controllers

The first generation Xbox One controller design made its debut with the launch of the console in 2013. While the core functionality of the controller remains, several improvements were seen in future revisions.

Midnight Forces

The Midnight Forces controller offers a nocturnal take on the original camouflage design, embracing blues and blacks in a darker theme. This controller also features black analog sticks and a metallic directional pad.

See at Amazon

Call of Duty Advanced Warfare

Paired with the launch of Call of Duty Advanced Warfare, this special edition is the only official Xbox One console based on the world-famous shooter franchise.

See at Amazon

White (Sunset Overdrive)

Paired with the release of Sunset Overdrive, Microsoft released a special edition Xbox One console, offering the first widely-available design since the console's launch. Alongside a white console, a matching controller was also produced, available exclusively through this bundle. Although this console has since been discontinued, the complete package is still available from select resellers.

See at Amazon

Camouflage

Classic camouflage made its arrival on Xbox One with this controller, delivering the first patterned design in the range. With a clean lozenge design, the controller rocks an array of green polygons to keep you hidden from foes. This controller is based on the first revision of the Xbox One controller, however, a similar updated model is available through the "Armed Forces" design.

China Day One

Although the Xbox One first hit store shelves in late 2013, it took almost a year for the console to reach China. After a lengthy console ban, the Xbox One was the country's first official console in 14 years. Commemorating its arrival, a "China Day One" bundle was released, featuring a 500 GB console and a branded controller. This controller is especially hard to find, with most units understandably residing in China.

Titanfall controller

This controller was the first themed special edition Xbox One controller, tying into the release of Respawn's Xbox-exclusive shooter, Titanfall. Designed around the game's near-future technology, the controller embraces a clean white and orange color scheme of the Frontier. Today, the Titanfall controller is hard to find in a new condition.

See at Amazon

Launch Team

Celebrating the efforts of the Xbox One team, a limited-run console was distributed to select Microsoft employees. With "I Made This, Launch Team 2013" printed on the console and controller, few Xbox collectibles are as rare as this. Just don't expect to get one, unless you're willing to drop several hundred dollars.

Day One

Kicking off the launch of Xbox One, the special edition "Day One" edition of the controller was issued. While a similar design to the standard first-generation Xbox One controller, the Day One controller was defined by its "Day One 2013" branding in the center. This controller was only available as a part of the Day One console bundle available on launch day.

Over to you!

What controller are you using? Are there any franchises you would like to see Microsoft develop a special edition controller for? Let us know in the comments.

Updated August 20, 2018: Updated this article with the next upcoming designs.

You can prevent Windows 10 from showing the first sign-in animation feature after a new OS install, and in this guide, we show you how.

On Windows 10, after completing the setup on a new installation, upgrade, or when signing in to a new account, you're greeted with the "first sign-in animation" that features several messages as the account environment gets configured.

Usually, you'll see three messages, including "Hi,""We're getting everything ready for you," and "This might take several minutes," followed by one or two additional messages depending on whether you're finishing up an installation or signing in to a new account.

If you're an IT administrator trying to streamline the setup process, or you'd prefer not to see this greeting and want to access an account more quickly, it's possible to disable the Windows 10 first sign-in animation using the Local Group Policy Editor or the Registry.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to prevent the sign-in animation for appearing when users access their accounts for the first time or after an installation.

• How to disable first sign-in animation using Group Policy
• How to disable first sign-in animation using Registry

How to disable first sign-in animation using Group Policy

If you're running Windows 10 Pro, the easiest way to disable the first sign-in animation is using the Local Group Policy Editor. Follow 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 > System > Logon

4. On the right side, double-click the Show first sign-in animation policy.

5. Select the Disabled option.

6. Click Apply. 
7. Click OK.

Once you complete these steps, every time a user signs in to Windows 10 for the first time they will no longer see the welcome animation.

If you change your mind, you can roll back the previous settings using the same instructions, but on step No. 5, make sure to select the Not Configured option.

How to disable first sign-in animation using Registry

On a device running Windows 10 Home, you won't have access to the Local Group Policy Editor, but you can still disable the sign-in animation using the Registry with 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. We recommend making 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\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

   Quick Tip: On Windows 10, you can now copy and paste the path in the Registry's address bar to quickly jump to the key destination.

4. Right-click the System (folder) key, select New, and click on Key.

5. Name the key EnableFirstLogonAnimation and press Enter.

6. Double-click the newly created DWORD and make sure the value is set to 0.

7. Click OK.

After completing the steps, the animation during the first sign-in should no longer appear on Windows 10.

If you want to revert the changes, you can use the same instructions, but on step No. 4, make sure to right-click the EnableFirstLogonAnimation DWORD, and then select the Delete option.

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

Download and install iCUE from Corsair to get the most out of your new mouse.

Just like other PC accessory brands out there, Corsair has its own software suite available for download. Called "iCUE," the suite is able to handle the configuration of macros, manipulating RGB lighting, and much more. Here's how to quickly set up your new Scimitar mouse, though the steps for other Corsair mice are also similar.

Configuring your Scimitar mouse's side buttons

The Scimitar is an excellent mouse for MOBAs and MMORPGs, but it doesn't simply "work" out of the box. You need to do a little tinkering to get the buttons on the side of the pointer to work. Luckily, with iCUE, it's not that big of a deal and takes but a moment. Just follow these steps:

1. Download iCUE.
2. Install the software, following the wizard.
3. Open up iCUE.

4. Select your mouse on the right.

5. Hit "Actions" on the left panel.
6. Choose the buttons on the right-hand side and select an action for each of the G keys.

You should now be able to use all the buttons on the side that you programmed. I have mine set to numbers 1 through 0, and F11, F12 for G11 and G12, respectively. How you go about customizing this to fit your playstyle is entirely up to you.

Lighting up your settings

Other options available through iCUE include altering CPI settings and profiles, which can be easily switched between using the two central buttons behind the scroll wheel. There are also various color lighting options to choose from, and surface calibration is a handy feature to enhance the tracking on your mousepad.

As Fortnite's popularity booms, Epic Games accounts are being compromised. Here's how to protect yourself.

Usually, if something looks too good to be true, it is. And this is exactly what's happening right now with Fortnite, Epic Games' smash-hit with its free-to-play Battle Royale mode. The Fortnite in-game currency, Vbucks, is the only way to buy the cosmetic items, such as outfits, gliders, pickaxes and emotes. But Vbucks cost real money for the most part. What you earn in the game doesn't go that far.

Enter the unscrupulous people of the internet and multiple "free-Vbucks, click-here" scams.

Here's the thing: There are no free Vbucks. Epic Games has confirmed this. Unless you're winning some in a competition from, say, a well-known streamer, the freebies don't exist. It's all a scam to get your Epic Games account login.

Related: Why is Fortnite so damn popular?

The first thing to do to protect yourself is don't click on any of these links. Never, ever. But the other thing you can, and definitely should do, is to add two-factor authentication, a.k.a, 2FA. Also, if you have any payment information stored in your Epic account, maybe remove that, and just enter it every time. However much protection you apply, don't leave these thieving scoundrels any breadcrumbs.

Adding 2FA to your Fortnite account

Here's how to add some extra security to your Epic Games account, using 2FA:

1. Go to epicgames.com and log into your account.
2. Open account settings by hovering over your username in the top right corner.
3. Select password and security.

4. At the bottom, click on the button labeled enable two-factor sign in.

Now, whenever you log in to a new device with your Epic Games account, you'll be emailed a unique code which you will need to enter before you're allowed access. While you're in your account settings, it's also a good idea to make sure you have a unique, hard-to-guess password. A password manager is a great way to generate these, and Windows 10 users should definitely check out Enpass.

If you play Fortnite on Xbox One and your Epic Games account is produced from your Xbox Live login, the same rules apply. Do not click on any free Vbucks links. In this scenario, you could be handing over much more than just your Epic account information. There's no real suggestion at this point that any Microsoft accounts have been compromised thanks to Fortnite, but don't take the risk.

It's also a good time to remind you to add 2FA to your Microsoft Account if you didn't already. The guide linked below will walk you through that process.

How to set up two-step verification on your Outlook and Microsoft Accounts

The best course of action is always to be as secure as possible. Fortnite is popular with adults and kids, so be sure to check-in on friends and family to make sure they're all being safe.

Add 2FA and get a free Fortnite emote

Not only is 2FA the best way to keep your Fortnite account and your purchases safe, Epic Games is now encouraging players to do it by offering a little incentive, as reported by Fortnite Battle Royale News.

If you enable Two-Factor Authentication for your Epic Games account, you'll unlock the Boogie Down skin! #Fortnitepic.twitter.com/BES6Mf23MX

— Fortnite Battle Royale News (@FortniteBR) August 23, 2018

So if you want that Boogie Down emote, follow the steps above and get the goods!

Related reading

• Best Mice for Playing Fortnite on PC
• Best Gaming Headsets for Fortnite
• Best Pre-Built Gaming PCs for Playing Fortnite

Updated August 23, 2018: Epic Games is encouraging players to add 2FA with an in-game reward. Find all the details right here!

If you have a primary drive with limited storage, use this guide to move your OneDrive files to a different location on Windows 10.

The OneDrive client for Windows 10 now includes Files On-Demand, a feature that allows you to access your files in the cloud using File Explorer without having to sync them directly to your device. Although File On-Demand is a nifty feature, if you must keep your files always available locally and backed up in the cloud, but your system drive doesn't have enough storage, OneDrive doesn't include an option to use a removable storage or secondary hard drive in its settings.

However, if you're in this situation, you can relocate the default OneDrive folder to another folder, partition, or external hard drive doing a simple disconnect, move, and reconnect process.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to change the OneDrive default folder location without having to re-sync the files already stored locally on your computer.

How to relocate OneDrive folder on Windows 10

If you want to use a different location to store your OneDrive folder without spending additional time and bandwidth to sync your files again, then use these steps:

1. Click theOneDrive (cloud) icon in the taskbar.
2. Click the More button.

3. Click on Settings.

4. Click on the Accounts tab.

5. Click the Unlink OneDrive option.

6. Click the Unlink account button.
7. Close the "Set up OneDrive" page (if applicable).
8. Open the Run command (Windows key + R).

9. Enter the following path and click OK:

   %USERPROFILE%

10. Select the OneDrive folder.
11. Click the Home tab.

12. Click the Move to drop-down menu, and select the Choose location option.

13. Browse and select the new location to move your OneDrive files locally stored on your computer.

    Quick Tip: You can use a different partition, secondary drive, or even an external USB storage. The only requirement is that it needs to be a drive that will be connected all the time to your device.

14. Click the Move button.
15. Open Start.
16. Search for OneDrive, and click the top result to open the experience.
17. Enter your email address.

18. Click the Sign in button.

19. Enter your account password.
20. Click the Sign in button.

21. Click the Change location link.

22. Browse to the new folder location, and click the Select Folder button.

23. Click the Use this location button.

24. Click the Next button.
25. Click through the OneDrive tips.

26. Click the Open my OneDrive folder button.

Using this new version of OneDrive won't prompt you to select the folders you want to sync. If you've previously selected a set of folders that you want to sync, you'll need to open the OneDrive settings, and in the Account tab, click the Choose folder to select the files you want to access locally.

Once you've completed the steps, the OneDrive folder will now sync your files in the new location.

Although you could have a lot of reasons to use the approach that we're outlining in this guide, you should consider changing the OneDrive folder default location only with a good reason. Also, after moving your files to another location, make sure that you keep the drive in a secure place to prevent your data falling into the wrong hands.

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