Best answer: You don't need to go overboard with thermal paste when installing a CPU. Using a conservative amount is better than going all in and making a mess. If you need to pick some up for your GPU or CPU, I rely on the MX-4 compound by Arctic, which has served me well over the years.

Amazon: Arctic MX-4 ($10)

When it comes to thermal paste, less is more

Thermal paste aids in the transferring of heat between the CPU and an installed cooler, so more might seem like the best approach. But that's not the case with thermal compound. Here's the thing people may not realize before installing a heatsink: this slab of metal will be locked atop of the CPU with a certain amount of pressure applied.

This socket-locking mechanism will force the thermal paste applied to be squashed under the load and spread to the outer edges of the CPU. If you apply too much paste, it'll seep out of the cracks and onto the motherboard. Not only does this look messy if you can see around the socket, it'll also be a pain to get rid of when switching out the cooler. There's even a chance it could cause electrical issues and overheat in extreme cases.

Even component manufacturers urge for a more controlled application of thermal compound.

Apply the right amount of compound

So just how much thermal paste do we recommend? A small blob of the stuff will do. Consider the size of a small garden pea you can boil for dinner. You want to aim for about that size on the very center of the CPU, which will then be evenly spread across the top when the heatsink is installed.

Some compound packaging may even come with a handy tool that allows you to evenly spread the paste across the CPU. If you don't have one at hand, the heatsink usually works just fine, so long as you apply even pressure when installing the cooler to not have all the compound seep out of one corner.

If you somehow manage to apply a little too much, use some alcohol and paper towels to wipe clean the CPU before re-applying the compound. So long as you follow the garden pea technique, you'll have a solid thermal compound spread every time. Bottom line: Do not apply a ton of thermal paste thinking more paste with provide a better result. Less is more in this scenario.

Our pick

Arctic MX-4

$10 at Amazon

Keeping your CPU cool

The Arctic MX-4 thermal compound paste is specifically designed for use with a CPU or GPU and is metal-free and non-electrical conductive. Not only is it perfectly safe to use, but this thermal compound does a stellar job transferring heat between your components and the installed cooling solution, maximizing the amount of performance you can achieve.

Now, it's a good time to pull out of the Windows Insider Program — Here's why, and two ways to do it.

Microsoft is committed to releasing the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) at some point in October, and this means that now is a good time to opt-out of the Windows Insider Program.

The Insider program was created to allow enthusiasts and developers to get early access to new features and enhancements to provide feedback and help to shape the future of Windows 10. Although the latest builds have been more stable, as the October 2018 Update gets finalized, Microsoft is expected to merge the previews of the 19H1 development already available in the Skip Ahead into the Fast ring, and as a result, devices will once again start getting unstable, buggy, and incomplete builds.

If you don't want to be part of that, or you want to use a stable release for a change, it's possible to pull out of the Windows Insider Program without having to modify your current installation. The reason is that at the time that October 2018 Update is signed off as final, during a short period, both the public release and the latest preview build share the same version of the code.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to safely remove your device from the Windows Insider Program without losing your files, settings, and apps. Also, we look at the steps to opt-out even after installing new previews for the next version of the OS.

• How to opt-out of the Windows Insider Program before new version releases
• How to opt-out of the Windows Insider Program after new version releases

How to opt-out of the Windows Insider Program before a new version releases

If you want to take a break from buggy test previews, and you want to stay in the stable version of Windows 10, you can gracefully opt-out of the Windows Insider Program using these steps:

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

4. Click the Stop Insider Preview builds button.

5. Select the Keep giving me builds until the next Windows release option (or the Stop Insider builds completely option).

6. Click the Confirm button.
7. Click the Restart Now button.

Once you've completed the steps, future test previews, part of the October 2018 Update development, will continue to install automatically. However, as soon as the new version is complete, your computer will gracefully pull out of the program, and it'll continue to receive cumulative updates just like any other machine.

These instructions will work as long as you do this before the Fast ring merges with the Skip Ahead previews. If you don't remove your device on time, and new builds for the 19H1 development become available, your computer will continue to install them, and the steps outlined above will not work to stay on version 1809.

How to opt-out of the Windows Insider Program after a new version releases

Alternatively, it's possible to opt-out of the Windows Insider Program without losing your apps, settings, and files after installing the first preview for Windows 10 19H1 once the October update releases, but you'll need to go through some additional steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & security.
3. Click on Recovery.

4. Under "Go back to the previous version of Windows 10," click the Get started button.

5. Select any reason from the list.

6. Click the Next button.

7. Click the No, thanks button.

8. Click the Next button.

9. Click the Next button again.

10. Click the Go back to earlier build button.

11. Open Settings again after your device is back to version 1809.
12. Click on Update & Security.

13. Click the Stop Insider Preview Builds button.

14. Select the Keep giving me builds until the next Windows release option (or the Stop Insider builds completely option).

15. Click the Confirm button.
16. Click the Restart Now button.

After completing the steps, your device will no longer download and install preview builds, your device will stay in the October 2018 Update, and you'll continue to receive cumulative updates.

If the option to go back to the previous version isn't available in the Settings app, then the only way to opt-out of the Windows Insider Program is to perform a clean installation of Windows 10.

The only thing that you need to be aware of is that Windows 10 automatically deletes the backup of the previous version after ten days. This means that the instructions outlined above will only work during the week and a half since your device installed the first build of Windows 10 19H1.

Are you thinking on opting out of the program or will you continue testing previews for the next version of Windows 10? 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

If you're struggling to find a fix, this may solve your Xbox One NAT issues.

Open Network Address Translation (NAT) is the key to success in Xbox One networking, determining your ability to connect with other players and shaping your overall Xbox Live experience. However, when troubles arise, knowing where to look can quickly alleviate router issues.

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

On a surface level, users with Open NAT will usually see the best experience on Xbox Live. While getting your NAT open is ultimately the end goal for the best connectivity, this has proven to be difficult for many users.

We recommend Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) or port forwarding to improve NAT, especially before considering a demilitarized zone (DMZ). However, if both methods fail to solve your issues, continue reading.

How to get Open NAT on Xbox One by enabling UPnP — and why you should

Understanding the DMZ

Ports are digital channels for your router, used for sorting incoming and outgoing internet traffic. Methods like UPnP or port forwarding ensure required ports are "mapped," which helps improve connectivity. However, if these methods fail to solve issues, the DMZ should be your last resort for troubleshooting.

The DMZ (also known as a perimeter network) can be set up to remove network restrictions on a device, essentially telling your router to send unsolicited traffic to your console. Alleviating these restrictions puts your console in the open, without affecting complete network security. This is fine to use on an Xbox One console due to the restricted nature of the OS, but it should never be attempted with a standard PC.

How to set up the DMZ for Xbox One

With most modern routers, setting up the DMZ is relatively simple. Although steps will vary between router models, we've wrapped up 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.)

Follow these steps to set up DMZ:

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

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

9. Open the Settings app on your Xbox One.
10. Select the Network tab.
11. Select the Test network connection tile.

12. Follow the on-screen steps to ensure your Xbox One connects to your network.

13. Navigate to the DMZ menu on your router. (This action once again varies between models, so search for specifics on your router.)
14. Enable DMZ on your router.
15. Enter your Xbox One's assigned IP address to place the console in the DMZ.
16. Save any changes.
17. Open the Settings app on your Xbox One.
18. Select the Network tab.
19. Select the Test NAT type tile.

You should now have Open NAT on your Xbox One.

If you still experience issues, we recommend consulting our cohesive Xbox One networking guide for more troubleshooting help.

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

Best answer: Opting for a 4K display on any notebook will draw more power and thus reduce battery life, but you should still enjoy around six hours of use taking into account the 97Whr battery upgrade on select Dell XPS 15 9570 configurations.

Dell: XPS 15 9570 ($2,000)

Better display draws more power

Dell considered the increased power draw of the Dell XPS 15 with a 4K display, which will consume considerably more than the 1080p option, especially with the increased resolution and touchscreen support. The base models come with a 56Whr battery pack, while more pricey configurations come rocking a 97Whr power plant and are better suited for the 4K upgrade.

That's almost double the amount of capacity for storing power for use on the go. Strangely, this won't provide more uptime with each charge per se, but will ensure the upgraded internals won't cause a negative effect on the acclaimed battery life. It does also mean the laptop hits 2kg with the better panel and better battery, up from 1.8kg. Something else worth considering if portability is important to you.

Another factor to consider is the processor and optional dedicated GTX 1050 Ti GPU, both which will also have cause further strain on the battery, especially when you're watching videos, doing some work, or gaming. Enjoying media should result in several hours of entertainment, while gaming and other intense workloads will see the battery deplete at a considerable rate.

Getting better battery life

If you really want a 4K display and will make the most of it, it's recommended you make the upgrade. If battery life is more of a concern, we recommend picking up a Dell XPS 15 with a 97Whr battery, the 1080p display, and Core i7 processor to get the most out of the notebook on a single charge.

If you find yourself not getting much uptime with each charge on your XPS 15, be sure to try these tricks out. There's also the possibility of adding an external charger into the mix, to give you some more power on the go. Dell's own Power Companion is a great choice.

Our pick

Dell XPS 15 9570

$2,000 at Dell

The 4K version of the Dell XPS 15 lets you get more done.

If you're conscious about battery life and getting the most out of your laptop, it doesn't really matter too much whether you choose the 1080p or 4K display on the XPS 15. The larger capacity battery with the 4K display models will keep you computing for just as long.

Portable charger

Dell Power Companion

$95 at Dell

This power companion is at hand for more juice.

Available in 12,000mAh and 18,000mAh versions, depending on just how much extra power you wish to store on a trip, the Dell Power Companion is an excellent choice for the Dell XPS 15. You simply charge before you leave and then hook the bank up to the notebook for some additional battery juice.

Skip the grind in Forza Horizon 4 with these quick influence tips.

Microsoft's flagship racing series has returned for Forza Horizon 4, exemplifying the full spectrum of the British motoring. The revived Horizon Festival embraces a familiar arcade formula, packing stunning supercars, dangerous stunts, and breathtaking vistas into a single package. And as with previous games, earning "influence" is crucial to sustaining authority at the show.

Influence is essential throughout all aspects of Forza Horizon 4, while also rewarded for most activities. Your accumulated influence builds your global driver rank and outlines proficiency in specific tasks. Influence is found across all corners of the UK, but we've wrapped up the shortcuts to know.

See at Amazon

Related: Forza Horizon 4 Xbox One review: Simply breathtaking

Watch Mixer streams for free influence

Microsoft has doubled-down on its Mixer live streaming service, this year deliver full integration with the year's top racer. After linking Mixer and Microsoft accounts, drivers can earn bonus influence, by merely broadcasting or viewing Forza Horizon 4 streams on the platform. And while Mixer-derived influence is deposited only after hitting a certain level, it's a great way to get a significant boost outside of gameplay.

Due to the nature of live streams, this is an ideal low-effort way to boost your in-game influence. Just open a Forza Horizon 4 stream, mute the tab, and leave it running in the background – it doesn't get much easier than this. For more details on this Mixer integration, follow our complete guide.

How to earn Forza Horizon 4 influence with Mixer

Become a car collector

Every car you acquire in Forza Horizon 4 is rewarded with influence, building up your "Car Collection" level. Between randomized Wheelspin drops and spending hard-earned credits, you'll begin building a sizeable garage in no time. Scaling a collection fast comes with comparable rewards, providing one of the best ways to earn in-game.

For those who purchased Forza Horizon 4 Ultimate Edition, the included Best of Bond and Formula Drift car packs will also source influence. Between the 19 available vehicles, you'll receive individual influence drops, delivering that additional boost from the outset.

Explore the roads

As you explore Forza Horizon 4's open world, you'll collect bonus experience for every new location. Influence drops when first driving on any of 531 roads, which quickly accumulates as you experience its offerings. All visited locales are outlined on the world map too, providing further guidance on which streets to visit. There's even an achievement up for grabs after discovering all roads, granting a bonus 20 Gamerscore.

You don't need to drive around the British countryside aimlessly either, with bonus boards, speed traps, and other opportunities for further influence drops along the way.

Spread your skills

To maximize influence gains, pursue activities that benefit multiple Horizon Life skill categories. Free roam offers ideal flexibility, with speed traps, bonus boards, and beauty spots all scattered throughout the world. Alternatively, events like cross-country races feature varied terrain and obstacles, providing natural opportunities to build large skill chains.

It can take time to find what works best for your skillset but finding opportunities to maximize earnings is vital. Find activities where influence for more than one category can be earned, which feed into global level-ups too.

Your influence tips

As you play Forza Horizon 4, be sure to let us know your tips for gaining more influence as you explore the UK. In the meantime, the game is available for preorder starting at $59.99, with an October 2 release, and September 28 early access period.

See at Amazon

Ransomware continues to be a problem for innocent PC owners. Protect yourself by backing up with a Synology NAS.

Recent years has seen a substantial increase in the number of ransomware attacks taking place. What's more is a large number of malware attacks continue to go unreported, according to a survey of IT professionals. How can one protect themselves from becoming the next victim? A Synology NAS is a solid start.

When targeted by a ransomware attack, criminals will attempt to lock away your data and attempt to sell you access. You'll likely receive some kind of prompt telling about how your files have been encrypted and the only way to get them back is to pay for a decryption tool. For those who don't back up their data, this is one of their worst nightmares.

Often recommended is the resetting your PC to an earlier date before the attack. Some may even view the reinstallation of Windows as the only way to get systems back to normal. The issue is when you don't back up everything on a regular basis, which involves the loss of files.

Luckily, if you haven't been targeted yet, there are a few ways to better protect your PC, including the purchase of a Synology NAS.

See at Amazon

Protect your PC against ransomware

To better equip your PC with the means to repel an attack, you should always ensure you're running the latest release of Windows 10. The installed security suite should also be up-to-date and have the latest definitions to protect you against malicious files.

Windows 10 comes rocking security software built right into the OS that should be enough if you're conservative while online. It's also important to avoid any suspicious files downloaded, and disable remote access when you don't require the feature.

Disable remote access

1. Hit Windows Key + Q to bring up Cortana.
2. Enter "remote access".

3. Choose "Allow remote access to your computer".

4. Uncheck "Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer".
5. Hit OK.

You should now be blocking all outside attempts to gain access to your Windows PC.

Use a Synology NAS

One of your best weapons against ransomware is backing up on a regular basis and using redundant processes. It's a good idea to keep your important files safe on a physical drive (simply copy and paste them in File Explorer), as well as full backups of Windows and PC data on a Synology NAS.

Using cloud services can be handy, especially if you have the bandwidth available, storage space on said service, and don't mind trusting a company to host your data, but you should also look at keeping copies locally too. A NAS does just this, allowing you to store backups from your PC on a network device.

• How to backup Windows 10 on Synology NAS

Should you be hit with ransomware, you can simply disable all external access to the PC, restore or reinstall Windows, apply a backup, and access all your files without paying out for the "decryption" of your own files, no matter how helpful these fine people appear.

See at Amazon

Microsoft's next major entry to its hit racing franchise, Forza Horizon 4, is soon expected to launch on Xbox One and Windows 10. While the game doesn't formally launch until October 2, those who preorder the "Ultimate Edition" gain early access on September 28. And as with most games at launch, there's an extensive list of bugs and issues you may encounter.

Forza Horizon 4 developer, Playground Games, has now outlined all known issues upon release. We'll be updating this changelog and bug tracker beyond launch, as new problems come and go.

• Forza Horizon 4 general issues
• Forza Horizon 4 gameplay issues
• Forza Horizon 4 technical issues
• Forza Horizon 4 wheel issues

Related: Forza Horizon 4 Xbox One review: Simply breathtaking

See at Amazon

Forza Horizon 4 general issues

These are some general issues facing Forza Horizon 4 at launch, spanning various areas.

• When setting a custom keyboard profile, changing one of a certain group of keybinds causes all of the actions in the group to become unbound.
• Players will experience a hang or crash upon suspending and resuming the game on Windows 10. Make sure you have not disabled Forza Horizon 4 as a background app.
• Players may experience some audio hitches throughout the title. These are extremely brief periods of silence and are more likely to occur on the Xbox One.
• In the event our servers cannot be reached or are down, players may receive a message stating 'You need to play in unranked first to unlock ranked play'. This message should read that the servers are unavailable.
• Players may experience the error message 'Incompatible Tune' when trying to access downloadable tunes before all the details have been populated.
• Changing MSAA from 2x to 4x will result in improper tree LOD rendering/popping until you restart the game on Windows 10.
• When you initially try to sync your designs and tunes, you may see the sync bar stay at 0% for a few minutes. Please be patient as we have to import all of your designs/tunes per title and it may take a bit for the first sync to complete.
• Players should use the NVIDIA Game Ready Driver 399.24. Driver versions previous to this had known instability. NVIDIA GTX 780 & GTX 780 TI may experience issues with driver 411.63. Please roll back to driver 399.24 to fix this issue.
• Players should not use AMD drivers before 18.8.2 (released 27th August 2018). The previous drivers will cause high memory usage and instability.

Forza Horizon 4 gameplay issues

A small list of Forza Horizon 4 gameplay issues are also present.

• Players may experience their active/partially completed Championship progress reset upon relaunch after an exit. Please make sure you connect your console to the internet and download the most recent content update.
• Players will not be able to unlock the 'Antiques Restorer' achievement if using in-game credits for faster restorations.
• Players may experience a corruption in tree textures that will look like purple trees. This may also occur when fast traveling and swapping seasons at the same time.
• Players who initiate a Championship series may receive a prompt on the second event asking if they want to quit their current Championship to proceed. Players may finish the Championship and receive a reward event though this prompt appears.
• Players may experience a loss of engine audio after an engine swap if they are playing on a disc version of the game and have not received any updates.

Forza Horizon 4 technical issues

Some players may experience technical issues in Forza Horizon 4, especially on Windows 10.

• Players may experience multiple performance issues when trying to play while installing.
• Players may experience a failure to launch when Region and Language settings are changed after install.
• Players may experience a lack of gear changing audio in replay mode.
• Switching MSAA settings without restarting will result in black corruption on the environment.
• Players may experience stalls and large FPS drops during the Initial Drive (mostly on transitions from cutscenes to active gameplay. This will only affect machines where the players have insufficient RAM for their quality settings.
• Forza Horizon 4 will not boot if you are using any of the following virus checkers. Trend Micro Maximum Security, Comodo Antivirus, Sophos, Emisoft Anti-Malware.
• When setting your audio to 24bit 44100Hz, players may experience a static or crackle sound. This does not happen on any other setting.
• Players may experience audio hitches due to frame skipping or hangs.
• Players may experience a game crash when disconnecting their audio device while booting up the game.

Forza Horizon 4 wheel issues

Some players may experience issues with third-party wheel accessories.

• Fanatac - Handbrake - ClubSupport Handbrake v1.5 does not function correctly.
• Fanatac CSL - Playing without a handbrake device will auto engage the E-break in game. This issue will be fixed with our Day One content Update.
• Fanatac ClubSport V2 - Wheel FFB is not initialized when wheel is in GIP mode.
• Fanatec ClubSport 2.5 (DrV310, FwV 446) wheel settings do not save on game restart.
• The current PC System does not support same action under two different buttons.
• Mad Catz Pro - FFB and vibration are lost after Alt+Tabbing or minimizing.

Hit the comments below to let us know what bugs and other issues you encounter in Forza Horizon 4, providing as much information as possible. Playground Games encourages you to email bug reports and support requests via its official site.

In the meantime, the game is available for preorder starting at $59.99, with an October 2 release, and September 28 early access period.

See at Amazon

Hop into Fallout 76 before everyone else and get a taste of the action.

With Bethesda Game Studio's first foray into the world of online multiplayer with Fallout 76, the studio is ensuring that its servers can handle it beforehand. Bethesda just announced that the B.E.T.A. (Break-It Early Test Application) will arrive on Xbox One on October 23, just a couple of short weeks before the game's worldwide launch on November 14.

If you're a bit confused as to how you can access the Beta and begin your journey through the ruins of West Virginia, here's how.

Fallout 76: Everything we know

Note: This does not appear to be an Open Beta, and as such you will be required to pre-order Fallout 76 in order to participate. Bethesda has not stated if they will open the Beta to everyone at another date.

If you preordered Fallout 76 digitally on console, search for Fallout 76 Beta in the store once it's live to download it.

If you pre-ordered physical or digital editions through other retailers, you'll need to follow a few steps before you can jump in.

1. Create or log-in to your Bethesda.net account.
2. Select your profile and choose Redeem Code from the drop-down menu.
3. Enter the code that you received with your receipt after purchase.
4. Once the Beta is live on October 23, select your profile and choose Transaction History from the drop-down menu.
5. With the Beta code provided on your Transaction History page, redeem it on your Xbox One to start downloading.

Still haven't preordered Fallout 76? You may have missed out on the Power Armor Edition, but you can still purchase the Standard Edition or Tricentennial Edition, which includes several bonus in-game items.

See Standard Edition at Amazon

See Tricentennial Edition at Amazon

Windows 10 is getting a refresh, but if you don't want to upgrade immediately, we'll show you how to delay version 1809.

Microsoft is expected to release its second semi-annual update, the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809), at some point in October, which means that new features, improvements, and tweaks are on the way.

Initially, only newer devices known to be compatible will receive the new update. Then, in the weeks ahead, the October Update will expand more broadly to other devices. Using this gradual rollout process allows the company to provide a more reliable deployment while also ensuring that if any unexpected issues occur, they don't quickly spread to a large number of computers.

If you're comfortable running the current version, or you'd like to wait a little longer to make sure it's safe to upgrade, there are at least three ways to delay the Windows 10 October 2018 Update while still getting service updates.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to delay the installation of version 1809 as long as possible while still receiving cumulative updates to keep your device and files safe and secure.

• How to delay the Windows 10 October 2018 Update
• How to defer the Windows 10 October 2018 Update
• How to block the Windows 10 October 2018 Update

How to delay the Windows 10 October 2018 Update

If you're planning to install the October 2018 Update, but you don't want to go through the upgrade process as soon as it releases, the Settings app offers at least two options to delay the installation for several hours or days.

Pausing updates

To delay the new release of Windows 10 for a few days, use the following steps:

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

4. Click the Advanced options link.

5. Turn on the Pause Updates toggle switch.

After completing these steps, your device will no longer download monthly or feature updates for up to 35 days after you enable the option.

Postponing installation

To postpone the installation of version 1809, use the following steps:

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

4. Next to the "Restart Now" button, click the Schedule the restart link. (This option is only available when an update is pending to be applied to your device.)

5. Turn on the Schedule a time toggle switch.

6. Specify the time and day you want the device to restart automatically to complete the installation (up to seven days in the future).

Once you complete the steps, your computer will not reboot automatically to upgrade until the day you specified, allowing you to continue working without disruptions for up to seven days.

Alternatively, if you're thinking on installing version 1809 the same day, but you simply don't want to go through the process while you're actively using your device, you can use this guide to configure active hours to block the update until a later time.

How to defer the Windows 10 October 2018 Update

If you're not quite ready to upgrade, and if your computer is running Windows 10 Pro, the Settings app includes an option to defer new releases up to 16 months using the Semi-Annual Channel branch.

To defer the October 2018 Update installation for several months, use the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.

3. Click the Advanced options link.

4. Under "Choose when updates are installed," select how long you want to delay the update:

   • Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) — Defers the new version up to 365 days since its original release date.
   • Semi-Annual Channel — Defers the new version up to 365 days after it becomes available to organizations. Typically, it takes four months after a new version becomes available in the Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) readiness level.

5. Use the drop-down menu to specify the number of days you want defer update.

Once you complete these steps, the Windows 10 October 2018 Update won't download and install automatically on your computer until after the deferral schedule you specified.

Although these settings will prevent Windows 10 from trying to upgrade your device, you'll continue to receive security and maintenance updates to fix bugs and security vulnerabilities.

How to block the Windows 10 October 2018 Update

Windows 10 Home doesn't ship with the option to defer feature updates like the professional variant. However, it's still possible to temporarily block the October 2018 Update from downloading and installing automatically on your computer by setting a network connection as metered.

The option to set a connection as metered has been designed to limit the data usage of Windows 10 on a limited internet connection. However, configuring a connection as metered also disables update downloads to reduce data usage. Therefore, you can use this feature to block version 1809 from downloading automatically on your device until you're ready.

To configure a wireless or wired network connection as metered, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Internet.
3. Click on Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

4. Select the network connection you're connected to the internet.

5. Turn on the Metered connection toggle switch.

After completing the steps, your device will no longer receive feature updates or cumulative updates until you remove the configuration blocking them. However, critical updates will continue to download regardless of the new configuration.

The only caveat is that using this method will prevent the Start menu from showing live updates in tiles, files may stop syncing to cloud services, and Microsoft Store apps will stop getting updates as well.

It's never recommended to block updates as they can protect you from many security risks, but using a metered connection is perhaps one of the few ways that you can use to block a new version if you use the Home version of Windows 10.

During the time you're using a metered connection, if you're worried about missing cumulative updates, you can proactively check this Windows support site that releases details about each update available for Windows 10. If you see that a new update is available, you can download and install them manually.

If you change your mind, you can revert the changes using the same instructions, but on step No. 5, make sure to turn off the Metered connection toggle switch.

Wrapping things up

Updates are an important part of Windows 10, and they keep your device running smoothly, protect your data from hackers and malware, and twice a year, updates also introduce new features and changes to improve the experience.

The only drawback is that during the early days of new feature updates unknown issues and compatibility problems could negatively affect your experience.

This is a known fact, which is one of the reasons that Microsoft doesn't make a new version of Windows 10 available on every device at the same time and purposely blocks the update on certain PCs. Generally, new versions roll out gradually, and it takes several weeks before they reach business customers.

If you're concerned about delaying the Windows 10 October 2018 Update on your device, you shouldn't be. Temporarily skipping an update isn't a significant security risk. New versions of Windows 10 are supported for at least 18 months, and as long the version you're running is still supported, you'll continue to receive maintenance and security updates to fix problems, improve performance, and patch security vulnerabilities.

Are you planning to delay the Windows 10 October 2018 Update or are you installing it as soon as it becomes available? Tell us why 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

Best answer: Officially, Orbi only supports connecting a printer to the USB port, and that's for when you want to use ReadyShare network printing. However, there have been users who plugged hard drives into the USB as a storage option for computer backups and FAT32 configuration.

• Amazon: NETGEAR Orbi RBK50 ($320)
• Amazon: Canon PIXMA TS9020 ($199)
• Amazon: Western Digital ($143)

Using Orbi with ReadyShare Network printing

ReadyShare gives you the ability to store things like photos, files, or even backup files for your PC or Mac directly to your router. You can even share files on DNLA (Digital Living Network Alliance) to all your connected TVs, game consoles, and media players. That's a fancy way of saying that any of those types of devices that are connected to your router will be able to access the saved files you're storing on it. If you've downloaded a new movie and stored it to your router you can then pull it right up from your phone and enjoy it anywhere in the house.

Other than that, there's the more obvious reason it's used for — printing. With ReadyShare, you can print directly from your phone, laptop, or computer as long as they're all connected through the same Wi-Fi. This changes how easy it is to have those on-the-fly images ready at a moments notice. Is Grandma on her way out the door from a visit and you got a great shot of her hugging the grandkids? Great! Snap a photo, send it to your device to print and hand it to her before she even makes it out of the house!

Using Orbi with an external hard drive

Anything besides a printer is not officially supported by any of the Orbi devices, but users in the NETGEAR community forums have reported that a lot of their hard drives aren't working with the Orbi. There are a few, and we've highlighted one below, that are working, however. Plugging a hard drive into your router has a few benefits ranging from FAT32, to general storage accessible right from your router. Chances are if you don't know how to use these two options you probably won't need it. However, if you're looking for compatible devices we have one listed below that's been showing up as a confirmed fit in multiple forums.

Our pick for printers

Canon PIXMA TS9020

$114 at Amazon

Perfect for any home

Print from your computer, your mobile phone, or right from your Orbi device. This all-in-one printer is capable of it all and comes with a CD/DVD/Blu-ray Disc Printing Tray, three sheets of PP-301 Photo Paper, Setup CD-ROM, and a full set of ink tanks.

Our pick for hard drives

Western Digital 500 GB Bulk/OEM Hard Drive

$48 at Amazon

A compatible hard drive

This is an internal hard drive that you'll need a Hard Drive Adapter Cable to plug into your Orbi. It's 2.5 inches and is 320GB and gives you the ability to transfer rates up to 3 Gbps. It might look a little janky, but it's been confirmed to work with Orbi devices.

Our pick for routers

NETGEAR Orbi Mesh WiFi System (RBK50)

$319 at Amazon

Upgrade your connection

With this mesh system, you get 5,000 square feet of coverage and up to 3.0Gbps on your internet speed. There are eight total Ethernet ports between the router and satellites, and even the ability to take it a step further with the indoor and outdoor expansions.

Best answer: Dell's Inspiron 15 7000 isn't good for PC gaming due to the rather underwhelming NVIDIA MX130 GPU. You'll struggle to enjoy most modern games at 1080p on anything but bare minimum settings. You'll need to choose another Dell (G3 15 series) if you want to do some gaming.

Dell: Inspiron G3 15 ($780)

Restricted to NVIDIA's MX130

The Dell Inspiron 15 7000 comes equipped with the NVIDIA MX130 GPU. While we recommend gaming laptops to feature dedicated graphics processing, the MX130 is barely a step up from Intel's own CPU-driven integrated GPU. Games, including Fortnite, will not run well unless you turn down the resolution to below 1080p and all visual settings, which doesn't make for a pleasant experience.

Dell's Inspiron 15 7000 range of laptops may feature dedicated GPUs but they're designed for lighter workloads. Running anything more demanding than League of Legends will spring up some issues, be it related to frame rates or visual stutter and tearing.

You technically can play games on the Inspiron 15 7000, but you won't want to after a few attempts. You used to be able to kit out the Inspiron 15 7000 with better integrated GPUs, but Dell has since discontinued this special gaming edition in favor of launching the new G series.

G for Gaming

Dell has a Gaming line of laptops that aren't Alienware branded and as such don't come with super-high prices. The entry model for the G3 15 series comes rocking a GTX 1050 GPU, which is light years ahead of the MX130 included in the Inspiron 15 7000.

If you really want to do some gaming on the go, you'll want to look at the G3 class laptops or possibly the XPS 15, if you don't mind spending some more. Better still, the G3 15 series starts from $780, the same price as the Inspiron 15. The only drawback is the storage, which isn't an SSD in the G3 15 entry model.

Our pick

Dell G3 15

$780 at Dell

Made for gaming with a capable GPU.

The G3 series of laptops from Dell aren't range-topping in specifications or design. What these notebooks do offer is an exceptional value compared to Alienware models. Even the base entry model comes with an Intel Core i5 processor and GTX 1050 GPU.

You can upgrade to the final version of Windows 10 October 2018 Update before it's officially released, and in this guide, we show you how to do it.

The October 2018 Update (version 1809) for Windows 10 is expected to release during the first or second week of October, but if you can't wait, it's possible to upgrade to the final version early using the Windows Insider Program.

The program allows you to install previews of Windows 10 from one of the three available rings (Fast, Slow, and Release Preview), offering different levels of readiness to test upcoming features and provide feedback to make Windows 10 better.

Updates in the Fast and Slow rings release pretty frequently as soon as new features and improvements are ready for testing, but they usually include bugs and features not always worked as they're intended.

The Release Preview, on the other hand, is a ring meant to test fixes, drivers, and apps. However, new versions of Windows 10 have to pass through every ring in the program, and as soon as the October 2018 Update is complete, it'll be available in this ring too. Typically, this happens a few days before the feature update becomes available to everyone.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to download the final version of the October 2018 Update before its official release date.

How to download the October 2018 Update using the Windows Insider Program

Although you're still getting an update labeled as "pre-release," once the version 1809 is available in the Release Preview ring, it's the final code without any last minute cumulative updates, which the company may need to release to address any particular issue.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that modifying your installation may can cause irreversible damage to your current setup. It's recommended to make a full backup of your PC before proceeding in case you need to rollback.

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

4. Click the Get started button.

5. Click the Link an account option.

6. Select your Microsoft account from the list, or use a different account.
7. Click the Continue button.

8. On the "What kind of content would you like to receive?" page, use the drop-down menu, and select the Just fixes, apps, and drivers, which is the "Release Preview" option.

9. Click the Confirm button.

10. Click the Confirm button one more time to agree to the terms.

11. Click the Restart button.

Once you've completed the steps, as soon as the Windows 10 version 1809 is finalized, and it becomes available in the Release Preview channel, your device will get it automatically.

You can also force the feature update going to Settings> Update & Security> Windows Update, and clicking the Check for Updates button.

Opting out of the Windows Insider Program

After installing the new version, you can continue in the channel, or you can opt-out to stop getting future beta releases of updates without having to reinstall Windows 10.

To opt-out of the Windows Insider Program keeping the final version of Windows 10 installed on your device, use these steps:

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

4. Click the Stop Insider Preview builds button.

5. Check the Keep giving me builds until the next Windows release option.

   Or select the Stop build completely option. The available option will depend upon the time and build you're using.

6. Click the Confirm button.

7. Click the Restart now button.

Once you've completed the steps, your device will be removed from the Windows Insider Program, and you can continue using the version while still getting maintenance updates when it's officially released.

Wrapping things up

If you're already a tester with a device enrolled in the Fast or Slow ring, you don't need to switch rings. When the Windows 10 October 2018 Update becomes available in the Release Preview, the code is the same as in the latest preview build available in the other rings.

However, at this time, it'd be a good idea to use the instructions above to remove the device from the program to stay in the stable release.

While we're outlining the steps to get early access to the October 2018 Update, it's always recommended to sit tight and wait until the update becomes available to everyone, and it downloads automatically on your device using Windows Update.

Usually, the reason is that in the early days, feature updates for Windows 10 aren't fully compatible with every hardware configuration, and there's a chance that you may run into problems.

Are you making the jump to Windows 10 version 1809 before or after it becomes available? 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

Best answer: The C922 is a perfect choice for streamers who want 1080p video, great quality, and a good price.

Amazon: Logitech C922 ($88)

The C922 supports 1080p video in all your favorite streaming software

For a great quality stream, there are two important aspects to note about the Logitech C922. The first is it does support 1080p video, and the second is that it works just fine with all major streaming software.

The C922 is limited to 30 FPS video, at 1080p, which is the only minor flaw if you're running a 60 FPS stream. You can up the frame rate to 60 FPS, but you need to drop the resolution to 720p in order to do that.

But the C922 is also entirely plug-and-play, and while it does have a companion app, you don't need it. Use it with XSplit, OBS, Streamlabs OBS, Elgato Game Capture HD, AVerMedia RECentral, and many other programs. Whatever you use to stream, you'll have no problems using the C922.

The C922 is a great quality webcam

Supporting 1080p video is one thing, but if it's poor quality 1080p video, then it's not worth the time. Thankfully, the C922 produces great quality video and has been a popular choice with many streamers.

You will need to make sure you're in a well-lit environment, as the C922 has no lighting of its own, and when it's a bit dark you will encounter noise. But that's normal for basically any webcam. Keep plenty of light shining on your face and the C922 will make you look fabulous on your stream.

A green screen is still better than the software background removal

One neat trick of the C922 is that it comes bundled with software that will remove your background and simulate a green screen. In theory, this is great, but in practice, it's not. Not only is the effect not particularly high quality, but it also adds a fair bit of load to your system, and you'll be wanting all your system resources dedicated to pushing your stream.

So, a green screen is still a better bet. Thankfully, you don't pay any extra for this feature with the C922, so there's no harm done.

Our pick

Logitech C922

$88 from Amazon

One of the best webcams for streamers.

Offering great quality 1080p video and solid hardware, the C922 is a great choice for streamers everywhere.

If you're new to Forza Horizon 4's property market, there's no need to worry.

Microsoft's hit racing franchise has received its latest entry, taking to the British countryside with Forza Horizon 4. While stunning supercars are the focus of attention, there's still beauty to be found across its expansive landscape.

For the first time in the series, Forza Horizon 4 allows players to buy homes using their same hard-earned credits (CR) for cars and upgrades. Once purchased, these locations serve as a base of operations, while additionally granting exclusive rewards. With 12 houses available, we've wrapped up their locations, prices, and benefits into a handy list.

Related: Forza Horizon 4 complete car list

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft Store

Edinburgh Castle

Located in the heart of the city, Edinburgh Castle offers the best of Horizon's properties. Alongside the towering hilltop monolith, you'll also receive the Alfa Romeo P3, and 10 Super Wheelspins. Luxury doesn't come cheap, priced at a staggering 15,000,000 CR – the highest price tag in the game.

Bamburgh Castle

This historical home overlooks Forza Horizon 4's coast, situated alongside the long east-facing beach. Purchasing this site grants an exclusive "Barn Find" rumor and 10 Super Wheelspins. This lies among the top properties, priced at 10,000,000 CR.

Lake Lodge

If castles aren't for you, Lake Lodge is a top-tier lakeside house, overlooking Derwentwater. This is the only house granting a #Forzathon double earnings boost, while five Super Wheelspins are also included. While 5,000,000 CR to most, this property is free to Forza Horizon 4 VIP Pass owners. For more details on the VIP membership and its perks, be sure to check our in-depth review.

Fairlawn Manor

Fairlawn Manor is a bold stately home located in the map center, positioned among the upper-class Forza Horizon 4 homes. This property offers the handy ability to Fast Travel anywhere, and show your riches with a fancy silver top hat. You'll also get 10 additional Super Wheelspins included within its 2,000,000 CR price point.

Derwent Mansion

Found on the west side of Derwentwater, this lakeside property is a cheaper alternative to Lake Lodge. On top of the big house, you'll get a stylish golden tank top, and five Super Wheelspins, all for 1,500,000 CR.

Castleview Road

Found in the southern suburbs of Edinburgh, this offers just a quick drive to the city center. This unlocks the red velvet blazer and three Super Wheelspins. If you can't afford the iconic castle, this 750,000 CR house is a cheaper option in a great location.

The Huntsman Lodge

Hidden deep into Lakehurst Forest, this house keeps you far away from the busy roads of Horizon. Included is the chance of DJs playing "Skill Songs," while three Super Wheelspins are also up for grabs. This property costs 750,000 CR.

Thatch Corner

This cozy beachside thatched cottage is another quiet retreat from the action. This bundle includes the "Are we there yet?" Quick Chat phrase and two Super Wheelspins. This location costs 500,000 CR.

Kingfisher Cottage

Located beside the Derwentwater reservoir, this historical cottage is tucked just off the roadside. This location unlocks the Rubber Ducky car horn and a free regular Wheelspin too. This property costs 350,000 CR.

Croftdale Farm

Take in the Scottish Highlands with this sky-high property, hidden near Glen Rannoch in the north-west corner of the map. This property includes a Sheep car horn and one Super Wheelspin. It's a great entry-level property, priced at 200,000 CR.

Sunflower Meadows

This white semi-detached cottage is found in Ambleside, offering another excellent option for first-time buyers. This property is bundled with green wellington boots and a bonus Super Wheelspin. Among the cheapest across the map, Sunflower Meadows is priced at 200,000 CR.

The Gables

In an unlikely turn of events, The Gables is a property gifted by filmmakers after your work as a movie stunt driver. After completing the mission, this abandoned set becomes yours, while simultaneously unlocking Drone Mode. Best of all, this location is entirely free.

Which home is for you?

If you're playing Forza Horizon 4, drop into the comments section with your favorite home from the range. Alternatively, Forza Horizon 4 is now available, starting at $59.99.

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft Store

Best answer: Dell doesn't sell batteries directly, so you'll need to hit classified websites like eBay or contact Dell to have them replace your battery for a charge, if out of warranty.

Dell: Replacement battery program

Rare sightings

Replacement batteries for the newer 9570 Dell XPS 15 are incredibly hard to come across, even when looking for second-hand listings on classified websites. Dell doesn't sell replacement batteries on its official website either, making sites like eBay really your best bet at picking one up.

Get the correct battery

Dell has fantastic design languages for its range of XPS laptops and the XPS 15 is one of them. The 9570 looks very much like the 9560 in more ways than not, but you should always ensure your battery is for the 9570 (or the model you own) to be certain that it'll all work and not void your warranty.

While classified websites like eBay are great for finding a replacement battery, we recommend you only purchase new batteries and not second-hand or used units. This is down to them already having used up some of the available discharge cycles, making them more likely to perform worse than new replacements.

Dell can replace the battery

If you'd rather not chance it by purchasing a battery online, you could have Dell replace it for you. The company doesn't sell them directly — likely because Dell doesn't want everyone tinkering with batteries — but it'll gladly charge you to take in your XPS 15 and swap it out with a new battery for a small charge if you're out of warranty.

There are a number of options Dell has available, including authorized partners that can handle the work on the company's behalf, or a mail-in service to have Dell fit a new battery.

The right choice

Dell battery replacement program

See at Dell

Have it done for you.

Dell XPS 15 9570 batteries are rather difficult to locate for purchase, but Dell can replace the battery in the notebook likely for free if under warranty.

Best answer: If you're looking to save a few dollars you can get the certified refurbished RBK50 with the satellite, for $70 less than the price for a brand new one. It comes with a satellite of its own and a 90-day guarantee and you can still purchase a protection plan. All in all, yes, it's perfect for budget buying.

Amazon: NETGEAR Certified Refurbished RBK50 with satellite ($250)

You're still protected with your purchase

Amazon has a "Certified Refurbished" option when buying certain products on its websites. These are products that, for whatever reason, were sent back to Amazon from their original owner. Amazon then takes the product, refurbishes it, and then puts it back on the market for resale. It's like going to the thrift store for technology, except you never have to guess whether it's going to work or not because professionals have ensured it will.

On that note, if your product is faulty there is a 90-day guarantee. This means if you come across any issues, that wasn't due to any accidents on your end, you can return it to receive a replacement or refund. It doesn't stop there. Amazon offers the same protection plans for their normal products even on the refurbished ones. This way, even if the accident is your own, you can make sure you're covered for up to four years for less than $10.

Why the Orbi RBK50 package anyway?

Well, if you're looking for more coverage and a better connection, the Orbi is definitely the way to go. The RBK50 extends your Wi-Fi up to 5,000 square feet with three built-in radios with 802.11b/g/n - 2.4GHz - 256QAM. With its tri-band technology, Orbi is able to use a backhaul connection of 4x4 (1.7Gbps) to ensure you don't lose connection with the more devices you add. Setup is super easy and there's even an ability to set up a simple Guest Network for secure connections. The satellite is another force to be reckoned with as well. It works as a Wi-Fi extender to give you even more coverage. The Orbi RBK50 also has beamforming (2.4 and 5GHz bands) to help maintain a steady connection to your devices that won't vary the further you get away from the router or satellite.

Other than that there are several expansion options for you to add onto your Orbi experience. There is an indoor or outdoor expansion to add an extra 2,500 square feet of coverage, as well as a nifty device known as the Orbi Voice. That's a speaker for the Orbi system that also doubles as a speaker for your favorite music. It's compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, meaning you can also give the device voice commands to control your home and other smart products.

You can get this package refurbished for almost $100 less than it's usual price and that's one heck of a deal.

Our pick for routers

NETGEAR Certified Refurbished RBK50 with satellite

$250 at Amazon

Save money and upgrade

With this router, you get 5,000 square feet of coverage and up to 3.0Gbps on your internet speed. There are eight total Ethernet ports between the router and satellites, and even the ability to take it a step further with the indoor and outdoor expansions. There's a 90-day guarantee, just in case you come across problems, and 4-year protection plans are under $10.

Windows 10 October 2018 Update will start to be released on October 2, but is your computer getting it right away? In this guide, we'll explain how the rollout process will work.

Assuming that there not hiccups at the eleventh hour, Microsoft is expected to release the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) on October 2. This is the sixth major update that the OS is getting in the last three years, and it's a continuation of the April 2018 Update that introduces a new set of features and enhancements.

However, officially releasing on October 2 across millions of devices, including desktops, laptops, and tablets across the world, it doesn't necessarily mean that your PC will get it immediately.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll explain the process that Microsoft usually uses to deploy a new major version of the OS to all devices.

What PCs are initially getting the October 2018 Update?

As we come to expect, the rollout of the Windows 10 October 2018 Update will be gradual and slow, but faster than previous releases. Starting on October 2, leveraging Microsoft AI and Machine Learning technologies, devices that indicate that won't have problems running the new version will get the update first. Usually, these devices can include Surface and popular brands (such as those from Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, etc.) that came originally with Windows 10.

Note: While the official release of the update is October 2, it's only available as a manual download using the Update Assistant, Media Creation Tool, and using the Windows Update settings. The new version will begin to rollout automatically through Windows Update starting October 9.

During the early days, telemetry data will be collected as well as feedback from customers and manufacturers, and then as the rollout progresses, the feature update will expand to other devices.

However, many other external factors can prevent you from getting version 1809 even if your device is compatible. These factors can include incompatible device drivers or applications, certain peripherals, or a particular piece of hardware. Also, the way you acquired Windows 10, and your geographical location can play a part on when your PC will be getting the new feature update.

Even further, using AI and Machine Learning, Microsoft can quickly detect issues on a new version and temporary block a group of devices from getting the update, and the block will last until the company is confident that the problem has been resolved.

Can you skip the queue and upgrade manually?

The short answer is yes. However, it's always best to wait until Windows 10 version 1809 downloads automatically using Windows Update. Having said that, if you're eager to upgrade, there's more than one way to upgrade manually. You can use the Update Assistant or Media Creation Tool.

Update Assistant

The Update Assistant is an easy-to-use tool that has been designed to upgrade a computer in the event that the Windows Update mechanism isn't working. However, you can also use it to upgrade your machine without having to wait in the queue.

When the update becomes available, you can just download the Update Assistant clicking the Update now button from the Microsoft support website. And then double-clicking to launch the tool, and clicking the Update Now button will download and force the installation on your computer.

Media Creation Tool

If you're planning to upgrade more than one computer, you can also use the Media Creation Tool to upgrade to Windows 10 version 1809 skipping the queue. (You can also use the tool to upgrade a single machine.)

Using the Media Creation Tool, you can install the October 2018 Update without affecting your settings, apps, and more importantly, your files.

Once Microsoft updates the Media Creation Tool in its support website, you can downloed it by clicking the Download tool now button. Then after launching the tool, you only need to follow a few on-screen directions to upgrade your device.

If you're having problems shutting down, booting up, or any other performance issues, you can also use the tool to perform a clean installation with the October 2018 Update. Just make sure that you create a backup before proceeding, as you'll need to restore your files, and you'll also have to reinstall apps and reconfigure your previous settings after the upgrade.

Wrapping things up

After months of development, the Windows 10 October 2018 Update is finally ready for prime time, but remember that Microsoft making it available on October 2 doesn't mean that the new version is fully compatible with every hardware configuration.

Usually, it can take a few days to several weeks for devices to get the feature update automatically. If you want to upgrade immediately, consider that if it's not available through Windows Update, there's a good chance that Microsoft is putting a block because there could be a compatibility problem. In this case, it's recommended to wait until you receive the notification indicating that version 1809 is ready for your device.

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

Microsoft is releasing the October 2018 Update for Windows 10, and you can use these steps to get it immediately.

Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) is officially available on October 2. This is the sixth major refresh releasing to compatible devices, and it's an incremental update that introduces several new features and a lot of improvements to make users more productive and secure on an online world.

In version 1809, you can expect new features such as a new clipboard experience that syncs across devices, Screen Sketch tool to take screenshots, and Your Phone app to connect your phone with your computer. Also, you'll find other features like Typing insights, SwiftKey, and Windows HD Color, as well as design tweaks, including a dark theme for File Explorer and Fluent Design touches, and a lot more.

The new version will start rolling out slowly, and similar to the previous release, Microsoft is expected to use AI to deliver the Windows 10 October 2018 Update more reliably. This only means that no every device will be updated at the same time. Compatible devices will get it first, and then after the update has been proven to be more stable, Microsoft will make it available to other devices.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the three recommended ways to install the October 2018 Update on your desktop, laptop, or tablet.

• How to install the October 2018 Update with Windows Update
• How to install the October 2018 Update with Media Creation Tool
• How to install the October 2018 Update with Update Assistant

Warning: Although the Windows 10 upgrade process is non-destructive, it's always recommended to create a full backup of your device before proceeding, in case something unexpected happens and you need to go back to the previous version.

How to install the October 2018 Update with Windows Update

While it's recommended to wait until you receive a notification automatically indicating that the Windows 10 October 2018 Update is ready for your computer, you can force the upgrade using Windows Update as soon as it becomes available. (Of course, as long as Microsoft isn't purposely blocking the update because it's not compatible with your hardware.)

To use Windows Update to force the installation of version 1809, use these steps:

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

4. Click the Check for updates button.

5. Click the Restart Now button after the update has been downloaded on your device.

Once you've completed the steps, the new feature update will download and install using the same process as cumulative updates, but this time, it'll just take a lot longer to apply. (Usually, the upgrade process takes around 20 minutes depending on your hardware configuration.)

How to install the October 2018 Update with Media Creation Tool

If your device isn't seeing the new version using Windows Update, and you know it's compatible with your hardware configuration, you can perform an in-place upgrade of Windows 10 with all the new features and improvements manually using the Media Creation Tool.

When the tool gets updated to upgrade devices to version 1809, you can download and install the October 2018 Update using these steps:

1. Open this Microsoft support website in your web browser.
2. Click the Download tool now button.
3. Double-click the MediaCreationTool1809.exe file to begin the upgrade process.
4. Click the Accept button to agree to the Microsoft terms.

5. Select the Upgrade this PC now option.

6. Click the Accept button one more time to agree to the notice and license terms.

7. Confirm that the Keep personal files and apps option is selected. (If the option isn't selected, click the Change what to keep link to choose the correct option to keep your files, settings, and apps after the upgrade.)

8. Click the Install button.

After completing the steps, the Media Creation Tool will begin installing the Windows 10 October 2018 Update on your device keeping your settings, apps, and data.

If you're having problems installing the new version, you should use the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable media, which you can use to perform a clean installation of Windows 10 with the new update.

How to install the October 2018 Update with Update Assistant

Alternatively, if your device is fully compatible, but you're having issues with Windows Update or the Media Creation Tool, you can try using the Update Assistant tool.

To upgrade your system to the latest version of Windows 10 using the Update Assistant, use these steps:

1. Open this Microsoft support website in your web browser.
2. Click the Update now button.
3. Double-click the Windows10Upgrade file to start the tool.
4. Click the Update Now button.
5. After the tool confirm that your hardware is compatible, click the Next button.
6. Click the Restart Now button.

Once you've completed the steps, the Update Assistant tools will download the files to upgrade your devices without affecting your apps, files, or settings on a process that could take up to an hour depending on your hardware configuration and internet connection speed.

What method are you using to upgrade your device to version 1809? 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

Upgrading to the Windows 10 October 2018 Update causing issues? If so, in this guide, we'll help you to fix the most common installation problems.

Just like its predecessor, the Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) is a major refresh that brings new features and enhancements to improve the overall experience for desktops, laptops, and tablets. However, a new release also means potential new problems as these updates aren't like those you install every month.

Usually, a new feature update of Windows 10 includes major code changes that can unleash new compatibility issues, problems with drivers, unexpected errors, and a number of other problems that can impact performance and usability.

Also, in addition to unknown bugs, you may stumble upon other issues that aren't caused as a result of new changes in the OS. Sometimes, an upgrade will fail or experience problems because of incompatible software, outdated device drivers, and custom configurations that may prevent your computer from getting the new version.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll look at some of the problems you may run into trying to install the October 2018 Update and their possible solutions to resolve them as quickly as possible.

Windows 10 October 2018 Update fixes to problems

When upgrading to a new version of Windows 10, there are two types of problems that you may come across. You may encounter errors that are known to be common issues during the installation process, which aren't problems with the new version. And then, there are problems that can be attributed to design bugs, issues with compatibility, and other unknown issues with the latest version.

This guide lists instructions to help you resolve these to types of problems as you trying to install and after upgrading to the Windows 10 October 2018 Update:

• How to fix Windows Update problems with the October 2018 Update
• How to fix USB media problems with the October 2018 Update
• How to fix Update Assistant problems with the October 2018 Update
• How to fix ISO problems with the October 2018 Update
• How to fix storage problems with the October 2018 Update
• How to fix hardware and software compatibility problems with the October 2018 Update
• How to fix installation problems with the October 2018 Update
• How to fix post installation problems with the October 2018 Update
• How to successfully upgrade to the Windows 10 October 2018 Update

How to fix Windows Update problems with the October 2018 Update

Fixing Windows Update install files download errors

When you see the error 0x800F0922, it's likely that your device is not communicating with the Microsoft update servers, or it may also mean that the System Reserved partition isn't large enough.

Here are a few solutions that you can try:

Disconnect VPN connection

You'll usually see error 0x800F0922 if you have an active VPN connection.

To fix this problem, disconnect your device from the VPN session, and then try to upgrade one more time.

Extend System Reserved partition

This doesn't always happen, but sometimes third-party software, such as security applications may save data onto the System Reserved partition, which it may just be the reason your device is unable to install the October 2018 Update.

To fix this problem, use a third-party tool to resize and make the System Reserved partition larger. (Typically, you want to make sure the reserved partition is 500MB or larger.)

Or you can get around this issue, doing a clean installation, which will create the proper partition to run Windows 10 without problems.

Upgrade using Media Creation Tool

It's also possible that you may get the 0x80246007 error as Windows Update tries to download the installation files to upgrade. The message means that the files didn't download successfully.

If this is the case, you should use the Media Creation Tool to install a fresh copy of Windows 10, which will take care of the required partitions automatically.

Fixing Windows Update installation errors

While using Windows Update is the recommended option to upgrade to a new version of Windows 10, it's not a feature that works flawlessly, and sometimes, you may see errors trying to install a new update.

The errors that you may see will vary depending on the problem, but if you're having issues with Windows Update, you can use the Windows 10 built-in troubleshooter to correct this hiccup.

To troubleshoot and fix installation errors using Windows Update, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Troubleshoot.
4. Under "Get up and running," select the Windows Update option.

5. Click the Run the troubleshooter button.

6. Click the Apply this fix option (if applicable).

7. Continue with the on-screen directions.

Once you've completed the steps, restart your computer, and then try to upgrade one more time from Settings> Update & Security> Windows Update, and click the Check for updates button.

Fixing Windows Update unexpected install errors

If an unexpected problem appears as Windows Update tries to download the installation files, you're likely to hit the 0x80190001 error.

When you see this message, use the Settings app cleanup tool to remove the temporary files, which could be the root of the problem.

To delete temporary files on Windows 10, use these steps:

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

4. Under "Storage sense," click the Free up space now option.

5. Clear the selected options.
6. Check the Temporary Windows installation files option.

7. Click the Remove files button.

After completing the steps, try to upgrade one more time going to Settings> Update & Security> Windows Update, and click the Check for updates button.

If you're still experiencing the same problem, you should use the Media Creation Tool to install Windows 10 version 1809.

How to fix USB media problems with the October 2018 Update

Fixing Media Creation Tool not downloading the update

When using the Microsoft Media Creation Tool to download and upgrade your computer to the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, in some cases, the tool may get stuck trying to download available cumulative updates before proceeding with the upgrade.

If the Media Creation Tool seems not to be able to pull down updates, restart the tool, and as soon as the installation files finish downloading, immediately disconnect the network cable or turn off your wireless adapter.

As you disconnect, the tool will eventually timeout, and it'll continue with the version 1809 upgrade process.

After the installation completes, in the out-of-box experience (OOBE), reconnect the network cable or connect to your Wi-Fi network to finish setting up the installation.

Fixing Media Creation Tool install errors

Usually, restarting the Media Creation Tool fixes most issues, but if you run into a Dynamic Update related problem, the tool will continue to get stuck every time it tries to download the October 2018 Update installation files.

When dealing with this problem, it's best to try starting the process manually from the sources folder with these steps:

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Browse to the following path:

   C:\$Windows.~BT\Sources

3. Double-click the Setupprep.exe file to launch the process.

Once you've completed the steps, the installation process should start, but if it doesn't, you can also try using the Update Assistant tool to upgrade your device.

Fixing Media Creation Tool created USB install media

If you're using a USB bootable media that you've created using the Media Creation Tool, the Windows 10 October 2018 Update installation may fail, or an error may persist blocking a successful upgrade.

Usually, the issue is that one or multiple files in the USB flash drive are corrupted. Although you can't fix the files, you can quickly solve this problem by using the Media Creation Tool to recreate the installation media.

To create a bootable USB flash drive, use the following steps:

1. Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft. (Clicking the Download tool now button.)
2. Double-click the MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe file to launch the utility.
3. Click the Accept button.

4. Select the Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC option.

5. Click the Next button.

6. Select your language, architecture, and edition settings, if different from the default selection.

7. Click the Next button.

8. Select the USB flash drive option.

9. Click the Next button.

10. Select a removable drive from the list.

11. Click the Next button.
12. Click the Finish button.

After completing the steps, you'll have a new USB flash drive without corrupted files that you can use to install the latest version of Windows 10.

Fixing update doesn't apply to your device problem

Although Windows 10 downloads and installs updates automatically, if your device hasn't connected to the internet for a while, or you previouly disabled Windows Update, when using a USB flash drive to upgrade, you're likely to see the "Error: The update isn't applicable to your computer."

To fix this problem, make sure to connect your computer online, and check for updates before trying to upgrade using these steps:

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

4. Click the Check for updates button.

Alternatively, you can use this guide to download and install the required updates manually.

How to fix Update Assistant problems with the October 2018 Update

Fixing 'Something went wrong' problem using the Update Assistant

If you're using the Update Assistant to upgrade to the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, you may see the error 0x8007042B, along with the "Something went wrong" message, which will prevent you to continue with the upgrade process.

While the message isn't clear enough to determine the cause, you can try some troubleshooting steps to correct the issue.

The first thing you should do is to use these instructions to ensure that you're following the proper precautions to keep problems to the minimum as you try to install the October 2018 Update.

After uninstalling non-essential programs and security software, and you disconnected non-essential peripherals, you can use the Update Assistant again.

If you're getting the same error, then it's time to use a different upgrade method. You can try performing a clean installation of Windows 10, or you can use the Media Creation Tool to do an in-place upgrade.

Fixing Update Assistant stuck downloading Windows 10 October 2018 Update

Although Microsoft created the Update Assistant as a method to install feature updates when Windows Update isn't working correctly, sometimes the tool can experience problems of its own, such as getting stuck downloading the required installation files.

Usually, the problems using the Update Assistant can be associated with connection issues, which you can resolve quickly using these tips:

• Unplug the network cable from your device, or turn off your network connection. Wait 60 seconds, reconnect to the network, and restart the Update Assistant.
• Reboot your computer, and then restart the Update Assistant.
• Instead of using the Update Assistant, try the Media Creation Tool to upgrade your device to the October 2018 Update.

How to fix ISO problems with the October 2018 Update

As you try to upgrade, you may see error 0x8007025D - 0x2000C, which indicates that one or more files with the October 2018 Update in the ISO are corrupted.

To quickly resolve this issue, use the Media Creation Tool to create a new ISO file with these steps:

1. Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft. (Clicking the Download tool now button.)
2. Double-click the MediaCreationToolxxxx.exe file to launch the utility.
3. Click the Accept button.

4. Select the Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC option.

5. Select your language, architecture, and edition settings, if different from the default selection.

6. Click the Next button.

7. Select the ISO file option.

8. Click the Next button.

After you've completed the steps, the Media Creation Tool will create a new ISO file that will hopefully work to upgrade your device or virtual machine.

If you continue getting the same error, then one thing you can try is to create the ISO file using a different computer.

How to fix storage problems with the October 2018 Update

Fixing storage problems during install

As part of the system requirements to run the latest version of Windows 10, your device needs to have at least 20GB of available space when upgrading a 64-bit version, or 16GB of free space when upgrading a 32-bit version. If the hard drive doesn't have enough free space, you'll see one of these errors:

• 0x80070070 – 0x50011
• 0x80070070 – 0x50012
• 0x80070070 – 0x60000
• 0x80070008
• 0xC190020e

To fix this problem installing the October 2018 Update, use Storage sense to free up space using these steps:

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

4. Under "Storage sense," click the Free up space now option.

5. Select the files you want to delete, including:

   • Windows Upgrade log files.
   • System created Windows Error Reporting Files.
   • Windows Defender Antivirus.
   • Windows Update Cleanup.
   • Thumbnails.
   • Temporary Windows installation files.
   • Temporary files.
   • Recycle Bin.
   • Temporary Internet Files.
   • Delivery Optimization Files.
   • DirectX Shader Cache.

   Important: Do not select the "Windows Setup temporary files" or "Windows ESD installation files" options as these are the files needed to upgrade.

6. Click the Remove files button.

After completing the steps, you should be able to install Windows 10 version 1809 without problems.

If you're not able to free up enough space, connect a removable drive or USB flash drive with at least 16GB of storage that Windows 10 can use as temporary storage to upgrade your system.

Fixing missing or damaged files during install

If you happen to see error 0x80073712 or 0x80245006, it indicates that one or multiple files required to install the October 2018 Update are missing or damaged.

To fix this issue, you can use Storage sense to delete the setup temporary files using these steps:

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

4. Under "Storage sense," click the Free up space now option.

5. Select the Temporary Windows installation files or Windows Setup temporary files from the list.

6. Click the Remove files button.

Once you've completed the steps, you can force the update from Settings> Update & Security> Windows Update, and click the Check for updates button.

Alternatively, you can use the Media Creation Tool to upgrade your computer to version 1809.

How to fix hardware and software compatibility problems with the October 2018 Update

Fixing hardware compatibility problems during install

Although you don't necessarily need modern hardware to run Windows 10, you'll come across error 0xC1900200 – 0x20008 or 0xC1900202 – 0x20008 if your computer doesn't meet the minimum hardware requirements.

Typically, only people upgrading from a very old version will stumble upon these errors. For reference, these are the minimum hardware requirements to install Windows 10:

• CPU: 1GHz CPU.
• RAM: 2GB for 32 bit or 64 bit.
• Storage: 16GB for 32 bit or 20GB for 64 bit.
• Graphics: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver.
• Display: 800x600.

While devices already running the last version of Windows 10 are highly unlikely to run into hardware requirements issues, it's a problem for many low-end devices. If you see the 0xC1900200 – 0x20008 or 0xC1900202 – 0x20008 error, usually, it's a memory issue, which you can fix by adding more memory.

You can use this guide to find out the hardware information of your device to determine if a hardware upgrade is required.

Fixing app or driver compatibility problems during install

When trying to install the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, there's a chance that you may see error 0x800F0923, which means that there's a compatibility problem with an app or device driver.

Generally, this error appears when there's an issue with the graphics driver, a piece of hardware is using an outdated driver, or it can also be caused by a compatibility issue with old software or third-party antivirus.

One way to find out what's causing the compatibility problem is to use the Media Creation Tool or the Update Assistant to start an in-place upgrade. As you go through the on-screen directions, the tool will detect and report if there's a known hardware compatibility problem.

If the problem is caused by a device driver, then visit your manufacturer support website, and download and install the latest driver available using their instructions.

In the case that there aren't new updates, you can uninstall the driver in question, continue with the October 2018 Update installation, and after the upgrade, reinstall the device again.

To uninstall a device driver, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager, and click the top result to open the experience.
3. Expand the device with the problem.

4. Right-click it, and selectd the Uninstall driver option.

Once you've completed the steps, try to upgrade to version 1809, and the installation should go through without a glitch.

Driver incompatibility

If you get the 0x80070490 - 0x20007 error during the upgrade, this indicates that one or more device drivers are not compatible, and error 0x80070003- 0x20007 means that the setup process failed during the driver installation phase.

When you see error 0x80070490 - 0x20007 or 0x80070003- 0x20007 after Windows 10 rolls back to the previous version, follow the above steps to remove the device driver with the problem, and then follow the steps to upgrade one more time.

Software incompatibility

When the problem is an application, visit your software vendor support website to download and install the latest updates.

Alternatively, you can always uninstall the application to proceed with the upgrade to the October 2018 Update using these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Apps & features.
4. Select the app you want to remove, and click the Uninstall button.

5. Click the Uninstall button again.

After completing the steps, continue with the installation, and then reinstall the app again.

Fixing driver compatibility problems during install

When upgrading to any version of Windows 10, if you run into an error that begins with 0xC1900101, it means a problem with a device driver.

These are the possible 0xC1900101 errors:

• 0xC1900101 - 0x20004
• 0xC1900101 - 0x2000c
• 0xC1900101 - 0x20017
• 0xC1900101 - 0x30018
• 0xC1900101 - 0x3000D
• 0xC1900101 - 0x4000D
• 0xC1900101 - 0x40017

In addition to the 0xC1900101 errors, 0x80090011 is yet another related error that may occur if there is a driver problem during the data migration process.

To fix these problems while upgrading your device, you can try the following solutions:

Disconnect non-essential peripherals

To prevent driver errors, you can disconnect the peripherals with the problem, and then proceed with the upgrade, and then, after the October 2018 Update installation, you can reconnect them again.

Usually, you should always consider removing all the peripherals that are not required during the installation process, including removable drives, printers, Bluetooth devices, USB hubs, cameras, and others.

Update device drivers

If you're getting one of the 0xC1900101 or 0x80090011 error, you want to make sure that your device is running the latest drivers available through your manufacturer support website.

To update a particular device driver on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager, and click the top result.
3. Expand the device with the problem. (Usually, it's the one with a yellow exclamation mark.)

4. Right-click the device, and select the Update driver option.

   Quick Tip: Alternatively, you can use the Uninstall device option to avoid errors during the upgrade.

The above instructions outline the usual steps to update a driver, but if you're downloading the update from your manufacturer support website, make sure to follow their instructions as they may be different.

If you're dealing with graphics drivers, you can use this guide for more specific instructions.

Free up storage space

Storage can also be a reason that you see one of the 0xC1900101 errors, as such you should make sure that your device has at least 20GB of available space.

You can use these tips to free up space on your device.

Repair current installation

Windows 10 includes the System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Servicing and Management (DISM) command tools to repair your current installation and potential issues with device drivers.

You should try the SFC command tool first, and then, if you're still having problems, you should use the DISM command tool to repair your Windows 10 installation.

Repair hard drive

Similar to the SFC and DISM tools, Windows 10 also includes the CHKDSK command to check and repair errors with a hard drive.

To repair hard drive errors to minimize the chances of upgrade problems, use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select Run as administrator.

3. Type the following command and press Enter:

   chkdsk/f c:

4. If prompted, type Y and press Enter to schedule a scan.

After completing the steps, restart your computer to start the CHKDSK tool and repair hard drive errors.

Upgrade manually

If nothing seems to fix the error you're receiving, you should consider doing a clean installation of Windows 10 using the Media Creation Tool.

Fixing app compatibility problems during install

During the upgrade process, if you see the 0xC1900208 – 0x4000C error, it indicates that one or multiple apps are not compatible with the October 2018 Update installation process.

The easiest way to get around this issue is to uninstall the apps blocking the installation. Typically, security software, such as non-Microsoft antivirus, are to blame for this problem.

To remove an app from your device, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Apps & features.
4. Select the incompatible application.
5. Click the Uninstall button.

6. Click the Uninstall button again.

When uninstalling classic desktop applications, you will need to follow additional steps as directed.

How to fix installation problems with the October 2018 Update

Fixing Windows 10 before installing a new version

Usually, when you use the same installation of Windows 10 without proper maintenance, you'll eventually start noticing performance degradation and many other issues that could prevent a successful install of the October 2018 Update.

Before starting the installation process, you should use the SFC command tool to repair most problems with the current setup. Alternatively, you can also use the DISM command to correct issues on your device.

Fixing problems starting the upgrade process

While trying to install the October 2018 Update, you may also come across error 0xC1900107. If you see this error, it means that you recently performed an upgrade, and the previous installation still pending to be removed.

To fix error 0xC1900107, restart your computer, and try to upgrade again. If you're unable to proceed, use Storage sense to delete the previous installation as well as other temporary files:

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

4. Under "Storage sense," click the Free up space now option.

5. Select the all the temporary files, including the Previous Windows Installation(s) option.
6. Click the Remove files button.

After completing the steps, you should be able to run the setup one more time without getting the 0xC1900107 error.

Fixing errors after accidental restart during installation

If you're installing version 1809, you're likely to get the 0x80200056 error after an accidental restart. However, this isn't a big issue, just rerun the setup, and make sure not to turn off the computer during the upgrade.

Fixing errors upgrading without an administrator account

When you get the 0x80070522 error, it means that you're trying to install the October 2018 Update using a standard account.

To install the new version of Windows 10, make sure to run the setup using an account that has administrator privileges. If you're at work, you'll need to contact your system administrator for assistance.

Fixing installation completion problems

When using Windows Update to install a feature update or cumulative update, you may see two known error messages:

• Error: We couldn't complete the updates. Undoing changes. Don't turn off your computer.
• Error: Failure configuring Windows Updates. Reverting changes.

On Windows 10, these are known errors that can occur as a result of an update failing to install, and until you find out the specific error, you won't be able to solve it.

Thankfully, the Windows Update settings page includes a section that tracks information about each update, including any specific errors that you can use to find a solution.

To see the Windows Update history information, use the following steps:

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

4. Click the View your update history link.

5. Check the error code for the failed update.

After completing the steps, you can use the Windows Central forums or your favorite search engine to figure out what the error means and possible solution.

How to fix post installation problems with the October 2018 Update

Fixing activation problems with the October 2018 Update

Unlike previous versions, Windows 10 includes a feature that allows to reactivate after an upgrade or clean installation automatically. However, there are a number of factors that cause this process to fail.

If your device doesn't reactivate, you're likely to see the 0x803F7001 error, and the Windows is not activated messages in the Activation settings page.

To reactivate Windows 10, you can use the Activation Troubleshooter feature. In the rare case that your computer loses its activation, it's also recommended to give it a couple of days to see if Windows 10 activates again on its own.

Fixing networking problems with the October 2018 Update

Sometimes after successfully upgrading to the latest version of Windows 10, it's possible for your device to lose its connection to the internet, or you may experience slow speeds whether you're using a cable or wireless connection.

Although there are many factors that can cause connection problems, often times, the problem can be narrowed down to an unknown bug in the new feature update, the setup changed or reseted your network settings, or it could be a problem with the network adapter — just to name a few.

If you're having problems connecting to the internet (assuming it's not a problem with the router, cabling, or wireless environment), you can use the Windows 10 built-in network troubleshooter to resolve common issues.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Security.
3. Click on Status.

4. Under "Network status," click the Network Troubleshoot button.

5. Follow the on-screen directions.

Once you've completed the steps, you should be able to connect to the internet again.

Resetting all network adapters

If the Windows 10 troubleshooter didn't fix the problem, it's possible to reset all your network adapters using these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & security.
3. Click on Status.

4. Click the Network reset button.

5. Click the Reset now button.

After completing the steps, every network adapter configured on your device will be reset to their default settings.

Using the reset option should fix most problems, but if you're unable to connect to the internet, you can use this guide that includes more specific instructions to resolve networ issues.

Fixing black screen problem with the October 2018 Update

Sometimes as you upgrade to a new version of Windows 10, there's a chance of you coming across the "black screen" problem.

Usually, on Windows 10, a black screen happens as a result of an upgrade problem, a cumulative update that previously didn't install correctly, or it could be an issue with your graphics driver.

If you're getting a black screen after installing the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, use these instructions to fix this problem.

Alternatively, you can go back to the previous version of Windows 10, until there's a permanent fix for this problem.

To remove version 1809, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Recovery.

4. Under "Go back to a previous version of Windows 10", click the Get started button.

5. Select the reason you're rolling back.

6. Click the Next button.

7. Click the No, thanks button.

8. Click the Next button.

9. Click the Next button again.

10. Click the Go back to earlier build button.

Once you've completed the steps, your device will go back to the previous installation.

If you want to prevent getting into the same problem again, use the steps to block the feature update until you know for sure the issues has been solved.

How to successfully upgrade to the Windows 10 October 2018 Update

Although throughout the lifetime of Windows 10, the upgrade process has been getting better, because designing an OS that works across many hardware configurations is not an easy task, some problems are expected to happen during and after the upgrade.

However, if you follow these simple tips, the chances of you running into problems will be reduced significantly.

Create a backup

While the changes of a successful upgrade are high, it's possible for the installation to go wrong, and even though, the Windows 10 setup includes a rollback feature, you shouldn't count on that it'll work every time. For this reason, it's always recommended to create a full backup that you can use to recover your system quickly.

Also, a backup can help you to go back to the previous version if you're having problems after the upgrade, and you no longer have access to the rollback feature available through the Settings app.

If the installation fails, you can't boot your device, or you're experiencing post-installation issues, you can use these instructions to create a full backup that you can use to recover your computer.

Uninstall non-essential apps

Typically, application incompatibility is one of the reasons an upgrade will fail. If you want to prevent app related problems as you make the jump to a new version of Windows 10, uninstall those apps that are likely to block the installation. If you don't know which ones to remove, start with classic desktop programs and security software, and then run the setup to see if you can upgrade.

To remove apps on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Apps & features.
4. Select the app, and click the Uninstall button.

5. Click the Uninstall button again.

Once you've completed the steps, you may need to repeat the instructions to remove other apps. If you're trying to uninstall classic desktop applications, you may need to go through some additional steps as directed by the uninstaller.

In addition to incompatible applications, you may need to remove third-party anti-malware software to minimize the risk of running into upgrade issues. (It's assumed that you understand that it's not recommended to run a device without malware protection.)

In the unlikely case that problem is caused by the Windows Defender Antivirus, you can disable the experience using these steps:

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

4. Click the Virus & threat protection settings link.

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

After installing the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, the antivirus will enable itself automatically.

If you decided to remove third-party anti-malware software, once the upgrade has completed, you can install them back.

Disable firewall

Sometimes the built-in or third-party firewall can cause problems during the setup process.

If you're using the Windows Firewall or another network security software, you should turn it off before proceeding.

These are the steps to disable the firewall built into Windows 10:

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

4. Click the network connection that's currently set to Active.

5. Turn off the Windows Firewall toggle switch.

Undo feature update blocks

If you're running an installation with custom settings, it's possible that one of your configurations may be blocking the Windows 10 October 2018 Update from downloading automatically.

Usually, the problem is that your device is configured to defer feature updates using the Windows Update advanced options. You can check and undo these settings as necessary using these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.

3. Click the Advanced options link.

4. Under "Choose when updates are installed," make sure that settings are configured to Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) and 0 days for both options.

Also, make sure that the Pause Updates toggle switch is turned off.

Disable metered connections

When using a network connection as metered, it'll prevent your device from downloading and installing the latest version of Windows 10 automatically. If you want to upgrade to the October 2018 Update, you must turn off this feature on any adapter set as metered.

If you happen to have a limited data plan, make sure that you have at least 3GB to 5GB of data in your data plan before proceeding. If you don't have enough data, it's recommended to connect to an unlimited connection to avoid extra charges.

To disable a metered network connection, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Security.
3. Click on Status.

4. Under "Network status," click the Change connection properties option.

5. Under "Metered connection," turn off the Set as metered connection toggle switch.

After completing the steps, your computer should be able to download and install the new feature update.

Disconnect non-essential peripherals

On any new Windows 10 installation, there's a good probability of problems as a result of incompatible peripherals.

You can always prevent many installation issues by disconnecting those non-essential peripherals before running the setup. Non-essential peripherals are those devices that are not required during the installation process, such as removable drives, printers, scanners, USB hubs, and Bluetooth devices.

Usually, during the setup, you only need a mouse, keyboard, display, and an internet connection. After the installation, you can reconnect all your peripherals to your device.

Perform a clean installation

When nothing seems to work to upgrade your device, you should consider doing a clean installation.

A clean installation is a process that erases everything on the primary hard drive and installs a fresh copy of Windows 10 with the October 2018 Update potentially fixing upgrade problems as well as performance and other issues.

Using the Media Creation Tool is the recommended tool to create a USB bootable media, which you can use to start your device and run the setup process.

If you need assistance, you can use this guide that walks you through everything you need to know to do a clean install properly.

Wrapping things up

The second semi-annual feature update for Windows 10 is officially rolling out to users, and while it won't significantly alter the way you use your computer, the new version requires a complete reinstallation, which can often cause problems due to compatibility and unknown bugs.

If you're planning to upgrade to the October 2018 Update quickly, be aware that the best method to get the new version is to wait until you receive a notification automatically letting you know it's compatible with your hardware configuration and ready to install through Windows Update.

Did you have any issues moving to the new feature update? Tell us in the comments. If you found a solution to a problem we didn't mention, remember to share the steps to resolve it.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

The Settings app received a lot of improvements with the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, and in this guide, we highlight them all.

The Windows 10 October 2018 Update (version 1809) is now available to some, with a wider rollout beginning soon, and with it, we're also getting an updated version of the Settings app, which ships with a new set of improvements, features, and tweaks to better customize the OS experience.

On version 1809, the Settings app ships with several interface tweaks and some of the settings have been reorganized. You'll find a number of new features to improve the customization, servicing, and productivity using Windows 10.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll dive deep into the new enhancements, changes, and tweaks available in the Settings app starting with the version 1809.

What's new in the Settings app for Windows 10

Starting with Windows 10 version 1809, the Settings app isn't aesthetically changing significantly, but you'll notice some improvements. For example, when invoking the context menu in the search box, you'll find an updated list of icons and shortcuts for each action. In addition, if you're using a stylus, the search box now also supports the mini handwriting experience.

Across the experience, the right pane now features common questions with answers using Bing, and the Settings homepage now also includes a similar right pane by default. Furthermore, the popup options page for certain settings now use gray color borders, instead of using the system scheme color, and some of the text for links and options have been reworded.

Also, in this release, the app introduces new settings and ports additional features from Control Panel, and a lot more.

These are all the new improvements available in the updated version of the Settings app in more details.

• System
• Devices
• Network & Internet
• Personalization
• Apps
• Accounts
• Time & Language
• Gaming
• Ease of Access
• Cortana
• Privacy
• Update & Security

System

On Settings> System, the Display page now features a new Windows HD Color page with settings to control high dynamic range (HDR) and wide color gamut (WCG) settings on supported displays for content like videos, photos, and games.

If you're not sure if your display supports "Windows HD Color," the supported features will be reported under the "Display capabilities" section.

In addition, at the bottom of the page, there is a drop-down menu to decide the battery options when playing Windows HD Color content.

On Settings> System, the Sound page has been updated, and now clicking the Device properties link will open a new settings page with options to rename or disable the device, and a drop-down menu to select your spatial sound format.

In the past, the link opened the device settings page using Control Panel. Though, you're still required to use the old experience to customize specific properties.

The Manage sound devices is a new page that lists your input and output devices with options to disable or enable each peripheral. (The speakers get a Test button as well.)

On Settings> System, the Notifications & actions page in the "Quick actions" section, you can now add or remove two new buttons, including Screen snip and Battery saver.

On Settings> System, in the Focus assist page the "When I'm playing a game" rule has been updated to enable Focus assist for all games in full-screen. In the past, this option was only available for DirectX exclusive games.

After enabling the toggle switch for "When I'm playing a game," you can click the option to further customize the notifications you don't want to see when playing a full-screen game.

On Settings> System, in the Storage page, the Storage Sense settings, in the Change how we free up space automatically sub-page, you'll find a few new changes.

Under "Storage Sense," the drop-down menu renames the "When windows decide" to "During low free disk space."

The Locally available could content feature is new starting with the Windows 10 October 2018 Update, and it allows you to configure OneDrive to free up space automatically by removing content already uploaded to the cloud that you haven't used during a specified period. You'll still be able to see the deleted files, but you'll need an internet connection to open them.

Using this new feature, you can make OneDrive files available only-online that you haven't modified in:

• 1 day.
• 14 days.
• 30 days.
• 60 days.

The Never option disables the feature, and content using the "Always keep on this device" will not be affected using these settings.

On Settings> System, the Shared experiences page doesn't introduce a lot of new changes, but you'll notice that the "Nearby sharing" section now includes a new icon.

On Settings> System, the Clipboard page is new starting with version 1809, and it's the page that houses all the settings to configure the new clipboard experience.

In this page, you can enable or disable the clipboard history using the new experience (Windows key + V).

Under "Sync across devices," you can enable or disable the option to sync your clipboard content across devices allowing to paste text from another computer.

If you enable the sync option, you can also control the automatic syncing behavior, which includes:

• Automatically sync text that I copy — clipboard content will sync automatically.
• Never automatically sync text that I copy — you must select the history items you want to sync within the Windows key + V interface.

At the bottom of the page, you'll also find an option to clear the clipboard data on your device. However, this option won't remove pinned items.

While these clipboard settings are new, the old experience will still available even if you change or disable any of these options.

On Settings> System, the About page only changes the "See details in Windows Defender" text to "See details in Windows Security" to reflect the new name for the security experience.

Devices

On Settings> Devices, the Typing page includes two new additions, including "Typing insights" and "Suggestions and autocorrections."

Typing insights is a new feature that shows the number of times that Microsoft's Artificial Intelligence technology has helped you to write more efficiently.

This new page includes information about autocomplete and suggested words, keystrokes saved, spelling corrections, and swiped words.

If you don't want to see these statistics, you can turn it off using the available toggle switch.

At the bottom of the "Typing" page, you can also access the Suggestions and autocorrections settings to manage the SwiftKey feature, which includes options to enable or disable suggestions and autocorrections when using the software and hardware keyboard.

On Settings> Devices, the Bluetooth & other devices page, under "Mouse, keyboard, & pen," Bluetooth devices connected to your computer will now show the battery level and will push a notification when the battery is running low. Of course, the peripheral must support this feature to display the indicator.

On Settings> Devices, the Pen & Windows Ink page is getting an update making available a new Screen Snipping option, under "Pen shortcuts," to start using the new snipping tools with a single pen click.

Image source: Microsoft

Also, the page introduces a new setting to allow the pen to work as a mouse, instead of panning and scrolling the screen.

Network & Internet

On Settings> Network & Internet, the Data usage page will now display the amount of data you're using while using a mobile data plan.

If you want to manage the roaming stats, you can find the settings in the "Cellular" page.

Personalization

On Settings> Personalization, the Colors page doesn't include new settings, but the Dark option has been updated to enable the dark theme in File Explorer too.

Apps

On Settings> Apps, in the Apps & features page, the options to decide the sources a user can use to get apps.

In the past, you had three choices, but now, you'll find four options, including:

• Turn off app recommendations.
• Show me app recommendations.
• Warm me before installing apps from outside the Store.
• Allow apps from the Store only.

Where Turn off app recommendations replaces the Allow apps from anywhere option, and Show me app recommendations is new in the list.

Under "Apps & features," in the "Manage optional features" page, Microsoft is making a number of components as Feature on Demand (FoD), including:

• WebDriver.
• Windows Hello Face.
• Math Recognizer.
• MSIX Packaging Tool Driver.
• RAS Connection Manager Administration Kit (CMAK).
• RIP Listener.
• RSAT: Active Directory Certificate Services Tools.
• RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and Lightweight Directory Services Tools.
• RSAT: BitLocker Driver Encryption Administration Utilities.
• RSAT: Data Center Bridging LLDP Tools.
• RSAT: DHCP Server Tools.
• RSAT: DNS Server Tools.
• RSAT: Failover Clustering Tools.
• RSAT: Fail Service Tools.
• RSAT: Group Policy Management Tools.
• RSAT: IP Address Management (IPAM) Client.
• RSAT: Network Load Balancing Tools.
• RSAT: Remote Access Management Tools.
• RSAT: Remote Desktop Services Tools.
• RSAT: Server Manager.
• RSAT: Shield VM Tools.
• RSAT: Storage Replica Module for Windows PowerShell.
• RSAT: Volume Activation Tools.
• RSAT: Windows Server Update Service Tools.
• WMI SNMP Provider.

On Settings> Apps, the Video playback page introduces a new Adjust video based on lighting option that will help to improve the visibility of videos on extreme bright environments.

This feature coming with the October 2018 Update requires a light sensor on your computer to detect the ambient light and adjust the video accordingly. In addition, in this page, you'll also find a link to access the new Windows HD Color settings.

Accounts

On Settings> Accounts, the Sign-in options page includes subtle tweaks including re-ordering of the sign-in options making the "PIN" the first option and "Password" second.

Under "Windows Hello," the link now reads "Find compatible devices," instead of "See how it works and find compatible devices." Also, you'll notice that Dynamic lock now includes a new icon.

On Settings> Accounts, the Family & other users page includes a new wizard to set up kiosk mode that walks you through the setup flow to create a kiosk account, which you can use to set up a public internet access device, digital sign, interactive display, and other devices.

Time & Language

On Settings> Time & Language, the Date & time page no longer includes your current region formats, because this information can now be found in the new "Region" page.

On Settings> Time & Language, the Region page is new, and it includes the settings to configure your device region parameters.

In this page, you can set the country or region, which helps Windows 10 and apps to surface local content.

Under "Regional format," you can select your language to automatically set dates and times based on your language.

If you need to adjust the settings, you can click the Change data formats link at the bottom of the page that takes you to another page that allows you to customize various settings, including:

• Calendar.
• First day of week.
• Short date.
• Long date.
• Short time.
• Long time.

Previously, these settings were available in Control Panel, but starting with version 1809, you can easily customize your experience in the Settings app.

On Settings> Time & Language, the Language page includes the same settings as before when the page used to be combined with the region settings, but you'll notice a new link to download additional language packs from the Microsoft Store.

Also, the language options page now includes more sections to display the language features, including:

• Language pack.
• Handwriting.
• Speech.
• Regional format.

Gaming

On Settings> Gaming, the Game bar page no longer includes an option to create a shortcut for "Show recording time."

On Settings> Gaming, the Game DVR page has been renamed to Captures, but no new features have been added.

On Settings> Gaming, the Game Mode page once again include the option to turn off the feature.

On Settings> Gaming, the TruePlay page is no longer available in Settings.

Ease of Access

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Display page introduces a new slider to change the system font size for the Start menu, title bar, message boxes, icons, and tooltips across Windows 10 and apps.

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Magnifier page, the "Change zoom increments" drop-down menu includes two additional zoom options, including 5% and 10% to give you a little more control over zoom increments.

Also, it's now possible to keep the mouse centered while in full-screen mode using the new "Keep the mouse cursor" drop-down menu, under "Change Magnifier view."

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Narrator page under "Use Narrator," you'll find a new link to open the QuickStart experience to learn over a dozen of tips to get started with Narrator.

Choose keyboard settings is a new section that replaces "Choose Narrator key." The new section still includes the two original settings, but you'll now find two additional features, including:

• Select keyboard layout.
• Select Narrator modifier.

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Keyboard page has been updated, and now, starting with Windows 10 version 1809, under the "Print Screen shortcut" section, you can configure the Print Screen key to open the new snipping experience using the new Snip & Sketch app.

Cortana

On Settings> Cortana, the Talk to Cortana page, under the "Lock screen" section, you'll find a link to access the Lock screen settings.

At the bottom of the page, there's an option to change the name that Cortana uses to call you.

On Settings> Cortana, the Permissions & History page now includes a "Personalize" section to connect the Microsoft account that Cortana uses to collect information and personalize your experience.

Under "History," there's a new Activity recommendations option to enable notifications to resume activities from other devices.

On Settings> Cortana, the Cortana across my devices page removes a number of features. For example, now that the Your Phone app is here, you'll no longer find the "Get Cortana mobile app for my phone" option to connect your phone to your device.

The "Help me pick up where I left off on other devices" option is no longer available, because it's been replaced with the "Activity recommendations" options in "Permissions & History."

Also, the "Get list suggestions" option is no longer available starting with this release.

Privacy

On Settings> Privacy, the General page doesn't introduce new options, but the Show me suggested content now enables ads in the home page of Settings.

On Settings> Privacy, the Speech page is new as Settings is splitting "Speech, inking, & Typing" into two pages, and it includes an option to disable the speech recognition service that is required to talk to Cortana and for Microsoft to improve the feature.

On Settings> Privacy, the Inking & typing personalization page is new, and it houses the option to disable data collection for typing and handwriting to build a local dictionary to improve suggestions.

The page also includes access to the user custom dictionary, which has an option to clear the feature history.

On Settings> Privacy, the Activity history page doesn't include new features, but it updates the descriptions for "Let Windows store my activities on this device," and "Let Windows sync my activities from this device to the cloud."

On Settings> Privacy, the Location page has been updated with new descriptions to communicate more clearly the available options.

On Settings> Privacy, the Notifications page now includes options to grant or deny users permission to choose whether apps can access the notifications system per device, per account, and you can even control which apps can access notifications individually.

On Settings> Privacy, the Radios page now allows you to control if users can decide whether apps have access to the device radios, and you can also control which apps can access the radios individually.

On Settings> Privacy, the App diagnostics page has been updated with new settings to allow or deny users to decide whether apps have access to diagnostic information from other apps on your device. Also, there's an option to grant or deny apps from accessing diagnostic information about other apps globally or individually on your account.

Update & Security

On Settings> Update & Security, the Windows Update page includes a properly styled interface for Active hours.

Also, starting with the October 2018 Update, Microsoft is introducing a reboot logic that uses a more predictable model to accurately decide when is the best time to restart your device if an update is pending.

On Settings> Update & Security, the Deliver Optimization page is a new item in the list, but the page doesn't introduce new settings.

On Settings> Update & Security, the Windows Security page has been updated to include a badge for each protection area to highlight the areas that may need additional actions.

On Settings> Update & Security, the Troubleshoot page removes two troubleshooters, including:

• Blue screen.
• Hardware and devices.

Wrapping things up

Although the Settings app is still not the one-stop-shop to configure every aspect of Windows 10, the October 2018 Update introduces a slew of incremental improvements and ports additional settings from Control Panel that should improve the overall experience.

What are your thoughts about the improvements Windows 10 is introducing with version 1809? 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