Windows 10 allows you to quickly enable or disable the new "Shared experiences" feature, and in this guide, we'll show you how to do it.

On the Creators Update, Windows 10 has a new feature called "Shared experiences," which allows you to start working on an app and then resume the same task on another device. You can even open the app remotely to resume a task if it's not already running. Depending on the app, it's also possible to remote control applications, share web links, and send messages across devices, including on Windows 10, Xbox, iOS, and Android devices.

While most users will know this feature as "Share experiences" on Windows 10, it's actually a reference to "Project Rome," and before the Creators Update was released, it was referred to as "Cross-Device Experiences."

The idea of Project Rome is simple, you're constantly switching devices throughout the day, and they're not all Windows 10 devices, and apps, just like your data, shouldn't be restricted to one device. They should roam with you. Using Project Rome, developers can connect their apps and services across devices and platforms offering users a continue experience no matter the device you're using.

On Windows 10, "Share experiences" comes enabled by default, but if it isn't working, it could be that it's disabled on your system. Or if you're not interested in sharing experiences between devices, you can always use the Settings app to enable, disable, or change its settings.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the easy steps to configure this new app cross-platform feature on your computer.

How to configure 'Shared experiences' on Windows 10

You can quickly enable, disable, and change the Shared experiences settings on Windows 10 using the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Shared experiences.

4. Turn on or off the Share across devices toggle switch to enable or disable the feature.

If you're enabling the feature, note that there is also a drop-down menu with an option to share or receive only from devices connected to your Microsoft account, or you can also select the option to use this experience with any nearby devices.

Currently, there are only a small number of apps with support for Project Rome, because developers need to implement this functionality into their services. However, it's expected that this will change with the release of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, which will give developers more reasons to adopt this feature, such as with Timeline that will help to drive even more user engagement.

More Windows 10 resources

For more help 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 using a VPN on your Windows machine, you're also using it for Kodi.

There, post done, right? Not so much. It is true that if you're using a Windows-based Kodi install on a PC then so long as the machine is behind a VPN so too will your Kodi install.

It's also not necessarily just for nefarious reasons you'd want to use a VPN, either. But if you do, and you probably should, here's some information to help.

What is a VPN?

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network and is an encrypted 'tunnel' that transfers your internet activity between your PC and a host server. The internet is a public thing, but a VPN adds a dose of anonymity, making it harder for someone to track your activities.

Reasons for using a VPN are various, but one popular reason is to 'spoof' your location. In some countries, like China, internet access is severely restricted, a VPN is a tool that can help get around that. Specifically, in relation to Kodi, the open-source nature of the platform has its own concerns, mainly down to third-party add-ons.

These can be built by anyone, anywhere, and even if you're not using one to access pirated content, there's always a chance that your security could be compromised. Kodi itself is an empty shell, and while you'd assume all add-ons in the official repository are good, outside of that it could be a real hornet's nest.

For more on the what and the why, check out the video above from your friendly neighborhood Modern Dad.

How do you use a VPN on Windows?

It's really easy, actually. VPN clients are widely available for Windows. You can get some that are browser extensions, but for complete protection of everything your PC does a native client is the way to go.

When you've chosen a client that's right for you, installing it on your PC is as easy as any other program. If you also want to use your VPN with any of your mobile devices, you'll have to use the mobile clients of your service, assuming it has them at all.

Windows also has built-in support for adding some VPN configurations right in the Settings app. Check out the guide linked below from PureVPN on how to set it all up.

How to setup VPN in Windows 10

So which VPN should I get?

There are lots out there, hundreds, perhaps thousands. Some are good; some are not so good. Only you can really make the decision on which fits best for you.

Here are some suggestions on the best all-round products available. These may work for you; you may find a better fit elsewhere. But ultimately make sure you understand what you get and what it costs.

The best VPN services of 2017

Your tips

If you're using a VPN with Kodi and have some wisdom to share with us, be sure to drop your tips in the comments below.

Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming version of Kodi.

Kodi 17.3 "Krypton" is the current release that's available through the Windows Store and the Kodi website But work on next version of the popular media server software is already well underway. In a break from the normal routine of choosing names with the community, Kodi 18 will be known as "Leia," in honor of everyone's favorite princess who sadly left us.

It hurts our hearts to have lost a great woman and actress and, with her, the character she portrayed, the princess we grew up with. It feels fitting, then, to announce that Kodi 18 will be named 'Leia' in honor of the late Carrie Fisher, as a tribute to one of the characters that defined an industry, and as a celebration of the whole Star Wars universe.

It's still early days right now, and there's not a whole lot to talk about regarding Kodi 18. But here's what we do know so far. And as updates become available, we'll keep this guide updated, so be sure to slap it into your bookmarks.

Updated June 6 2017: Added new information on the 64-bit Windows version coming with Leia.

When will Kodi 18 Leia be available?

At this point, it doesn't have an official release date.

What's new?

It's still in development, so the final feature list isn't publicly revealed. It's still in the early stages, too, so there's not a lot immediately obvious that has changed. The best place to keep tabs on new features is the Kodi 18 Leia changelog on the official Kodi Wiki.

One of the latest big developments is that there will finally be a 64-bit Windows version of Kodi with version 18.

Kodi 18 Leia changelog

Can I try it yet?

Absolutely! If you're OK with being on the bleeding edge and dealing with bugs, you can already get the latest nightly builds for version 18. Hit the link below to get started. You'll also now find an installer for the 64-bit version of the Kodi 18 nightly builds.

Download Kodi 18 Leia nightly builds

Do I need to uninstall Kodi 17 to try the new nightly builds?

No. If you're using the Kodi 17 app from the Windows Store, for example, the nightly installer will place the new version on your machine alongside it.

Is it good enough for my main build right now?

No, you should stick with the release version of Kodi 17. Leia is still a long way off, and lots of things don't work properly.

Does it look the same?

Yes! The stock skin was updated from Kodi 16 to Kodi 17, from the old "Confluence" skin to the new, more modern looking "Estuary." There's nothing to suggest that will change for version 18, but you can always install your own skins.

Will it be available on Xbox One?

Yes!. The Kodi developer team has already stated a commitment to producing a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) version for the Windows Store that will work on the Xbox One. Whether that will happen with version 18 or not is unclear. The latest updates are that it's still very much in progress, but there's a lot of work that remains to be done.

Which versions of Windows will be supported?

As of version 18 Kodi will no longer support Windows Vista. Users on Vista will still be able to use version 17 without issue, with the only potential problems coming with the compatibility of add-ons in the future. The main Kodi system, however, will keep on keeping on.

That means you'll need Windows 7, 8 or 10 to use Kodi 18. The first two will be delivered through the Kodi website, the latter through the site and through the Windows Store. For more on the decision to drop Vista, check out the official blog post.

Is there anything big to talk about yet?

Not in terms of features, but there are already some important updates. As mentioned above the UWP app is progressing and there will be a 64-bit version for Windows for the very first time.

New features are being discussed, and the developers are highlighting them to the community through "dev journals," with the most recent highlights including voice search and recommendation integration for the Android TV build of Leia.

There's still much development to happen, and much new hotness to be revealed, and that will happen all in good time. If you have questions, drop them into the comments below. Hopefully, we can help with some answers.

Want a remote-controlled drone for SteamVR Home? Or missing that vital balloonicorn? Here's how to unlock new props.

SteamVR Home is an expansion of Valve's SteamVR service, which adds new social and interactive experiences to the platform. With the ability to create your own personal space and invite friends, the new features show continued growth of the Steam platform and its goal to accommodate desktop VR users.

Quests are one of the main pillars of SteamVR Home and currently one of the few activities available through the platform. These simple tasks, which require users to find objects hidden inside environments, are a great way to unlock new "props" for social spaces. And if you've spent much time with SteamVR Home up until this point, you'll have realized the initial set of props is limited, to say the least. Here's how to take advantage of SteamVR Home quests and unlock some new gear.

Read more at VRHeads

Plex is an amazing tool designed to give you access to your media content on all your devices. This beginner's guide will get you up and running in no time.

Plex is one of those services that has been around for some time but many of us might have passed over for some reason, be it a lack of understanding of what it actually does, thinking it couldn't possibly be useful to you, or something else entirely. The truth is, Plex could be just what you're looking for to help you manage your media collection.

Setting up a media server sounds daunting, but Plex makes it super simple — and dare we say, enjoyable. You just need to know where to begin, which is where we come in. Read on for our quick Plex beginner's guide.

Updated June 5, 2017: We added fresh information on live TV, DVR and the Plex Media Server for the Netgear X10 router.

What is Plex?

The official Plex website describes the service quite well:

One window into all your personal media. No matter where you are.

All the media you own, everything you have on your computer is accessible everywhere. It's all on your mobile devices, through the web, and even on some smart TVs and set-top boxes.

Setting up Plex

Before you can use Plex to access your media on your other devices, you first need to set up your home server. This isn't nearly as daunting as it sounds and involves downloading the Plex Media Server app to your computer. It comes in flavors for Mac, Windows and Linux, as well as in a form designed for NAS drives. So it covers lots of bases.

Once installed, getting set up is a simple matter of following instructions in the web client — all your Plex-ing on your computer will be done in a browser — to tell it where to look for various media content. You'll be hosting the content yourself, so you'll need to make sure you can get to it at all times if you want to be streaming while away from home. That means storing it all on a laptop you take with you probably isn't the best idea.

If you have a supported NAS drive, a standalone desktop computer or even a spare Windows Box, these will be the best options. Ideally, you want something you can leave turned on, connected to the web and most importantly, something you don't throw in a rucksack and take on the road with you.

Plex Media Server has also been built for the Netgear X10 router. This is an expensive bit of kit, but it's also one of the most powerful, fastest Wi-Fi routers on the planet. By installing the special Plex Media Server build on it you can run the very same system as if you had it on a PC. You can hook it up to a network attached drive, and you don't need a PC to be running at all.

When you're telling Plex where to find your media, it's important to make sure the files are named in a way the software will understand, and that they're stored in a folder structure, in the case of TV shows. Plex has some handy hints on how to best prepare your media for your server.

Download Plex Media Server

Plex channels

Beyond just your own content, Plex has a bunch of different built-in content channels for you to use within the various Plex apps across the platforms.

However, those channels are region dependent. So if you can't get BBC iPlayer on the web where you're located, Plex won't be able to help. There's a good selection of stuff from global providers, though. The great thing about channels is that they're all available to watch in the mobile apps, too, for on-the-go enjoyment.

However, you don't want to get too carried away; Plex's selection of channels isn't as large as other services, such as Kodi's offerings. However, if you check out what there is you'll probably find something you like.

More about Plex Channels

Plex Pass

If you find that you like Plex and want to get the most out of it, Plex Pass is something you should consider. It's an add-on that you can pay for monthly, yearly or as a lifetime subscription.

Here's what it does, direct from the Plex support pages:

• Early access to new Plex features.
• Access to preview release versions of the Plex Media Server and other apps before they're released generally.
• The latest Plex apps for Android and Roku are yours free.
• Premium features like Plex Sync, Cloud Sync and Camera Upload.
• Access to dedicated Plex Pass forums where you can ask the Plex Ninjas questions as well as vote up new feature requests.
• A way to show your direct support for Plex.

We're not short on photo backup services, but with Plex you'll be combining it with the rest of your media collection and as such can access it on any device with a Plex app. It's also worth paying for if you ever want to offline your media and take it with you.

As for pricing, you'll pay $4.99 a month, $39.99 a year or $149.99 for a lifetime subscription.

Subscribe to Plex Pass

Some of the more recent features of Plex Pass really take your home media center up a notch, such as live TV and DVR. Initially, you'll only be able to use a limited number of devices with live TV, but the feature will eventually roll out to all apps on all devices, including Xbox One and Windows 10.

Better still, on Xbox One you'll be able to use the Xbox OTA TV Tuner to get the channels inside your Plex app.

DVR actually arrived before the ability to watch live TV, and setting it up in your Plex Media Server means you can record your favorite shows and then watch them in any of the Plex apps.

How to set up Plex DVR

Plex apps

Fans of Windows 10 aren't left out in the cold when it comes to app support with Plex. Neither are fans of pretty much any other platform. Plex is one of the most widely available applications on mobile, desktop and gaming consoles, with access on the Xbox One and Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, various smart TVs and set-top boxes such as Roku and NVIDIA Shield.

It doesn't end there, either, with Plex branching out into Kodi support, too. If you're looking to create a home theater PC as well as a server, there's the free Plex Media Player app for your home theater, which is available on Mac, Windows, and even Raspberry Pi.

When it comes to your media, the device you choose shouldn't hinder your enjoyment. Plex is one service that eliminates that problem almost entirely.

Download Plex from the Windows Store

Got Plex tips?

If you're a Plex master and have handy hints or general advice for those looking to jump into it for the first time, drop us a line in the comments below and share the wealth of your knowledge.

Injustice 2 features an exciting new single-player Multiverse mode that offers virtually limitless challenges and rewards.

This guide explains all the basics you need to know about Multiverse and includes tips for improving your score, earning better rewards, and even creating AI fighters to tackle Multiverse for you!

See Injustice 2 on the Xbox Store

Multiverse is Injustice 2's major single-player component in which players visit alternate universes (called Events) and complete Portals (the equivalent of towers or ladders) for rewards. Each individual Portal offers a base reward and three optional rewards (bronze, silver, and gold) for reaching score goals. Additionally, every overall Event offers its own reward for completing optional objectives within its Portals.

After completing a series of three tutorials, players gain access to the actual Multiverse mode. At any given time, Multiverse consists of several events: five or six time-limited rotating events and one permanent event, the Battle Simulator.

How to choose Multiverse events

The best way to play Multiverse is by balancing two goals: leveling characters and earning valuable rewards. One of your overall goals in Injustice 2 is to take each character to the maximum level of 20 for the Master of Trades Achievement. You'll also want to raise everyone's level so that they participate in higher-level Multiverse Portals as well as earn and equip better gear.

At the same time, Multiverse Events are only available for specific durations of time, and some of them offer highly desirable Gear and Mother Boxes. You don't want to miss any Epic-level Gear that your characters would reasonably be able to achieve before an Event ends.

Generally, you should either complete the longest-term Events (the ones on the left side of the main Multiverse screen) first to get them out of the way, or determine which character will need to be leveled up in order to complete them and then level that character by participating in shorter-term Events and the Battle Simulator.

With the current long-term Events completed, you can then focus on short-term Events for which you have sufficiently-leveled characters. Should there be no such Events with important rewards (anything less than a Platinum Mother Box or Epic Gear is basically skippable), focus on leveling a character over specific rewards.

Battle Simulator

The Battle Simulator is Injustice 2's equivalent of the traditional fighting game's arcade mode. Here you can choose a Portal, play as the character of your choice, and receive a character-specific ending. Whichever Portal you choose (with the exception of the Endless Portal), the ladder will always culminate in a fight against Brainiac.

After defeating Brainiac, an in-engine cinematic begins to play that is the same for every character. Next comes the character-specific ending, rendered via (low budget) hand-drawn images with minor animation. Finally, the credits roll. The character-specific ending can't be skipped, but the other two segments can.

Battle Simulator Portals

• Novice Battle Simulator: Five fights.
• Advanced Battle Simulator: Eight fights.
• Master Battle Simulator: Twelve fights.
• Survivor: Up to 29 fights.
• Endless: The Endless Portal works differently than the others. Life does not refill between fights, and losing even one battle will end the event. This makes it ideal for grinding Portal events for the Pulling Overtime Achievement by losing the first match repeatedly, although you'll receive no rewards for completing less than five matches. If you or your AI fighter completes 100 fights without losing, you'll receive a coveted Diamond Mother Box.

The rewards for completing Battle Simulator Portals cycle over time, so you can occasionally get a Platinum Mother Box just for completing one of the lower-fight Portals.

Scoring tips

When completing a Portal, you're guaranteed that Portal's base reward. But it's also nice to get the Bronze, Silver, and Gold prizes, which are all dependent on score. These prizes can only be earned once each. If an Event leaves rotation and returns in the future, you can re-earn all of its rewards except for the score-based ones.

You can view all of the factors that affect overall score for a Portal on the completion screen, but here some things that help:

• Supermoves are a big help at 10,000 points.
• Supermove finishes are the biggest help at 25,000 points each.
• Arena transitions help a lot at 15,000 points.
• Completing optional challenges displayed at the bottom of the screen during a fight will get you 10,000 points.
• Avoid losing for another 10,000 points bonus.

Beyond that, just try to finish each fight as quickly as possible and with as much health as possible.

Using an AI fighter

Aiming for high scores isn't really possible when using an AI fighter, but they're still a massive help in Multiverse mode. That's right – you can send AI fighters into all Multiverse Events other than Guild Events.

To create an AI profile

1. Go to Customize Characters from the main game menu.
2. Select the character you want or need for the Portal you wish to complete.
3. Scroll down to AI Loadouts and select the one you wish to set up.
4. Equip the best possible equipment (or equipment of appropriate rarity for certain Portals) on that profile.
   • Optional: From this screen, you can also switch tabs (use the Bumper buttons on Xbox One) to the AI Attributes and customize your AI's behavior.
5. Save the profile.

Now that your AI fighter is ready to go:

1. In Multiverse mode, select the Portal to which you want to send the AI fighter.
2. Highlight the desired character.
3. Instead of pressing the confirm button to select the character, press the profile button (X on Xbox One).
4. Scroll left (fastest) or right to select the AI Loadout you set up.
5. Now confirm and send the AI into battle!

As long as your AI fighter is wearing level-appropriate gear for the Portal, it should be able to take on most Multiverse battles with no trouble.

You can also switch to a human or AI profile after losing any Multiverse battle. Just pick Select a new fighter on the game-over screen and then select the character and desired manual or AI profile. This is handy when you're playing normally and run into a battle you can't handle, or when your AI fighter gets in over its head.

The only catch to AI fighters is the process of sending them into Portals is not fully automated. You still have to press the confirm button to proceed after winning every fight. Thus, you still need to be present and pay some minor attention to the game when playing this way.

There is a way to fully automate the process – you just need a controller with an autofire feature. Few, if any, Xbox One controllers offer such a feature, so we recommend the MayFlash Ultimate Adapter for adding autofire functionality to any controller you use with the Xbox One.

With a couple of simple button presses, you can make the game think you're continually pressing the A button until you tell it to stop. You'll soar through Multiverse Portals this way. (Read our MayFlash Ultimate Adapter review for more details.)

Guild Multiverse

One of Injustice 2's best social features is the Guild system. Joining a Guild brings several advantages, such as free Mother Boxes and even Source Crystals (the currency used for buying shaders). The progress of the Guild is based on two factors: Guild Points earned and Guild Multiverses completed by members.

After joining a Guild, you'll access the Guild Multiverse from the top-right corner of the main Guild menu. From there, you select the desired Guild Multiverse Portal and give it your best shot! If you win, you'll earn Guild Points and move the Guild one step closer to completing the Guild Multiverse.

Completing a Guild Multiverse is a big deal. While it requires a lot of participation and dedication from members, the reward is worth the trouble. Everyone in the Guild gets free Source Crystals. This is the only reliable way to earn Source Crystals for free, other than leveling up your profile.

A word of warning: Guild Multiverses are extremely challenging (probably too much so) and you can't use AI Profiles to complete them. But if you have the skills to pay the bills, you'll definitely want to give them a shot.

Of course we have our own guild on Xbox One, and we'd love for active players to join! Because member slots are limited, we require these criteria to join the guild:

• You must be level 20 or higher.
• You must play Injustice 2 several times a week.
• You must earn Guild Points every week, either by playing online battles, or completing Multiverse or Guild Multiverse events.
• You must complete one or more Guild Multiverses every week.

If you can handle those requirements, please join us! Search for us by Guild ID JQ5PC. We look forward to fighting with you!

The ultimate superhero fighting game

If you haven't picked up Injustice 2 yet, what are you waiting for? In our review, I wrote that "the amount of single-player content in Injustice 2 is unprecedented" and called it "a fantastic sequel." Tons of iconic characters, an addictive Gear system, and excellent online multiplayer make this game the complete package. Anyone with a love of DC characters or fighting games is going to love Injustice 2. And if you need more gameplay help, don't miss our in-depth Achievement Guide.

Injustice 2 is available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 for $59.99.

See Injustice 2 on the Xbox StoreSee Darkseid for Injustice 2 on the Xbox Store

How do you use the View 3D app in Windows 10 Mobile? Read on.

Microsoft's move into mixed reality includes the Remix 3D community, a place where users can share 3D models they create. We already wrote a guide on using the community through the Paint 3D app on Windows 10, but Windows 10 Mobile also has a companion app, known as View 3D.

It primarily allows you to view 3D models, meaning you can't use it to create anything new. Despite its limitations, it's a useful companion app that you can use to show off your creations or examine the creations of others.

How to access Remix 3D models from the View 3D app

If you created a model in the Paint 3D app for Windows 10, you can access and view it in the View 3D app. In this case, we saved FBX files (3D models created in Paint 3D) in OneDrive in order to access them on our phone.

1. Launch the View 3D app from the All apps list.
2. Tap the Open button in the top-left corner of the screen. (It looks like a folder.)

3. Tap OneDrive. (If you aren't signed in, you will be prompted to do so.)

4. Tap a 3D model file.
5. Tap the checkmark. (Your model will open in the View 3D app.)

6. Tap and drag with one finger to rotate and turn the model.

7. Tap and drag with two fingers to pan.
8. Tap and pinch with two fingers to zoom.

9. Double-tap with one finger to reset the camera.

How to upload a model to Remix 3D community with View 3D

Any models you view on your phone can be added to public or private board in the Remix 3D community.

1. Launch the View 3D app from the All apps list.
2. Tap the Remix 3D button near the top of the screen. (Edge will launch and you'll be taken to the Remix 3D website.

3. Tap the profile button in the top-right corner of the screen.)

4. Type your username.
5. Tap Next.

6. Type your password.

7. Tap Sign in.
8. Tap the Upload button near the top-right corner of the screen.

9. Tap Select file.

10. Tap OneDrive or any other option where you saved a 3D model.
11. Tap a 3D model file.

12. Tap the checkmark.

13. Tap Upload.
14. Tap Filter.

15. Tap a filter.

16. Tap the checkmark.
17. Tap Lighting.

18. Tap and drag the slider to adjust the lighting.

19. Tap the checkmark.
20. Tap Next.

21. Tap the Name field.

22. Type a name.
23. Tap the Description field.

24. Type a description.

25. Tap the dropdown arrow in the Made with field.
26. Tap an app.

27. Tap the Tags field.

28. Type a tag.
29. Tap the tag button to add the tag.

30. Tap Upload.

That's a lot of steps, but the model will now be uploaded to your collection in the Remix 3D community.

Related reading

How to use the Remix 3D community in the Paint 3D app on Windows 10

Why isn't sound working properly in my Rift's built-in headphones?

The audio coming from your Oculus Rift's headphones works fine most of the time, but when it cuts out or loses quality, your experience is significantly affected. There are a few reasons you might be getting poor quality sound or no sound at all through your headphones, and we've put together a list of potential fixes to help get you back on track.

Read more at VR Heads!

Here's how to stream your Xbox games on Microsoft's Mixer (formerly Beam) live-streaming service.

What on earth is Mixer, you ask? You thought everyone streamed on Twitch or YouTube? A relative upstart in the streaming game was scooped up by Microsoft and suddenly found itself in the limelight. And Microsoft recently changed the name of the service to Mixer.

You might find yourself wondering how to get started with it, and how to share your Xbox One games (other consoles are also available) with the world. Well, you have two options: You can share directly from the console, or by using additional hardware and software for a more customized broadcast.

That hardware will be a capture card, such as the Elgato HD60S and your PC, as well as some broadcasting software. Two of the most popular options are Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) which is free, and XSplit, which requires a subscription for the full feature set.

You'll also need to sign up for a free account on the Mixer website. You can either sign up using your email or login with Twitter, Discord or your Microsoft Account.

Updated June 6, 2017: We added information on broadcasting from Xbox One, co-streaming, the rebrand to Mixer and fresh images to match the latest user interface.

How to stream on Mixer from the Xbox One

This one's easy, but you have to have your Microsoft Account and your Mixer account linked if you signed up in the old days of Beam.

While you're inside any game on your console, simply press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide. Scroll down to the broadcast tab and select broadcast your game.

You have some simple options to deal with first, such as naming your stream and setting up your audio and camera if you're using a Kinect. Hit start broadcast when you're ready, and off you go.

How to stream on Mixer using OBS

1. On your Mixer dashboard select manage channel from the sidebar menu on the right-hand side of the screen.

2. Select Setup stream from the screen that displays.

3. When asked what you're using to stream, select OBS. (The best server should be selected automatically based on location and latency, but you can change this here.)

4. Next, copy your stream key from the highlighted box.

   That's what you need to do on the Mixer website. Next, you should fire up your broadcasting software, in this case, OBS Studio.

5. Select Settings in OBS Studio.

6. Select the Stream tab on the left sidebar.

7. Select beam.pro from the dropdown box for desired streaming service.
8. In the box below paste the stream key you copied from your Mixer dashboard.

How to stream on Mixer using XSplit

If you're using XSplit Broadcaster to stream, the latest versions of the app support Mixer natively. Just be aware that in XSplit, Mixer is still referred to as Beam and it has the old logo because it hasn't been updated, at least not at the time of this writing.

1. In XSplit Broadcaster select Extensions.
2. Scroll down and select Get more extensions.
3. In the Plugin Store you see, click on the Show Outputs button.
4. Select Beam.
5. To add Mixer chat, select Show Sources in the Plugin Store.
6. Select Beam Chat Viewer.

You now have native support for streaming to Mixer added to XSplit. From here it's very easy to set up your stream:

1. In XSplit Broadcaster, go to the Outputs menu.
2. Scroll down to Set up a new output, and then select Beam.
3. In the window that appears, click Authorize.
4. You'll now be taken to Mixer to log in with your account information.
5. Once you're all logged in, go to the Outputs menu again.
6. Click on the settings cog next to your account.
7. The settings menu will now open allowing you to customize your output, including audio and video bitrate, as well as name your stream.

That's all there is to it. These basic steps will help you set up your Mixer account for streaming, but there are other things to consider, such as bitrate. Mixer recommends what you should use in your dashboard, in our case it's showing as 720p, 30 frames per second (FPS), and a maximum 2,500 Kbps bitrate. You'll need to take these into account in your broadcast software as you set up your stream. A lot of this will depend on your broadband upload speed and consistency.

How to stream games on Mixer using FTL

FTL stands for "Faster Than Light," and it's Mixer's latest technology that promises sub-second latency on your streams. That means almost no delay between you and your audience, and Mixer is all about interactivity.

FTL is still a work in progress but you can try it out for yourselves using XSplit, Elgato Game Capture or a custom version of OBS Studio known as Tachyon. If you're interested, we have a guide to getting set up.

How to stream on Mixer using FTL

How to 'co-stream' on Mixer

"Co-streaming" is one of the best features to arrive along with the relaunch of Beam as Mixer. It means you and up to three other people can stream at the same time and broadcast through one channel. For example, if you're all playing on the same team in a first person shooter such as Battlefield 1 or Destiny, you can all show a different point of view while also broadcasting your party chats. It's insane!

The set up can be a bit involved, but we have a comprehensive guide with everything you need to know.

How to start a co-stream on Mixer

If you're ever lurking on Mixer, be sure to give Windows Central a follow!

The official Kodi repository isn't the only place with great, legal add-ons for your home entertainment system.

The Kodi repository has hundreds of great add-ons to get started with, and you'll find all of them on the official Kodi wiki. But there are also add-ons for legal services available outside the official Kodi location.

One of the largest sources outside of the official repository is called "SuperRepo." Not everything inside it is above board, but there are some great add-ons to be found, such as USTVNow and FilmOn TV, both subscription-based services for getting premium TV content online.

Download Kodi from the Windows Store

How to add SuperRepo to your Kodi system

1. Open the system category by clicking on the cog icon.

2. Select File Manager.

3. Click the add source menu item.

4. Click the list (it might say "none") to open a text box where you can add a new source.
5. Type http://srp.nu in the text box, and give it the name SuperRepo.

6. Click OK.

7. Back out to the home screen.
8. Open the add-on browser.

9. Click install from zip file.

10. Select SuperRepo and click through to install the right zip for your build.

SuperRepo will now show up as a source alongside the official Kodi repository. When you hit step No. 8, you may see a message that Kodi isn't enabled to allow unknown sources, if you didn't already allow this. The settings link in the popup will take you directly to where you need to be, and you will need to enable it to use SuperRepo. This is because it's a source outside of the official Kodi repository.

If you browse by "all repositories" you'll find everything from SuperRepo mixed in with everything from the Kodi repository. If you're only interested in finding something in SuperRepo, you can browse just that one.

Download Kodi from the Windows Store

Related reading

Best legal add-ons for Kodi

Ultimate cord cutting guide

How do I sell my old Surface device?

So you're getting a new PC — what do you do with your old Surface? Sure, you could keep it around, but you could sell it instead. There are some great ways to sell your old Surface, but what about getting it ready for its new owner? There will no doubt be a lot of questions about the condition of the device, and you definitely want to make sure it's been wiped of all your data before sending it off to its new owner. No matter the Surface, here's how to get it ready before selling it.

How to change the battery in your Surface Pen

Having a Surface Pen included in the sale is no doubt a big selling point. If the pen attached to your Surface device is no longer working, it might just need a new battery. The battery should last about a year or longer, but it will eventually run out. In that case you need to grab a new AAAA battery and swap it out.

You can grab a six-pack of Energizer AAAA batteries from Amazon for about $5.

See at Amazon

As far as actually changing the battery, the process is relatively simple. All of these actions should be performed delicately to ensure nothing is broken in the process.

1. Twist the back cap of the Surface Pen counter-clockwise. It will click open.

2. Slide the cap out of the Surface Pen.

3. Turn and tap the Surface Pen so that the old battery falls out.

4. Insert the new battery with the positive side facing out.

5. Place the cap back in the Surface Pen.

6. Apply pressure and twist clockwise until it clicks into place.

How to clean your Surface before selling it

Microsoft has a bunch of recommended cleaning practices for your Surface, including care for your screen and Type Cover. Clean your Surface device before taking pictures for your sales post, and you'll no doubt receive more interest. Who wants to buy a laptop with fingerprints and dirt all over it?

Use a microfiber or lint-free cloth to wipe dust away from the screen. For oil and smudges, lightly wet the cloth with water or a mild cleaner, specifically the type used for eyeglasses or marketed for cleaning the displays of electronic devices. You generally don't want to use anything harsh. You also do not want to pour any type of liquid directly onto the screen.

For the Type Cover, you can use soap and water on a lint-free or microfiber cloth. Again, don't pour anything directly onto the keyboard or touchpad. You don't want to use anything harsh on the keys or touchpad, but you can take some isopropyl alcohol to the back of the cover, especially on the hinge where dirt can collect.

Backup the data on your Surface

Before you reset Windows 10, you want to back up the data on your Surface. This is especially important if it is your only device.

We've already written extensively on this subject, culminating in a round up of the best ways to keep everything safe. Bottom line: take the time to make one or two backups and you'll be able to rest easy knowing your data is safe while you transition between devices.

See 6 easy and effective ways to back up your PC

How to reset your Surface to protect your privacy

Once you've backed up the data on your Surface, you can go about resetting Windows 10. Microsoft has made it super easy to reset Windows and wipe the hard drive on your device at the same time. Before beginning these steps, ensure your Surface is plugged into power.

1. Right-click the Start button.

2. Click Settings.

3. Click Update & security.

4. Click Recovery.

5. Click Get started.

6. Click Remove everything.

7. Click Remove files and clean the drive.

8. Click Reset.

Your Surface will now be wiped and Windows 10 will be reinstalled. This can take up to a few hours, so leave your Surface plugged in and let it do its thing. You'll eventually see the initial setup pop up, and at this point you can put in a temporary username or you can leave it alone and let the new owner set it up when they receive it.

Deregister your Surface

If you've registered your Surface with Microsoft, you'll want to deregister it before selling it.

1. Navigate to the Microsoft account website.

2. Click See all next to Devices. You might have to scroll down a bit to find it.

3. Click the dropdown arrow next to More actions in the section with your Surface device.

4. Click Remove tablet.

5. Click the checkbox next to I'm ready to remove this device.

6. Click Remove.

Check out the new Surface devices

Wondering which Surface device you should grab next? Have a look at the new Surface Pro and the Surface Laptop.

• See at Microsoft | Surface Pro
• See at Microsoft | Surface Laptop

aGlass brings eye tracking support to the HTC Vive - here's what you should know!

Following the release of several high-end VR headsets, hardware manufacturers are beginning to search for the "next big thing" in virtual reality. While wireless VR and improved visual fidelity are seeing heavy investment, various new technologies are emerging which promise to deliver a more immersive experience. Enhanced tracking is one of these areas of interest, in an attempt to further bridge the gap between your physical body and the virtual world.

Eye tracking looks to be one of the more interesting technologies, potentially offer huge leaps in immersion and performance. With companies like "FOVE" taking orders for VR headset sporting full eye tracking, we're already beginning to see small companies push for technology. But what if you could use eye tracking on your existing VR hardware?

Read more at VRHeads!

If you don't find the Windows 10 welcome screen informative after updates, in this guide, you'll find the steps to disable it on the Creators Update.

Since the Anniversary Update, Windows 10 shows you a welcome screen that loads on Microsoft Edge as you sign in after installing a new feature update or Windows Insider Preview build.

While this may be informative to some users, usually it's only a page that promotes Microsoft Edge, and tries to lure users into getting Office 365 and apps from the Windows Store. And that's annoying.

If you no longer want to see this, the Settings app starting with the Windows 10 Creators Update includes a new option that suppresses the welcome screen experience after a feature update or pre-release of Windows 10.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the easy steps to disable the welcome screen from showing up after every update.

How to disable the welcome screen on Windows 10

If you no longer want to see the Windows welcome experience, then use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Notifications & actions.

4. Under "Notifications," turn off the Show me the Windows welcome experience after updates and occasionally when I sign in to highlight what's new and suggested toggle switch.

Once you completed the steps, after a feature update or after installing an Insider preview build, you'll no longer see the welcome screen. Of course, this setting won't be preserved if you're doing a clean installation of Windows 10, as this process deletes your settings, apps, and files.

Alongside this experience, Microsoft Edge also shows you a welcome screen every time you launch the browser for the first. If you don't want to see this experience either, you can disable Microsoft Edge's "First Run" page using this guide.

More Windows 10 resources

For more help 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

Do you miss the classic Solitaire game that used to ship with Windows? In this guide, we show you how to bring Windows XP's Solitaire back to Windows 10.

Microsoft has included its Solitaire card game in Windows for a long time, and it has been one of the most popular computer games. It was first introduced with Windows 3.0, and users had been getting slightly updated versions all the way up to Windows 7. Then the company discontinued the classic, starting with Windows 8.x and Windows 10, and replaced it with a Windows Store app, which now is called "Microsoft Solitaire Collection."

Although the new app is free and includes a few other classic card games, it also comes with advertisements that can be removed with a paid subscription, which also adds additional features that probably you don't need.

If you feel a little nostalgic, or you simply don't like the version with ads, you can bring back the good ol' Solitaire game to Windows 10.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to play the classic Solitaire game included on Windows XP on your Windows 10 device.

How to bring back classic Solitaire to Windows 10

Before you proceed there is one caveat: You need to have access to a computer running Windows XP to extract the game files needed to return Solitaire to Windows 10.

If you don't have an old computer with Windows XP, there are various ways to get the files. One of them includes creating a virtual machine to extract the files. If you need the Windows XP installation media, there are also ways to get it, but the easiest way is to download the ISO from Microsoft if you have an MSDN subscription.

You may also be able to find the files on the internet, but that's a process we don't recommend.

While in Windows XP, do the following:

1. Open Windows Explorer.
2. On the left pane, click on My Computer.

3. On the right, double-click Local Disk (C:).

4. Double-click the Windows folder.

5. Scroll and double-click the System32 folder.

6. Click the Search button.

7. On the left pane, click the All files and folders option.

8. In the search box type the following file names:

   cards.dll, sol.exe

9. Click the Search button.

10. Copy the cards.dll and sol.exe files to a USB flash drive.
11. On your Windows 10 PC, connect the USB flash drive with the files.
12. Open File Explorer.
13. On This PC, double-click Local Disk (C:).

14. Click the New folder button in the ribbon menu to create a folder and name it Solitaire.

15. Open the USB flash drive and copy cards.dll and sol.exe to the Solitaire folder you created in the previous step.

Once you complete these steps, double-click the sol.exe file to start playing the classic Solitaire game on Windows 10. And, yes, your game settings will be preserved.

If you want to have quicker access to the game, just open the Solitaire folder, right-click and drag the sol.exe file to the desktop, and click the Create shortcuts here option to create a shortcut.

Microsoft also released updated versions of the classic Solitaire fame for Windows Vista and Windows 7, but it's not as easy to make them work on Windows 10. If you want the real classic, the one in Windows XP is one you want anyway.

More Windows 10 resources

For more help 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

I'm having problems setting up room-scale Oculus Rift. How do I fix it?

Setting up a room-scale experience with Oculus Rift can still be a bit of a pain. Sensors might give you problems sometimes, while other times your USB ports will put up a fight. To help you avoid pulling your hair out, here's how to fix some common problems you'll run into when working through the room-scale setup.

See the full guide at VR Heads!

Here's how to share some love on Facebook during Pride Month!

At Windows Central, we love all of our readers, and as such, we wanted to show our support for anyone celebrating Pride Month. If you're celebrating and have a Facebook account, you've probably already seen some of the account tweaks you can add, such as temporary profile banners. If you want to go a little deeper, Facebook now lets you share the Pride flag as a reaction to both posts and comments. It's an entirely unique reaction you can share!

Here's how to enable it.

How to enable the new Pride reaction on Facebook

Like many other custom reactions on Facebook, you can opt-in by liking a specific page. In this case, liking the LGBTQ@Facebook page will enable the Pride reaction for your account. This works on the web as well as the Facebook mobile apps.

Once you've liked the page, if you hadn't previously liked it, wait about five minutes and you'll see the rainbow option appear on both mobile and the web. This will probably only be around for the rest of the month, so enjoy it while it lasts!

Step-by-step instructions for enabling the Pride reaction:

1. Open Facebook either through the app or browser.
2. Search for LGBTQ@Facebook in the top search bar.
3. Like the LGBTQ@Facebook page.
4. Wait five minutes.
5. Spread delightful rainbows as far and wide as you choose.

Got it? Great! Have fun, and remember...

If you want to stop users from changing settings in Windows 10, this guide shows you how to block access to the Settings app and Control Panel.

In Windows 10, the Settings app, along with the Control Panel, lets you change a wide range of settings to customize your experience, and change system, network, account, and privacy settings.

However, if you're a network administrator for an organization, or you share your PC with other people, you know that letting non-technical users access settings will often result in misconfigurations.

If you don't want anyone altering the settings on your computer, in Windows 10 you can quickly prevent this by disabling access to the Settings app and the Control Panel using the Local Group Policy Editor and the Registry. This not only ensures your configurations will be preserved all the time, but it also helps stop users from modifying settings accidentally.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to restrict access to the Settings app and Control Panel on your computer.

• How to disable Settings and Control Panel using Group Policy
• How to disable Settings and Control Panel using Registry

How to disable Settings and Control Panel using Group Policy

If your PC is running Windows 10 Pro (or Enterprise), the easiest way to restrict access to the Settings app and the Control Panel is to use the Local Group Policy Editor.

To disable Settings and Control Panel using Group Policy, do the following:

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

3. Browse the following path:

   User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel

4. On the right side, double-click the Prohibit access to Control Panel and PC settings policy.

5. Select the Enabled option.

6. Click Apply.
7. Click OK.

After you complete these steps, users won't be able to open the Settings app, and those who try to open the Control Panel will ee this message: "This operation has been canceled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator."

If you want to change the settings back, you can always use the same instructions, but on step No. 5, make sure to select the Not Configured option.

How to disable Settings and Control Panel using Registry

If you're running Windows 10 Home, you won't have access to the Local Group Policy Editor, but you can still block users from accessing the Settings app and Control Panel on Windows 10 by modifying the Registry.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that editing the registry is risky, and it can cause irreversible damage to your installation if you don't do it correctly. We recommend to making a full backup of your PC before proceeding.

To prevent users from changing settings on Windows 10 using the Registry, do the following:

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

3. Browse the following path:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

4. Right-click on the right side, select New, and then click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.

5. Name the key NoControlPanel and press Enter.

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

7. Click OK.

Once you complete these steps, users won't be able to open the Settings app, and those who try to open the Control Panel will see this message: "This operation has been canceled due to restrictions in effect on this computer. Please contact your system administrator."

At any time you can revert the changes by following the same steps, but this time in step No. 6, make sure to switch the value from 1 to 0.

Wrapping things up

Although this feature is particularly useful in a network environment, such as when configuring a kiosk or guest machine, there are many other scenarios where disabling the Settings app and the Control Panel will come in handy too.

For example, if you share a device in the house with children, and you don't want them messing around with the settings on Windows 10. It's also helpful if you're the tech support person for your family and friends, and they keep calling you to reconfigure a feature over and over again. You can fix their computer once, and then block them access to change settings, so you get fewer support calls.

If you're a network administrator, and you're simply looking to block users from accessing particular settings, you can use our guide with the steps to restrict access to pages in the Settings app on Windows 10.

While this guide focused on Windows 10, you can use the same instructions on Windows 8.1. If you want to disable the Control Panel on Windows 7, you can still use these steps, but the policy is called Prohibit access to the Control Panel and the Registry is also called NoControlPanel.

More Windows 10 resources

For more help 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

Every platform has its own ecosystem where specific user accounts are needed. Microsoft has the Microsoft Account, for example, and Apple has Apple ID. What's the difference?

In both cases, your account is the key to virtually every service these companies offer. A Windows machine without a Microsoft account is like bread without butter. In order to get everything to a fully functional state, signing into your account may be required. Apple has that too with its Apple ID, and it is similar to a Microsoft Account but not necessarily the same thing.

Creating new accounts

Getting an Apple ID is as simple as getting a Microsoft account. There are multiple ways to get one, and the most common one is by simply signing up while you're setting up your macOS or iOS device. There is an option, right from the device setup, to create a new account just like there is a way of creating a new Microsoft Account right from a Windows phone setup process or a Windows PC setup process.

If you want to make a new Apple ID before buying your device, you can visit Apple's signup page. The process is straightforward. You need to put in your name, birthday and the usual stuff, such as email and security questions. The most important part here is the region. Once you set a region and a specific country, it's very hard to change it, if not impossible. This is not the case with Windows and Microsoft Accounts because you can easily just go into settings and change the device region to download apps from outside of your country.

If you set your actual region, you have access to all apps that are available specifically for that region, as well as all apps available worldwide. However, you won't have access to a few Microsoft apps that require you to be in the U.S. to use, such as Word Flow or Cortana. If you use those services, you may want to spoof your region by setting it to the U.S. This will, obviously, prevent you from using local apps such as location-specific banking apps or local traffic apps. However, a workaround for this is to create an additional Apple ID with the desired region.

In most cases, you do not need a payment card connected to your Apple ID, just like you don't need one with a Microsoft Account. While it's required for making payments through Apple Pay or the App Store, it's not an obligatory part of signing up. Last time I experimented with regions and Apple IDs, I kept seeing a very annoying message asking me to add my credit card if I wanted to proceed. Doing so resulted in an error saying that my bank was not American and the region change could not proceed.

Apple ID and two-factor authentication

One downside to using an Apple ID is the security. While the technology from Apple's side may not be outdated, the two-factor authentication for users is definitely flawed.

Apple ID not only uses Apple's own system of two-factor authentication, which renders it incompatible with many authentication apps, such as Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator or Authy. The system Apple uses is also far from secure. Here's why: When you try to sign in with two-factor authentication, the window with the code shows up on the same device you're using, which could be your Mac or iOS device. That defeats the purpose of two-factor authentication and makes the system very insecure if someone gets ahold of your device.

Microsoft Accounts use proper two-factor authentication, and the method is compatible with a multitude of other apps. It's generally a much more pleasant experience.

Managing an Apple ID can also be confusing. Different settings are located in different pages that are completely unrelated, for example, and a lot of Apple services automatically start using iCloud after you log in. Not everyone wants to use iCloud. Apple also requires you to put in your password in many places where it probably shouldn't be necessary. For example, random popups asking me to put in my Apple ID have shown up constantly on my iPhone over the past few months, for seemingly no reason.

That's just not the case with a Microsoft Account on a Windows phone.

Microsoft Account vs. Apple ID: Conclusion

If you want to use an Apple device with all the functionality it offers, you cannot avoid making and using an Apple ID. As confusing as the service may be, it works. But it won't provide a pleasant experience. If you're used to using a Windows Phone, prepare for some big changes when it comes to accounts and security.

When a USB device is not working correctly with your Windows 10 PC, you can try disabling the "USB selective suspend" feature to fix the problem. Here's how.

Windows 10 includes the USB selective suspend feature that lets you automatically put USB devices in a very low-power state when they're not actively in use. It's an important feature because it helps prolong battery life on your laptop or tablet, but it may also cause problems with certain peripherals connected to your PC.

If a USB device isn't working correctly, you can try to disable selective suspend on Windows 10. That may cause your computer to draw more power, but it may help to identify and fix the problem as well.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to prevent the OS from suspending USB devices by changing the power options in the Control Panel.

How to disable USB selective suspend

If you're having connectivity issues with USB peripherals on Windows 10, use these steps to disable the USB selective suspend feature.

Important: It's only recommended that you change this particular setting when you're experiencing problems with a USB device. Otherwise, you should leave the option enabled.

1. Open Control Panel.
2. Click on Hardware and Sound.
3. Click on Power Options.

4. Under "Preferred plan," click the Change plan settings link for the plan you're currently using. (If you change the settings on the power plan that isn't active, this won't work.)

5. Click the Change advanced power settings link.

6. Expand USB settings.
7. Expand USB selective suspend setting.

8. Select Disabled from the drop-down menu.

9. Click Apply.
10. Click OK.

If you're changing the settings on a laptop or tablet, you'll see two options: On Battery and Plugged in, so make sure to change those settings accordingly.

Once you complete these steps, Windows 10 will no longer power off USB devices connected to your computer, which can fix any problem you may have as a result of this feature.

While this guide focuses on Windows 10, USB selective suspend has been around for a long time, and you can use the same steps on machines running Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.

More Windows 10 resources

For more help 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

Here's exactly what Windows 10 S is, how it works, how to upgrade the OS to Windows Pro, and details on how you can then downgrade if you want to.

The new Surface Laptop ships with Windows 10 S, a variant of the Windows 10 Pro OS with one caveat: it only runs Windows Store apps. We've written a lot on Windows 10 S already including detailed a hands-on, and we explained why Windows 10 S is the right move for education– and eventually for consumers.

Today, I want to highlight a few things you may not know about Windows 10 S, how it works, what's unique about it, and how upgrading to Pro works.

See Surface Laptop at Microsoft

Windows 10 S is really just Windows 10 Pro

Windows 10 S is a just variant of Windows 10 Pro. That's not a naming trick because it has all the same features, including BitLocker and Remote Desktop, both of which are not in Windows 10 Home.

Windows 10 S or Pro? (They're basically the same.)

These features are the reason why you can only upgrade from 10 S to Pro and not Home, which would be a downgrade. The pricing also reflects this, too, because users with PCs that cost more $799 and that come with Windows 10 S will be charged $49 – versus $99 – to upgrade to Pro starting in 2018. (It's free for 2017.)

The one difference is the inability to run non-Windows Store apps and games. In other words, if you download a .exe from the internet (or side load it) that .exe won't run. This limitation is for security, battery, and long-term performance considerations. The idea is to make your laptop more like a tablet or smartphone for speed and reliability.

How to upgrade from Windows 10 S to Windows 10 Pro

The process of going to Windows 10 Pro is simple. If you try to run an app you downloaded off the internet, a popup message will explain why it cannot run. Eventually, that same dialogue will fetch data from the Store to let you know if that app is available in the Store, and it will take you there to get it.

What happens when you try to run an .exe on Windows 10 S.

A dialogue box asks, "Still want to run this unverified app? See how." Clicking "See How" takes you to the Store to unlock Pro. Next, you just click "Free" and it will grab a file and begin the installation.

How the Pro upgrade looks in the Windows Store. Just click 'Free' to get started.

Once installed, the Surface Laptop will reboot, do a quick configuration and return to Windows 10 with a little notification to let you know the update is complete.

Quick configuration gets the Pro upgrade ready.

The whole process takes about three minutes and requires only a button click.

You pay for a Windows 10 license either way

I often hear that Surface Laptop should just ship with Windows 10 Pro, or that Microsoft is "nickel and diming" by charging $49 starting next year to upgrade to Pro from S.

But even if Microsoft shipped Surface Laptop with Windows 10 Pro, the company would just slip that $49 fee into the base cost anyway, raising the price from $1,299 to $1,348. You're buying a Windows 10 license either way, whether's Home, S, or Pro. Microsoft audits how many licenses it sells and distributes, and even on its own devices, there is a fee. Whether you see that cost upfront or embedded in the device purchase is another issue. But you are paying it.

Microsoft Office is in the Store

Microsoft's goal is to get as many of its old Win32 apps into the Store, and Microsoft Office is a big one. If you're on Windows 10 S, you need Microsoft Office, so it's great to see it launch on day one of the Surface Laptop.

What Microsoft Office looks like in the Windows Store for S users.

The process is simple, and the apps behave and look just like the Win32 apps that you would download from the web. You can also just download Word, for example, if you don't need all the apps. Later, if you upgrade to Pro the same process takes you to the web, and you can't download Office through the Store.

You can just download Word if you don't need the whole Office suite.

The Surface Laptop comes with a free one-year subscription to Office 365 Personal.

You can't rollback to Windows 10 S from Pro

Once you go to Windows 10 Pro, there is no go-back button to Windows 10 S. It's a one-way process that is the same if you upgrade from Home to Pro, so there is nothing new here.

However, there is a way to revert. You need to download the Surface Recovery Image from Microsoft's website. Those files will let you wipe and restore the Surface Laptop to its original state.

Simply resetting the Surface Laptop through the "Reset this PC" feature will not work. That makes going back to S more cumbersome than I'd like, but the worst case scenario is you'll use the top tier of Windows 10.

Windows 10 S performs the same as Windows 10 Pro

Another misunderstanding about Windows 10 S is that it is only part of Windows 10 Pro, or that it's"Windows Lite" and missing some core components. That's not accurate.

During the upgrade process, the Store just checks the license and configures some files on your Laptop. You then reboot the PC, and you're on Pro. There are no files to download or large installations. If you take a Windows 10 S Surface Laptop and run it next to a Surface Laptop with Windows 10 Pro, they'll behave exactly the same if you stick to Store apps on both machines.

That means if you unlock to Pro but still stick to Windows Store apps, your Surface Laptop is effectively running Windows 10 S. Going to Pro and using just Store apps won't change battery life or performance. If, however, you upgrade to Pro and begin to install third-party, non-Store apps like Google Chrome or Adobe Creative Cloud all bets are off. Both of those apps, for instance, install background updates or phone-home helper apps that take up memory, CPU cycles, and can slow down your Surface Laptop.

Microsoft guarantees Windows 10 S machines will behave as consistently on day one as on day one thousand. The company can't say that for Windows 10 Pro, because you could install dozens of awful apps that destroy performance and battery life.

Conclusion: Windows 10 S is a breeze

If you're an enthusiast or someone who needs a random app that's not in the Windows Store, upgrading to Windows 10 Pro is super simple. It takes just a few minutes, it is free, and you lose nothing. If you don't install apps that run in the background or hog your registry, you won't see any performance degradation going to Pro from S.

Windows 10 S, for now, is ideal for people who find everything they need in the Windows Store (I fit that description), or people who just want a premium Windows laptop that never gets "PC rot" from unverified applications. This discussion is not about right or wrong, or which is better; it's about trying to deliver a particular experience.

Surface Laptop Review

In my experience with Windows 10 S, I had no issues going to Pro. Everything was simple to understand, and the process – if you can even call it that – was easy. I'm curious to see how many people stick with Windows 10 S. I am sure Microsoft will pay close attention to those upgrade rates too and whether they decline over time as the Store grows.

Bottom line: There is absolutely no reason to let Windows 10 S on the Surface Laptop deter you from a purchase.

See Surface Laptop at Microsoft