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How to use multiple desktops on Windows 10

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How to use multiple desktops in Windows 10

How do you set up and use multiple desktops in Windows 10?

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

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

How to create a new virtual desktop in Windows 10

  1. Click the Task View button in your taskbar. (It looks like a square over a rectangle.)
    • You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.
  2. Click New Desktop. (It's located in the bottom right corner of your screen.)

    Click the Task View button. Click New Desktop.

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

How to switch between virtual desktops on Windows 10 PC

  1. Click the Task View button in your taskbar. (It looks like a square over a rectangle.)
    • You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.
  2. Click Desktop 2 or any other virtual desktop you've created.

    Click the Task View button. Click Desktop 2.

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

How to move windows between virtual desktops on Windows 10 PCs

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

Click-and-drag method

  1. Click the Task View button in your taskbar. (It looks like a square over a rectangle.)
    • You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.
  2. Click and hold the window you want to move.
  3. Drag and release the window on an alternate desktop.

    Click and hold the window you want to move. Drag and release it on an alternate desktop.

Right-click menu method

  1. Click the Task View button in your taskbar. (It looks like a square over a rectangle.)
    • You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.
  2. Right-click on the window you'd like to move to another desktop.

    Click the Task View button. Right-click the window.

  3. Hover your cursor over Move to.
  4. Click the desktop to which you'd like to move the window.

    Hover your cursor over Move to. Click an alternate desktop.

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

How to duplicate windows across virtual desktops

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

  1. Click the Task View button in your taskbar. (It looks like a square over a rectangle.)
    • You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.
  2. Right-click an active window.

    Click the Task View button. Right-click the window.

  3. Click Show this window on all desktops to duplicate a single window.
  4. Click Show windows from this app on all desktops to duplicate all windows from one app.

    Click Show the windows on all desktops. Click Show windows from this app on all desktops.

How to remove a virtual desktop in Windows 10

  1. Click the Task View button in your taskbar. (It looks like a square over a rectangle.)
    • You can also use the Windows key + Tab shortcut on your keyboard, or you can swipe with one finger from the left of your touchscreen.
  2. Hover your cursor over the desktop you'd like to remove.
  3. Click the X in the top-right corner of the desktop icon.

    Hover your cursor over a desktop. Click the X in the top-right corner.

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

Updated July 17, 2017: We refreshed this article to ensure you're still getting current information about using virtual desktops in Windows 10.


Injustice 2 Sub-Zero character guide: Moves, tips, and more

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Injustice 2 Sub-Zero character guide

Sub-Zero is the latest DLC character for Injustice 2, the stellar DC fighting game from NetherRealm and Warner Bros.

A guest star from the Mortal Kombat series, Sub-Zero is a ninja who freezes his enemies with ice attacks and even creates frozen clones of himself. Learn his moves and background details in this handy guide.

See Injustice 2 on the Xbox StoreSee Sub-Zero on the Xbox Store

One cold ninja

Injustice 2 Sub-Zero character guide select

Sub-Zero is a cryomancer, a human with the ability to shape, control, and manipulate ice. In the past, the Lin-Kuei clan was ruled by an evil ninja also called Sub-Zero. That man having died, the current Sub-Zero took his place and vowed to redeem the clan's honor. Sub-Zero travels to the Injustice realm to help thwart the intergalactic threat of Brainiac.

This incarnation of Sub-Zero debuted in Mortal Kombat II. Sub-Zero is the first guest character to appear in Injustice 2. He previously made a non-playable cameo appearance in the first Injustice. Sub-Zero and other Mortal Kombat characters first interacted with DC heroes and villains in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe. As a result, some Injustice 2 characters recognize him from the previous game.

Stats and special moves

Base stats:

  • STR — 1700.
  • ABL — 1600.
  • DEF — 1500.
  • HP — 1050.

Special moves:

Ice Burst– Down, back, light attack.

Injustice 2 Sub-Zero character guide

  • Sub-Zero slams his fist into the ground, causing a cloud of ice to knock a nearby enemy back
  • Meter burn available, which adds a dashing elbow attack after the ice cloud

Polar Puncture– Down, back, forward, light attack.

Injustice 2 Sub-Zero character guide

  • Sub-Zero grabs the nearby opponent and stabs him or her with an icicle
  • Meter burn: After being stabbed, the opponent remains frozen and vulnerable to additional attacks

Ice Ball– Down, forward, medium attack.

Injustice 2 Sub-Zero character guide

  • Sub-Zero throws an icy projectile at his foe
  • Meter burn: After the ice ball hits, the opponent remains frozen and vulnerable to additional attacks

(Air) Frost Hammer– Down, back, medium attack.

Injustice 2 Sub-Zero character guide

  • While jumping, Sub-Zero slams an icy hammer into the ground
  • Meter burn: After the icy hammer strikes the ground, everyone's favorite icy ninja performs a forward strike with the hammer

Slide– Back, forward, heavy attack.

Injustice 2 Sub-Zero character guide

  • Sub-Zero slides forward on a trail of ice, knocking his foe into the air
  • Meter burn: After the slide hits, Sub-Zero turns around and flings a projectile at the airborne victim

Character Power: Ice Klone

Injustice 2 Sub-Zero character guide

Sub-Zero jumps backward, leaving a frozen clone of himself in his previous position. If the opponent touches the ice klone, he or she will freeze and become vulnerable to attack, However, performing the ice klone while standing directly next to the opponent might cause the clone to vanish without harming the foe.

After activating an ice klone:

  • Ice Burst – If Sub-Zero performs the standard ice burst input while next to the klone (down, back, light attack), he will strike it, causing shards to fly at the enemy.
  • Clone Toss – Press the character power button again to toss the klone at your foe, freezing them.
  • Meter Burn – Pressing Meter Burn immediately after creating an ice klone will cause Sub-Zero to produce a second, aerial klone (pictured above).

Ice klones can be created in the air, and all of these moves work there as well.

Join the Windows Central guild!

Injustice 2 Windows Central guild

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).

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!

Sub-Zero

Injustice 2 Sub-Zero character guide

Guest DLC characters are a subject of some debate among NetherRealm fighting game fans. Some players feel that the energy spent on guests would be better spent creating new non-guest characters. However, Mortal Kombat creator Ed Boon told us that guest characters far outsell standard DLC characters in NetherRealm fighting games.

At any rate, Sub-Zero has canonically interacted with DC Universe characters before. His ice powers, while perhaps too similar to Captain Cold's in some ways, still fit in nicely with the other heroes and villains of Injustice 2. Mortal Kombat fans will certainly enjoy this interpretation of Sub-Zero, and I enjoy playing him in a game that doesn't require the use of a block button!

Injustice 2 is available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 (PS4) for $59.99. Sub-Zero costs $5.99 by himself or can be bought as a bundle in the $19.99 Fighter Pack 1 or $39.99 Ultimate Pack. The Ultimate Pack is easily the best value for Injustice 2 fans, because it provides access to nine additional fighters as they're released as well as several bonus skins and shaders for character customization.

For more Injustice 2 help, check out our Achievement Guide, Multiverse Guide, Darkside Character Guide, and full review!

See Injustice 2 on the Xbox StoreSee Sub-Zero on the Xbox StoreSee the Injustice 2 Ultimate Pack on the Xbox Store

How to troubleshoot and fix Windows 10's firewall problems

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Are you having problems with the built-in firewall on Windows 10? Then this guide will help you to quickly fix any issue.

Windows 10 includes several security features to keep your computer and data safe against malicious programs and hackers. One of these features is the Windows Firewall that helps to prevent unauthorized network access to your computer and blocks potentially harmful applications.

Although the built-in firewall works as intended, you may come across a few problems. For example, it could happen that the feature may be unable to start, or error 80070424 or service-specific error 5 (0x5) may appear. Also, sometimes, apps or features like Remote Assistant may not work, or you may lose access to shared files and printers because they're being blocked by the Windows Firewall.

If you stumble upon any of these or similar issues, there are several things you can do. You can use the "Windows Firewall Troubleshooter," which is an automated tool that scans and fixes common problems. It's also possible to reset the firewall settings to defaults, and you can manually allow blocked apps through the Windows Firewall.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the easy steps to troubleshoot and resolve any issues with the Windows Firewall.

How to fix problems with the Windows Firewall

To troubleshoot and fix Windows Firewall problems, use the following steps:

  1. Download the Windows Firewall Troubleshooter from Microsoft.
  2. Double-click the WindowsFirewall.diagcab file.
  3. Click Next.

  4. Depending on the troubleshooter result, click the option that will fix the problem.

  5. If everything is working as expected, then click Close the troubleshooter.

If the troubleshooter couldn't fix the problem, click the View detailed information link to see a report with all the issues the troubleshooter tried to fix, including access to share files and printers, problems with Remote Assistant, unable to start Windows Firewall or related services (e.g., BFE service).

You can then use this information to continue your research using your prefered search engine or to ask for help in the Windows Central forums.

How to reset Windows Firewall settings

Alternatively, if the troubleshooter didn't find anything wrong, the problem may be caused by a particular setting previously configured on your device. In this scenario, you can try to remove the current configuration and restore the default Windows Firewall settings.

Important: After restoring the default settings, you may need to reconfigure those apps that require permission through the firewall.

To reset the Windows Firewall to its default settings, do the following:

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Click on System and Security.
  3. Click on Windows Firewall.

  4. On the left pane, click the Restore defaults link.

  5. Click the Restore defaults button.

  6. Click Yes to confirm.

Once you've completed the steps, the default settings and rules will be restored, fixing any configuration related problem on your device.

How to allow apps through Windows Firewall

If the root of the problem is an app getting blocked, you can use these steps to enable the app through the built-in firewall on Windows 10:

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Click on System and Security.
  3. Click on Windows Firewall.
  4. On the left-pane, click the Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall link.

  5. Click on the Change settings button using an administrator account.
  6. Check the app or service you want to allow.
  7. Select Private if want the app to communicate in the local network. Or select Public when the app needs to communicate through the firewall on the internet. You can select both options as needed.

    • Quick Tip: If the app or feature isn't in the list, click the Allow another app button to browse and add the item to the list.
  8. Click OK.

You can also use the above steps to reconfigure apps after restoring the default settings on the Windows Firewall.

While we're focusing this guide for Windows 10 users, you can use these same instructions to fix problems with the firewall on Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.

More Windows 10 resources

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

PC Case Buyer's Guide

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NZXT S340

Here's everything you need to know about buying a case for your PC build.

Choosing a case for your PC depends on what you wish to build and how much budget you can allocate to the chassis. It's possible to avoid giving much thought about a case and pick up a simple listing you like the look of, while others will take into account cooling performance, mounting support for water pumps and reservoirs, and more. There's no real wrong choice when it comes to cases, but there's the opportunity to get the most for your buck.

Most cases you will find at retailers today will all offer basic functionality. Drive bays (or other mounting options in place of), front USB and audio connectivity, lighting effects, removable covers, and more. You can never really go wrong when it comes to choosing a PC case unless it's a small form factor and you're attempting to throw in a full ATX motherboard with a beast of a GPU that takes up 3 PCI slots.

Size matters

Fractal Design R3

Contrary to what you might here elsewhere, size does actually matter. Motherboards come in a variety of sizes, and not all are compatible with every case on the market. Full ATX motherboards, which measure in at 305mm x 244mm, are ideal companions for a full tower case. However, depending on dimensions, you may have trouble fitting one inside a mid-tower or mini-PC chassis. This is where microATX or mini-ITX motherboards come in, measuring in at 244mm x 244mm and 170mm x 170mm, respectively.

Depending on which motherboard you own, or are looking to purchase, you'll need to adjust your case filters accordingly. Generally speaking, the size of motherboard and case usually match up. For example, if you're going for a small mini tower case, it may be worth looking at miniATX boards. For a more powerful gaming rig, opt for an ATX motherboard and full tower case. Be sure to check specifications and dimensions to see if the board (and accompanying components) will fit.

  • SFF/Mini tower: Generally deployed as network attached storage units or media PCs for the home.
  • Mid-tower: The middle-ground when it comes to expansion, performance, and size.
  • Full Tower: Can accommodate even enthusiast setups. Huge scope for modification.

One must also consider future upgrades and builds. Components may not last a lifetime, but a case can. If you plan to upgrade at a future date with a more powerful component list, you'll need to ensure the case you invest in has room for more cooling and larger internals. Ideally, you don't want to choose a massive case for a small build, nor do you wish to be tight on space when it comes to putting everything together.

Features

Windows Central Office

The more advanced features, materials, and build processes utilized in a case, the more expensive it'll be. While it's possible to locate some killer cases on a tighter budget, if you wish to go tool-free, enjoy a plethora of connectivity, expansion and open up the insides with a premium-looking design, it's worth paying out a bit more. But again, it depends entirely on your needs.

Here are some handy features cases can have to make your PC building experience that much better:

  • Integrated lighting
  • 3.5-inch bays and mounting points
  • Front panel audio and USB 3
  • Removable motherboard tray
  • Dust filters
  • Radiator mount points
  • Support for water cooling
  • Cable management
  • Drive sleds
  • Optimal airflow
  • Adequate CPU and GPU clearance
  • Spacing behind motherboard panel
  • PSU mounting and orientation
  • Sound proofing

Imagination deployed

ZOTAC GTX 1070

Don't be afraid to think outside the box, too. There are some really cool-looking cases out there just waiting to have components installed within. At the end of the day, purchasing a PC case isn't difficult. It's all about getting it right with the components you plan to install inside it. As well as making sure all the internals are compatible, it's important to be sure everything will actually fit inside.

Further Reading

Updated on 20 July, 2017: We added some more information to bolster our guide.

Marvel Heroes Omega crafting guide: How to level up and make the best gear

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Marvel Heroes Omega crafting guide

Marvel Heroes Omega is a free to play superhero MMO with plenty of depth, including a robust crafting system.

Crafting can be daunting early on, but this guide will teach you how to level up your crafting NPCs so you can make the best equipment!

See Marvel Heroes Omega on the Xbox StoreSee Spider-Man: Homecoming Founder's Pack on the Xbox StoreSee Deadpool Founder's Pack on the Xbox Store

Crafting

Marvel Heroes Omega crafting guide

In Marvel Heroes Omega, crafting is used to upgrade and create armor, gear, and other items. The crafting system unlocks after players complete the tutorial missions and the Learn Crafting System mission within Avengers Tower.

You'll craft items and perform other functions via four SHIELD agent NPCs (non-player characters). These agents appear in each Headquarters location, starting with Avengers Tower. Three of them are designated on the map by atomic symbols and one by a dollar symbol. Similarly, three can be leveled up and will offer more items at higher levels. The maximum level for crafting NPCs is 20.

While the crafting system doesn't offer much benefit to players until they reach level 60 and Superheroic difficulty, it's best to start leveling your crafting NPCs as soon as possible. That way, you'll already have access to more craftable goods when you get farther in the game.

Logistics Division Quartermaster

Marvel Heroes Omega crafting guide

Of the four crafting NPCs, the Logistics Quartermaster is the only one to appear as a dollar symbol on the map. That's because he sells his wares for credits rather than materials. I recommend leveling him up before the other two NPCs.

Each item the Quartermaster sells can only be bought once per refresh. For example, if you buy a stack of Biological Samples from him, you'll have to refresh his inventory to get him to restock that particular item. This makes buying large quantities of items tricky. You can refresh his stock up to three times (buying everything you need between each refresh). After using up your refreshes, it takes 30 minutes for another one to charge up.

The Quartermaster sells the following types of items:

  • Research materials: Used by the Research and Development NPC.
  • Crafting materials: Used by the Engineer and Scientist.
  • Certificate of Prestige: Used to prestige a character and return them to level 1.
  • Modification Installation Kit: Used by the Scientist to modify artifacts. Costs 100 Odin Marks.

Before you worry about actually crafting things, you'll want to level up your crafting NPCs. To do that, make sure you buy these three items from the Quartermaster every time his supply refreshes:

  • Engineering Schematic Data.
  • Supplier Contact Information.
  • Technical Readouts.

Engineering Division Specialist

Marvel Heroes Omega crafting guide

The Engineer serves two purposes: creating random pieces of gear and converting crafting materials into materials of greater rarity. For instance, he can make common materials into uncommon ones and uncommon materials into rare ones. Enemies and chests drop common materials much more frequently (of course), so this is very useful.

He sells:

  • Crafting Materials: Turn one or more materials into another material.
  • Artifacts: Buy SHIELD Training Manuals, Bannerteach Adrenalizers and Accelerators, and more.
  • Gear: Create a random accessory, lower body armor, upper body armor, utility armor, or weapon. These come in three rarities: rare (light blue), heroic (dark blue), and superheroic (purple).

Science Division Specialist

Marvel Heroes Omega crafting guide

The Scientist adds useful buffs to equipment. Her services include:

  • Enhancements: The Scientist adds a buff to the designated item. The buff depends on the type of item selected.
  • Utility armor: These are major enhancements that cost 100 Odin Marks. That's a hefty cost, but one gets you multiple significant buffs. The actual values of each buff are determined randomly, so luck plays a factor as well.
  • Other gear: These enhancements are much more affordable, though their buffs aren't nearly as amazing. For example, one might add 20-50 melee damage or 75-150 defense to an item. The boost amount depends on item level, so level 60 items will always get the maximum boost on the enhancement description.
  • Artifact modifications: Grants multiple buffs to an artifact. The value of the buffs scale based on item level, with items of level 42 or higher getting the maximum buff amount.
  • Unbind items: Unbind an item from a character so that other characters can equip it. This requires a Matrix of Unbinding, a premium item. With the console versions not supporting trading between players at launch, the value of unbinding items is currently limited.

Research and Development Analyst

Marvel Heroes Omega crafting guide

The Analyst is the only crafting NPC who doesn't level up. She converts research materials sold by the Quartermaster into Research projects (crafting boxes). These boxes give XP to the other crafting NPCs.

The three materials used by the Analyst are:

  • Engineering Schematic Data.
  • Supplier Contact Information.
  • Technical Readouts.

Each type of research is available in three levels:

  • Level 1 research costs five materials and 8,000 credits. It provides 10,000 XP to the designated NPC.
  • Level 2 research costs 12 materials and 20,000 credits. It bestows 25,000 XP and one or more crafting materials.
  • Level 3 research costs 25 materials and 40,000 credits. It gives 50,000 XP and one or more crafting materials.

How to level your crafting NPCs

Marvel Heroes Omega crafting guide

There are two ways to level crafting NPCs: with research projects and by donating items. Research projects should be your primary method. The basic loop works like this:

  1. Buy all three research materials from the Quartermaster.
  2. Refresh and repeat until you run out of refreshes or credits.
  3. Save up enough materials to buy the Level 3 research project for the crafting NPC you're currently focusing on. Hold onto the research materials for the other two NPCs until you max out the current NPC.
  4. Use the research project from your inventory.
  5. Play the game to earn more credits to fuel your crafter leveling. You can equip the Kingpin Medallion to make enemies drop credit boxes and increase your credit gain.
  6. Repeat the process.

How to use research projects to level an NPC:

Marvel Heroes Omega crafting guide

  1. After buying a research project, press the Back/Menu button and select Inventory.
  2. Press Right Trigger to select the Supplies tab.
  3. Select Boxes and then use the research project. This will give you a research report and possibly crafting items.
  4. Having opened the research project, stay in the Supplies menu and select the Misc category.
  5. In the Misc menu, use the research report to donate the XP.

Because of the wait for Quartermaster refreshes, you might want to donate items to the crafting NPCs as well. Donating items provides them with some XP, but you don't have a chance to gain crafting materials like you would with research projects. Still, it can speed the process along to occasionally donate your unwanted loot while waiting for refreshes.

How to donate items to level an NPC:

Marvel Heroes Omega crafting guide

  1. Talk to the crafting NPC you're currently focusing on.
  2. Use Right Bumper to select the Donate tab.
  3. Select the category of item you wish to donate.
  4. Either donate items individually or press Right Trigger + A to donate all items in that category.
  5. Each item you donate will be converted to XP for that NPC.

Superheroes deserve super loot

Marvel Heroes Omega crafting guide

The crafting system might sound complicated – and it is! — but all you need to master early on is that simple loop of buying research materials and research projects. Keep at it and you'll have your crafters leveled up before too long. Once you reach the endgame, you can start worrying about using the crafting system to max out your high-level gear.

Given that Marvel Heroes Omega is a Diablo-style MMO, collecting loot and becoming more powerful is half the fun. The rest comes from playing as your favorite Marvel superheroes, defeating famous supervillains, and teaming up with friends. As a fan of both Marvel superheroes and Diablo-style games, I gave the game a favorable review.

Marvel Heroes Omega is free, so give it a try! If you fall in love with it, you can always grab some DLC characters to have even more fun.

See Marvel Heroes Omega on the Xbox StoreSee Spider-Man: Homecoming Founder's Pack on the Xbox StoreSee Deadpool Founder's Pack on the Xbox Store

How to manage Outlook 2016 folders

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outlook folders

Do you yearn for a less cluttered Outlook inbox, but can't seem to let go of your messages? Knowing how to manage folders in Outlook is a crucial step towards a less cumbersome inbox.

Would you rather spend less time searching and scrolling in Outlook and more time composing and replying? Then you need to learn about the benefits of folders and subfolders. Read on to get started with folders.

Folder management

By default an Outlook account will present the following folders:

  • Inbox — The inbox is the primary location for incoming messages.
  • Drafts — Drafts are messages that have been either completely or partially composed but have not been sent yet. Drafted messages are still able to be opened and edited before sending.
  • Sent Items — A copy of each message you send will be saved in the Sent Items folder. They are not visible in the inbox folder.
  • Deleted Items — As a message is chosen to be deleted, it's moved to the Deleted Items folder. These messages will be automatically purged after 30 days unless the Retention Policy is changed. Users can also choose to empty the folder of its contents at any time.
  • Clutter — Messages that are considered low priority will be redirected to the Clutter folder. Outlook recognizes which messages are read and determines the unread messages to be of little importance.
  • Junk Email — Messages that seem to exude the appearance of junk mail will be redirected to this folder.
  • Archive — Archiving older messages moves them from the main .pst file into a separate archive.pst file.

Depending on your organization, you may see additional folders created by an administrator or by other services, such as Skype or Yammer. Now understanding the folders that are first presented to you, you should know that you cannot delete these folders. You can, however, create folders of your own and delete them, as well.

How to create a folder:

  1. Locate where the new folder should live on the left pane.
  2. Right-click on the location.
  3. Select New Folder.
  4. Input a name in the resulting Name box.
  5. Press Enter to create.

How to delete a folder:

  1. Right-click on the folder to be deleted.
  2. Select Delete from the command menu.
  3. Select Yes to confirm.

Folder creation and deletion are parts of the overall folder management options found when you right-click on the left pane of the Outlook interface. Keep in mind that many of the actions are grayed out for default folders. Here are the options that are presented:

  • Open in New Window — This opens another Outlook 2016 window with the selected folder opened.
  • New Folder — Creates a folder or sub-folder.
  • Rename Folder — This allows you to rename any folder or subfolder that you created.
  • Copy Folder — This copies the selected folder as a subfolder. You can then choose the destination folder in the resulting Copy Folder pop up box.
  • Move Folder — You can move the folder into any existing folder from inside the popup box.
  • Delete Folder — This option moves the folder and its contents to the Deleted Items folder.
  • Mark all as Read — All messages and other items in the folder will be marked as read.
  • Clean up Folder — Duplicate or redundant messages will be automatically moved to the Deleted Items folder.
  • Delete All — All items in the folder will be deleted. If you choose this action with a folder that contains subfolders, the sub-folders will be removed as well.
  • Show in Favorites — Choose to add this folder to the Favorites section, which is located near the top of the left panel.
  • Remove from Favorites — This option appears when right-clicking in the Favorites section. It removes the folder from Favorites but does not delete it.
  • Sort Subfolders A to Z — All sub folders within a folder will be listed alphabetically.
  • Move Up/Down — Folders and subfolders can be moved up or down the list, one entry at a time.
  • Properties — This action takes you the properties menu of the folder. A series of settings are presented such as selecting the folder policy, permissions and viewing the folder size.

Search folders

searching folders

Those who need Outlook to retain a large volume of messages could potentially have difficulty retrieving information. A Search Folder aims to eliminate the needle-in-a-haystack scenario. It presents messages that match search criteria determined by the user. It doesn't matter if the messages are stored in various folders. As long as they are contained within the same .pst file, they will be found.

How to create a customized search folder:

  1. Select the Folder tab from the ribbon.
  2. Select New Search Folder.
  3. Select Create a custom Search Folder from the Select a Search Folder list.
  4. Click Choose.
  5. Enter the name of the folder in the name box.
  6. Click Criteria to pick your options from the following sections:

    • Messages – Choose to search for specific words from the subject or body, specific contacts or recipients.
    • More Choices – This offers more criteria such as specifying read or unread items, attachments and level of importance.
    • Advanced – This gives the user the option to create finely tuned criteria to narrow down result. This provides a list of criterion and allows you to choose conditions and values.
  7. Click Browse to select a specific folder to include in the search.

  8. Click Ok on each dialog box to confirm your selections.

How to create a pre-defined search folder:

  1. Select Folder from the ribbon.
  2. Choose New Search folder.
  3. Select a folder type from the Select a Search Folder list.
  4. Select Criteria under the Customize Search Folder section.
  5. Select Ok to save the search folder.

Folder sharing and delegation

sharing folders

Your Outlook folders can also be a place for collaboration. Depending on the necessary tasks, you can either choose to share a folder or delegate one. To delegate is to allow someone to act on your behalf, such as responding to emails or managing items in your folders. Sharing folders is commonly used to promote collaboration.

How to delegate a folder:

  1. Click on File.
  2. Click on Account Settings under Account Information.
  3. Click on Delegate Access.
  4. Click on Add.
  5. Search and select the individual.
  6. Click Add
  7. Select the permission level for the individual under the Permissions box.
  8. Right-click on the account.
  9. Select Folder Permissions.

    • Reviewer – Users can read items but cannot delete them.
    • Author – Users can read and create items.
    • Editor – Users can read, create and modify items.
  10. Click on the name of the person.

  11. Select the Permission Level.
  12. Click Ok.

How to remove a delegate:

  1. Click on File.
  2. Click on Account Information.
  3. Click on Delegate Access.
  4. Select the name of the current delegate.
  5. Click Remove.
  6. Click Ok.

How to share a folder

  1. Click on the Folder Tab in the ribbon.
  2. Click on Folder Permission in the Properties section
  3. Click on the Permissions tab in the Inbox Properties box.
  4. Click Add to add a user.
  5. Locate the person in the address list.
  6. Click Add
  7. Click Ok.
  8. Select an option from the Permission Level list.
    • Owner – Change permission levels for others who have access. Create, read, modify and delete contents of a folder.
    • Publishing Editor – All contents that the owner has created can be read and deleted. Content and subfolders can be created as well.
    • Editor – All items can be created read and modified.
    • Publishing Author – Items can be modified, deleted, created and read. Sub-folders can be created as well.
    • Author – Allows users to read and create items that the owner has created.
    • Nonediting Author – Owner created items can be deleted. Can create and read items.
    • Reviewer – Can read items but cannot delete them.
    • Contributor – Users can only create items.
  9. Select specific permission in the provided fields.
  10. Click Apply.
  11. Click Ok.

How to stop sharing a folder:

  1. Access the Folder tab from the ribbon.
  2. Select Folder permissions.
  3. Click on the name of the individual.
  4. Select None to suspend sharing.
  5. Select Remove to stop sharing.

Wrapping up

Being able to effectively manage folders enables you to be more productive in your communication. It also allows you to make Outlook both personal and comfortable. Do you frequently share folders with colleagues? How do you manage your folders? Let us know!

How to manually configure a VPN on Windows 10

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How to manually configure a VPN on Windows 10

How do you set up a VPN on a Windows 10 PC?

The beauty of most premier VPN services is that they have an intuitive Windows 10 app that makes setting up a connection as easy as clicking a big green button that says "connect." However, if you're running Windows 10 S and can't install apps from outside the Store, or you're using a VPN without a client, you can still configure a VPN manually.

If you're in the market for a VPN and are not sure which one is for you, be sure to check out our choices for the best VPN providers out there.

See the best VPN services of 2017

If you've purchased a subscription to a VPN service and want to set it up manually, here's everything you need to know.

Information needed before you begin

Once you subscribe to a VPN service, you should have access to a list of servers that you can connect to. In this case, the IPVanish Control Panel page lists the server's location, the address needed to create a manual connection, and the current load of the server.

Example of a server list

You should also determine what protocol you can use to connect. If you aren't using Windows 10 S and can download files from other places than just the Store, you can download an OpenVPN config. If not, always try to go with the most secure protocol available. In most cases, you should try to avoid PPTP.

How to add and connect to a VPN on Windows 10

Once you have the required information to make a connection, you can jump into settings and get everything running.

  1. Right-click the Start button.
  2. Click Settings.

    Right-click the Start button. Click Settings.

  3. Click Network & Internet.
  4. Click VPN.

    Click Network and internet. Click VPN.

  5. Click Add a VPN connection.
  6. Click the dropdown menu below VPN provider.

    Click Add a VPN connection. Click the dropdown menu.

  7. Click Windows (built-in).
  8. Click the Connection name field.

    Click Windows (built-in). Click the Connection name field.

  9. Type a name for the VPN connection. (In this case, I'll use the name of my provider and the server location.)
  10. Click the Server name or address field.

    Type a name. Click the Server name field.

  11. Type the server's address. (You can likely find this in your VPN account.)
  12. Click the dropdown menu below VPN type.

    Type the address. Click the dropdown menu.

  13. Choose a connection protocol.
  14. Click the dropdown menu below Type of sign-in info.

    Choose a connection protocol. Click the dropdown menu.

  15. Click a sign-in method. (This will no doubt change depending on your VPN provider.)
  16. Click Save.

    Click a sign-in method. Click Save.

  17. Click the VPN you just set up. (It will now appear in the VPN list.)
  18. Click Connect. (Depending on the sign-in method used by your provider, you might have to enter your username and password.)

    Click the VPN you just set up. Click Connect.

How to disconnect and remove a VPN on Windows 10

If you don't want to use a VPN anymore, or if you just want to remove a server from the list, you can disconnect or completely remove it.

  1. Right-click the Start button.
  2. Click Settings.

    Right-click the Start button. Click Settings.

  3. Click Network & Internet.
  4. Click VPN.

    Click Network and internet. Click VPN.

  5. Click a VPN connection you want to disconnect or remove.
  6. Click Disconnect.

    Click a VPN connection. Click Disconnect.

  7. Click Remove.
  8. Click Remove again to confirm.

    Click Remove. Click Remove again to confirm.

Related resources

How to launch apps automatically during startup on Windows 10

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Do you always work with the same apps and files on Windows 10? In this guide, we'll show you the steps to launch apps and files automatically during startup.

While a number of apps you install on Windows 10 feature an option to launch automatically when your computer loads, you can also configure any app whether the option is available or not by simply adding its shortcut to the Startup folder.

Also, you're not just limited to desktop applications. You can set Windows Store apps to start automatically as well as files, folders, and websites.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to automatically launch apps, files, folders, and websites on startup to speed up your daily tasks.

How to launch apps on startup

If you work with the same apps or launch the same websites on a regular basis, then use these steps to get them started automatically as you sign in to your Windows 10 account:

  1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
  2. Type the following command to open the Startup folder and press Enter:

    shell:startup

  3. Click OK.

  4. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
  5. Type the following command to open the Applications folder, which contains shortcuts of all your installed applications (including Windows Store apps), and press Enter:

    shell:AppsFolder

  6. Click OK.

  7. Snap the Applications folder to the left, and the Startup folder to the right.
  8. Select the app you want from the Applications folders and drag and drop to the Startup folder.

  9. Repeat step No. 8 for all the applications you want to launch after signing in to your account.

Once you completed the steps, every time you access your account apps will open automatically. If you want an app to start maximized, just click the maximize button, and then the app will remember the window size.

In the above instructions, we show the steps to add an app, but you can also add files, folders, and shortcuts to websites. For example, if you usually work with an Excel spreadsheet, you don't need to add the shortcut to open Excel. It's easier to right-click, drag, and drop the spreadsheet file in the Startup folder and select the Create shortcut here option from the context menu.

Just remember that each shortcut you include in the Startup folder will cause Windows 10 to take a bit longer to load, as such it's only recommended to keep the list of items small as possible. (You can also refer you our guide to manage apps on startup.)

More Windows 10 resources

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


The best alternatives to T-Mobile

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If you like T-Mobile's coverage, check out these alternatives that use T-Mobile's coverage.

T-Mobile, like the rest of the Big Four U.S. carriers, is keen on selling access to MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators). This is great: it benefits T-Mobile (income without any investment), the MVNO (no need to build its own network), and us (more choices at different prices).

And a lot of MVNOs use T-Mobile's network, either exclusively or in combination with other carriers. They cover just about every price point, offer options with large buckets of data, and can duplicate most of the experience of having a "proper" T-Mobile account. You can find a full list of them below, but we're going to focus on a few options users like you have called the best and that we agree belong on this list.

More: Complete list of T-Mobile MVNOs

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MetroPCS

MetroPCS isn't technically a T-Mobile MVNO. T-Mobile owns it, but MetroPCS operates independently and has different policies, pricing, and features.

The carrier offers plans with calling, texting, and data packages for people who use both a lot and a little bit of each. Plans start at $30 per month, which includes all taxes and extra fees.

MetroPCS also uses what it calls "Data Maximizer" to deliver streaming video at a resolution it claims is ideal for smartphone screens. It also offers the same Music Unlimited packages that T-Mobile offers, where streaming music from select services will not count against your data tally.

If you look at what people have to say about MetroPCS on the web, you'll see positives like great pricing and customer service, and negatives like poor coverage or network issues. We say that MetroPCS has always provided exactly what was expected and we have had no issues to note with coverage or customer service.

Learn more at MetroPCS

Walmart Family Mobile

Walmart Family Mobile has leveraged T-Mobile's network with a storefront presence unmatched by any other MVNO. We've all seen the signs for phones and plans when at Walmart and some of its offerings are great.

We love the $24.88 plan that offers unlimited talk and text combined with 1GB of LTE data (your connection drops to 2G speeds once the data limit is reached). It's perfect for people who don't use a lot of data while away from Wi-Fi but still need a bit for things like navigation or making reservations. It's also the best plan for anyone who needs a second line but will rarely use it.

The other end of the spectrum has unlimited talk and text bundled with 15GB of LTE data for $49.88. 15GB per month is approaching power-user territory, and if you don't use more than 15GB each month, why pay more for an unlimited plan?

User experiences seem to vary with Walmart Family Mobile, just as they do with every service. The pros look to be the price of both the phones and the service (you can also bring your own compatible phone) and cons include poorly trained sales and support staff and the ubiquitous coverage complaints.

We've found Walmart Family Mobile to deliver the service as promised and have had no issues getting a service plan via the web or in-store.

Learn more at Walmart

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Mint SIM

Mint SIM is an MVNO much like the others, with a special twist on how you can buy service.

While you can buy a package of talk, text, and data for a month, you can also buy extended service for as long as one year for significant savings. It offers the small (2GB), medium (5GB), and large (10GB) plans for one month, three months, six months, or one year.

$35 gets you a single month plan with unlimited talk and text as well as 2GB of LTE data (which drops in speed once your limit is reached), or $399 gets you a full year's worth of service including 10GB of LTE data. There are also a bunch of promo codes available for new users right now.)

If you know how much service you'll need buying in bulk can deliver considerable savings. Mint SIM uses aggressive pricing to provide long-term value, as well as cheap packages for monthly users.

More: The AC Community Mint SIM review

More at Mint SIM

Ting

Ting is another MVNO that offers more than just a choice between monthly plans. It lets you mix and match to find a plan with the right amount of talk, text, and data for you without paying for things you won't need. Best of all, Ting doesn't bill you for service you didn't use.

At the end of the month, you're billed for the amount of service you actually used, not what the plan said when you bought it. This can be a great way to save money while still keeping an option to use more data when you need it.

Experiences across the web tend to love the pricing structure and ability to build a plan tailored for data users who don't make many calls. Negatives complain of poor customer service and coverage or data speed issues.

We think Ting can be a great provider if you know what you need versus what you don't and love the billing for just what you used instead of the label on the plan.

More at Ting


There are plenty of T-Mobile MVNOs that aren't on our best list but still might work great for you. We can't use them all at once and things change quickly when it comes to carrier resellers. If you have a great experience and think we should give any company a second look, sound off in the comments below!

How to edit the custom spell check dictionary on Windows 10

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Did you add the wrong word to the dictionary? No worries, in this guide, we'll tell you the steps to remove or add new words to the custom dictionary on Windows 10.

On Windows 10, whenever you're typing on the web using Microsoft Edge, or an app like Mail or OneNote (mobile), you can quickly right-click a misspelled word to add it to the custom dictionary when you know you have the correct spelling.

However, sometimes, you could also end up adding a wrong word to the dictionary, and Windows 10 doesn't provide an easy way to undo the change. As a result, the spell checker won't highlight it as a mistake the next time you type the word, which can cause you to submit an email or paper with grammar errors.

If you made a mistake adding a particular word using the Windows 10 spell checker, it's possible to edit the custom dictionary to remove it.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to add or delete words from the custom dictionary.

How to edit the spell checker dictionary

If you made a mistake adding an incorrect word to the dictionary on Windows 10, or you want to add a list of new words, do the following.

  1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
  2. Type the following path and click OK.

    %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Spelling

  3. Inside the Spelling folder, you'll see one or more folders depending on the languages you have installed on Windows 10. Double-click the folder that corresponds to your language (e.g., en-IN for English).
  4. Double-click the default.dic file to open with Notepad.

The default.dic file contains all the saved words that you manually added. The only thing left to do is to remove the incorrect words and save the file as you would normally do with any Notepad file.

Also, to remove words, you can also use the default.dic file to add words in bulk for items that you know the spell checker won't recognize. Only remember to enter one word per line.

It should be noted that these instructions will only edit the custom dictionary on Windows 10. Other apps, such as those from Office and Google Chrome, use their own dictionary.

More Windows 10 resources

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

How to manage time servers on Windows 10

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If your device is showing the wrong time, and it's not a time zone issue, you can try changing the Internet Time settings on Windows 10 to fix the problem.

Windows 10 uses the Network Time Protocol (NTP) to connect with time servers on the internet to provide accurate system time. Otherwise, if the clock is not correctly synchronized, you could experience network issues, and documents and other files you create may end with incorrect time stamps.

Although for the most part, the default time server is reliable, there will be times when you may need to change it, such as if your current configuration causes your device to display the wrong time, you just prefer to use a different service, or your company uses a specific configuration.

Whatever the reason, on Windows 10 it's possible to switch time providers, and you can even add custom time servers to the list as necessary.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to use different time servers to make sure that your computer is getting the correct time using Control Panel.

How to change the time server on Windows 10

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Click on Clock, Language, and Region.
  3. Click on Date and Time.
  4. Click on the Internet Time tab.
  5. Click the Change settings button.

  6. Check that the Synchronize with an internet time server option is selected.
  7. Use the drop-down menu to select a different server.
  8. Click the Update now button to synchronize the time with the new server.

  9. Click OK.
  10. Click Apply.
  11. Click OK.

After completing the steps, Windows 10 will keep the time synchronized over the internet with the server you selected.

How to add new time servers on Windows 10

If you prefer to use a different time server that isn't in the list, it's also possible to include any NTP server you want.

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Click on Clock, Language, and Region.
  3. Click on Date and Time.
  4. Click on the Internet Time tab.
  5. Click the Change settings button.

  6. Check that the Synchronize with an internet time server option is selected.
  7. Click the drop-down menu, and next to "Server," and type the new address of the time server.

  8. Click the Update now button to resynchronize.
  9. Click OK.
  10. Click Apply.
  11. Click OK.

After adding the new configuration, you can quickly verify everything is working as expected by checking the Internet Time tab, which now should include a "The clock was successfully synchronized" message with the link to the NTP server and date and time of the synchronization.

Adding new time servers using the Registry

Using Control Panel, you can change the Internet Time settings to anything, but the list only allows you to store one extra entry. If you want to add multiple addresses to the list, you'll need to use the Registry.

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

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

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\DateTime\Servers

  4. On the right side, right-click on the Servers (folder) key, select New, and click on String Value.

  5. Type a number that corresponds to the position of the new entry in the server drop-down menu in Control Panel.
  6. Double-click the newly created String Value.
  7. Type the address of Network Time Protocol (NTP) server. For example, if you want to use the Google Public NTP server, you can enter time.google.com.

  8. Click OK.

Once you completed the steps, you can use the instructions to change the time server, but on step No. 6 select the newly added server and don't forget to click the Update now button.

How to troubleshoot time server synchronization problems

If after changing the settings, your device still has problems connecting to the NTP server, you can reset the Windows Time service configurations using Command Prompt.

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Search for cmd.exe, right-click the result, and select Run as administrator.
  3. Type the following command to disable the Windows Time service and press Enter:

    net stop w32time

  4. Type the following command to unregister the Windows Time service and to remove all settings information from the registry and press Enter:

    w32tm /unregister

  5. Type the following command to register the Windows Time service and to load the default settings to the registry and press Enter:

    w32tm /register

  6. Type the following command to start the Windows Time service and press Enter:

    net start w32time

  7. Type the following command to force your computer to synchronize your computer without waiting and press Enter:

    w32tm /resync /nowait

  8. Restart your computer.

Once you completed the steps, your device should now synchronize with its clock over the internet.

More Windows 10 resources

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

How to use Remote Desktop to run desktop (win32) apps from outside the Store on Windows 10 S

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Did you get a Surface Laptop and don't want to ditch Windows 10 S, but you need to run win32 apps? Here's one way to use desktop apps on Windows 10 S.

Windows 10 S is technically Windows 10 Pro with a special configuration that aims to improve performance and security while retaining the same familiar experience. However, it can only run apps available in the Windows Store. And the fact that you can't run executable files makes it impossible to install desktop programs that you download from the internet.

Although a more restricted version of Windows seems like a good idea for non-technical users, the stock of apps in the Windows Store is still light, and some apps, such as those converted using Windows Desktop Bridge do not always work.

Of course, you can switch to Windows 10 Pro, but if you want to keep your device secure and performing at top speeds, as an alternative option, you can set up remote desktop on a second machine to use non-Store apps on your Windows 10 S device.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to use desktop (win32) applications on your Surface Laptop running Windows 10 S by setting up a remote connection to a device running Windows 10 Pro or Home.

How to use non-Store apps on Windows 10 S using a remote connection to Windows 10 Pro

Although Windows 10 S limits you to use only apps from the Store, you can still use traditional desktop apps using Remote Desktop on Windows 10 Pro (Windows 8.1 Pro or Windows 7 Professional).

How to enable Remote Desktop on Windows 10 Pro

If you're looking to access another computer on a local network, you only need to make sure that Remote Desktop is enabled.

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Click on System and Security.
  3. Click on Allow remote access.
  4. Under Remote Desktop make sure to select Allow remote connections to this computer.

  5. Click OK.
  6. Click Apply.
  7. Click OK.

After you've completed the steps, your Windows 10 Pro device will allow remote desktop connections from other devices, including those running Windows 10 S.

If you are accessing desktop programs through the internet, you'll need to perform additional steps, including setting a static IP address on your computer, figuring out which is your public IP address, and configuring port forwarding on your router to allow remote connections. (You can refer to our set up remote access through the internet guide for more details.)

How to disable sleep and hibernation

Additionally, you need to make sure to keep your computer awake to establish a remote session. You can do this by disabling sleep and hibernation on Windows 10.

Disabling sleep

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Click on Power & sleep.
  4. Under "Sleep," select Never from the drop-down menu.

Disabling hibernation

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the result, and click select Run as administrator.
  3. Type the following command and press Enter:

    powercfg.exe /h off

Identifying your PC's IP address and name

In order to connect remotely to your machine hosting the non-Store applications, you need to know the device name or IP address.

There is a number of ways to figure out the name and IP address of your machine, but you can quickly get the required information using these steps:

  1. Use the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run command.
  2. Type cmd and click OK.
  3. In Command Prompt, type the following command to get the computer name and press Enter:

    hostname

  4. Type the following command to get the computer IP address and press Enter:

    ipconfig

How to set up a Remote Desktop connection on Windows 10 S

There are at least two ways to start a Remote Desktop connection on Windows 10 S. You can use the built-in Remote Desktop Connection tool, or you can install the Remote Desktop app from the Store.

Here we show you the steps to access another device remotely using the Remote Desktop app because it's easier for non-technical users.

Installing Remote Desktop app

  1. Open the Windows Store.
  2. Search for Microsoft Remote Desktop.
  3. Click the Install button.

Configuring a Remote Desktop connection

After the installation, use these steps to set up a new remote connection.

  1. Open Remote Desktop.
  2. Click the + Add button from the top-right corner.
  3. Click on the Desktop option.

  4. Type the IP address of the remote computer.

    • Note: You can also use your computer's name, but if you don't have an environment with a DNS server correctly configured, Windows 10 may not be able to resolve the name to the correct IP address to contact the remote host.
  5. On "User account," click the + button.

  6. Type your username, or email address if you're using a Microsoft account, and your password.
  7. Click the Save button.

  8. Click the Save button again.

Establishing a Remote Desktop session

  1. On the right side, under Saved Desktops, click the computer tile to start a connection.
  2. If you're prompted to accept a certificate, check the Don't ask about this certificate again option.
  3. Click the Connect button.

Once you complete these steps, you'll connect to your remote computer running Windows 10 Pro, and you can then start using your traditional desktop (win32) applications as you would normally on any device.

How to use non-Store apps on Windows 10 S using a remote connection to Windows 10 Home

Remote Desktop isn't available on Windows 10 Home, but you can still access non-Store apps from your Windows 10 S device using third-party tools.

While there is a number of remote desktop software options available, for this guide, we'll be using TeamViewer because is easy to set up, and it has a remote desktop client app in the Store, which you can install on Windows 10 S.

Quick Tip: If TeamViewer isn't for you, when choosing another solution, make sure it offers a client that you can download from the Store, or at least it provides a way to connect using Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 S.

How to configure remote desktop on Windows 10 Home

Setting up TeamViewer on Windows 10 Home

  1. Download TeamViewer.
  2. Double-click the TeamViewer_Setup.exe file to start the installation.
  3. Select the Installation to access this computer remotely (unattended) option.
  4. Select the Personal / Non-commercial use option.
  5. Click the Accept - finish button.

  6. After the installation, the unattended access setup will appear, click Next.
  7. Set the password to access your computer.
  8. Click Next.

  9. If you don't already have an account, select Create a free TeamViewer account and enter the required information. Otherwise, select I already have a TeamViewer account and complete the information needed.

  10. Click Next.
  11. Click Finish.

    • Note: You may be prompted to add your machine to the list of trusted devices to connect. If you don't see the prompt and you can't connect, login to your TeamViewer account and manually add the device.

After completing the steps note your ID number and password, which you'll need to configure a remote session using your Windows 10 S device.

How to set up a remote desktop connection on Windows 10 S

Setting up TeamViewer on Windows 10 S

  1. Open the Windows Store.
  2. Search for TeamViewer: Remote Control.
  3. Click the Install button.

Establishing a remote connection to Windows 10 Home

  1. Open TeamViewer: Remote Control.
  2. In the "Connect" box, type your nine-digit TeamViewer identification number.
  3. Click the Remote Control button.

  4. In the "Authentication" box, type your password.
  5. Click OK to connect.

Once you complete these steps, you'll be connected to your Windows 10 Home computer, and you can start using your traditional desktop (win32) applications as you normally would.

Wrapping things up

In this guide, we outlined two different ways you can use non-Store apps on Windows 10 S, but if you find them too challenging, you can always switch to Windows 10 Pro quite easily using these instructions.

While we're using TeamViewer to bring remote desktop capabilities to Windows 10 Home, remember that you can also use this tool on any major release of Windows. However, on Windows 10 Pro, I personally prefer Microsoft's Remote Desktop (even though it requires extra steps to configure), because TeamViewer is a paid service, and while you can use it for free, it'll nag you to get the paid version. And you can't use it without an internet connection.

Also, remember that if you're only planning to use desktop apps in a local network, you can enable Project to this PC on devices with Miracast support and use the Connect app on Windows 10 S as an alternative remote connection solution.

It should be noted that the experience using Remote Desktop or TeamViewer will vary depending on the network connection quality.

More Windows 10 resources

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

How much RAM does your Windows 10 PC really need?

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How much RAM does your Windows 10 PC really need?

How much RAM do you really need for your PC?

RAM, or random access memory, is a vital hardware component used by your Windows 10 PC to store temporary data that can be accessed quickly by software, speeding up processes and keeping you from banging your head against the desk in frustration. Essentially, the more RAM you have, the more you can have going on at once.

The amount of RAM you need in your PC depends on what you plan on doing — gaming, for instance, takes a generous amount of RAM, and media editing can take a lot of RAM.

Find out how much RAM you currently have, what type of RAM is compatible with your system, and how much RAM you should have for specific daily tasks.

Benefits of upgrading your RAM

Let's get one thing straight: adding RAM to your computer is not a process that will magically make everything faster. It will, however, aid your PC in multitasking and performing heavy duties like gaming and multimedia editing. More RAM doesn't make the computer faster, but it will make it harder for it to get bogged down.

If you have a PC with a beefy graphics card and fast processor but you can't figure out why 17 browser tabs won't simultaneously load without grinding things to a halt, adding RAM will probably help.

If you have an old PC that you want to eke a few more years out of, adding RAM could make the difference between a couple years of frustration and a couple years of fond memories.

How much RAM do you really need?

How much RAM you need in your PC depends heavily on what you use your PC for on a day-to-day basis and on how long you intend to keep the computer. If you're thinking of investing in a completely new machine in the near future, waiting things out might be the best bet.

If you already have a computer you love but want to shift gears into a different daily task that requires better performance, upgrading your RAM as part of the process is a great idea.

Productivity

If you use your Windows 10 computer for word processing, checking emails, browsing the internet, and playing Solitaire, you should have no problem using 4GB of RAM. If you are performing all of these activities at once, however, you might experience a dip in performance.

A lot of budget PCs come with 4GB of RAM as a base option, but if you plan on keeping your machine for several years, opting for 8GB of RAM is the safer bet, even if you only use it for light duties.

Gaming

We're not talking about Solitaire — heavy PC gaming at acceptable performance levels requires a substantial amount of RAM. Using a few popular modern titles as references, it is evident that gamers should have at least 8GB of RAM — the recommended minimum amount for Fallout 4, Witcher 3 and DOOM.

If you're a gamer and want to ensure you have enough RAM for some current titles and future titles, go with at least 16GB. If your budget allows, why not push it up to 32GB?

Virtual reality (VR)

VR is a relatively new medium, at least in its latest incarnation, and it requires a good chunk of RAM to run smoothly. We're talking HTC Vive and Oculus Rift here, both of which should have at least 8GB of RAM on the associated PC to run smoothly.

The Vive only recommends 4GB, but, honestly, go with 8GB; you have to take into account the games you'll be playing, many of which require a decent amount of RAM to run smoothly.

Game streaming

If you'd like to join the thousands who stream video of themselves playing games or other activities, go with at least 8GB of RAM but consider opting for 16GB or even 32GB depending on the game's requirements. Your PC has to deal with both running the game and streaming video to the internet at the same time.

Need a hand getting your stream set up? We have a guide for that!

See a beginner's guide to Mixer streaming

Video and photo editing

This really depends on your workload. If you're editing a lot of HD video, go for 16GB or more. If you're working with photos and a bit of video thrown in, 8GB should get you through.

Editing apps will work on lower amounts of RAM, but you'll become so frustrated with poor performance you'll soon start yearning for an upgrade. Don't skimp here.

Choosing RAM speeds

Not only do you need to think about how much RAM you have, you also need to think about the speed of the RAM in your PC. RAM's frequency affects the maximum bandwidth. If you want more data to be moved back and forth at once, you need to go with RAM with a higher frequency. Latency, on the other hand, is how fast your RAM realizes it needs to act when the CPU calls on it.

Column Access Strobes (CAS) latency has increased as the frequency of RAM has increased, but true latency has remained about the same due to a decrease in clock cycle times. That means you can get high-speed DDR4 RAM with about the same true latency as older DDR3 RAM that's only about half the speed.

If you're doing any sort of high-performance task on your PC, opting for a higher frequency — measured in megahertz (MHz) — is the best plan of action.

Your PC's RAM configuration

RAM configurations differ depending mostly on your motherboard. Some motherboards have four dual inline memory module (DIMM) slots for RAM, some have two, some have a lot more. Here's how to see how much RAM you currently have, what type of RAM is compatible with your PC, and how many slots you're currently working with.

How to check your PC's current amount of RAM

This method will simply and quickly tell you how much RAM your PC currently has installed:

  1. Right-click the Start button.
  2. Click System.
  3. Verify the Installed memory (RAM) line. (In this case, you can see we have 8GB of RAM installed.)

    Click System. Verify the Installed memory (RAM) line.

How to check RAM configuration and compatible RAM using Crucial System Scanner

To take things even further, Crucial System Scanner is a great app that will scan your computer and show you how much total RAM your motherboard and processor can handle, how many slots are available for RAM, and some options for purchasing compatible RAM.

  1. Navigate to www.crucial.com/usa/en/systemscanner.
  2. Click the check box next to Agree to the terms & conditions.
  3. Click download the scanner.

    Click the checkbox next to Agree to terms and conditions. Click download the scanner.

  4. Click Save. The download will begin.
  5. Click Run when the download is complete.

    Click Save. Click Run.

When the scan is complete you will see on the left side of the window a memory section with the number of slots for RAM and the maximum amount of RAM your PC's motherboard can handle. In this case, the motherboard has two slots and can handle up to 32GB of RAM.

You will see on the right side of the window a list of compatible RAM available for purchase from Crucial. This is a clear indicator of what type of RAM your PC uses, and is a great tool for anyone not comfortable with buying RAM on their own. In this case, you can see that our PC is using DDR4 SODIMM RAM.

Crucial system scan results

RAM is available in two common types: DDR3 and DDR4. DDR4 is newer than DDR3 and uses a different pin configuration to fit into your motherboard. For this reason, DDR3 RAM can't go into a motherboard designed for DDR4, and vice versa. Also, "small outline dual inline memory module" (SODIMM) RAM won't fit in a standard RAM slot — it's just too small. If you're using a laptop or an all-in-one PC, chances are you've got SODIMM RAM inside, so keep that in mind when you're buying RAM.

Best RAM for your PC

Once you determined how much RAM you need for your specific PC duties and what type of RAM works with your processor and motherboard, you can start shopping.

If you aren't completely confident when buying RAM, worry not. We've put together an ultimate RAM buyer's guide that should answer any questions you might still have. Plus, check out our roundup of the best DDR4 RAM available now for some great suggestions.

Updated July 24, 2017: We refreshed this article to ensure you're still getting current information about how much RAM you really need in a PC.

How to create Microsoft Excel 2016 reports

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While Excel is an optimal program to collect and organize your data, its information management features don't stop there. Here's how to better present your content.

In Excel 2016, users will find that they have numerous ways of organizing and visualizing their records. Making use of these options will allow you to put tables and charts together to create reports worthy of praise.

Basic chart and table creation

Before you can impress your team with an in-depth report, you need to learn how to generate charts, tables, and other visual elements. Here are a few types to get you started.

How to create a basic forecast report

  1. Load a workbook into Excel
  2. Select the top-left cell in the source data
  3. Click on Data tab in the navigation ribbon
  4. Click on Forecast Sheet under the Forecast section to display the Create Forecast Worksheet dialog box
  5. Choose between a line graph or bar graph
  6. Choose Forecast end date
  7. Click Options for customization
  8. Select Forecast start date

Forecast reports are useful for calculating projections for sales, growth or revenue.

How to create hierarchal charts

  1. Select a cell inside of the data table
  2. Click on Insert in the ribbon
  3. Click Insert Hierarchy Chart under the Charts group
  4. Select between TreeMap or Sunburst chart
  5. Click on the + (plus) sign to add or remove chart elements such as title, data labels, and legend
  6. Click on the right arrow for each element to customize the appearance or behavior

The Charts group itself is an effective way to find the chart that best suits your data. In fact, Excel 2016 has a Recommended Charts option, which allows you to scroll through shortlisted charts or through all available charts.

How to create PivotTables

A PivotTables enable users to sort through and reorganize data in columns and rows in order to find the most effective view. It's especially useful when you are working with vast amounts of data.

How to create a recommended P{ivotTable

  1. Select a cell within the table range or source data
  2. Navigate to the Tables section in the Insert ribbon tab
  3. Select Recommended PivotTable
  4. Browse through the presented types of PivotTables
  5. Click on the PivotTable you want
  6. Click OK to generate
  7. Select Seasonality options
  8. Modify timeline and value ranges
  9. Select to fill any missing points by zeros or by interpolation
  10. Select criteria to aggregate duplicates by
  11. Select Create to finish

How to create your own PivotTable

  1. Click on a cell within the source data or table range
  2. Click on the Insert tab in the navigation ribbon
  3. Select PivotTable in the Tables section to generate the Create PivotTable dialog box
  4. Decide on the data source in the Choose the data that you want to analyze section, in case you don't want to use the selected source
  5. Select New or Existing Worksheet under the Choose where you want the PivotTable to be placed section
  6. Click Add this data to the Data Model to incorporate additional data sources in the PivotTable
  7. Click on fields to include in the report in the PivotTable Fields
  8. Click and drag fields to reside in either Filters, Columns, Rows, and Values

Once you have decided on the layout and contents of your PivotTable fields, you can use it as the foundation for other Pivot Tables.

How to create a Dashboard

Once you have become comfortable enough to generate charts and tables using your provided data, it's time to begin piecing the story together in a dashboard. The Dashboard is your chance to showcase your data in an attractive, informative and insightful hub view. It provides a top-level view of the data, allowing your audience to quickly see data and trends in order to view results and make decisions. This reporting tool is highly adaptable and can be used to report a plethora of results regardless of your line of business.

How to prepare your PivotTables for the Dashboard

  1. Select the original PivotTable that wish to use as your master or reference table
  2. Right-click on the selection
  3. Choose Copy
  4. Select another cell on your worksheet
  5. Right-click on the selected cell
  6. Choose Paste to duplicate
  7. Repeat steps No. 4 to No. 6 as needed
  8. Click on PivotTable Tools for each table
  9. Click Analyze
  10. Insert a name in the PivotTable Name box to identify the function of each table

How to generate PivotCharts from PivotTables

  1. Select the original PivotTable
  2. Click on PivotTable Tools
  3. Select Analyze
  4. Select PivotChart
  5. Choose the type of chart that you need
  6. Choose formatting options in the PivotChart Tools tab
  7. Click on Analyze under PivotChart Tools
  8. Enter a name in the Chart Name box
  9. Apply steps No. 1 to No. 8 as needed for all PivotTables in use

Timelines and Slicers

With your multiple PivotCharts and PivotTables created, you'll need to be able to find specific information that supports the details you wish to share in the dashboard. Slicers and Timelines provide a way to filter through the data with ease. Timelines allow you to filter by time to locate a specific period. Slicers are essentially click-to-filter options for PivotTables. Not only do they apply a filter, they also indicate the filter currently in use.

How to add a Slicer

  1. From a PivotTable click on PivotTable Tools
  2. Select Analyze
  3. Select Filter
  4. Select Insert Slicer
  5. Select the items to be used as slicers
  6. Click Ok
  7. Select a Slicer
  8. Click on Slicer Tools
  9. Select Options
  10. Select Report Connections
  11. Choose the PivotTables that connect to the chosen Slicer

How to add a Timeline

  1. Click on a PivotTable
  2. Select Analyze
  3. Select Filter
  4. Select Insert Timeline
  5. Click on the items to use in the Timeline
  6. Click on the Timeline
  7. Select Tools
  8. Select Options
  9. Select Report Connections
  10. Select PivotTables to link the Timeline to

With each resulting chart, you can choose to copy and paste it on your dashboard. You can then decide how the dashboard should appear, what will tell the best story for your report.

This results in a dynamic dashboard that allows recipients to look over your presented data while allowing them to sort through the data to give them customization options pertinent to them. If you are creating a Dashboard to be used on a regular basis, you only need to update the source data to recreate the report with new information.

Wrapping Up

There isn't one report to rule them all, but Excel has the tools to help you make the report you need. How often do you have to create reports in Excel? Which one are you most proud of? Let us know in the comments. And be sure to visit our Office 101 help hub for more related articles!

Windows 10 builds 16251 and 16241 for PC: Everything you need to know

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Check out all the new features and changes Windows 10 is introducing with builds 16251 and 16241.

Although Microsoft is now focused on smashing bugs and stabilizing the next version of Windows 10 for its public release, the company still rolling out test versions with new features and improvements. This time, Windows 10 build 16251 is rolling out for PCs enrolled in the Fast ring, and while it's a significantly smaller update, there is a number of new changes.

In this new flight, Windows 10 introduces a new feature to link your Android phone to your PC enabling cross-device web-browsing. Cortana now can power off your device using voice commands, and it shows web results without opening the web browser. The boot experience has been improved, and more.

Also, Microsoft recently rolled out build 16241 as part of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update unveiling some small changes around Fluent Design, Task Manager, and Mixed Reality.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll take a deeper look at the features and changes that were included in the last two previews for the next version of the OS.

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update new features and changes

Cortana

Cortana is receiving a new update adding some exciting improvements. Starting with build 16251, you can use voice commands to turn off, restart, lock, and sign-out from your device.

Here are the commands you can use:

  • Hey Cortana, restart PC.
  • Hey Cortana, turn off PC.
  • Hey Cortana, sign out.
  • Hey Cortana, lock PC.

Once you invoke a command, you'll have to confirm saying Yes for most actions, except when you're trying to lock your device.

These new commands also work above the Lock screen, but you must enable the Lock Screen option in the Talk to Cortana settings page.

Alternatively, you can also open Cortana, and simply type the action, such as restart PC or sign out.

In this flight, Cortana can show results previews without opening the web browser. As you start typing, you'll see a new pane that expands automatically to show you the information you're seeking. In the case, the assistant doesn't have an accurate answer, you won't see the pane expanding, but you can still click the arrow button next to the result to see relevant suggestions.

Settings

On Windows 10 build 16251, the Settings app is also getting a number of tweaks and new features.

Phone

On Setting> Phone, you'll notice that this is a new section that includes a new Phone settings page. This is part of a new feature that Windows 10 is introducing with build 16251 that allows you to link your Android phone to your PC enabling new cross-device experiences.

If you want to give it a try, click the Add a phone button, enter the number of the phone you want to link, then you'll receive a text with the instructions to install the Microsoft Apps application on your Android phone to complete the link.

Once the phone is linked to your computer, you can start browsing the web, open the share experience on your phone, and tap the new Continue on PC option.

After authenticating with your Microsoft account, you'll need to decide if you want to Continue now or Continue later. If you tap Continue now, the website will automagically open with Microsoft Edge on your PC.

Unfortunately, if you use another web browser like Chrome and is set as default, the new feature will still use Microsoft Edge to open the website.

While the new experience only allows you to resume web pages on your PC from your phone, in the future, Microsoft will add more functionalities. Also, at this time, there is only support for Android phones (English), but iOS support will be added in the future.

Taskbar

On Settings> Personalization> Taskbar, the page has been updated, and now under "People,"Pop has been renamed to My People.

Sign-in options

On Settings> Accounts, the Sign-in options page has been updated. Starting with build 16251, under "Privacy," you'll find a new Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update or restart toggle switch.

The new option allows Windows 10 to sign-in automatically to finish setting up your device even after a regular reboot or shutdown when using the available power options.

In addition to speed up the boot experience, Windows 10 will be able to restore accessibility apps and other apps that have the ability to restart in this type of scenario.

The new feature is enabled by default, but you can use the option in this page to disable it.

Alongside the new improvement, Windows 10 is adding two additional switches to the shutdown command that you can use in Command Prompt:

  • shutdown /sg: Turn off the PC. On the next boot, restart any registered apps.
  • shutdown /g: Full power off and restart the PC. After the system is rebooted, restart any registered apps.

Game Mode

On Settings> Gaming, the Game Mode page hasn't been updated, but under-the-hood, the feature now is enabled by default for some games.

TruePlay

On Settings> Gaming renames Game Monitor to TruePlay, which is a future anti-cheating system for Xbox Live. No details yet from Microsoft about this feature or how it works.

General

On Settings> Privacy, the General page now includes a new Show me suggested content in the Settings app option. (However, it appears to not be working at this moment.)

Windows Update

on Settings> Update & Security> Windows Update, the Advanced Options page no longer includes the Use my sign in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update option, because it's been moved to the Sign-in options page.

Input

You'll also find a few tweaks for the one-handed keyboard experience. In build 16251, the keyboard is a bit bigger with thicker borders to reduce accidental taps outside the keyboard that dismiss it.

The touch keyboard experience now supports full keyboard layout for more languages, including English, French, Italian, German, and Spanish. And the typing sound has been softened based on feedback.

On precision touchpad, the two-finger scrolling is smoother, and the pen can now select and drag objects when the barrel button is pressed.

System

Fluent Design

Starting with Windows 10 build 16241, the noise layer of Acrylic Material, part of the transparency element of Fluent Design, has been adjusted to be more softened.

Task Manager

Inside Task Manager with the roll out of build 16241, the Processes tab now shows proper labels for processes of Microsoft Edge.

In addition, the Performance tab introduces new tweaks for the GPU section. On build 16241 and later, the graphics processor name appears on the left side.

Image source: Microsoft

The section now shows the multi-engine view that allows you to see the performance of the four most active GPU engines.

You can also see the total graphics memory text counters, and the DirectX version now also shows the highest DX feature level at the bottom of the section.

Microsoft Edge

On Windows 10 build 16251 and 16241, Microsoft Edge is also receiving some changes.

You can no longer pin InPrivate sessions to the Taskbar. If you pinned InPrivate session in the past, now they'll open in a regular session.

Microsoft Edge no longer re-scale websites when using Tablet Mode with narrow viewpoint width.

Narrator Scan Mode is enabled by default, and you can still use the Caps Lock + Space shortcut to turn it on or off.

Mixed Reality

The Mixed Reality experience continues to be a focus for Microsoft, and on Windows 10 build 16241, there are several new improvements.

Under-the-hood, the Mixed Reality incorporates support for motion controllers over USB and improves connection reliability.

The Mixed Reality Portal app updates its default icon, and the teleportation experience has been tweaked to be more intuitive and direct.

If applicable, the app can now notify the user that a USB 3 headset is required. It improves support for ASMedia and other 3rd party USB controllers, and 4K 360 video streaming.

Wrapping things up

While this is a minor update, it includes several welcome additions, and it's by far the most stable build I've tested for the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. However, it's still a pre-release with bugs and things not working, as such it's not recommended to install it on your primary machine.

You'll also notice that starting with this release Windows 10 build 16251 appears available through the rs3_release development branch for users in the Fast ring, and through the rs_prerelease branch for those who are using the "Skip Ahead" option.

Note that we're not listing the new Lock screen recovery password or Windows Update bandwidth control features. This is because they're previously included on Windows 10 build 16237.

More Windows 10 resources

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


How to fix 'Health report not available' issue on Windows Defender Security Center

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If the Windows Defender Security Center dashboard isn't showing your system's health report, in this guide, we'll tell you how to fix it.

Starting with the Creators Update, Windows 10 introduced the Windows Defender Security Center, a new experience aimed to provide system information and user-friendly tools to keep your computer protected and running at top performance.

One of the features included with the new dashboard is a health report that shows the health status of your system, and it reports any issue you may need to pay attention regarding Windows Update, storage, device drivers, or battery life.

However, sometimes you may notice the report will go missing, and then you'll only see a "Health report is not available" message. Although this message won't affect your system security nor will prevent you from using your device, if it's been a few days and there is still no report available, there are few things you can try.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to resolve the issue where the Windows Defender Security Center is unable to show a health report.

How to fix health report issue on Windows 10

When the Windows Defender Security Center no longer displays a health report under "Device performance & health" there a few things you can do to fix this problem.

Delete the 'PerfLogs' folder

The health report included in the dashboard depends on information from the "System Diagnostics" report generated by the Performance Monitor. If your device doesn't have this report, or for some reason the information can't be accessed, then you'll see the "Health report not available" message.

You can check and delete the report, using these steps:

  1. Use the Windows key + E keyboard shortcut to open File Explorer.
  2. On the left pane, click on This PC.
  3. Under "Devices and drivers," double-click the Windows (C:) drive.
  4. Browse the following path:

    PerfLogs > System > Diagnostics

  5. If you don't see additional folders inside Diagnostics, it means that there isn't a system report available, which can be the reason you're not seeing the health report. If there are reports available, there could be a problem with the data, in which case you'll need to right-click the PerfLogs folder, and select Delete.

Generate a new performance report

After making sure there isn't a PerfLogs folder on your device, you can use Performance Monitor to create a fresh System Diagnostics report that Windows Defender Security Center can use.

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Search for Performance Monitor and click the result.
  3. Browse the following path:

    Data Collector Sets > System

  4. Right-click System Diagnostics, and click Start.

  5. While the report is being created, browse the following path:

    Reports > System > System Diagnostics

  6. Select the latest report and wait for the results.

  7. Restart your computer.

Once you have completed the steps and the report has been created, launch the Windows Defender dashboard, open the Device performance & health section, and you should now see the health report.

Perform a full antivirus scan

If you're still seeing the "Health report is no available" message, you'll need to perform a full system scan.

  1. Open Windows Defender Security Center.
  2. Click on Virus & threat protection.
  3. Click the Advanced scan link.
  4. Select the Full scan option.
  5. Click the Scan now button.

After completing the steps, the scan will take some time, but after the process completes you should once again be able to see the health report on your computer.

Wrapping things up

It should be noted that there could be a number of factors causing this problem, which means that there could be more than one solution. The instructions outlined in this guide worked during my test, but some users have also reported that just forcing a performance report, or performing a Windows Defender Offline, quick, and full antivirus scan resolves the issue as well.

More Windows 10 resources

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

How to transfer vinyl records to your PC with Audacity

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Vinyl

Want to get your old vinyl records onto your PC? Here's how you can do it.

If you bought a fancy new turntable with a USB output, you might also have a piece of 'special software' included that can help you record your classic sounds to your modern PC.

But that's not the case for everyone. Many won't have a USB output and many more won't have any software to digitize their records with. Hopefully, that's where this guide can help.

Thanks to a free piece of software called Audacity, anyone can transfer their vinyl records to their PC, not fancy USB-equipped turntable required.

What you need

Turntable

The first thing to do is download and install Audacity. This is a completely free piece of software and is an exceptional audio editor. It's also pretty simple to pick up for beginners, so if you've never used it before don't be afraid.

Download Audacity for Windows

The next thing you need is an interface to make your PC see your turntable. If you have a USB output, then you just need to connect the turntable to the PC this way. But if you don't, you'll need an analog to digital converter. This will take the analog signal coming from your turntable and turn it into a digital input your PC will understand.

For the purposes of this walkthrough, I'm using a Behringer Xenyx 302USB mixer, just because it's a product I already own. You don't need something this big, though, and a much smaller converter can be found. You'll potentially find the products you're looking for labeled as a USB audio interface. Just make sure you get one with a USB connector on it.

Note: Don't confuse what you need for a DAC (digital to analog converter) when buying. A DAC takes the digital signal from the PC and turns it into an analog one. What you need is the reverse of this.

So long as you have a way to connect the right and left channels from the turntable to the PC, you'll be golden. The actual device will differ from person to person.

Connecting the turntable to the PC

Mixer

If you have a USB turntable, plugging it into your PC is easy: connect the USB cable to the matching ports on the turntable and your computer. But if you have a turntable with a more standard phono output, you'll need to follow these steps:

  1. Connect your analog to digital converter to the PC using the supplied USB cable.
  2. Connect the left and right phono leads from your turntable to your converter.
  3. Power on the turntable.
  4. On your PC, open manage audio devices from the control panel.
  5. On the recording tab, make sure your converter is selected as the default input.
  6. Then click on properties.
  7. Select the advanced tab.
  8. From the drop-down box make sure that 2-channel is selected at your preferred sample rate. In my case, it's set to 2-channel, 16-bit, 48000Hz.

Setting up Audacity

The first thing you need to do in Audacity is ensure that when you open it up it's going to use the right hardware to record from and that the project rate matches what you selected in the steps above.

  1. Open Audacity.
  2. Select MME in the interface menu. It is the first drop-down menu in the controls.
  3. Select your USB analog converter in the source menu. It is the second drop-down menu in the controls and sports a microphone icon. My converter showed up as "Microphone (USB Audio CODEC)".

    Audacity

  4. Set the frequency menu to match your project sample rate to the previously set hardware sample rate. In this case, 48000Hz.

    Audacity

You're now set up to start recording. Before you get too far in, though, you'll want to do a little test recording on the loudest part of one of the songs you're transferring. This will ensure you get the right recording volume in Audacity and avoid any distortion.

If you're using a USB mixer like I am here, then you'll have hardware controls that can alter this without needing to do anything in Audacity. Essentially do a test recording and see where the highest point on the waveform is. Then alter the recording volume (the microphone slider) to a little more than this level to give yourself some headroom.

Recording your vinyl records

Audacity

Once you're happy with the setup and the levels it's time to get recording.

  1. Hit the record button in Audacity and then drop the needle on your record.
  2. If you're recording a multi-record album it's a good idea to keep Audacity recording while you change them over. Reasons for this will become clear later on.
  3. When finished you'll have one very long waveform and your entire album recorded into a single Audacity track.
  4. Click on the file menu.
  5. Select save project.

Ignore the warning, you do want to save this as an Audacity project for the time being.

Now we can move onto turning that one long recording into individual tracks, while also cutting out any silences and even fixing any clicks you may have had transferred. It is vinyl, after all, so there's always a chance of imperfections.

Editing the recording

Audacity

The first thing you want to do is get rid of any silences. You'll find these at the start, probably the end, and any places in the middle where you had to change the records over.

Removing them is easy, though.

  1. Use the selection tool to go to the beginning point of the silence.
  2. Click and drag the portion you want to remove. You'll see something like the image above.
  3. Press the delete key on your keyboard and it'll vanish.

Repeat these steps for any other areas of silence you need to get rid of, even between tracks if you wish. Don't take out too much between the individual tracks, though, as having a short gap will help you when it comes to splitting the recording into tracks.

Audacity

Silences gone, the next thing you might want to do is sort out any clicks that came through on the recording. You'll be able to see them on the waveform fairly clearly as a spike. As I used a brand new record for this guide, I'm fortunate I don't have any, but if you're using older records then the chances are increased.

The first thing to try is Audacity's built in click removal tool.

  1. Select the affected area by dragging the selection tool over it.
  2. Select the effect menu.
  3. Now choose click removal.

You may have to experiment with different values for the threshold and spike width, but a good place to start is between 120-130 for the former and 30-40 for the latter. Keep trying different values until you're happy.

Alternatively, if the click removal tool doesn't do a good enough job, you can use the repair tool, also under the effect menu to deal with individual spikes.

Audacity

The final thing you might want to do with your recording is to make it louder. Amplifying it a little will mean you don't have to turn the volume up so high when you listen to the digital tracks later on. If you're already happy with the levels, you can skip this part.

If you want to amplify the recording:

  1. Click anywhere inside the waveform.
  2. Select the effect menu.
  3. Click on amplify.

Audacity will tell you how much you can apply before hitting 0db. You don't want to go over 0db, for one, and some might argue you should keep it below this. But go with your own preference. Just don't go over 0, because you may start to encounter clipping and distortion and no-one wants that.

Save the project when you're happy and on to the next step.

Labelling tracks and exporting

Audacity

Nearly there! Now you're happy with the quality of the audio, the next thing to do is to chop up that one long recording into individual tracks. The good news is you don't have to any actual chopping.

The first thing to do is add the album metadata.

  1. Click on file.
  2. Select edit metadata tags. You'll see the box shown in the image above.
  3. For now, only enter album information. So add the album name, artist, genre and year. Leave the track number and track name alone.
  4. Click OK to confirm.

Audacity

Now we sort out the tracks.

  1. Go to the very beginning of the recording with the selection tool.
  2. Click tracks from the menu bar.
  3. Select add label at selection.
  4. A new bar will appear below your recording with a little empty text box.
  5. Type in the name of the first track and hit enter.

Repeat this process now at the start of every other track on the album. Earlier I recommended leaving some of the in-between track silences, and this is why. It'll make it easier for you to locate the start of subsequent tracks.

Once you've done this for every track on the album, it's a good idea to save the project again to make sure you don't lose any progress. What you now have is a complete album, edited and amplified with all its metadata inserted. The final step is to export the album as individual tracks.

Audacity

  1. Click on file.
  2. Next select export multiple.
  3. Select the location your PC you want the files to go to.

Exporting multiple is important because if you just do a regular export you'll end up with a single audio file containing the entire album. Only by exporting as multiple will you get one file per track.

The next thing to do is choose the file type you want. If you want to compress the audio and have smaller file sizes, you can select MP3. But you'll also need to download and install the LAME plugin to do that. Personally, I want the lossless audio so I'm selecting FLAC.

The last tip here is to add numbers to your tracks. If you don't want numbers, skip ahead.

  1. Check the box labeled numbering before label/track name. This will add a track number to the files as it exports them to go with the names you added when labeling earlier.
  2. When you're happy, click export and we're done!

You will now have a complete album transferred from vinyl to your PC in individual files for each track. From here you can listen to them on your PC or your phone just as you would any other digital music file.

It's a bit of a process, but in some cases, it might be the only way you can listen to some of the tracks you have on record. Not everything made it to digital.

More: Best apps for listening to FLAC files on Windows 10

Everything we know so far about Call of Duty: WW2 – Multiplayer, Zombies, release date, and more

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Call of Duty is making the jump back in time to the Second World War – this is what we've learned so far.

The Call of Duty series has seen its fair share of criticism over the past decade, by finding a formula to follow and sticking to its successes. Although these games never failed to be comprehensive experiences, there was little sense of innovation in recent entries to the series.

Now, with the recent reveal of this year's Call of Duty title, the series set to see one of its most significant changes in franchise history. The latest iteration of shooter promises to explore a more realistic portrayal of World War 2, across its single-player campaign, competitive multiplayer and cooperative modes. We've brought together everything we've learned about Call of Duty: WW2 so far, ahead of its debut this November.

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A band of brothers

After pursuing near-future warfare for some time, Call of Duty: WW2 marks a major turning point for the franchise. Visiting an era unexplored by the series since 2008's World at War, this should give Sledgehammer Games the opportunity to offer a fresh angle on the conflict.

Following the US 1st Infantry Division, Call of Duty: WW2's campaign puts players in the shoes of Private Red Daniels – a young recruit thrown into the horrors of the European theater. Although the Call of Duty games have never been known for their deep narratives, we can expect the campaign to touch on themes and values commonly associated with the Second World War.

Single-player marketing up until this point appears to be largely centered around the idea of companionship and brotherhood, built through a relationship between your squad mates. As to be expected from a Call of Duty campaign, we'll likely see the daring operations carried out by the Infantry Division, with odd emotional scenes interlaced throughout. Although these tales of camaraderie in the Second World War aren't exactly groundbreaking material, they've grown to be an iconic aspect of storytelling for the era in media.

This focus on teamwork will also extend to gameplay, where both you and your AI-controlled teammates will supposedly depend on one another. Health packs and ammunition resupplies can be exchanged between the squad, with smarter and more natural companion behavior.

Call of Duty: WW2 also promises to revisit "iconic World War II battles" throughout its story, from the anarchic events of D-Day at Normandy to the long and brutal battles at Hürtgen Forest. Although we're yet to hear much about the experiences on offer, they clearly look to encompass a wide range of conflicts across the whole of Europe.

Boots on the ground, straight into the action

While its reveal focused heavily on the period change, we've also come to learn some early details on the multiplayer portion of Call of Duty: WW2. Promising "boots on the ground" gameplay, multiplayer aims to bring back the simplicity of earlier Call of Duty titles. With games like Battlefield 1 having already proven the desire for change in the genre, Call of Duty: WW2 is a prime position to bring back these franchise roots. Although we won't be seeing the exo-suits and advanced gadgets, we can still expect some of the more recent additions to Call of Duty multiplayer to also make a return.

As a part of Activision's E3 2017 offerings, the publisher unveiled a majority of the major changes coming to multiplayer this time around. New multiplayer modes, maps, and features were all showcased, alongside an in-depth breakdown of the new "Divisions" class system.

One of the biggest additions to multiplayer this time around is a story-driven competitive experience named War Mode, which "brings a gripping new layer of excitement to Axis vs Allies team play." Adding context to conflicts, War Mode centers around objective-based gameplay with a historical edge.

Activision has also detailed the new "Divisions" system, which essentially replaces the existing "create-a-class" approach to weapon and player customization. Instead of finely tweaking your loadout from the game's entire arsenal, you'll now choose between pre-made divisions (classes). Five divisions will be available at launch, each with their own style of gameplay and associated weapon classes. While there will be customizations within each division, the options will be limited to correspond with the intended style of play. Here's a breakdown of the five divisions and their intended play styles.

  • Infantry is a traditional front-lines soldier, packing a semi-automatic rifle and self-loading pistol. This is a generally well-rounded class but excels in offensive situations.
  • Expeditionary is an aggressive scout class, best suited for when situations get up close and personal. While the class' shotgun provides heavy stopping power, the addition of incendiary shells can add extra heat to the battle.
  • Airborne soldiers gain access to a submachine gun with an optional suppressor, allowing for a more strategic and tactical angle to gameplay. This class can also bring smoke grenades into combat, adding a new edge to encounters.
  • Armored is a tank class, with heavy weapons, heavy armor, and unrivaled power. Although you'll be losing the agility of a traditional soldier, the LMG and Bazooka can be a deadly combination.
  • Mountain is the long-range class of Call of Duty: WW2, with access to sniper rifles for precise, sharp shooting. As one of the stealthier classes available, enemies won't what hit them from afar.

A new social space is also debuting in Call of Duty: WW2, providing a central hub for customization, interacting with other players and other features outside of the core gameplay. As seen in various other multiplayer-centric titles, providing such a location completes the package, tying together both game content and personal progression. While we're yet to see an in-depth breakdown of the "Headquarters" mode, influence is clearly being taken from Activision's other flagship shooter, Destiny.

Waking the undead

Call of Duty: WW2 will also bring back one of the franchise's most popular modes – Zombies. With a return to the Second World War, this was all but inevitable, allowing the mode to travel back to its true Nazi roots.

Like previous games, Nazi Zombies in Call of Duty: WW2 will be a cooperative experience where players fight hordes of the undead, in set waves. Over time players will earn new equipment and power-ups, which can be used for a remainder of the match to combat the increasingly challenging onslaught of demonic creatures.

In an alternate reality, the basis for Nazi Zombies takes place after Axis powers gain the ability to revive the undead. With players set to recover artwork stolen by Nazi forces during the war, the invincible undead army is unleashed into the Mittelburg, Germany. Like recent revisions of the mode, Nazi Zombies will also have a narrative attached to it, featuring notable actors such as David Tennant, Elodie Yung, Katheryn Winnick and more.

How to get hands-on with Call of Duty: WW2

Call of Duty: WW2 is set to release on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC on November 3, 2017. Both physical and digital versions of the game are now available to pre-order, with special editions for those who want to full experience. Here's a breakdown of the various editions of Call of Duty: WW2 currently available to purchase.

  • The physical Standard Edition of Call of Duty: WW2 is most common and stocked by a majority of video game retailers. With this, you'll be getting the base game, alongside any pre-order benefits.
  • Alternatively, the digital Standard Edition provides access to the base game, although in the form of digital license locked to your account.
  • Call of Duty: WW2's Pro Edition provides access to the base game, season pass and some unannounced bonus content exclusively at GameStop. You'll also be getting a physical SteelBook in the package, priced at $99.99.
  • The Digital Deluxe Edition is a premium option for players who prefer digital, bundling together the base game, season pass and some unannounced bonus content. This is priced at $99.99.

Those who pre-order Call of Duty: WW2 ahead of launch can also gain exclusive access to the Private Beta - an opportunity to get hands-on with multiplayer before the official launch. While earlier access will be provided to those on PlayStation 4, the Private Beta will also be available on the Xbox One. Here's a breakdown of the dates for the beta, between all platforms.

  • August 25— PS4 early access Private Beta commences.
  • August 28— PS4 early access Private Beta ends.
  • September 1— Xbox One and PS4 Private Beta commences.
  • September 4— Private Beta ends for all platforms.

Sadly, it appears that players on PC won't be getting a multiplayer beta and will have to wait until release to get hands-on.

Scoping out what's to come

While we still have some time until the launch of Call of Duty: WW2, it won't be long until we discover more about the title. With more showcases expected over the coming months, we can expect to find out more information surrounding each of the modes running up to release. As always, we'll make sure to update this article when new details drop. For all future news on Call of Duty: WW2, keep an eye on Windows Central in the months ahead.

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Updated July 21, 2017: Updated with all the information on Call of Duty: WW2's newly announced mode, Nazi Zombies.

Destiny 2 Exotic weapons guide: List of guns, perks, tips, tricks, and more

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Destiny 2

To emerge victorious in Destiny 2, you'll need an Exotic weapon by your side. Here's everything you need to know about the Exotic weapons that have been confirmed so far.

Destiny 2 is just around the corner and alongside its release, a whole new arsenal of weapons will be available for players to explore. Among these will be a new collection of weapons with "Exotic" rarity – a class that contains some of the game's most powerful and creative firearms.

With only one Exotic weapon equipable at a single time, choosing which one to carry can be a tough decision. We've rounded up all the Destiny 2 weapons confirmed so far after the game's pre-release beta, with a breakdown of their perks and best scenarios. Don't forget to keep an eye on this page going into September, because we'll have details on each of the final game's Exotic weapons shortly after launch.

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Sweet Business

Easily identified by its Gatling-type rotary barrel, Sweet Business is one of a unique Exotic announced for Destiny 2. Between its distinct styling and weapon perks, the auto rifle differentiates itself from other firearms of its class, standing out as a great companion for any player sporting the Titan class.

With a high rate of fire of 300 rounds per minute and a 99-round magazine, Sweet Business is a rifle that delivers pure carnage on the battlefield. Although only dealing Kinetic damage, its raw power is a great way of quickly mowing down enemies with a single magazine. Its sizeable clip also lends a hand, providing most players with a few kills before needing to reload. This makes Sweet Business an almost unbeatable choice for player versus environment (PvE) encounters, especially when facing off against groups of trash mobs, or simply dealing consistent damage to bosses.

Despite Sweet Business having potential in player versus player (PvP), several traits also limit its ubiquity in combat. Most notably, its rotary barrel requires some time before delivering a consistent fire rate, which sometimes just isn't viable when under pressure from real opponents. The gun's slow reload time also adds a huge burden between those 99 rounds, leaving players exposed for the duration of the animation.

Here's a breakdown of five weapon perks available as a part of the Sweet Business' upgrade path.

  • Payday (Intrinsic): Larger magazine, increased accuracy when firing from the hip.
  • Polygonal rifling: Barrel optimized for recoil reduction, increases stability.
  • High-caliber rounds: Shots from this weapon knock the target back further, slightly increases range.
  • Business Time: Holding down the trigger boosts this weapon's range and rate of fire, and automatically loads ammo pickups into the magazine.
  • Composite Stock: This weapon has a versatile dual-purpose stock, slightly increases stability, slightly increases handling speed.

In Short: Sweet Business a great weapon for delivering damage in various PvE scenarios, although its drawbacks will significantly affect those playing competitive multiplayer.

Riskrunner

Riskrunner is a submachine gun that comes with an electrifying edge, with abilities centered around its Arc damage traits. This sleek and stylish weapon delivers generally balanced statistics overall but truly shines in a limited set of scenarios.

The passive "Arc Conductor" ability is one of Riskrunner's most appealing features, with increased damage and damage resistance once the ability is activated. When paired with the "Superconductor" perk, which turns shots into chain lightning, the weapon can be a lethal choice across the entire Destiny 2 sandbox.

Frustratingly, activating Arc Conductor can prove to be difficult in some situations, by requiring the player to take Arc damage while this weapon is equipped. Players can maintain the ability's duration by killing players in succession once activated, but triggering the perk in the first place can prove to be challenging.

Though its passive ability may come with a level of inconsistency, the weapon itself is still a great, well-rounded submachine gun. Stability, handling, and range are all relatively high, but reloading speed is lost in the process.

These are the perks available with all Riskrunner submachine guns and how they affect weapon performance.

  • Arc conductor (Intrinsic): When taking Arc Damage, this weapon becomes more powerful and resists incoming Arc Damage. Kills extend the time in this overcharged state.
  • Arrowhead Brake: Lightly vented barrel, great control of recoil, increases handling speed.
  • Extended Mag: This weapon has a greatly increased magazine size, but reloads much slower. Greatly increases magazine size, greatly decreases reload speed.
  • Superconductor: When Arc Conductor is active, shots fired have the chance to become chain lightning and return ammo.
  • Short-Action Stock: This weapon is especially easy to grip. Greatly increases handling speed.

In short: Although its passive ability isn't something to rely on, Riskrunner is a well-rounded submachine gun across all of Destiny 2's modes.

Sunshot

Sunshot doesn't differ hugely from your average hand cannon in terms of handling, but some hidden tricks make for a well-rounded sidearm. With an average fire-rate for such a weapon and eight round clip, Sunshot doesn't immediately jump out but when taking into accounts its perks it delivers some unique additions to consider during gunplay.

As the name suggests, Sunshot's delivers solar damage, with perks that all center around the same damage type. Although its passive "Sunburn" ability and the "Sun Blast" perk aren't hugely outstanding, when combined they add an explosive and fiery edge to every shot fired.

Also providing stable handling and quick reloads, Sunshot is best suited for those PvP encounters that get up close and personal. That's not to say the weapon should be avoided in PvE combat, although its effects are more noticeable in competitive play.

Here's a breakdown of the Sunshot's Solar abilities, alongside the various other enhancements available.

  • Sunburn (Intrinsic): This weapon fires explosive rounds and highlights targets that take damage from Sunshot.
  • Chambered Compensator: Stable barrel attachment, increases stability, improves recoil direction, slightly decreases handling speed.
  • Accurized Rounds: This weapon can fire longer distances, increases range.
  • Sun Blast: Targets killed with Sunshot explode in Solar energy.
  • Textured Grip: The friction on this weapon's grip is particularly strong. Greatly increases handling speed, slightly decreases stability.

In Short: The Sunshot might not look so special at first glance, but it packs a majority of the traits associated with a great hand cannon.

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What to expect from the next Xbox One update: Fluent Design, gifting, backward compatibility and more

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As the end of the year approaches, the next major update is brewing for Xbox One. These are the features we expect to see this fall.

The next major update is just around the corner for Xbox One owners and expected to bring a new wave of features to the console this fall. With the launch of its 4K-capable Xbox One X, this year is shaping up to be rather crucial for Microsoft, and subsequently, the changes to the console's operating system are more significant than ever.

Although Microsoft has yet to officially unveil the next update for Xbox One, the similarity with Windows 10 PC update cycles points towards the latter months of this year. While those on PC will be getting the "Fall Creators Update," Kevin Gallo, Director of Windows Developer Platform at Microsoft, has confirmed the next update will bring a similar set of features, but likely bear a different name.

While we're yet to receive an official list of changes, we've pieced together various information teased so far, regarding the next Xbox One update. These are some of the additions in the pipeline for Xbox One, that we can expect to see in the months ahead.

Fluent Design refresh

One of the biggest changes arriving with the Fall Creators Update will be the initial rollout of the Fluent Design System– a new universal design language slowly being distributed across Windows 10. Aiming to add additional depth and texture to the company's existing products, the update delivers a range of new visual traits, while still maintaining a level of minimalism seen in current revisions of the OS.

Five main foundations are at the core of the first wave of the Fluent Design System's rollout: Material, Light, Scale, Depth, and Motion. Each of these traits is expected to make an appearance somewhere across the Xbox One OS going forward, making for a more stylish and dynamic approach to user interface (UI) interaction.

Microsoft has already teased a concept of what Fluent Design will mean for the Xbox One UI, as a part of its initial reveal video. This has provided an in-progress look at some potential changes in the pipeline, however, some significant deviations from the concept can be expected with the final public release.

Although no major instances of Fluent Design have been seen across the Xbox One OS, several implementations already on Windows 10 PCs provide an idea of the changes to expect. More recently the Xbox One's own out-of-box setup experience also received a revamp, showing how Fluent Design may be interpreted with a controller in mind

CVP of Xbox Program Management, Mike Ybarra, has confirmed a visual overhaul will be occurring around the Xbox One X launch – although no official word on its contents has not been provided. A Fluent Design refresh is all but certain and could make for the biggest Xbox One dashboard refresh since launch.

Xbox Store digital gifting

A request that dates back to the debut of Xbox Live may finally be fulfilled later this year, with the rollout of digital gifting via the Xbox Store. Responding to a fan on Twitter, Ybarra has confirmed that the ability to send digital products to friends is in the works, with functionality "not far" from a public release.

A basic form of digital gifting first hit Xbox 360 back in early 2016, allowing gamers to send digital currency gift cards over Xbox Live. However, over two years after Xbox One launch, its appeal was somewhat limited at the time. With platforms like Steam sporting an established gifting system ingrained into their community, its arrival for Xbox One is long overdue.

Bringing the functionality to Xbox One should further add the offerings of the Xbox Store – a marketplace which has already improved massively in recent years. While we're still yet to hear of other highly-requested features such as an Item Carts and Wishlists, these could also be potential additions in the pipeline.

Original Xbox backward compatibility

As announced at E3 2017, the backward compatibility program will also be expanding in the months ahead, with the inclusion of original Xbox titles. After two years, support for Xbox 360 games has proven to be one of the Xbox One's most popular features and now, a new generation of games is being ushered into the console's library.

Little has been discussed since its brief announcement at E3 but ultimately, functionality will remain the same as its Xbox 360 counterpart. While physical disks will be usable to play supported titles, digital versions of these classics will be up for grabs through the original Xbox Store.

So far, "Fuzion Frenzy" and "Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge" are the two titles confirmed to be among the launch library. While Xbox head, Phil Spencer, has emphasized that titles at launch will be significantly fewer than Xbox 360, we can still expect several iconic games to be revived in the process.

New Xbox Avatars

Avatars were a major component of the Xbox 360 social experience and served as one of the primary methods of self-expression over Xbox Live. These customizable digital characters eventually became tightly integrated into several aspects of the Xbox platform, with numerous appearances across social features and even games themselves.

Following the Xbox One's release, Avatars were pushed to the background and nowadays, are all but abandoned. In current versions of the OS, there's little incentive to even open the dedicated Avatars app - let alone frequently investing in them.

As showcased at E3 2017, Avatars are also set to see a major overhaul later this year. Built from the ground up in the Unity engine, the second generation of Avatars come with hugely increased flexibility. Among the improvements are enriched emotions, diversity, and customization, which each give players the tools for true individualism. Hoping to encompass a larger demographic of games, Avatars will be able to portray disabilities, style preferences, different backgrounds and more.

Support for USB devices

The scope of peripherals compatible with Xbox One is also set to expand going forward, with support for various USB devices on the horizon. Plans have been outlined to expand to a wider range of Plug and Play devices, such as USB-connected webcams, headphones, and microphones. However, without an exact timeline for when support for USB devices will be implemented, the feature may also still be some time off.

Although USB accessories are already available for Xbox One, such as Turtle Beach's Stream Mic, these devices were built specifically with support for the console in mind. Leveraging the Windows 10 kernel at the core of the Xbox One OS, the update should allow the console to automatically handle driver installation. As a result, this should eliminate the need to purchase Xbox-specific accessories, if you already own a Windows-compatible equivalent for PC. However, this is feature that may not make an appearance this year, depending on how development has progressed.

What features do you want to see?

Previously we asked you which features you'd like to see on Xbox One going forward. We made sure to compile these into a wish list, bringing together your requests together into a single location. After looking at the additions expected this fall, what else would you like to see? Make sure to drop a comment below with your thoughts. As always, make sure to revisit this article in the months ahead, once more details drop!

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