What do you need to know about encryption on your Windows 10 PC? We have you more than covered.

In order to add a layer of protection to the sensitive data on your PC, you might want to encrypt it. Encryption essentially means that you're turning data into something unreadable without proper authentication.

Encrypting a drive or a folder or a file generally means you have a single password that must be used in order to decrypt and access. Not only does this stop outside parties from hacking their way into your files, it also protects in the event that you forget your PC somewhere or, worst case, it's stolen.

There are two encryption methods built into Pro, Enterprise, and Education versions of Windows 10. For everyone else, there's a third way to encrypt your data. Let's take a look at how all three work to help you choose which encryption method is best for you.

Encrypting File System

Encrypting File System (EFS) is a file encryption service in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. It's very easy to use, often requiring just a couple of clicks to encrypt a file or folder. When the user who encrypted the files is logged in, the files are accessible. If another user is logged in, the files are inaccessible. For that reason, you want to choose a strong password for the account on your PC.

Compared to BitLocker whole-drive encryption, EFS isn't quite as secure. Windows itself creates the encryption key, and it is saved locally. The key is also protected with encryption, but it's not the same level of security you'd find with a Trusted Module Platform (TPM) chip.

Despite the steps taken to protect EFS keys, someone with the time and means could eventually decipher the key. A user might also forget to manually encrypt a sensitive file, further leaving it open to snooping. Finally, since the entire drive is not encrypted, there's a chance of data leaking into temporary files where it could potentially be accessed.

EFS is best viewed as a quick way to protect files and folders on a PC with multiple users. Not even administrators have access to the encrypted files, and, if your password was changed without your knowledge, your encrypted files would remain encrypted.

BitLocker

BitLocker is another drive encryption feature special to Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education. While it's generally recommended that the PC has a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) chip, there is a way you can turn on BitLocker without.

A TPM chip is a special bit of hardware added to your motherboard that is used to hold bits of encryption keys. TPM chips are designed to sniff out unauthorized or tampering users quickly, in which case the chip will not give up the part of the decryption key it's holding.

Rather than choosing single files and folders for encryption, BitLocker encrypts your entire drive. No matter the user logged in, the drive remains encrypted. Any new files you create will fall under the same layer of protection, so there's no chance you'll forget to encrypt a sensitive file. To unlock a drive that's protected with BitLocker, you can either enter a password or you can set up a USB drive that, when inserted, unlocks the PC.

How to use BitLocker Drive Encryption on Windows 10

Third-party encryption software

Until EFS and BitLocker become available in Windows 10 Home (any time now, Microsoft), there are numerous third-party encryption programs that can fill the void.

These programs differ in what they can protect. Some will encrypt whole drives, just like BitLocker, while others will encrypt files and folders, just like EFS. The best encryption software also usually comes with a bunch of extra features, like file shredders, cloud storage, and password managers.

The best encryption software also lets you set a master password that is only saved where you choose. That means that you can write it down, save it to a USB drive, or keep it in your head. Without the password, your files will remain encrypted forever. Software-based encryption is open to certain attacks, but in most cases, encryption is still better than no encryption.

See the best third-party encryption software

More resources

• How to encrypt data before storing in in the cloud (and why you should)
• How to enable device encryption on Windows 10 Mobile

Microsoft's new Skype Preview app for desktops only works on older versions of Windows, but there's a way to get it running on the latest version of Windows 10. Here's how.

Microsoft has just released a brand new Skype Preview app for Windows desktop users that introduces a brand new user interface and several new features, some of which have been in testing in the Windows 10 app for some time. Oddly, the new desktop preview app is only available for Windows 7, Windows 8 and legacy versions of Windows 10, but there's a way of installing it on the latest version of Windows 10 too.

If you're on the Anniversary Update or Creators Update, trying to install the new preview app will result in the installer telling you to use the Skype UWP app instead. As we all know, the UWP version of the app is rubbish in comparison, and the new Skype Preview for desktop app is an all round better app. So, here's how to bypass that block and get the new app installed on the latest versions of Windows 10.

Install the Skype Preview desktop app

1. Download the Installer

2. Once downloaded, right-click on the installer file and select "properties."

3. At the top of the window, select the "Compatibility" tab.

4. Select the "Run this program in compatibility mode for:" option.

5. Select Windows 8 in the drop-down menu.

6. Select OK.

7. Run the Installer.

There you have it, the program will now run and install on the latest version of Windows 10. Let us know what you think of the new Skype Preview app.

Crank up the volume with six of our favorite music apps for Xbox One.

When the Xbox One first debuted back in 2013, Microsoft drove home its focus as an "all-in-one" hub for home entertainment. While over time the console's focus has shifted back to its gaming roots, the breadth of the platform is still evident to this day.

Some major changes have been made to the Xbox One since launch – one of those being the unification of the Xbox Store with its Windows counterpart. A compelling range of music apps has debuted on the console, offering their services as a backdrop to your gaming experience. We've rounded up the best music apps available on Xbox One today, all which take advantage of background audio playback.

How to play background music and audio on Xbox One

Spotify

One of the world's leading music streaming services is finally available on Xbox One! Similar in nature to its PlayStation 4 counterpart, the Spotify app provides full access to its extensive music catalog, while also tapping into the defining features of the service.

Spotify for Xbox can be used by both free users and those subscribed to the Premium service. Throughout the Xbox app, Premium users are treated to the same benefits expected from other platforms, including full playback control, no advertisements, and support for the Spotify Connect technology. Best of all, Spotify also takes advantage of the Xbox One's background music playback to complement your gaming experiences. As one of the most popular services on the market today, the Spotify is a great way to instantly bring your existing collection into the living room.

See at Xbox Store

Soundcloud

Soundcloud is a community-driven music platform, designed to accommodate both established and upcoming musicians. Blending together traits of both a streaming service and social network, the service allows creators to easily upload their own tracks and share them across the globe. Also providing tools to discover and interact with artists on a more personal level, Soundcloud brings together a community quite unlike any other service.

With official Xbox One and Windows 10 apps recently added to the lineup, both platforms now have direct access to Soundcloud's network of creators and the music on offer. With options to filter through your "Stream," search for specific artists or find new music entirely, the Xbox One application now encapsulates the core offerings of the Soundcloud experience.

By signing into your account, your music can also be taken on the go, with content automatically syncing between your devices. Best of all, the application also supports background music for Xbox One, providing the ability to listen to your library alongside the latest game releases.

See at Xbox Store

Groove Music

If you're looking for a music application built from the ground up with Xbox One in mind, it's hard to beat Groove Music. Microsoft's own in-house music streaming platform has established itself across the company's ecosystem in recent years and become tightly integrated into its devices. Having fully adopted the Universal Windows Platform, you'll be getting a premium Groove Music experience that essentially matches its Windows 10 counterpart.

While its actual music offerings can sometimes be limited in comparison to other major services, Groove still offers millions of the latest hits and classics. Furthermore, if a track you're looking for isn't available via Groove Music, any MP3 version can be uploaded to your OneDrive cloud storage and streamed over the internet. Groove Music also provides support for background audio on Xbox One.

See at Xbox Store

MyTube!

"MyTube!" is an app that perfectly showcases the power of universal Windows apps, embracing some of the best traits of the platform. While YouTube has seemingly abandoned its Xbox One efforts, MyTube! is a streamlined third-party solution that surpasses the official application in almost every way. After a $0.99 purchase, MyTube provides access to the core video playback and community features of YouTube, through a simple interface designed with Xbox One in mind.

But why are we including this in a music app round up? MyTube also takes advantage of background audio functionality, allowing audio to continue playing after exiting the app. While the official YouTube apps prevent this outside of a YouTube Red subscription, Xbox One users can leverage this feature for free. Simply queue up a playlist of videos, boot up a game and work your way through your favorite tunes.

See at Xbox Store

Pandora

Pandora has managed to lose traction as a competitive music streaming service in recent years. However, it still offers a wide range of music for its listeners. With basic music streaming and an advanced set of recommendation features, the service distances itself from competitors with some small, yet unique traits. While services like Apple Music and Spotify are generally regarded as the market leaders, Pandora is one of the few services with a purpose-built universal app for Xbox One.

Despite Pandora only offering its services in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, the Xbox One app is a great way to continue your experience while gaming. Other services can undeniably provide a larger offering of tracks, but the app should still be welcome with existing subscriptions. The app also supports Xbox One background audio, to continue your tracks in-game.

See at Xbox Store

Moodflow

Moodflow isn't your traditional music application but stands out with a unique idea at its heart. As the name suggests, Moodflow curates playlists of mixed genres, based on your chosen mood. Utilizing Soundcloud to serve up its tracks, the app is a great way to discover new songs and artists in a rather unconventional way. Although you'll have to pay $1.99 to unlock unlimited skips per day, its concept alone may be enticing to avid music fans.

See at Xbox Store

Updated August 16, 2017: Added the latest arrival to the Xbox One music scene, Spotify.

Don't let your inbox become a cluttered mess. Let Outlook help you rule the inbox instead.

To be an effective communicator, you need to be an effective organizer. The same applies to your Outlook folders. A disorganized inbox inhibits your ability to communicate and collaborate. Here's how to create rules for messages and organize your inbox.

• What are Outlook rules?
• Creating a rule
• Managing your rules

What are Outlook rules?

Rules are a way to automate actions in Outlook that you would normally have to do manually. Rules are actions that are taken if a message meets predetermined criteria. If you receive a lot of invoices from various vendors you could automate the sorting process by creating a rule to automatically send them to their designated folders.

Creating a rule

How to create an Outlook rule using existing templates

To create a rule in Outlook:

1. Click the File tab in the navigation ribbon.
2. Click Manage Rules & Alerts.
3. Click New Rule on the E-mail Rules tab in the Rules and Alerts dialog box.
4. Proceed to Step 1: Select a template.
5. Choose a template from either the Stay Organized or Stay Up to Date list of rule templates.
6. Proceed to Step 2: Edit a rule description.
7. Click on the underlined value.
8. Click Next.
9. Choose the message conditions you prefer under Step 1: Select conditions.
10. Click on presented underlined values from your selected conditions.
11. Enter in specifics for the underlined values under Step 2: Edit the rule description.
12. Click Next.
13. Choose exceptions to the rule under Step 1: Select exception(s).
14. Click Next.
15. Choose values for underlined text under Step 2: Edit the rule description.
16. Click Next.
17. Enter a name under Step 1: Specify a name for this rule.
18. Select additional actions under Step 2: Setup rule options.
19. Click Finish.

When you are setting up additional rule options, you will see that the new rule will be activated by default. All you need to do is deselect the check box for "Turn on this rule" to disable it. Outlook allows you to run the new rule on messages currently in your inbox. You can also choose to have this rule apply to your current account or to all accounts you have setup in Outlook.

How to create a new or custom Outlook rule

To create a rule:

1. Click on the File tab.
2. Select Manage Rules & Alerts.
3. Click on New Rule in the E-Mail Rules tab found in the Rules and Alerts pop up window.
4. Select an option in the Start from a blank rule section, then choose either "Apply rule on messages I receive" or "Apply rule on messages I send."
5. Click Next.
6. Choose conditions that messages must meet in regards to the rule under Step 1: Select condition(s).
7. Specify the value of any underlined condition for the rule under Step 2: Edit the rule description.
8. Click Next.
9. Choose what you want to do with the message under Step 1: Select Action(s).
10. Define the value of underlined actions under Step 2: Edit the rule description.
11. Click Next.
12. Choose to add exceptions to the drafted rule under Step 1: Select exception(s).
13. Fill any underlined values under Step 2: Edit the rule description.
14. Click Next.
15. Enter a name for the new rule in the Finish Rule Setup section.
16. Select or deselect setup rule options to run the rule on existing messages, activate or deactivate the rule, or apply the rule to all accounts.
17. Click Finish.

How to create a rule from a message

To create a rule from a message:

1. Click on a message from your inbox or sent items.
2. Select the Home tab from the navigation ribbon.
3. Select Rules from the "Move" group.
4. Choose Create Rule from the dropdown list. (You can also choose from the list of suggested rules.)
5. Click on presented check boxes under the section When I get e-mail with all of the selected conditions.
6. Choose an action to apply when the conditions are met under Do the following.
7. Choose OK to create the rule or Advanced options, which takes you through the same Rules Wizard used to create rules.

Managing your rules

How to edit a rule:

To edit a rule:

1. Click on the File tab.
2. Select Manage Rules and Alerts.
3. Select a rule from the list.
4. Select Change Rule in the "E-Mail Rule" tab.
5. Select Rule Settings to navigate to the Rules Wizard and follow the procedure for creating a new rule.
6. Select Rename Rule to give a rule a new name.
7. Choose Move Folder to move the rule to another folder and remove it from the current folder.
8. Choose Copy to Folder to apply the rule to more than one folder.
9. Click Apply.
10. Click OK.

How to delete an Outlook rule

To delete a rule:

1. Click on the File tab.
2. Select Manage Rules & Alerts.
3. Click on the rule to delete.
4. Select Delete.
5. Click Yes to confirm the action.
6. Click OK.

How to run an existing rule manually

To manually run a rule:

1. Select the folder from the left pane to run the rules on.
2. Select the Folder tab in the navigation ribbon.
3. Select Run Rules Now under the "Clean Up" group.
4. Click the checkboxes for the preferred rules under Select rules to run.
5. Use the Select All or Deselect All buttons to modify your selections.
6. Choose a new folder to apply the rules to instead under Run in Folder.
7. Choose to include subfolders as well.
8. Choose to apply rules to All Messages, Read Messages or Unread Messages.
9. Click Run Now to execute.
10. Click Close once actions have been completed.

How to export an Outlook rule

To export a rule:

1. Select the File tab in the navigation ribbon.
2. Select Manage Rules & Alerts.
3. Click on the checkboxes of the rules you wish to export.
4. Select Options in the "Rules and Alerts" window.
5. Select Export Rules.
6. Select a name for your exported rules file.
7. Select a location to save the file.
8. Click Save.

How to import a rule

To import a rule:

1. Select the File tab.
2. Select Options.
3. Choose Import Rules.
4. Navigate to the location of the rules files to be imported.
5. Select Open.
6. Click OK.

Wrapping Up

By using rules efficiently, you can remove a lot of unnecessary work from inbox management. They're incredibly easy to set up and modify based on presented changes. What's your favorite rule that you have implemented? How many rules do you have running? Let us know in the comments.

Microsoft Office 101: Help, how-tos and tutorials

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are surrounded with plenty of misinformation. Here's some much needed clarity.

VPN are useful tools that can help protect your online privacy, get around annoying geo-restrictions, and avoid bandwidth throttling. If you've been in the market for a VPN for awhile, you've no doubt heard a bit about them. Wondering what's true and what's false? Here are six myths about VPNs that are simply not true.

VPNs are only for people who know a lot about tech

Dealing with a VPN can no doubt seem daunting. An acronym is thrown your way and you're supposed to know what it stands for and how to set it up and what it can do for you.

But using a VPN these days really isn't that tough. Most VPNs have an intuitive app that takes care of pretty much everything. All that's left for you to do is click a big button to turn it on. Apps from the best providers, including NordVPN, IPVanish, and ExpressVPN, even connect you automatically to the fastest server available.

Whether or not you're tech-savvy is not really an issue anymore when it comes to VPNs. All you have to worry about is your privacy.

You don't need a VPN if you aren't doing anything illegal

Ahh, the classic, "I don't have anything to be worried about if I'm not doing anything illegal" angle. Would you like someone watching you while you read a newspaper? Would you like it if someone were paying attention to your everyday activities, keeping a file on you for future reference?

Nevermind the privacy aspects of a VPN, there are also plenty more legitimate uses that many people take advantage of on an everyday basis. Want to watch TV from a different country? No problem. Want to stop your ISP from throttling your bandwidth? That works too. Want to stop seeing so many targeted ads in your browser? No problem.

The reality of the current internet is that any way you can hold onto some privacy is invaluable, including the use of a VPN.

Free VPNs are just as good as paid VPNs

Why pay when you can get the same product for free? Not a bad question, especially when it comes to VPNs. The main objective of using a VPN is usually to retain a bit of privacy while online. Unless a "free" VPN is incredibly charitable, they're likely making money somehow; it costs a lot to maintain servers around the world. The easiest way to make money is to either inject ads or sell your information to interested buyers.

While paid VPN services should also be watched with a wary eye — even a claim of no logs usually means there are some logs kept — at least you know where they're getting their money from.

That's not to say there aren't some decent free VPN services out there. There are, except they're also usually a pared-down version of a paid service that is aimed at getting you to eventually sign up for the full ride.

You are completely anonymous when using a VPN

Privacy is not the same as anonymity. VPNs work by routing your data through an encrypted tunnel to a server that's shared amongst other customers. After passing through the server, that data hits the open internet. You remain partially anonymous thanks to a shared IP address, but, if a party takes enough interest in you, your actions will likely be uncovered.

There's a common misconception that hackers turn on a VPN and start working completely unafraid of being caught. That's not true. If an agency takes enough interest in your internet browsing history, they're going to find it. A VPN should be viewed as a tool to protect against mass surveillance and help protect your privacy.

VPNs slow down the speed of your internet

VPNs work by routing your internet traffic through special servers, so it's understandable that you'll often see a dip in performance. However, slower internet is not always a result. In my [tests of NordVPN](/Nord VPN-review), I was able to hit a download speed of 34.63 Mbps. That might not be incredibly fast by today's standards, but it's also significantly higher than the 25 Mbps bandwidth cap that my ISP puts on my internet service.

If you take the time to find a high-performance server, there's no reason why you won't see speeds on par with or higher than you're paying for.

You don't need to worry about privacy as long as a VPN is highly rated

Taking a look at a VPN's website, you might think that each one is the best of all time. There are often awards and recommendations and stars plastered everywhere, with the promise to deliver an unbeatable experience.

There are, however, plenty of things to look out for when shopping for a VPN, including the privacy policy. Even if you see it written somewhere in big letters that it's a "no-log" VPN, be sure to read the fine print. There are often morsels of information kept depending on how you pay, how you sign up, and how you use the VPN.

Bottom line: Be vigilant when it comes to using a VPN, and you'll be much more satisfied in the long run.

More VPN resources

For more information about VPNs and privacy in general, be sure to check out the following links.

• Best VPN services of 2017
• Best free VPN services
• 8 important questions to ask when shopping for a VPN
• 6 good reasons why you really should use a VPN
• 5 major advantages of using a VPN
• 5 uses for a VPN you didn't know about
• What's the difference between a proxy and a VPN?
• How to manually configure a VPN on Windows 10
• How to manually configure a VPN on Windows 10 Mobile

How do I get the best performance out of my computer?

Low frames per second (FPS) while PC gaming is your worst enemy — but in VR it can also be literally sickening. What better reason to give your old hardware some care and keep it performing up-to-snuff for another few months?

Choppy graphics, lagging audio, slow load times all contribute to a bad time, and right now the budget doesn't allow for new hardware. Starting with some easier tips and moving onto some more complicated stuff, here's how to eke the most performance out of your existing hardware.

Read more at VR Heads

Are you running out of space on the taskbar? Use these tips to make more room to pin all your favorite apps on Windows 10.

The taskbar is perhaps one of the most useful features on Windows 10. It gives you easy access to the Start menu, apps, notification area to figure out the time, and much more. But alongside the useful functionalities, if you work with a lot of apps on a regular basis, you can quickly run out of space to pin more of your favorite apps.

Luckily, the taskbar is also very customizable, and there are a number of ways you can optimize the space and make room to fit more icons.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll show you several ways you can optimize the space on the taskbar whether you want to pin more apps, or you just want to keep it as minimal as possible.

Optimizing the space on the taskbar

Whether you want to fit more apps or you want to keep the taskbar with no clutter, here are several things you can do to customize the experience.

Dealing with the search box

Windows 10 integrates a search box on the taskbar that you can use to interact with Cortana and to find anything, but while this feature can be useful, the box takes up a lot of room. (In fact, the search box takes up seven pin slots on the taskbar.)

If you don't have much use for the search box, it's possible to remove it, or show only a button to access the experience, which only takes up one pin slot.

To remove the search box, you can right-click the taskbar, select Cortana, and click the Hidden option, or you can also select the Show Cortana icon option.

In the case, you're worried about losing the ability to search on Windows 10, remember that you can always open Start (Windows key) and begin typing to invoke a search. It's one-click away, just like before.

Removing the Task View button

Task View is another feature new to Windows 10 that allows you to switch apps and access virtual desktops, but if it isn't a feature you use on a regular basis, or you use the Windows key + Tab keyboard shortcut to access the experience, the icon is just wasting space.

To remove the Task View button, simply right-click the taskbar and make sure to clear the Show Task View button option.

Minimizing the space used by notification icons

On the far-right side of the taskbar, you'll find the notifications area, which provides status, quick access to controls for certain features and apps, and of course, it displays the current time and date. However, depending on your system configuration, the number of icons can grow large taking up valuable space.

To select which icons appear in the notification area, right-click the taskbar, select Taskbar settings, click the Select which icons appear on the taskbar link. Then you can decide which icons will appear in the experience, but they're always accessible clicking the up-arrow button.

In the Taskbar page, you can also select the Turn system icon on or off link, where you can decide which system icons appear on the taskbar, including Clock, Volume, Network, Power, Action Center, and others. Just turn off the toggle switch for the icons you don't want to see.

Using smaller icons

Windows 10 also includes an option to show smaller icons on the taskbar that can help make more room to pin additional apps.

To show smaller icons, right-click the taskbar, select Taskbar settings, and turn on the Use small taskbar buttons toggle switch.

Unpin apps you don't use

While it might be obvious, another way to optimize the space on the taskbar is to simply remove apps that you rarely use.

To unpin an app, simply right-click the icon you don't want and click the Unpin from taskbar option.

Extend the taskbar

If you happen to have a multi-monitor setup, you can extend the taskbar across all your monitors to gain more room.

To show the taskbar across all your screens, right-click the taskbar, select Taskbar settings, and under "Multiple displays," turn on the Show taskbar on all displays toggle switch.

In addition, using the "Show taskbar buttons on" drop-down menu you can select Taskbar where window is open, which allows you to off load pins of running apps to the display where the app is currently open.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

Would you choose NordVPN over ExpressVPN?

When it comes to Virtual Private Networks (VPN), encrypted tunnels that help you retain some privacy while online, NordVPN and ExpressVPN are both great choices. Let's take a closer look at each VPN in some of the most important aspects to help you decide which one is best for you.

See at NordVPNSee at ExpressVPN

NordVPN and ExpressVPN claim to keep no logs

NordVPN privacy policy

ExpressVPN does keep some information, as does NordVPN. Information like email addresses, some website data, and payment information are kept by both sites, whereas ExpressVPN also keeps some usage statistics and crash reports (which can be opted out of).

ExpressVPN privacy policy

In each privacy policy, both VPN services mention that the privacy policy can change at any time without any prior notice, and it's up to the user to stay on top of any changes that might have happened.

NordVPN and ExpressVPN both operate out of countries without data retention laws

ExpressVPN operates primarily out of the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Orders for ExpressVPN to cough up any sort of customer records must come from the BVI High Court. Likewise, if the order comes from a foreign country, the BVI High Court will only honor the order if a law exists and is punishable by at least one year of prison in BVI itself.

NordVPN operates primarily out of Panama where there are no data retention laws. In the privacy policy, there's less of an explanation of Panamanian law and more of a focus on the fact that they can guarantee a no-log policy.

Both VPN services explicitly claim that they do not share any of your information with third parties.

ExpressVPN has more servers

ExpressVPN has more than 1,500 servers in 145 different locations spread out across 94 different countries. About three percent of those servers are virtual server, which means that when connecting to a specific server, you use an IP address specific to the region. You are, however, actually connected to a physical server that's in a different country.

NordVPN has 1,076 servers in 61 countries, less than what ExpressVPN has to offer. The overall server count includes dedicated P2P servers for torrenting, dedicated IP servers if you need to use a specific IP, anti-DDOS servers, Onion over VPN servers, and double VPN servers for extra protection.

NordVPN and ExpressVPN support the same connection protocols

The most important connection protocol to look out for when choosing a VPN service is OpenVPN. It's the most secure, most versatile protocol with plenty of steps in place to protect your information. Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN use OpenVPN.

Also supported by both services are Secure Socket Tunneling Protocol (SSTP), Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol (PPTP), and Layer Two Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) coupled with IP Security (IPSec).

NordVPN allows you to use more devices simultaneously

NordVPN allows connections for six simultaneous devices. That means you can connect all of your Windows PCs and Windows phones at once. NordVPN also works with Android, iOS, and macOS. NordVPN can also be set up on specific routers, effectively removing the device limit.

ExpressVPN allows connections for three simultaneous devices. You can connect pretty much any popular platform, and if you have more than three devices, you can configure certain routers with the VPN.

NordVPN and ExpressVPN do not apply bandwidth or speed limits

Neither VPN service limits the speed of your connection, nor do they limit how much data you can move in a certain amount of time.

While using a VPN, depending on the server you choose, you might see a slower speed than you're used to. However, thanks to the VPN's encryption hiding your activity from your ISP, you can often achieve higher speeds than what you're paying for. In our NordVPN review, we were able to hit speeds of about 34 Mbps whereas our ISP limits us at 25 Mbps.

With either VPN service, you should be able to find a server that at least keeps speeds on par with what you're used to.

NordVPN doesn't cost as much as ExpressVPN

NordVPN pricing plans

NordVPN has three different subscription plans. The first is a $69 one-year plan billed yearly. That's $5.75 per month. A six-month plan costs $7 per month and is billed every six months at $42, and a one-month plan costs $11.95. All NordVPN plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN pricing

ExpressVPN also has three subscription plans. A one-year plan costs $99.95, billed once yearly. That's $8.32 per month, about $30 more than NordVPN over a year. A six-month plan costs $59.95, and a one-month plan costs $12.95. ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Still not sure which VPN to go with? Try each one for a month for free before making a final decision.

See at NordVPNSee at ExpressVPN

More VPN resources

For more information about VPNs and privacy in general, be sure to check out the following links.

• Best VPN services of 2017
• Best free VPN services
• 8 important questions to ask when shopping for a VPN
• 6 good reasons why you really should use a VPN
• 5 major advantages of using a VPN
• 5 uses for a VPN you didn't know about
• What's the difference between a proxy and a VPN?
• How to manually configure a VPN on Windows 10
• How to manually configure a VPN on Windows 10 Mobile

Keep tidy what you touch most with this easy guide to cleaning your keyboard.

The two most common keyboards, membrane and mechanical, get dirty fast — oil from your fingers, crumbs from your sandwich, and stickiness from your smoothie will eventually cause something to fail. Cleaning your keyboard is never a bad idea whether or not your keyboard has reached the point of failure. We cover both a quick clean for surface dirt, or a deep clean for when you've experienced a failure or want to make things look new again.

• Quick clean for surface grime
• Deep clean for embedded dirt
• Laptop keyboards
• Keyboards for the dirt-prone

Quick clean for surface grime

Before beginning this process, either power off your laptop or disconnect the keyboard from your PC.

1. Tap lightly on the back of your keyboard after turning it over. Crumbs and dirt will fall out, so consider placing something beneath the keyboard to catch the mess.

2. Blow compressed air in and around your keycaps. This will loosen any dirt that stayed behind after a pat on the back.

3. Wipe the keycaps using isopropyl alcohol (standard rubbing alcohol) and a cotton swab or lint-free cloth.

   Note: Do not use ethyl alcohol — it will likely remove the printed lettering on your keys and other surface finishing.

Deep clean for embedded dirt

Before beginning this process, either power off your PC or disconnect the keyboard. This process is recommended for PC keyboards only, as most laptop keycaps are more difficult to remove, and can, in some cases, void the warranty when removed.

1. Take a photo of your entire keyboard. We're about to take off all the keys, so you'll want this photo as a reference for reassembly.

2. Gently pry up the keycaps using a small flat-head screwdriver.

   Note: Flat chiclet keys found on most laptops have delicate mechanisms that might easily break if you attempt to pry them up. We do not recommend the average user attempts this.

3. Blow away dirt using compressed air, or suck up the dirt using a small vacuum. Be careful as to not damage any exposed mechanics or electronics.

4. Wipe the keyboard base using isopropyl alcohol and a cotton swab or lint-free cloth.

5. Scrub each removed keycap with a toothbrush and isopropyl alcohol.

   Note: Do not use ethyl alcohol — it will likely remove the printed lettering on your keys and other surface finishing.

6. Replace the keycaps when you're satisfied with the keyboard's cleanliness. Reference that photo you took earlier so that you can get each key back where it belongs.

Laptop keyboards

As mentioned, laptop keyboards can be tricky to deal with, and doing so can sometimes void the warranty. Other than a quick clean for surface grime your best option is to buy a laptop keyboard cover. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, and you should have no problem finding the right one for your device.

Check out these keyboard covers for our favorite laptops:

• HP Spectre x360
• Dell XPS 13
• Microsoft Surface Book
• Microsoft Surface Laptop
• Samsung Notebook 9
• Razer Blade 14
• Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon

Keyboards for the dirt-prone

If you work in an industry that sees a lot of dirty hands (looking at you, auto mechanics and daycare staffers), you should consider a keyboard designed for dealing with messes.

Logitech K310 washable keyboard

The Logitech K310 (about $60) is a completely washable membrane keyboard that is clearly designed for a deep clean. A brush is included for when you need to scrub keycaps, and the lettering is more durable to avoid rubbing off.

This keyboard has a 4.3-star rating with nearly 600 reviews on Amazon, so you can be sure you're getting a quality product.

See at Amazon

I-Rocks washable keyboard

The I-Rocks washable keyboard (about $25) is an excellent budget option. The letters are laser printed onto the keys, so they'll put up a fight against your scrubbing — there's an included brush for cleaning deep dirt.

Adjustable feet on the back allow you to prop the keyboard up for comfortable typing, and a slim design won't take up too much room on your desk.

See at Amazon

How do you keep your keyboard clean?

Do you have a folk remedy for keeping your clacker clean? Let us know!

Also, have a look at these roundups of the best keyboards out there.

• Best affordable mechanical keyboards for Windows 10
• Best keyboards for Microsoft Surface
• Best mechanical keyboards for gaming on Windows 10
• Best ergonomic keyboards for wrist wellness

Updated August 17, 2017: We've refreshed this guide with some new washable keyboard options, as well as links to a bunch of keyboard covers for our favorite laptops.

It's possible to tweak the settings on Windows 10 to speed up the download process of new Windows Insider preview builds. Here's how.

Windows 10 can adjust the amount of bandwidth your device uses to download and upload system and app updates automatically. However, starting with preview build 16237, Windows 10 introduces a new set of options that allows you to override the dynamic bandwidth allocation to specify the exact amount your computer should use for updates.

Although these options are meant to reduce bandwidth consumption, it's possible to configure your device to take full advantage of the bandwidth available to download Windows 10 Insider builds faster through Windows Update.

If you have already enabled the Delivery Optimization option to allow your device to download updates from other machines on your local network and on the internet in addition to the Microsoft servers, preview builds can download even faster.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to override the Delivery Optimization settings to ensure new Insider builds can download as fast as possible on your device using the Settings app and Group Policy.

• How to download Insider builds faster using Settings
• How to download Insider builds faster using Group Policy

How to download Insider builds faster using Settings

If you want to allow Windows 10 to use the total bandwidth available on your device to download Insider preview builds faster, follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click the Advanced options link.
4. Click the Delivery Optimization link.
5. Turn on the Allow downloads from other PCs toggle switch.

6. Select the PCs on my local network, and PCs on the internet option.

7. Click the Advanced options link.
8. Under "Download settings," check the Limit how much bandwidth is used for downloading updates in the background option.

9. Use the slider to allow Windows Update to use 100 percent of the bandwidth available to your device.

Once you've completed the steps, Windows Update should download new previews of Windows 10 faster than before.

At any time, you can return to the previous settings using the same instructions, but on step No. 5, make sure to change the option to your previous selection, and on step No. 8, clear the Download settings option or return the slider to the percentage you had it at before.

While we're focusing on the download settings, on the Advanced options page, it's also possible to set the specific amount of bandwidth your device uses to upload updates to devices on the internet.

How to download Insider builds faster using Group Policy

Alternatively, if you're running Windows 10 Pro, it's possible to adjust the Delivery Optimization settings using Group Policy with these steps:

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

3. Browse the following path:

   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Delivery Optimization

4. On the right side, double-click the Download Mode policy.

5. Select the Enabled option.

6. Under "Options," use the "Download Mode" drop-down menu, and select the Internet (3) option (the equivalent to "PCs on the local network, and PCs on the Internet" option in the Settings app).

7. Click Apply.
8. Click OK.
9. On the right side, double-click the Maximum Download Bandwidth (percentage) policy (the equivalent to the "Download settings" option in the Settings app).
10. Select the Enabled option.

11. Under "Options," enter the download bandwidth in percentage, and because we want to download Windows 10 Insider builds faster, enter 100.

    Note: We're not using 0 (unlimited) because that will trigger Delivery Optimization to adjust the settings dynamically, and we're looking to take full advantage of the bandwidth available to download new builds.

12. Click Apply.
13. Click OK.

After completing the steps, just like using the Settings app, your computer should download Windows 10 Insider builds faster.

You can always revert the changes following the instructions, but on step No. 5 and step No. 10, select the Not configured options.

It should be noted that using the Group Policy option will cause the Settings app to display a Some settings are managed by your organization message, which will go away sometime after disabling the policies.

While the ability to control the bandwidth used for download and upload updates in the Settings app is part of the upcoming Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, the Group Policy options have been available in the OS for quite some time.

Wrapping things up

Although these tweaks can help you to speed up the download process of development builds, you should be aware that allocating a high amount of bandwidth for updates using the advanced Deliver Optimization options can affect your internet experience. If this is a concern, you could enable these settings only when a new build is rolling out, or simply let Windows 10 dynamically optimize the bandwidth for you.

Also, these settings adjust the bandwidth behavior on your device only, not on the network, which means that if other devices on the network are clogging the internet connection, the download speed on your machine will be affected accordingly.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

Here's a complete breakdown of Verizon's Unlimited data plans and everything else you can get when you sign up for service.

In the U.S., there are a lot of companies that can get you and your phone online, but most people use one of the four biggest: AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon. Choosing between them can be difficult. Your first priority should be what service works best in the places you spend your time. It's not worth saving $10 a month if the service is bad. Once you have that sorted, you can look at what each company has to offer and the prices they charge for it.

More: Which unlimited plan should you buy?

Let's take a look at Verizon to see what they can give you and what it will cost.

Verizon Unlimited plan details

Verizon used to have a single unlimited plan, but it has since expanded that to two, offering various levels of value depending on customer need.

Go Unlimited

Go Unlimited is the cheaper of the unlimited plans, aimed at users that don't necessarily need the fastest performance at all times or high-quality video streaming.

• One line: $75/month
• Two lines: $65 per line/month
• Three lines: $50 per line/month
• Four or more lines lines: $40 per line/month

Paper-free billing and $5/mo AutoPay discounts apply.

The Go Unlimited plan offers unlimited LTE data, but you're subject to reduced speeds (throttling) when the network is congested. Verizon may choose to throttle at any time of the billing cycle, which is unlike most other unlimited plans that only do so after a certain amount of data is used.

On Go Unlimited, all video streaming is capped at 480p on phones and 720p on tablets. And while the Go Unlimited plans offer unlimited mobile hotspot (tethering), the speed is capped at 600kbps, which is likely too slow for most people do anything other than browse the web — slowly.

Beyond Unlimited

Beyond Unlimited is basically Verizon's original unlimited plan with some slight tweaks.

• One line: $85/month
• Two lines: $80 per line/month
• Three lines: $60 per line/month
• Four or more lines: $50 per line/month

Paper-free billing and $5/mo AutoPay discounts apply.

The Beyond Unlimited plan offers unlimited LTE data, but you're subject to reduced speeds (throttling) at times of network congestion if you exceed 22GB in a billing cycle (customers that sign up on a two-year contract get 25GB per month before throttling).

Video streaming is capped at 720p on phones and 1080p on tablets. Mobile hotspot use is unlimited, with 15GB of LTE data in each billing cycle. Laptops or other devices used through the hotspot have a 1080p hard cap for streaming video.

Business Unlimited

Verizon is also rolling out an unlimited business plan for companies with four or more lines. Pricing is generally the same per line as the Beyond Unlimited with some minor changes.

Verizon Unlimited plan add-ons

Verizon's Beyond Unlimited plan lets you call, text and use data inside Canada and Mexico back to the U.S. at no additional charge, and call to those countries from within the States as well. Data use is capped at 500MB per day in each country, after which it is throttled to 2G speeds. The company does keep an eye on how much data you're using, though: if more than 50% of your data in a given month comes from outside the U.S., Verizon will slow down your speeds and holds the right to cut off service.

If you need other international services, Verizon has you covered.

• The free International Messaging add-on lets you send text messages to over 200 countries and multimedia messages to over 100 countries
• The Unlimited Together - North America add-on gives you discounted calling rates to over 230 locations for $5 per month
• The Unlimited Together - world add-on gives you discounted calling rates to over 180 locations for $15 per month
• A daily Travel Pass gives you unlimited data and calling when you're in one of over 100 countries for $10 per day
• A monthly Travel Pass gives you discounted calling and messaging rates as well as a data allotment based on your needs (prices vary, see Verizon's International Travel page)
• Cruise ship rates are $2.99 per minute for voice calls and $0.50 per message sent / $0.05 per message received for texting.

Verizon also has a program that gives you a prepaid card of up to $650 in value for a trade in if you switch from another network. The details are on the Switch to Verizon page of its website. It also has a referral program and a rewards program that can put money back in your pockets.

If you're both a Verizon Wireless and Verizon Fios subscriber, you can use the Fios Mobile App to watch your shows from home without using your data.

It also offers a wide range of its own services for Android and iOS devices, including an RCS messaging app, a personal, cloud and an excellent account management app. You can find those on their respective app stores.

See at Verizon

Updated August 23, 2017: This article has been updated to reflect major changes made to Verizon's unlimited plans.

Outlook can bring teams together in ways well beyond replying to an email. Here's how you can start to collaborate more effectively.

As well as you may think your team or colleagues produce and exceed, there's always room for growth. Outlook 2016 has a few features available that can help centralize your team communication, tracking, scheduling, and resources. Here is how you can get started.

• What are Groups in Outlook?
• Managing Groups and assigned tasks in Outlook
• Getting started with Groups in Outlook

What are Groups in Outlook?

Outlook 2016 taps into the Groups feature of Office 365. It gives users a shared place where teams can work and collaborate. Not to be confused with a distribution list, this group is truly a means to see how all pieces contribute towards a common goal. You have a shared inbox, calendar, and even a document library. Even without groups, you can still manage projects through tasks.

Managing Groups and assigned tasks in Outlook

How to create a group task

To create a Group task:

1. Click the Home tab in the navigation ribbon.
2. Click on New Items in the New group.
3. Select Task from the dropdown list.
4. Enter in details of the task, including due dates, reminders, and priority.
5. Click Save & Close to create the task.
6. Click on Tasks in the navigation pane.
7. Select Folder tab in the navigation ribbon of the Task window.
8. Select Share Tasks in the Share group.
9. Select recipient(s) or a distribution group.
10. Select or deselect the Request permission to view recipient's Tasks folder option.
11. Select or deselect the Allow recipient to view your Tasks folder option.
12. Click Send.

How to open shared tasks

To open your shared tasks:

1. Click on Tasks in the navigation pane.
2. Click the Folder tab in the navigation ribbon.
3. Click Open Shared Tasks in the Share group.
4. Click Name in the name dialog box.
5. Find the name of the person in the address list.
6. Click OK to return to the name dialog box.
7. Click OK to accept.

It is possible to send a shared task access request to an individual if they have yet to grant you permission. If you choose to send a request, the recipient will receive an email, which also includes an option to have your default tasks folder shared with them.

How to remove a shared task folder

To delete a folder:

1. Select Tasks from the navigation pane.
2. Select the task folder under the "My Tasks" list.
3. Select the Folder tab from the navigation ribbon.
4. Click on Delete Folder in the Actions group.
5. Click Yes to confirm.

How to assign a task

To assign a task to an individual:

1. Click on Tasks in the navigation pane.
2. Click New Task in the New section of the Home tab.
3. Click on the Task tab in the navigation ribbon.
4. Select Assign Task in the Manage Task group.
5. Enter the recipient's name or email address in the To field.
6. Fill out the subject, due or start date, status and priority fields.
7. Ensure the checkbox for Keep an updated copy of this task on my task list is checked.
8. Ensure the check box for Send me a status report when this task is complete is checked.
9. Click Send.

How to accept or decline a task

To accept or reject a task:

1. Open the task.
2. Click on the Task tab in the navigation menu.
3. Choose Accept or Decline in the Manage Task group.
4. Choose to send your response now or edit the response first.
5. Click Send.

How to see the status

To track the status automatically:

1. Click on the File tab in the navigation ribbon.
2. Click Options.
3. Click Tasks in the left pane in the Outlook options window.
4. Select the check box for the Set reminders on tasks with due dates option.
5. Choose a reminder time.
6. Select the check box for the Keep my task list updated with copies of tasks I assign to other people option.
7. Click OK.

To manually view the status of assigned tasks:

1. Click on Tasks in the navigation pane.
2. Click the View tab in the navigation ribbon.
3. Click Change View in the current view group.
4. Click Assigned.

Getting started with Groups in Outlook

How to create a Group in Outlook 2016

To create a Group:

1. Click on the Home tab in the navigation ribbon.
2. Select New Group in the Groups section.
3. Enter a name for the Group in the Choose a name field.
4. Enter in a Group ID in the Group ID field.
5. Select Public or Private as the privacy level for the group.
6. Select a classification for the group.
7. Select or deselect the check box for the group conversation notification to appear in the inbox for each member.
8. Click OK.
9. Select members of your organization to add.
10. Choose a photo to represent the group.
11. Enter a description for the group to help others understand the purpose of it.
12. Click OK to finish.

How to delete an Outlook Group

To delete a Group:

1. Select the Group in the Groups section of the left navigation bar.
2. Select Edit Group.
3. Select Delete Group.
4. Select the check box for the I understand that the Group will be permanently deleted warning.
5. Click OK to confirm and delete.

How to add a member to an Outlook Group

To add a member:

1. Select the Group from the left navigation bar.
2. Select Add members.
3. Enter the name of the individual to be added.
4. Click OK.

Adding an external user to the group is the same process as adding a member. You will be warned that the guest will have access to the content of your group. They will receive calendar items and group conversations in their inboxes, but they will have limits placed on their access including contact cards for group members or the list of group members.

How to remove an Outlook Group member

To remove a group member:

1. Click on the Group in the left navigation bar.
2. Select Edit Group.
3. Click on the member in the Members list.
4. Click the X next to their name to delete.

How to begin a Group conversation in Outlook

To start a conversation:

1. Select the Group in the left navigation screen.
2. Select the Home tab in the navigation ribbon.
3. Select New Conversation in the New group.
4. Compose your message.
5. Click Send to generate an email to the rest of the group.

With conversations that you receive, you can also reply to the group or to the sender. You can also choose to like a message.

How to schedule group meetings in Outlook

To scheduling a meeting:

1. Click the group in the left navigation screen.
2. Click on Calendar in the navigation ribbon.
3. Click New Meeting.
4. Enter meeting details such as subject, location and the start or end times for the meeting.
5. Enter any important details in the meeting section.
6. Click Send.

Wrapping up

Outlook is a wellspring of resources and results. How is your team using Groups? What are your favorite features? Let us know in the comments.

Microsoft Office 101: Help, how-tos and tutorials

If you've got Kodi hooked up on a Windows 10 PC and you're wanting to play your DVDs through it, here's how.

Kodi is a terrific media center application and its biggest strength is that there really isn't anything it can't do. While for many the draw is being able to easily access and enjoy their digital content, if you're using it as a front end on a media PC you may want to go a little further.

If you've got a DVD player hooked up to your Kodi machine and you want to watch your discs, here's how to do it.

Kodi is actually a really great way to watch DVDs on Windows 10, especially compared to handing over $15 to Microsoft for an app that does that and nothing else. It's also incredibly simple to use.

1. Insert the DVD disc into your PC's optical drive.
2. Open Kodi.

3. Select the disc option in the Kodi sidebar.

4. Select play and enjoy!

Better still, you can set up Kodi to automatically play your DVDs upon inserting them into your PC. To do this just follow these simple steps.

1. Open Kodi on your PC.
2. Select settings.

3. Select player settings.

4. Select discs from the sidebar.

5. Ensure the toggle switch next to play DVDs automatically is enabled.

There's also a neat option in here you can enable where Kodi will try and skip any unwanted junk (trailers, in other words) you don't want to watch before the main menu. You'll find the switch for that below the one described above, so enable it and hopefully, it'll do the trick.

And that's all there is to it. If you've built up a vast DVD collection over the years there's no need to digitize them to enjoy them through Kodi. A few simple steps and you're good to go!

Download Kodi from the Windows Store

Microsoft's Surface PCs are still computers, and that means sometimes they freeze up. Thankfully, there's a simple way to resolve the problem.

I use a Surface Pro every day, and though I'm a big fan of it in general, it can be … quirky at times. Every week or so, if I don't remember to restart it on my own, for example, my Surface Pro will randomly freeze up, usually after it's been asleep for a while and I wake it and try to get right down to business. (This frequent freeze rate was apparently one reason why tech reviews site Consumer Reports recently blasted the entire Surface line, though those ratings didn't apply to the latest generation of Surfaces.)

Why you should question Consumer Reports' Microsoft Surface reliability claims

If you're using a new Surface Pro, Surface Laptop or Surface Studio, there is a quick-and-easy fix for the Surface-freeze problem. (If you use an older Surface model, you can find more information on how to fix your frozen PC on Microsoft's website.)

How to force your frozen Surface to shut down

If your Surface Pro, Laptop or Studio is unresponsive, follow this process to shut it down and then restart it:

1. Press and hold the power button until the display turns off. This will take roughly 10 seconds, but on rare occasion it may take longer.
2. Let go off the power button and wait several seconds.
3. Press the power button again to turn the Surface back on. The Windows logo should appear on the screen.

That's it. This process may seem obvious or intuitive, and in fact it is … once you know how to do it. But if you're a new Surface owner dealing with freeze-ups for the first time, it can be absolutely maddening if you don't know how to fix the problem.

In the rare case that this does not force your Surface to shut down, simply hold the power button for as long as it takes for the device to restart on its own. On a few occasions, I had to hold the power button for as long as 30 seconds, but eventually my Surface Pro restarted.

After you've fixed the freeze-up issue, it's also a good idea to check for software updates and install them immediately, because delayed updates could be contributing to the cause of your problem. Just search "check for updates" in your taskbar search, and then click the "Check for updates" box in the Windows Update window that appears.

How do I encrypt files in Windows 10?

Encrypting File System (EFS) is an encryption service found in Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education. A cousin to BitLocker, which can encrypt entire drives at once, EFS lets you encrypt individual files and folders.

Encryption is tied to the PC user, so if a different user is logged in than the user who encrypted the files, those files will remain inaccessible.

EFS encryption isn't as secure as other encryption methods, like BitLocker, because the key that unlocks the encryption is saved locally. There's also a chance that data can leak into temporary files since the entire drive is not encrypted.

Still, EFS is a quick and easy way to protect individual files and folders on a PC that's shared amongst several users. Encrypting with EFS doesn't take long — let's take a look at how it's done.

What you'll need before you begin

EFS is only available on Pro, Enterprise, and Education versions of Windows 10. If you're using Windows 10 Home, you're out of luck. You also need to be using a password with your user account, preferably strong and difficult to crack.

Once you've encrypted a file or folder, Windows will automatically remind you that you should create a backup key in case you run into a problem where you can no longer log into your user account that's tied to the encrypted files. This requires some sort of removable media. In our case, we use a USB thumb drive.

How to enable EFS on Windows 10

Have a file or folder in mind for encryption? Here's how to enable EFS.

1. Launch File Explorer from your Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.
2. Right-click a file or folder.

3. Click Properties.

4. Click Advanced.

5. Click the checkbox next to Encrypt contents to secure data.

6. Click OK.

7. Click Apply. A window will pop up asking you whether or not you want to only encrypt the selected folder, or the folder, subfolders, and files.

8. Click either Apply changes to this folder only or Apply changes to this folder, subfolders, and files.

9. Click OK.

Files that you've encrypted with EFS will have a small padlock icon in the top-right corner of the thumbnail or icon.

How to back up your EFS encryption key

After enabling EFS, a small icon will appear in the system tray in the bottom-right corner of your screen. This is your reminder to back up your EFS encryption key.

1. Plug your USB drive into your PC.
2. Click the EFS icon in the system tray.

3. Click Back up now (recommended).

4. Click Next.

5. Click Next.

6. Click the checkbox next to Password.

7. Type a password in the first Password field.

8. Type the same password in the Confirm password field.

9. Click Next.

10. Click Browse.

11. Click the USB drive.

12. Click the File name field.

13. Type a filename.

14. Click Save.

15. Click Next.

16. Click Finish.

17. Click OK.

That's it. If you ever lose access to your user account, the backup key can be used to access the encrypted files on the PC.

More encryption resources

• How to use BitLocker Drive Encryption on Windows 10
• How to encrypt data before storing in in the cloud (and why you should)
• How to enable device encryption on Windows 10 Mobile
• See the best third-party encryption software

Sonic the Hedgehog is back in Sonic Mania, a sprawling 2D platformer filled with even more secrets than the original games.

Once again, you'll have to complete seven special stages to get all the Chaos Emeralds. This guide reveals the special stage locations and an easy trick for completing them all!

See on the Xbox StoreSee on Amazon

How the special stages work

Sonic Mania has two different types of 'bonus' levels: special stages and bonus stages. Special stages, the topic of this guide, are 3D polygonal bonus stages inspired by those of Sonic CD. Successfully complete a special stage to receive a Chaos Emerald. Collecting all seven Chaos Emeralds with a character will unlock the Super version of that character. When playing as Sonic, it will also unlock his good ending.

The goal in the special stages is to collect the UFO before you run out of rings. Your ring supply constantly counts down, so you'll need to pick up more rings to extend your time.

The UFO is initially faster than Sonic and friends, but you can increase their speed by collecting blue and yellow orbs. After collecting enough orbs, your speed meter will fill and you'll graduate to the next mach level. Blue arrow power-ups will instantly fill your mach meter as well.

You'll need to travel at mach two or above to catch the UFO, although mach three can sometimes make it much harder to avoid falling during the later special stages. If you run out of rings or fall off the stage, you'll lose the stage, so be careful!

Trick: How to earn all seven Chaos Emeralds

To enter a special stage, players must find a giant ring. There are a total of seven special stages, with each subsequent special stage appearing after the previous one has been attempted. Even though there are only seven total special stages, you'll have a lot more than seven opportunities to attempt them. Every act of every zone has two hidden giant rings to find.

After entering a giant ring, that ring can't normally be reentered – even if you die without reaching a checkpoint. Thankfully, there is a trick that makes attempting special stages much easier!

1. After you complete a special stage in act one of a zone, go on to finish that act. This will cause the game to save your progress, including the chaos emerald you collected.
2. Pause and choose to Exit.
3. Return to Mania Mode and resume your save file. Sonic Mania always returns you to act one of a zone when resuming your game.
4. Find the giant ring again and play the next special stage!
5. If you win the special stage, repeat step one. If you fail, just repeat from step two. You can try the special stage as many times as you like. Just keep going until all seven chaos emeralds are yours!

Giant ring locations

There are 48 giant rings to find in Sonic Mania, but we'll just focus on the first eight locations. Watch the embedded video guide for other locations.

Green Hill Zone Act 1, first ring: Head forward through the two S-shaped tunnels (the ones with high entrances and low exits). Break through the wall just after that. Keep going right, past the area with the platforms that move up and down over spike pits. The ring is inside a hole in the wall. The floor just in front of it crumbles when touched, so don't fall!

Green Hill Zone Act 1, second ring: Take the S-shaped tunnel that leads directly to a corkscrew with a yellow spring on top of it. Immediately after exiting the corkscrew, stop and use Tails' flight ability to reach the spring. From there, head up and left. The ring is inside a wall to the left.

Green Hill Zone Act 2, first ring: Take the lower pathway until you reach a yellow spring. Take it up, cross the bridge, and using the moving platforms to reach the upper portion of the level. Right after the next bridge, you should see the ring to the right of a yellow spring. Go up and instead of riding the rope swing, let the ground crumble. To your left, you should see an item box with a spike trap in the wall just above it. Squeeze your way through the wall to the left of the item box and you'll reach the ring.

Green Hill Zone Act 2, second ring: As you climb the path with the swinging platforms, keep an eye out for the secret ring box near a corner in the wall to the left. Head left through the tunnel beneath it to get there.

Chemical Plant Zone Act 1: Take the upper path to the right until you reach a spot where a red spring on the right will bounce you down and left. Jump over the red spring and head right, rolling down the long ramp. When the ramp sends you up in the air, swing left to reach a platform with the ring on it.

Chemical Plant Zone Act 2, first ring: From the start, head right, jump on the second yellow switch, and use the liquid it releases to bounce up. Head left, stick to the purple platform, and ride up. Go right until you reach the large open area where you bounce on liquid. From there, turn left and keep going until you pass through a wall on the left. Follow that secret path left and up, riding the moving platforms, until you find the ring at the top.

Chemical Plant Zone Act 2, second ring: If you can reach the area with the metal grates in the foreground, ride the rotating yellow platforms up a shaft to the top. At the very top, the ring is on the left.

Studiopolis Zone Act 1: Go right until you reach the first downward ramp with some red bumpers above it. Use Tails' flight ability to reach the platform just above the exit of the ramp and then take that higher platform's ramp down and left.

Alternately, you can proceed just past the platform to where the two rings of spinning bumpers are, jump left onto the target platform, and ride the ramp down and left. At the end of that ramp, the ring is behind a yellow pane of glass in the foreground.

Gotta go faster!

With all seven Chaos Emeralds in hand, you're finally ready to turn into Super Sonic, Tails, or Knuckles! Just collect fifty rings during any act to make the transformation and gain your super powers. This will make the rest of the game much easier (and faster), just the way Sonic likes it.

Fans of the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games will love Sonic Mania's return to form. The entire game looks and plays just like a lost sequel to Sonic & Knuckles, with cleverly revamped classic levels, brand new levels, devious bosses, and even new moves for Sonic and friends. As our review declares, it's a nearly perfect game for newcomers and Sonic veterans alike.

Sonic Mania costs $19.99 on Xbox One, Steam, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. The Steam version is coming on August 29.

See on the Xbox StoreSee on AmazonSee on Steam

The four major carriers in the U.S. don't necessarily offer Windows phones (though phones that run Microsoft's OS work on some of their networks), but they all offer unlimited data plans.

Whether you're a Microsoft diehard who packs a Windows phone, or an iPhone- or Android-toting Windows fan, here's how to find the best unlimited data plan for you.

With Verizon bringing back an unlimited data plan, the big four networks in the United States (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon) all carry an unlimited data plan now. That's important for power users as well as anyone who uses their mobile broadband internet as their sole way to stay in touch or for entertainment. The cost of data overages means that unlimited data is a must for many of us.

But just because everyone offers unlimited data doesn't mean that all plans are equal. Pricing is important as are "extras" like tethering and the hidden data cap that pushes you back to slower 3G speeds when you reach it. And of course, zero-rating means we have to pay attention to what unlimited means when it comes to the quality of streaming media as well as the source.

We took a look at what each carrier has to offer so we can decide who delivers the very best unlimited data package. Let's start with a look at the details for each carrier.

AT&T

Unlimited Plus

• Unlimited talk, text, and data
• 10 GB mobile hotspot (tethering)
• Unlimited talk and text to Canada and Mexico
• Advanced messaging between compatible phones on the AT&T network
• Unlimited talk, text, and data in Canada and Mexico with free Roam North America Feature (if more than 50% of use is outside the U.S. the plan can be terminated)
• Unlimited music and video streaming with optional Stream Saver for less data use
• $25 monthly credit for DirecTV services
• One line of service on an AT&T Unlimited Plus plan is $90
• Two lines of service for $145
• Up to eight additional lines (includes any phone, LTE tablets, LTE hotspots and connected cars) for $20 per line
• Add a wearable for $10 per month

Unlimited Choice

• Unlimited talk, text, and data
• Data speeds capped at 3Mbps
• Standard definition video streaming
• One line of service on an AT&T Unlimited Choice plan is $60
• Two lines of service for $115
• Up to eight additional lines (includes any phone, LTE tablets, LTE hotspots and connected cars) for $20 per line
• Add a wearable for $10 per month

Everything you need to know about AT&T's unlimited plans

Check out our review of the AT&T Lumia 950 Windows phone

Sprint Unlimited Freedom plan

• Unlimited talk, text, and data (with certain restrictions)
• Unlimited data for streaming video up to 1080p
• Unlimited data for gaming up to 8Mbps
• Unlimited data for streaming music up to 1.5Mbps
• 10GB high-speed mobile hotspot with VPN and P2P support
• Add a tablet with unlimited data for $25 per month
• One line of service is $50
• Two lines of service is $90
• Three lines of service is $90
• Four lines of service is $90

Everything you neeed to know about Sprint's Unlimited Freedom Plan

T-Mobile

• Unlimited talk, text, and data with 200MB of roaming data
• Unlimited talk, text, and data in Canada and Mexico
• One hour of free Gogo in-flight Wi-Fi and unlimited texting on enabled flights
• Unlimited data and texting in over 140 locations at 2x speed (264kbps) (limited time offer)
• Unlimited music and HD video streaming (limited time offer, applies only in the U.S.)
• 10GB high-speed mobile hotspot use (limited time offer)
• One line of service on a T-Mobile ONE plan is $70
• Two lines of service for $100
• Three lines of service for $140
• Four lines is $160 and each additional line adds $20 to the total

A promotion starting March 1, 2017, allows post-paid customers with two or more lines to add another line free. This offer applies to T-Mobile ONE, Simple Choice and Simple Choice No Credit plans

Everything you need to know about T-Mobile's unlimited plans

Check out our review of T-Mobile's Alcatel Idol 4s

Verizon

Verizon used to have a single unlimited plan, but it has since expanded that to two, offering various levels of value depending on customer need.

Go Unlimited

Go Unlimited is the cheaper of the unlimited plans, aimed at users that don't necessarily need the fastest performance at all times or high-quality video streaming.

• One line: $75/month
• Two lines: $65 per line/month
• Three lines: $50 per line/month
• Four or more lines lines: $40 per line/month

Paper-free billing and $5/mo AutoPay discounts apply.

The Go Unlimited plan offers unlimited LTE data, but you're subject to reduced speeds (throttling) when the network is congested. Verizon may choose to throttle at any time of the billing cycle, which is unlike most other unlimited plans that only do so after a certain amount of data is used.

On Go Unlimited, all video streaming is capped at 480p on phones and 720p on tablets. And while the Go Unlimited plans offer unlimited mobile hotspot (tethering), the speed is capped at 600kbps, which is likely too slow for most people to do anything other than browse the web — slowly.

Beyond Unlimited

Beyond Unlimited is basically Verizon's original unlimited plan with some slight tweaks.

• One line: $85/month
• Two lines: $80 per line/month
• Three lines: $60 per line/month
• Four or more lines: $50 per line/month

Paper-free billing and $5/mo AutoPay discounts apply.

The Beyond Unlimited plan offers unlimited LTE data, but you're subject to reduced speeds (throttling) at times of network congestion if you exceed 22GB in a billing cycle (customers that sign up on a two-year contract get 25GB per month before throttling).

Video streaming is capped at 720p on phones and 1080p on tablets. Mobile hotspot use is unlimited, with 15GB of LTE data in each billing cycle. Laptops or other devices used through the hotspot have a 1080p hard cap for streaming video.

Everything you need to know about Verizon's unlimited plan

The best unlimited data plan

The best plan is the one that works where you need it to work, not the one that's the cheapest. And we can't tell you which that one is because it's different for each of us. Paying more than you need to for phone service is a bad idea, but so is paying for service that doesn't work.

Generally, if you live outside of a metropolitan area that means Verizon. A look at live, user generated coverage maps from Open Signal shows there are significant gaps in T-Mobile's coverage outside of metro areas. You will pay more for Verizon service when compared to T-Mobile (especially once taxes and fees are applied) but chances are Verizon will have the best coverage if you're in a rural area. There are exceptions, so be sure to investigate before you give any company your money.

If you're part of the 90% of the U.S. population who lives in a large town or city, your choices are expanded. T-Mobile is a great choice, as even with the One Plus add-on fee of $10 per month you'll still save money because they include taxes and fees in the cost.

Sprint's pricing offers an incredible value, but there are some very valid concerns about their network footprint. These can't be ignored when talking about "the best", though. Sprint has taken great strides to improve their coverage, and if Sprint works everywhere you need it to work, you should definitely take a look at what they have to offer.

Of course, none of this includes any customer-loyalty offerings or legacy plans you might be using. In those cases, you might want to stick with the carrier you have now instead of switching because of new pricing or new promotions.

All this makes it very difficult to make a one-size-fits-all recommendation about which plan is the best. If you need nationwide coverage in places that might be a little out of the way, Verizon is a better value than AT&T and generally has a better network according to independent studies from sources like Root Metrics. If you stay on the beaten path, T-Mobile offers the better deal.

We can't tell you which carrier will be the best for you. But we can tell you what to look for and where to start. Talk to your friends and see what service they are using and how well it's working, and call each company to see exactly what they have to offer. Most carriers have plans they don't advertise and one may fit your needs better than the default unlimited plans.

We just want you to enjoy the service you're paying for!

See plans at T-Mobile

See plans at Verizon

See plans at AT&T

See plans at Sprint

Your turn

What carrier do you subscribe to, and are you thinking of switching to either T-Mobile or Verizon? Let us know in the comments!

This post was updated on August 24, 2017 with the latest information.

Sonic the Hedgehog returns in Sonic Mania, an amazing 2D platformer filled to the brim with secrets. Many of these secrets must be unlocked by completing challenging bonus stages. This guide reveals the best bonus stage strategies — and an easy trick for replaying them at will!

See on the Xbox StoreSee on Amazon

How Sonic Mania bonus stages work

Sonic Mania has two different types of "bonus" levels: special stages and bonus stages. Bonus stages are based on the special stages from Sonic 3 and Sonic & Knuckles. In fact, they play identically.

Each bonus stage takes place on a spherical planet. Your character constantly runs forward. Tapping left or right on the stick or D-Pad will turn 90 degrees, and you can also jump forward one or two spaces. Because the planet is spherical, if you move forward in a straight line, you'll eventually circle around and end up back where you started.

The primary object in each bonus stage is to collect every possible blue sphere , as indicated by the counter at the top-left corner of the screen. After touching a blue sphere, it will turn red. Do your best not to touch red spheres , as contact with one will instantly cause you to fail the bonus stage. After collecting all of the blue spheres, the bonus stage will end and you'll receive a silver medallion.

The secondary goal in each bonus stage is to collect rings. The counter at the top-right corner of the screen reveals the total possible number of rings left to collect. While some rings naturally appear on the spherical planet, you'll need to convert blue spheres into rings to get the rest of them.

To create rings, you just need to enclose at least one blue sphere inside a perimeter of red spheres. For instance, running around the outside of a group of nine blue spheres will cause the interior blue sphere to become surrounded by red ones. The moment you enclose the blue sphere(s), all of the spheres in the group will turn into rings. This has the side benefit of reducing the total number of red spheres, making it safer to move around the area.

If you manage to collect every possible ring and then collect the final blue sphere, you'll receive a gold medallion instead of a silver one. Only silver medallions are necessary to unlock extras, but there is an Achievement/Trophy for collecting all 32 gold medallions.

The longer you remain in a bonus stage, the faster your character runs. The music will speed up as well. Thus it gets more and more dangerous, so try not to get lost or waste too much time!

There are a total of 32 regular bonus stages to complete. After winning or losing a bonus stage, the next one you encounter will be the next harder stage in the rotation. Collecting all 32 medallions unlocks the Blue Sphere Mode, in which you can play bonus stages directly from the menu. Blue Sphere Mode also includes an extra set of Mania stages that add green and pink spheres into the mix.

Later bonus stages become super difficult and will require numerous tries to complete. Try to follow the perfect routes in the embedded video guides to make things easier.

How to access bonus stages as many times as you want

To access a bonus stage, simply touch a star post (which acts as a checkpoint should you die) while holding 25 or more rings. This will create a star circle above the post. Jump into the circle and you'll be transported to the bonus stage.

Because each zone has multiple star posts, it's already pretty easy to access bonus stages. But there are two different ways to make it even easier, after you beat the game. Here's how:

1. Once you beat Mania Mode with any character, you'll unlock the ability to replay past zones.
2. When you replay zones, the star posts will once again create star circles when touched with the proper number of rings.
3. Select Green Hill Zone Act 1 and you'll find it has two star posts quite close together. Use each of these to attempt the bonus stages.
4. After you've used up the act's star posts, pause the game and choose to exit.
5. Repeat step three as necessary.

You can also do it in Debug Mode. Here's how:

1. First, you'll need to unlock Debug Mode by collecting approximately 16 medallions. In other words, complete the bonus stage several times until debug mode unlocks.
2. Now that you have debug mode, select Mania Mode.
3. Pick No Save from the top-right corner of the save file selection screen.
4. Set Debug Mode to On.
5. Start the game.
6. Press the debug button (Y on Xbox One) to switch to Debug Mode. Your character will become a floating ring.
7. Hit the switch button (A on Xbox One) a few times until your character becomes a star post.
8. Now press the place button (X on Xbox One) to place the star post. Place as many of them as you'd like.
9. Push the debug button again to switch back to your character.
10. With 25 rings in hand, start using the star posts to play bonus stages! You can spawn ring boxes to get the rings faster.
11. This is the fastest possible way to access bonus stages, since you can create as many as you want. Even though the game won't save your zone progress, it will still record the medallions you've collected.

Bonus stage rewards

Several extras are tied to the number of medallions you've collected from bonus stages. To view your medallion progress and unlocks, choose "Extras" from the main menu.

The following extras will unlock after collecting enough medallions:

• Super peel out — Enable this move in No Save mode to let Sonic charge up a dash from a standing position.
• Insta-shield — This is a jumping attack (first introduced in Sonic 3) that slashes enemies from a short distance.
• & Knuckles Mode — Knuckles will replace Tails as your AI companion in Mania Mode.
• Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine — Play the Mean Bean Machine boss fight as much as you like. The Sega Genesis/Mega Drive game Dr. Robotnik's Mean Bean Machine is a unique version of Puyo Puyo, a popular Japanese puzzle game series. Puyo Puyo Tetris is available on Xbox One in Japan and on PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in North America.
• Debug Mode — Spawn as many items as you like and move anywhere throughout an act. This bonus mode is usually accessible via code in older Sonic games.

Time to break a few eggs!

Now that you know how to easily access bonus stages, you're on the road to unlocking some of those sweet extras. The later bonus stages are extremely hard and will require numerous attempts to complete. But, hey, at least you get to enjoy the sweet bonus stage music while you play!

Fans of the Sega Genesis/Mega Drive games will love Sonic Mania's return to form. The entire game looks and plays just like a lost sequel to Sonic & Knuckles, with cleverly revamped classic levels, brand new levels, devious bosses, and even new moves for Sonic and friends. As our review declares, it's a nearly perfect game for newcomers and Sonic veterans alike.

Sonic Mania costs $19.99 on Xbox One, Steam, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. The Steam version is expected on August 29.

See on the Xbox StoreSee on AmazonSee on Steam

Have a great laptop but don't like the trackpad? This easy guide can show you how to replace your Elan or Synaptics drivers with the preferred Microsoft Precision ones instead!

Windows trackpads are one of the biggest criticisms that users have when it comes to modern laptops. Much of that disapproval is alleviated if PC manufacturers just utilize Microsoft's Precision Touchpad drivers as we routinely mention in our Windows Central laptop reviews.

Today, I'm excited to show you how to install and enable Precision Touchpad drivers on what should be any laptop that uses Synaptics or Elan drivers. Originally spotted on Reddit this quick guide will breathe new life into your premium Windows laptop.

To be clear, we are talking about a bit of a "hack" and not an official solution, so make sure to do a quick backup just in case.

What we are doing

Before we begin, let me explain how this all works. Precision Touchpads are a combination of a multitouch physical trackpad and the drivers that power the gestures and movement. Most high-end laptops use glass/metal trackpads with multi-gesture support.

Where they vary is the driver choice. HP, for instance, uses Synaptics for its Spectre series of premium laptops. Razer is using Synaptics on the 14-inch Razer Blade, but have switched to Precision drivers for the new Razer Blade Stealth and Razer Blade Pro. The same for MSI who use Elan drivers on its Stealth Pro line of gaming laptops.

All we are doing is installing the Microsoft Precision drivers and replacing the Synaptics or Elan ones. The drivers come from Lenovo (Synaptics) and Softpedia (Elan).

Why do it?

The rule of thumb is Microsoft's Precision drivers are made for Windows 10 and customized by Microsoft themselves for the "ideal" trackpad experience.

Most users consider the sensitivity, movement, and gestures of Precision to be better than Synaptics or Elan.

What have we tested this on?

We have verified that this trick works on Razer Blade (2016 and 2017 editions) and HP Spectre x360 13- and 15-inch models. We've done it multiple times across five different devices, and all worked.

Others have confirmed it is working on the Dell Alienware 14 (2013), HP Pavilion 15, some Asus laptops with Elan, Acer Aspire M5, and more.

What you need

For most users, just getting the drivers below is all you need.

For Razer Blade owners, however, I recommend having a wired or wireless mouse on standby as the process temporarily kills the trackpad (you can, of course, still navigate via keyboard).

First, to figure out which driver you need – Synaptics or Elan – just do the following:

1. Right-click on Start
2. Choose Device Manager
3. Double-click Mice and other pointing devices
4. See if it says Elan Input Device or Synaptics HID TouchPad

Once you know which drivers you currently have you can grab the ones you need:

• Download Synaptics driver from Lenovo
• Download Elan driver from Softpedia

Save these to the device you in which you are replacing the drivers.

How to install Precision Touchpad drivers

Now it's time to install the driver. The entire process should take no longer than five minutes.

While there is no permanent damage from this guide, I do stress to make sure you follow the directions correctly to ensure that you do it right. If this doesn't work for you, there is a good chance you did not precisely follow the instructions!

Installing Precision drivers

1. Unzip the downloaded drivers to a temporary directory and make a note of where they are.
2. Right-click on Start.
3. Choose Device Manager.
4. Double-click Mice and other pointing devices.
5. Right-click on Synaptics/Elan device.
6. Choose Update driver.
7. Click Browse my computer for driver software.
8. Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
9. Pick Have Disk….
10. Choose Browse… and navigate to the folder where you extracted the Precision drivers.
11. Select Autorun.inf from the directory of Precision drivers.
12. Select Synaptics Pointing Device (or Elan) and then Next.
13. On the Update Driver Warning choose Yes.
14. Let the driver install and restart the PC to enable

That should be it.

For Razer Blade owners doing the above will kill the trackpad. Don't worry! Restart the PC and then repeat steps one through six above. However, instead of step 7 in its place choose Search automatically for updated driver software. The OS will now search Windows Update and grab a newer driver and install it. Once installed your trackpad will kick back in and you are all set.

All users can do the above to ensure the latest Precision driver is installed – it won't hurt it.

With all completed you can navigate to Settings > Devices > Touchpad, and it should now say at the top Your PC has a precision touchpad. Below should be many new native Windows 10 gesture options and configuration abilities that you may want to tinker with, e.g., cursor speed, touchpad sensitivity, etc.

For more on Precision Touchpad settings read our guide "How to customize 'Precision Touchpad' settings in the Windows 10 Creators Update".

Wrap-up

Like all unsupported modifications, there could be things we are missing, so take note. For instance, on two (out of three) of our Razer Blades the touchpad stops working when it resumes from standby for unknown reasons. Our HP Spectre x360s, however, have had no issues.

Using the same steps above you can roll back the trackpad driver to the previous one, or just use your manufacturer's drivers to install over the Precision one. However, we think most of you will stick with Precision since it's just better.

Thanks, Adam Legge, for the heads up!

Here's how you can easily and quickly block numbers in Windows 10 Mobile and Windows Phone 8.

There will be a time in life when you need to block someone, be it a telemarketer or someone who may be harassing you. Luckily, we've got a guide for owners of handsets running Windows Phone 8 and Windows 10 Mobile, which will allow for the blocking of numbers to prevent further frustration.

• Windows 10 Mobile
• Windows Phone 8

Windows 10 Mobile

Blocking numbers in Windows 10 Mobile is super easy. Here's how you do it:

1. Head into the Phone app.
2. Press and hold on a recent call entry.
3. Select Block contact/number.

That's it! You can view currently blocked numbers and contacts by choosing "blocked calls" in the Phone app menu. This area will also show you recently blocked numbers and messages and even allow you to manually add numbers using a keypad.

Windows Phone 8

Unfortunately, Windows Phone 8 doesn't have a built-in blocking feature to prevent numbers from sending messages to your smartphone, nor can the OS halt calls in their tracks. But Microsoft did make tools for manufacturers to enable this feature, should they want to make it for their customers.

This is where Nokia came in with its "call + SMS filter", which launched on Windows Phone 8 for Lumia devices. (Samsung has call blocking in its ATIV line of Windows Phones too.)

We'll quickly walk you through how to set everything up, just in case you've yet to fire up the filter settings area for the first time. The filter is not enabled by default, so you'll need to turn it on. Luckily, everything can be found under Settings.

call + SMS filter (for Nokia Lumia phones only)

Here's how to get started:

1. Swipe right to the app list.
2. Scroll down and select "Settings".
3. Scroll down and select "call+SMS filter".

If you have yet to access the feature, you'll have to accept the terms of use and privacy policy, which will be displayed with an option to accept or cancel. If you wish to use the filtering system, hit accept.

Adding contacts to the block list

Next, follow this process:

1. Head into phone history (Phone) or messaging (Messaging).
2. Long press on a contact or message.
3. On the pop-up dialog, select "block number...".

Now go back to the filter settings area. Selecting "advanced" will open up some handy options to configure the blocking of withheld numbers automatically, enable or disable the Live tile, and toggle toast notifications. Pinning the Live tile to your Start screen is a convenient way to monitor what's being blocked, as well as provide quick access to the settings area

Advanced settings for call or message filtering

Follow this process:

1. Head to Settings.
2. Select System.
3. Select call+SMS filter.
4. Select "advanced".
   • Enable/disable "Block withheld numbers".
   • Enable/disable "App Live Tile".
   • Enable/disable "Notification".

And you're done!

Updated August 25, 2017: We added Windows 10 Mobile to this guide to cover the latest OS from Microsoft.