Cortana is getting some improvements with the Windows 10 Fall Creators update, and here's everything you need to know.

Microsoft has released its second major update of the year for Windows 10, the Fall Creators Update, which is a continuation of the Creators Update that brings additional features and changes to improve the overall experience and security.

In the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709), you'll find interface design changes part of the Microsoft Fluent Design System. OneDrive File On-demand brings placeholders back. You can now connect and share files more quickly with My People. The update also delivers improvements on handwriting, native support for emojis, and more.

Along with the new enhancements, Windows 10 is also introducing a number of updates to Cortana to make it easier to customize the experience, shut down your PC with voice commands, and better interact with phone notifications on your PC.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll take a closer look at the most exciting features and enhancements you're getting with the Fall Creators Update.

Cortana new features and improvements

Cortana on the Settings app

Starting with version 1709, it's easier to find and manage Cortana settings because they're now located in the Settings app (where it should be).

Talk to Cortana

On Settings> Cortana, you'll find the new Talk to Cortana page, which includes the most basic settings to configure the assistant.

You can say that this page is the equivalent to the main settings page previously available from the Taskbar, but you won't find all the same settings because some the options have been relocated to another page.

In this page, you'll find all the settings to get started with the assistant, including the option to set up the microphone to make sure Cortana can hear you.

You can enable "Hey Cortana" listening mode using the Windows key + C keyboard shortcut, Cortana above the lock screen, and even select the default language you want to use with Cortana (though, the assistant works best when using the language that matches the region configured on your device).

Permission & History

At Settings> Cortana, the new Permissions & History page includes the remaining settings missing in the Talk to Cortana page.

On this page, you can set the appropriate search filter options to filter results that may not be inappropriate. The default option is Strict, but you can always use a moderate option or turn off SafeSearch completely.

Cloud search is a new option that is available starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, and allows you to suppress cloud content on search results.

Similar to previous settings, under "History," using the My device history option, you can clear the information that Cortana uses to improve search on your device, or you can disable the feature completely.

In addition, using the My search history option, you can prevent Cortana from using your search history to improve the experience with the assistant.

You can also click the Search history settings link to open your web browser and navigate to your Microsoft account online to see and clear your search history.

At the top of the page, you'll also find a number of links under the Permissions section.

If you need to control the data Cortana collects, you'll need to click the Change what Cortana knows about me in the cloud link, which opens the experience in the Taskbar to get more information and the option to delete your data.

Clicking the Manage the information Cortana can access from this device link will take you to another page where you can control permissions, including:

• Location – Lets the assistant collect and use your current history and location, you can use reminders based on places, find directions, and stay up-to-date of nearby places.
• Contacts, email, calendar & communication history – Allows Cortana access to this information, the assistant can help you be on time for meetings, suggests reminders, track packages and flights, and much more.

• Browsing history – Lets the assistant collect and use your search history to further personalize your experience, and you can pick up where you left off when using Microsoft Edge.

Then there is the Manage the information Cortana can access from other devices link to connect to other services like Office 365, Xbox Live, Dynamics CRM, and several others.

Notifications

On Settings> Cortana, the Notifications page includes the option to enable or disable notifications from other devices that allows Cortana to notify you about battery getting low, missed call, text, or app notification.

You can click the Manage notifications button to access related settings using the Taskbar experience.

More Details

On Settings> Cortana, the More details page is also new, but it doesn't include any features. You'll only find links to privacy information and how Cortana connects with Microsoft's Bing.

Cortana voice commands

The assistant is also getting a bit smarter. Starting with version 1709, you can use voice commands to turn off, restart, lock, and sign-out of your device.

Here are the voice command examples that you can use:

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

While using these new commands note that you'll need to confirm the action saying Yes to prevent quitting your work by mistake, except when trying to lock your device.

Unfortunately, you can't use the word "shutdown" to invoke the command, because Windows 10 already includes a Shutdown command line tool.

These new commands also work when your device is locked, but you must enable the assistant above the Lock screen in the Talk to Cortana settings page.

Cortana on search results

Cortana now shows results previews without having to open the web browser.

Starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, as you begin typing in the Taskbar search box, you'll see a new pane that expands automatically to show Bing search results.

If the assistant doesn't have an accurate answer, you won't see the pane expanding, but you can click the arrow button next to the search term to see relevant suggestions without opening Microsoft Edge.

Cortana notifications

If you use an Android phone, Cortana can now show cross-device notifications for incoming calls. You even get new buttons in the toast notification to send the caller a text or decline the call.

This new feature works as long as you have installed Cortana on your Android device, and you have enabled all the Cortana cross-device features on the Sync notifications settings.

Cortana's Notebook

Inside the Cortana's Notebook, you won't find a lot of changes, but you'll now find a new Connected Home section that allows you to add different smart home services to allow the assistant to control smart devices around the house.

The setup is a straightforward process, you simply need to turn on of the Enable Connected Home toggle switch to allow Cortana to help you manage smart devices. Currently, Cortana's Connected Home functionality works with five services, including Wink, Insteon, Nest, SmartThings, and Hue.

Additional Cortana improvements

Other interesting improvements coming to Cortana in this new release of Windows 10, include support for dedicated speaker devices, such as the Harman Kardon Invoke expected to be available in the fall 2017.

Microsoft is also enabling the ability to link your phone to your PC to pick up a website where you left off using the new Continue to PC feature. While this isn't particularly a Cortana feature, it's now something that connects and works through Cortana.

Wrapping things up

While these Cortana features are part of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, because the assistant can get updates from the cloud at any time, some of the new changes may have already appeared on Windows 10 even before the new version was officially available to everyone.

What do you think about the progress Microsoft is making with its digital assistant? Tell us in the comments.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

Are you stuck trying to install the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update? Use this guide to learn which are the most common problems and the steps to fix them.

The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709) has arrived, and it's slowly rolling out to millions of desktops, laptops, and tablets around the world. This new release is the fourth feature update that Microsoft is making available, and it includes a new set of features and changes.

The only caveat is that feature updates are not your usual quality updates that release every other week, and the chances to come across problems during and after the installation are much higher.

Although Microsoft has been getting much better on releasing more stable versions of Windows 10 out of the gate and prioritizing which devices are getting the update first, building software that will run on countless different hardware configurations is not an easy task. As a result, it's expected that during the early days some devices (especially if you're upgrading older machines manually) may stumble upon bugs, error messages, and a number of other issues.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through a number of fixes and workarounds to successfully install the Fall Creators Update on your desktop, laptop, or tablet.

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update problems and fixes

Before diving into this guide, it's worth pointing out that during the installation of a new feature update, you may come across two types of issues. Depending on the path you take to upgrade, you may see errors that are common issues that are not bugs, and you may also come across errors which could be caused by bugs.

This guide features recommendations and solutions for both types of scenarios.

• How to fix Windows Update problems with the Fall Creators Update
• How to fix USB bootable media problems with the Fall Creators Update
• How to fix storage problems with the Fall Creators Update
• How to fix software and hardware compatibility problems with the Fall Creators Update
• How to fix problems finalizing the Fall Creators Update installation
• How to properly install the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

How to fix Windows Update problems with the Fall Creators Update

How to fix Windows Update errors downloading installation files

About this problem

If you see the 0x800F0922 error message, it could mean that your computer isn't connecting to the Microsoft update servers, or there might not be enough available space in the System Reserved partition.

Solution

You can try to resolve this problem by making sure your device isn't disconnected from the internet. Error 0x800F0922 may appear if you're using a VPN connection. If this is the case, disconnecting the device will help to update your system.

It rarely happens, but sometimes applications, such as security software, may store data in the System Reserved partition which may prevent your device from updating.

You can use third-party tools to resize the partition and make it larger (at least 500MB).

How to fix Windows Update errors during installation

About this problem

During the installation process of a new update, you may get an error that will prevent Windows Update from installing the latest version.

Solution

While there are a number of reasons that can cause this problem, usually, you can use the Windows Update troubleshooter to reset the service.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Troubleshoot.
4. Select the Windows Update troubleshooter.

5. Click the Run the troubleshooter button.

6. Click Apply this fix if applicable to resolve the issue.

In the case your device generates a 0x80245006 error, then it indicates that files required are missing or damaged. The Windows Update troubleshooter can help you to fix this issue as well.

If the troubleshooter couldn't resolve the problem, you can also try upgrading to version 1709 using the Media Creation Tool.

How to fix unexpected error during installation update download

About this problem

When an unexpected problem is found as your device is trying to download the new feature update using Windows Update, you're likely to see the error 0x80190001.

Solution

If you see this error message, you can try using the Disk Cleanup tool to delete the temporary installation files and try again, but using the Media Creation Tool is the best option to update to the Fall Creators Update.

You can use these steps to clear temporary files or to free up space on your device with the Disk Cleanup tool:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for cleanmgr and click the result to open Disk Cleanup.
3. If you have multiple drives, select the C: drive.
4. Click OK.

5. Click the Clean up system file button.

6. If you have multiple drives, Click OK, making sure the C: drive is selected.

7. Depending on the scenario, select the files you want to delete, including:

   • Recycle Bin.
   • Temporary Internet Files.
   • Temporary Files.
   • System error memory dump files.
   • Previous Windows Installation.
   • Temporary Windows installation files.
   • Windows Setup temporary files.

8. Click OK.

9. Click the Delete Files button to complete the task.

Once you've completed the steps, proceed to install the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update one more time.

How to fix USB bootable media problems with the Fall Creators Update

How to fix updates not downloading using Media Creation Tool

About this problem

If you're trying to use the Media Creation Tool to upgrade to the latest release of Windows 10, sometimes it might get stuck trying to download updates before the installation begins.

Solution

The quickest workaround for this problem is to restart the Media Creation Tool, and then proceed with the on-screen instructions as directed. However, after the application finishes downloading the files, quickly disconnect your device from the network by unplugging the network cable or turning off the Wi-Fi adapter.

Disconnecting from the network will cause your device to timeout trying to download the updates, which will cause the Media Creation Tool to skip the step and continue with the installation.

Once the device has been upgraded to the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, and you're in the out-of-box experience (OOBE) finishing the setup, reconnect your device to the network. Then the final thing left to do is to go Settings> Update & Security> Windows Update, and click the Check for Updates button to install any missing updates.

How to fix installation errors using Media Creation Tool

About this problem

When using the Media Creation Tool to do an in-place upgrade, you may get a DynamicUpdate error message, and even after restarting the application your device will get stuck trying to download the files.

Solution

The workaround to install the new version of Windows 10 is to launch the install process manually.

1. Open File Explorer.

2. Navigate to the following path:

   C:\$Windows.~WS\Sources\Windows\sources

3. Double-click the Setupprep.exe to launch the update process again.

Once you've completed the steps, follow the on-screen directions to upgrade to the latest release of Windows 10.

How to fix problems with a USB installation media

About this problem

If you're using a USB bootable media to do an in-place upgrade or clean installation with the Windows 10 Fall Creators update, the installation may fail due to corrupted files on the installation media.

Solution

Redownload the ISO file and recreate the USB bootable media again. If you're using the Media Creation Tool, use the Disk Cleanup tool and delete the Windows Setup temporary files before re-downloading the installation files, and then use the application to create a bootable media one more time. (If you skip the Disk Cleanup step, you're likely to see the same problem again.)

How to fix update isn't applicable to your device problem

About this error

You may see this error message when trying to upgrade:

• Error: The update isn't applicable to your computer.

This means that your computer doesn't have the necessary updates installed to support the new version.

Windows 10 always updates automatically, but if your device hasn't been connected to the internet for a while, and you're trying to use a bootable media to upgrade, you may stumble upon this issue.

Solution

Simply make sure to install the latest updates before trying to upgrade, using these steps:

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

4. Click the Check for update button.

Alternatively, you can install the required updates manually using these instructions.

How to fix storage problems with the Fall Creators Update

How to fix storage issues during installation

About this problem

If there isn't enough available space to complete the installation, Windows 10 will fail the process, and you'll see one of these error messages:

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

Solution

You can resolve this issue by connecting a removable storage device with at least 8GB of available space that Windows 10 can use as temporary storage to complete the installation.

Alternatively, you can use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool to free up space by deleting temporary files and files in the recycle bin.

Important: If you use the Disk Clean up tool, remember not to delete "Windows Setup temporary files," because these are the files needed to install the new version of Windows 10 on your computer.

How to fix damaged or missing files during installation

About this problem

If your computer generates the 0x80073712 error message while trying to install the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, some of the files required to install the new version are missing or damaged.

Solution

Use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool to delete the Windows Setup temporary files, and use Windows Update to install the new version of Windows 10.

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

4. Click the Check for updates button.

If this workaround doesn't fix the problem, you can try to install the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update using the Media Creation Tool.

How to fix software and hardware compatibility problems with the Fall Creators Update

How to fix compatibility problems during installation

About this problem

The 0x800F0923 error message indicates that an app or driver isn't compatible with the upgrade process.

Usually, the problem can be caused by the graphics driver, but it could also be an older driver installed in your computer. In addition, the error can indicate a compatibility issue with an older program not designed for Windows 10 or security software like your third-party antivirus (excluding Microsoft's Windows Defender Antivirus).

Solution

The solution to this should be a straightforward process. Install the latest update or uninstall the driver or application causing the problem. However, if your device is working properly with the current version of Windows 10, it may not be easy to identify what's causing the issue using Windows Update.

If you're seeing this issue on your device, you can use the Media Creation Tool to upgrade, and during the process, the application will let you know the driver or program causing Windows 10 to fail.

In the case that the driver is the latest available, and it's the one causing the problem, you should consider uninstalling it, then go through the installation process, and after the upgrade, you can reinstall the driver in question.

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager and click the result.
3. Expand the device category causing the issue.

4. Right-click the device and click Uninstall.

5. Follow the on-screen directions to finish removing the driver.

After completing the steps, use your preferred method to install the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.

In the case that the error message can be traced to an application, make sure to check the software company support website to download the latest update. However, if there isn't a new update available, you should consider uninstalling the application and reinstalling after the upgrade.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Apps & features.

4. Select the app with the problem and click the Uninstall button.

5. Follow the on-screen directions to complete the process.

How to fix driver problems during installation

About this problem

If there is a problem with a device driver installed on your computer, you'll see one of these error messages:

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

It's worth noting that error messages listed above are just some of the possible errors, and you may encounter other errors that start with the same 0xC1900101 code.

Solution

When you see one of these error messages, depending on your system configuration, the solution may have different instructions. Here are five workarounds you can try.

Install updated driver

The quickest way to resolve this issue is to install the latest driver version, which you can download from your hardware support website.

After downloading the files, try their recommended steps first, but you can always use these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager and click the result.
3. Expand the device category causing the problem (likely to appear with a yellow exclamation mark).

4. Right-click and select Update Driver Software to check for updates. Or you can click the Uninstall button to remove the device and suppress the error message.

Disconnect device

Sometimes the problem will happen with the peripheral you have connected to your device. In this case, you don't have to go through the tedious process of updating the driver, just disconnect the peripheral and reconnect it after the upgrade.

In fact, you should always disconnect non-essential peripherals, such as printers, Bluetooth devices, and removable storage to help the installation go smoother.

Run System File Checker command

You can try using the System File Checker (SFC) built-in command to repair your system before the upgrade.

Alternatively, you can use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command, which is a more advanced tool to fix issues with your current installation.

Free up storage space

It could also be the case that you're getting one of these errors because there is not enough space available on your computer to complete the upgrade.

The Windows 10 installation requires at least 16GB of available space. If you're running out of space, use the Disk Cleanup tool to free up storage.

Upgrade manually

If nothing has worked, as a last resort you should try using the Media Creation Tool to perform a clean installation of version 1709.

How to fix app compatibility problems during installation

About this problem

The 0xC1900208 – 0x4000C error message means that the device has an incompatible application, and it's preventing the upgrade to complete successfully.

Solution

The fastest way to prevent the error message from appearing is to uninstall any application that may be causing the problem, which could include antivirus and other types of security software or traditional desktop applications that haven't been updated in a long time.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Apps & features.

4. Select the app from the list, and click the Uninstall button.

Then follow the on-screen direction to complete the removal. After the upgrade, you can install those applications one more time.

How to fix problems completing installation

About this problem

During the installation process, you may get two error messages without a code, including:

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

These errors are general messages that usually appear as you try to install a "quality update" as well as during a "feature update," which can have different sets of instructions depending on what's causing the problem.

Solution

The quickest way to find out the cause of the issue is to view the update history log to see the specific error.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click on Windows Update.
4. Click the Update history link.

5. Click the link for the update that failed to install and see the error message.

Once you've identified the error, you can use the Windows Central forums, or use your preferred search engine to fix this problem.

How to fix hardware requirements errors during installation

About this problem

Usually, if you're already running Windows 10, version 1709 should also work on your device. However, depending on your system hardware configuration, your device may not meet the minimum requirements, and you'll come across one of these error messages:

• 0xC1900200 – 0x20008.
• 0xC1900202 – 0x20008.

Solution

Check that your device has the minimum hardware requirements to install Windows 10.

• Processor: 1GHz processor.
• Memory: 2GB for 32 bit or 64 bit.
• Storage: 16GB for 32 bit or 20GB for 64 bit.
• Graphics: DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver.
• Display: 800 x 600.

While most devices won't be affected by hardware requirements, it could be a problem on low-end systems. Typically, the problem is RAM, which you can upgrade to install the new version, but it might also be time to just buy a new computer.

How to fix problems finalizing the Fall Creators Update installation

How to fix licensing activation problems after installation

About this problem

Although Windows 10 does a pretty good job reactivating, there is a chance that your installation won't activate after the update, and you'll see the Windows not activated message with a 0x803F7001 error in the Settings app.

Solution

Windows 10 includes an option in the Settings app to run the Activation Troubleshooter to reactivate your new installation automatically. (An internet connection is required to complete the process.)

How to properly install the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

Although the transition to a new version of Windows 10 should be a simple process, because creating an OS that runs on millions of devices is complex, problems are always expected (at least) in the early days.

However, there are a number of things you can do to minimize the chances of errors as you install the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.

Create backup

Windows 10 by design has a mechanism to automatically roll back any changes during the installation in case something goes wrong. However, you can't expect the feature to work every time, which is why you should always have a recovery plan that involves creating a backup of your system before trying to install Windows 10 version 1709.

If the installation process goes south, you can use the backup to revert the changes in minutes. You can use our step-by-step instructions to create a full backup of Windows 10.

Uninstall apps

An installation of a new release of Windows 10 may fail as a result of an app that is not compatible. The best way to avoid these problems is to uninstall any application you may think will cause problems (such as older desktop [win32] and security apps) before starting the upgrade process.

Uninstalling apps on Windows 10 is a straightforward process, just follow these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Apps & features.

4. Select the app you want to remove and click the Uninstall button.

Once you clicked the Uninstall button, simply follow the on-screen directions to complete the process. If you have more than one app that's causing problems, repeat the steps mentioned above to remove them.

While we're mentioning to remove your antivirus, it's assumed that you understand that it's not recommended to have your device unprotected.

If you're using the Windows Defender Antivirus, you can use these steps to disable it:

1. Open Windows Defender Security Center.
2. Click on Virus & threat protection.

3. Click the Virus & threat protection link.

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

After the upgrade, Windows Defender Antivirus will activate again automatically, or you can always install your preferred antivirus again.

Windows Firewall may also cause problems during a feature update installation, but you can always temporarily disable it using these steps:

1. Open Windows Defender Security Center.

2. Click on Firewall & network protection.

3. Click the Private (discoverable) network link.

4. Turn off the Windows Firewall toggle switch.

5. Click the Public (non-discoverable) network link.

6. Turn off the Windows Firewall toggle switch.

Stop blocking updates

If you're trying to download the new version using Windows Update, and you're running Windows 10 Pro, you also want to check that you're not blocking the Fall Creators Update from downloading on your computer.

You can check that your device is not blocking the update using the following steps:

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

3. Click the Advanced options link.

4. Under "Choose when updates are installed," make sure that settings are configured to Current Branch and 0 days for both of the deferred options.

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

On Windows 10, a device that uses a metered connection will be excluded from getting the new release. If you have a limited internet connection, make sure you have enough data in your plan or connect to an unlimited network connection and disable metered connection for your Wi-Fi or Ethernet network adapter.

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

3. Click on Wi-Fi or Ethernet.

4. Click the network connection you're using.

5. Turn off the Set as metered connection toggle switch.

Remove non-essential drives

Sometimes your computer won't be able to upgrade to a new version, because of hardware or driver compatibility problems with connected peripherals.

Before installing the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709), it's a good idea to disconnect peripherals that are not essential during the process. This means that you should disconnect removable storage devices like USB flash and hard drives, SD cards, printers, scanners, and Bluetooth devices.

You only need an internet connection, display, keyboard, and mouse to upgrade your system. After the installation, you can reconnect your peripherals.

Record special settings

Users have complained in the past about losing settings after installing a new version of Windows 10. If you're using a special configuration on your device, you should record it in case you need to re-apply the same configuration.

Typically, you want to record settings, such as default applications and privacy settings, Registry tweaks, and policies configured using the Local Group Policy Editor.

Perform a clean installation

When nothing else has worked, and you still can't install the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, you can upgrade your system by doing a clean installation.

The process of performing a clean installation involves wiping the primary hard drive of your computer, deleting the current installation, settings, apps, and personal data, and then reinstalling Windows 10 with the Fall Creators Update.

In order to go through this process, you'll need to download the Media Creation Tool to create a bootable media that you can use to start your device to install the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. You can check our guide to get the step-by-step instructions to do a clean installation of Windows 10 on your computer.

Wrapping things up

While every new release of Windows 10 is meant to improve and address the shortcomings of the previous version, keep in mind that it's not easy to build a bug-free OS, and initially there are chances that you may come across issues during and after the installation.

Microsoft is aware that unexpected problems may occur, which is why the company always begins rolling out the update at a slow pace to devices that are known to work with the new version first and then pushes it to other devices only when the update is ready.

If you're planning to jump to the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update as soon as it comes out, remember that the best way to upgrade is to wait until it's automatically offered to you through Windows Update to minimize the risk of problems.

When installing the new version, if you experience any errors, bugs, or a unique issue that you're able to figure out, you can help other users by noting the problem and solution in the comments. Or better yet, you can use the Windows Central forums to share the knowledge or ask for help.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

The Settings app gets better with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, and in this guide, we'll show you everything you need to know.

Alongside all the new features and improvements Windows 10 is introducing with the Fall Creators Update, this new release also delivers a lot of changes in the Settings app.

In this new version, the experience to customize system-level features and personalization options continues to improve bringing new features and tweaks to the interface with Fluent Design elements. Cortana's settings are now also part of the experience, more Control Panel features have been migrated over, and a lot more.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll give you a closer look at the changes the Fall Creators Update is bringing to the Settings app.

What's new in Settings

Starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, the Settings app includes an updated interface featuring Reveal highlight element, part of the Microsoft Fluent Design System. (This new improvement is more noticeable while using the system dark theme, but it's also present when using the light color scheme.)

Also, in this release, the Settings app makes it a bit easier for users to learn more about the options available with tips, videos, and more related links on the right side.

While you'll see the new help across the experience, videos are only available in some pages, such as in Notifications & actions, Multitasking, and Color & high contrast pages.

There are two new sections, including Phone and Cortana.

The Phone section still under development, but it allows you to connect your phone to your computer to enable cross-devices experiences. And the new Cortana section includes all the options previously available when opening the settings in the Taskbar.

Along with these new changes, the Settings app includes updates to some pages and introduces new options.

Here are all the new improvements you'll find in the Settings app in more detail:

• System
• Phone
• Network & Internet
• Personalization
• Apps
• Accounts
• Gaming
• Easy of Access
• Cortana
• Privacy
• Windows Update

System

On Settings> System, the Display page now includes settings for HDR monitors. Unless you have a display with support for HDR, you won't see the settings.

On Settings> System, the Battery page removes the settings to optimize battery life. This option is now located in the new "Video playback" page.

On Settings> System> Storage, the Storage sense page has been updated, and now options are arranged with check marks instead of toggle switches.

Storage sense now introduces a new option to delete files inside the Downloads folders that haven't changed in the last 30 days.

Additionally, after each upgrade, you can now remove the previous version of Windows 10 when you're running low on space.

On Settings> System, the Remote Desktop page is new, and it allows you to configure your device to allow remote access connections using the Remote Desktop app or the built-in Remote Desktop Connection utility.

Once the feature is enabled, the Settings app will surface additional information, including your computer's name to connect from a remote host, and a link to access the "Advanced settings".

In the Advanced settings page, you'll get access to configure network level authentication, and you can also see the current port your device is using.

On Settings> System, the About page has been redesigned to show you the protection status of your device with information from Windows Defender.

The information available on this page has been rearranged and divided into two sections. Under "Device specifications," you'll find an overview of your device hardware and the button to rename your computer, and under "Windows specifications," will be listed the edition, version, and OS build information of Windows 10.

Phone

On Settings, the Phone section is new, and it contains a Phone page that allows linking your iPhone or Android phone with your computer using the same Microsoft account to enable cross-device web-browsing.

When you link your phone to your computer, you can quickly share a link from your phone and pick up where you left off on your computer.

This feature still under development, but Microsoft is expected to include more features in the future.

Network & Internet

On Settings> Network & Internet> Status, the "Network status" section shows whether your connection is set to Private network or Public network.

On Settings> Network & Internet, the Wi-Fi and Ethernet properties pages removes the "Make this PC discoverable" section and replaces it with two radio buttons to select whether the network profile should be Public or Private.

Also, you'll find a link to configure the firewall and security settings using Windows Defender.

On Settings> Network & Internet> Data usage, inside the Usage details page, you'll now find a a Reset usage stats button to clear the stats manually.

While it's a small change, previously, many users using a limited internet connection needed to use a less than friendly workaround to reset the counters.

Personalization

On Settings> Personalization, the Start page doesn't include new options, but the page no longer shows the desktop preview. Instead, it'll only be shown on the Themes page.

On Settings> Personalization, the Taskbar page introduces a new section to manage My People settings, including the ability to disable the feature entirely, and control notifications and sounds.

Apps

On Settings> Apps, the Apps & features page doesn't include new features, but now it lists Microsoft Edge, and while you can't uninstall the browser, inside the "Advanced options" page, you'll find two new options to reset and repair the web browser.

You can use the Repair button to resolve issues without losing your data. If the repair doesn't fix the problem, you can then use the Reset button, which will reset the browser, and delete your history, cookies, and settings.

On Settings> Apps, the Video playback page is new on the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, and it allows you to change video settings for apps that use the playback capability built on Windows 10.

The new page includes settings to control HDR video streams, options to allow Windows 10 to enhance video automatically, and an option to play videos at a lower resolution to save bandwidth.

Also, in this page, you'll find the battery options to optimize video playback for quality or battery life. These options were previously located in the Battery settings page.

Accounts

On Settings> Accounts, the Sign-in options page, under "Privacy" includes a new Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device after an update or restart toggle switch.

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

Using this new feature not only speeds up the boot experience, but Windows 10 will also be able to restore accessibility apps and other apps that have been designed to restart automatically in this type of scenario.

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

Gaming

On Settings> Gaming, the Game DVR page adds a Record game audio only option under "Recorded audio" that allows you to prevent to record your voice during game recording.

On Settings> Gaming, the Broadcasting page adds a Broadcast game audio only under "Broadcast audio" to broadcast only the game's audio and not the audio for the entire system.

On Settings> Gaming, the Game Mode page no longer includes a toggle switch to turn off the feature. The page now only reads "This PC supports Game Mode" message.

On Settings> Gaming, the TruePlay page is new, and it includes an anti-cheating feature for Xbox Live. Microsoft has yet to share more details on how it works.

On Settings> Gaming, the Xbox Networking page is new to the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, and introduces a tool that allows you to troubleshoot and fix issues with voice chatting and problems preventing you from playing multiplayer games on Xbox Live.

The page includes connection status, network performance, and information about Xbox Live NAT type and server connectivity.

Easy of Access

On Settings> Easy of Access, the Magnifier page there is a new settings control for magnification zoom level. New options, such as "Invert colors" and "Enable bitmap smoothing" to improve scaling. It's also possible to change the magnifier mode to fullscreen, docked, and lens.

In addition, the page also includes a list of all keyboard shortcuts you can use with the magnifier.

On Settings> Easy of Access, the "High contrast" page has been renamed to Color & high contrast, and it introduces color filters that work at at the system level, and they allow people with color blindness to see the difference between colors (e.g., red and green). Additionally, this feature makes it much easier for users with light sensitivity to consume and create content.

Color filters available in this version, include grayscale, invert, grayscale inverted, deuteranopia, protanopia, and tritanopia.

Cortana

Starting with the Fall Creators Update, it's easier to find and manage Cortana settings because they're now located in the Settings app.

On Settings> Cortana, the Talk to Cortana page is new, and it's the equivalent to the main settings page previously accessible from the Taskbar.

Inside "Talk to Cortana," you'll find all the basic settings to configure the assistant, including the option to enable "Hey Cortana," listen mode keyboard shortcut, and Cortana above the Lock screen, and you can also pick Cortana's default language.

On Settings> Cortana, the Permissions & History page is new and includes the settings to changes search filter options, device and search history, and a new option called "Cloud Search" that allows to you omit cloud content when doing a search.

Clicking the Manage the information Cortana can access from this device link will take you to another page where you can control permissions, including Location, Contacts, email, calendar & communication history, and Browsing history.

If you need to control the data Cortana collects about you, you'll need to click the Change what Cortana knows about me in the cloud link, which will open the old experience in the Taskbar where you can get more information and the option to delete your data.

In the "Permissions" page, you'll also find a Manage the information Cortana can access from other devices link, which you can use to connect to other services like Office 365, Xbox Live, Dynamics CRM, and several others.

On Settings> Cortana, the Notifications page is new, and it includes an option to turn Cortana notifications on or off. You can also click the Manage notifications button to access related settings using the old Taskbar experience.

On Settings> Cortana, the More details page is also new, and it doesn't include anything interesting other than links to privacy information and how Cortana connects with Bing.

Privacy

On Settings> Privacy, the General page includes a new Show me suggested content in the Settings app option, but Microsoft has yet to share details about this switch.

On Settings> Privacy, Automatic file downloads is an additional page part of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update that allows you to unblock apps (e.g., OneDrive, Dropbox, Photos, etc.) that you previously blocked from downloading files from the cloud.

Update & Security

On Settings> Update & Security, the Windows Update page has been updated with tweaks and new features.

Alongside renaming the "Update history" link to "View installed update history", in the new Advanced options page for "Delivery Optimization," Windows Update introduces the ability to control how much bandwidth Windows 10 can use to download system and apps updates.

Starting with version 1709, you can manually set how much bandwidth is used for downloading and uploading updates in the background.

Once you enable the feature, you can use the slider to specify the exact percentage you want to reserve for downloads. You can't just slide the option all the way down to zero to block updates. You can only go as low as five percent.

If you're allowing Windows 10 to download and upload updates from other PCs rather than just from Microsoft's servers, you can not only limit the upload bandwidth, but it's also possible to set a monthly upload limit.

In the "Delivers Optimization" page, you'll also find a link to a new Activity monitor page where you can see monthly update download and upload statistics. The information available includes stats of data downloaded from the Microsoft servers, from PCs on your local network or from the internet.

Since the upload only comes from other PCs on the network, you won't see any information coming from the Microsoft update servers.

Another interesting option is the ability to allow Windows 10 to download updates even when a metered connection is enabled. This new option is found inside the Windows Update advanced options page under "Pause Updates." (Use this option carefully as charges may apply.)

Additional changes

Mixed reality

If you have a computer set up for Mixed reality, in this new version of Windows 10, the Settings app introduces a few improvements.

On Settings> Mixed reality, the Audio and speech page has been updated, and now, it removes the previous drop-down menus in favor of toggle switch options to control audio and microphone.

On Settings> Mixed reality, the Environment page is new, and it allows you to quickly reset the apps and content in the Windows Mixed Reality home to its default settings.

On Settings> Mixed reality, the Headset display page now is divided into two sections and adds a new option to adjust your headset's visual settings.

Eye Control

Starting with Windows 10 version 1709, Microsoft is also introducing Eye Control, a new feature that allows people with disability to control an on-screen mouse, keyboard, and text-to-speech tool using only their eyes.

Once you've connected the required hardware (e.g., Tobii Eye Tracker), you'll see a new option on Settings> Easy of Access> Other options to turn on Eye Control (beta).

Wrapping things up

While the changes found in the Settings app are smaller than the ones found in the previous release, in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, the Settings app includes a handful of welcome additions and migrates more features from Control Panel that further improves the experience.

What do you think about the new changes? Tell us in the comments.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

Windows Mixed Reality is here, but what can it be used for?

Microsoft's Technical Fellow (and VR whiz) Alex Kipman, speaking at a Windows Mixed Reality (WMR) event at the start of October, explained how the next "revolution of computing" is on its way. While we aren't in a world of pure virtual experiences quite yet, Microsoft is contributing to the revolution with a Windows Mixed Reality platform, which has most recently seen the release of immersive headsets from Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and — coming soon — Samsung. If you happened to pick up a headset, you might be wondering exactly what you can do with it once it's on your head. Let's take a look!

Live inside of a virtual world

The first thing you'll likely see when you don the headset (after you go through the set up) is your home base, which is called Cliff House. This area already contains a bunch of cool 3D objects, and you can add more by using the Holograms app (free).

You'll notice a bunch of screens already inhabiting the walls of the house, which you can customize and add to. Using the quick access menu (press the Xbox button on your gamepad, the Windows key on your keyboard, or the left menu button on your motion controller), you can place UWP apps anywhere in the house in the form of a screen. The screens will stay there until you need to use them, in which case they'll come alive or, if they're a full 3D experience, will transport you away to a different virtual world.

Microsoft recently acquired Altspace VR, bringing the team that designed the awesome social app over to work on building community features within Windows Mixed Reality. Did you set up your space in a funky way using the Holograms app? You'll no doubt one day be able to invite your friends over to check it out.

Until then, there are apps like vTime (free), which let you hang out with other friends across VR platforms in virtual worlds of your choosing. Create a lifelike avatar, use virtual gestures to express yourself, and start adding people to a friends list. If you like to take 360-degree photos, you can import them into vTime and show them off to others.

Travel around the globe

One of the most exciting parts of WMR is the ability to experience faraway locales without ever leaving your home. With an app like HoloTour (free), you're able to move around freely in places like Machu Picchu and Rome, interacting with holographic scenery and a 360-degree video.

Along the way, tour guide Melissa explains exactly what you're seeing, so you can be sure you aren't missing anything. There will no doubt be more travel apps and more locations to visit in the near future, but HoloTour is an excellent introduction to virtual backpacking.

Watch 3D, 360-degree videos

Video in 3D, 360-degree glory is truly something to behold. You really feel like you're standing in the middle of whatever is being shown, and the message of the media often seems a lot clearer. There are already several apps that feature immersive VR content; these experiences within were created for VR, and so they deliver something above and beyond what we're used to on a regular 2D screen. Apps like Inception, Jaunt, Littlstar, and RYOT deliver hard-hitting pieces about our environment, war, culture, and entertainment. Hulu has even come on board with a new VR app, offering all their content on an enormous screen, as well as two timed exclusives: The Driver and A Curious Mind.

• Hulu VR (free)
• Inception VR (free)
• Jaunt VR (free)
• Littlstar VR Cinema (free)
• NextVR (free)
• Pixvana 360 Video Player (free)
• RYOT (free)
• SLIVER.tv (free)
• Youku VR (free)

If you love sports and live music, definitely check out NextVR, which offers events in full 360-degree format. If you love eSports, SLIVER.tv is a great way to watch your favorite matches of CS:GO (and many others) from inside the game itself.

The Movies & TV Windows 10 app also works within WMR, and can play 360-degree content without a problem. If you'd simply like to sit back and watch your favorite 2D movies or TV shows on an enormous screen, this is the place to do it.

Take in unique experiences only found in VR

The advent of VR has created a new form of entertainment that rests somewhere between your standard video media and a video game. These interactive experiences are sometimes educational, sometimes thrilling, and sometimes moving. They often offer a glimpse into a popular world — take Halo Recruit and Ghostbusters VR as examples — or they'll transport you to a place where humans cannot exist, like with theBlu.

• Free the Night (free preview)
• Ghostbuster VR — Now Hiring Chapter 1 (about $7)
• Halo Recruit (free)
• Land of Dinosaurs VR (about $3)
• MoveStudio (free)
• theBlu: Season 1 (about $10)
• TheRoseAndI (free)

Then you have experiences that are impossible to place into a category, like MoveStudio. Here your movements transport you through a world of art, with your limbs painting images as you move. If you like entertainment with a bit of movement and interaction, these experiences should be to your liking.

Play video games like never before

With the release of WMR comes some high-profile games, some of which Vive and Rift users have already come to love. We have here a variety of shooters, puzzlers, platformers, multiplayers, and dungeon crawlers, all waiting for you to jump inside of and get busy having fun. Here's a full list of games ready for enjoyment right now.

• Arizona Sunshine (about $40)
• Dark Legion (about $17)
• Dreadhalls (about $10)
• Fantastic Contraption (about $20)
• Headbutt Factory (about $20)
• HeadSquare (about $5)
• Heroes of the seven seas (about $7)
• Hypercade (about $5)
• inVokeR (about $15)
• Racket: Nx (about 20)
• Skyworld (about $40)
• Space Pirate Trainer (about $15)
• Stunt Kite Masters (about $10)
• SUPERHOT VR (about $25)
• Tee Time Golf (about $15)

These games deliver a full-blown VR experience, in which you are central in all the action. If you're golfing, you're really teeing off with your motion controllers, if you're shooting, both controllers become guns, and if you're casting spells, they're invoked from your virtual hands.

Don't worry about the rest of your games; just about everything you've so far been playing on your PC can be enjoyed on an enormous screen within WMR. If purchased through the Microsoft Store, the game can be opened directly through the quick access menu and placed somewhere in your world. If you'd like to enjoy, say, a Steam game, open a desktop viewer window and launch the game. We enjoyed some Age of Empires 2 while in the Cliff House!

Don't forget, you can use Xbox One game streaming to also enjoy your Xbox games within WMR.

How to stream Xbox One games to Windows 10

Are you enjoying what Windows Mixed Reality has to offer?

Are you spending more time in a virtual world than in the real world? Which experience or game is so far your favorite? Let us know in the comments section! Also, be sure to check out our other WMR resources.

• Everything we know so far about Windows Mixed Reality
• New to Windows Mixed Reality? Here's how to get started!
• How to set up your WIndows Mixed Reality playspace
• What is Windows Mixed Reality Ultra?
• Windows Mixed Reality minimum PC requirements
• Everywhere you can buy a Windows Mixed Reality headset on launch day
• How to build a PC for Windows Mixed Reality
• Are all Windows Mixed Reality headsets created equal?
• Which Windows Mixed Reality mode should you choose?
• 5 things you really need to know about Windows Mixed Reality
• Comparing the specs for every Windows Mixed Reality headset

Should you choose NordVPN or VyprVPN as your provider?

Virtual Private Networks (VPN) are encrypted tunnels that shuttle data from your PC to a specific server before hitting the open internet. Why use a VPN? They provide a bit of privacy in an environment that is heavily monitored. NordVPN and VyprVPN are both top options when it comes to VPN providers, but there are some important things to know about each that can help you decide between the two.

See at VyprVPNSee at NordVPN

VyprVPN is upfront with the logs it keeps

VPNs are designed to add privacy to your online experience, so you want to keep track of what your VPN provider knows about you.

It is stated in Golden Frog's (VyprVPN's parent company) privacy policy that some information is kept for 30 days, including your IP address, the VyprVPN server's IP address, the amount of data used, and the connection start and stop times.

VyprVPN privacy policy: What is recorded

It also mentions all the things that it does not collect, which helps quell some fears of VyprVPN keeping too much information about you.

VyprVPN privacy policy: What isn't recorded

On the other hand, NordVPN's privacy policy states that it keeps absolutely no logs other than your email address and payment data. If you're concerned about your privacy and want the least amount of information collected, it appears that NordVPN is your go-to choice.

NordVPN privacy policy

NordVPN has more servers

NordVPN offers uses 1,294 servers spread across 60 countries. It also offers specialized servers, with features like double VPN, anti-DDOS, P2P, and Onion over VPN.

VyprVPN offers more than 700 servers in more than 60 countries and boasts over 200,000 individual IP addresses. This is still a reasonably wide selection, but note that P2P is not allowed when using VyprVPN.

VyprVPN has a Chameleon connection protocol

When it comes to connecting securely, both VPN providers offer PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, and OpenVPN protocols. NordVPN also offers the IKEv2/IPsec protocol, while VyprVPN does not.

However, VyprVPN has an extra protocol, which is the proprietary Chameleon. It's especially useful for those living under oppressive governments, as it is designed to hide the fact that you're using a VPN at all. Based on OpenVPN's 256-bit encryption, Chameleon can help you get around bandwidth throttling and government censorship that would otherwise be sniffed out with deep packet inspection.

NordVPN lets you simultaneously use more devices

No matter what type of NordVPN plan you choose, you can use up to six devices simultaneously. NordVPN can also be set up on specific routers to provide an entire home or office with VPN protection.

Depending on the VyprVPN plan you choose — basic or premium — you'll be able to use either three or five devices simultaneously. That's less than NordVPN, but VyprVPN has a router app that can be used with Tomato-based devices.

NordVPN and VyprVPN do not have bandwidth limits

Whether you choose to go with NordVPN or VyprVPN, neither provider puts a cap on bandwidth, and neither will they throttle your speed.

Because of the nature of a VPN — you're sending your data to a server before it hits the open internet — you will likely see a slower speed than you're used to at certain times. Overall, though, speeds should remain where you're used to seeing them, and you won't have to worry about using too much data.

NordVPN offers more pricing plans and is cheaper

NordVPN subscription options

There are three NordVPN plans to choose from, each with a 30-day refund guarantee if you aren't satisfied. The cheapest offering from NordVPN is its yearly plan, billed once at about $69. All NordVPN pricing plans include all NordVPN features, and you can use Bitcoin to pay, something VyprVPN does not offer.

VyprVPN pricing plans

VyprVPN offers basic and premium plans, with two payment options for each. If you'd like to use all features that VyprVPN offers, you're going to want to go with the premium offering, which costs about $80 for an annual subscription (billed once), or about $13 on a monthly basis.

If you want to go for a cheaper VyprVPN plan, the basic option — which doesn't include features like the Chameleon protocol and VyprVPN Cloud — costs about $60 for a full year and about $10 on a monthly basis. VyprVPN offers a free trial, but it lasts just three days.

See at VyprVPNSee at NordVPN

More VPN resources

• See our NordVPN review
• See our VyprVPN review
• 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

Windows 10 now supports color filters to help users see elements on the screen more clearly. In this guide, we show you the steps to set it up.

Alongside the new set of features and changes to make you more productive and secure, the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update also introduces a few new improvements to make the OS a little more accessible for users with disabilities, and "color filters" is one of them.

Color filters are designed to make it easier for Windows 10 users with color blindness to see the difference between colors and help those with light sensitivity to work with applications and consume content. In addition, color filters work at the system level, which means that they will not only work with Windows 10 elements but also with apps, including traditional (Win32) desktop programs and apps from the Windows Store.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to apply a color filter to improve the usability of the OS on your device with the Fall Creators Update.

How to apply a color filter on Windows 10

Applying a system level color filter on Windows 10 is a straightforward process. Just follow these easy steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Ease of Access.
3. Click on Color & high contrast.
4. Under "Color filters," turn on the Apply color filter toggle switch.

5. Use the drop-down menu to select the color filter you need to use. Available filters include:

   • Grayscale

   • Invert

   • Grayscale Inverted

   • Deuteranopia

   • Protanopia

   • Tritanopia

Once you've completed these steps, the filter will apply to your device automatically to help you see elements on the screen more clearly.

At any time, you can use the Windows key + Ctrl + C keyboard shortcut to enable or disable color filters on Windows 10 on demand without having to open the Settings app.

Color filters are available starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709). If you can't find it, chances are that you don't have the latest release installed on your device.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

Microsoft Edge introduces additional features and a slew of minor tweaks with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, and here's everything you need to know.

Alongside the new features and changes included in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, Microsoft is also delivering a number of improvements to the Edge web browser.

In this new version, Microsoft Edge revamps the look and feel with elements of the new Fluent Design System. It improves support for PDF and EPUB files. There is an updated experience to manage your favorites. You can finally pin sites to the taskbar, and there are several new tweaks under-the-hood to enhance the overall experience and save battery life.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll give you a closer look at the most important changes that you'll find with Microsoft Edge for the Fall Creators Update.

Microsoft Edge new features and improvements

Fluent Design

Microsoft Edge receives some noticeable visual changes around the frame using Fluent Design elements. Starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, the browser uses Acrylic material across the tab bar and other controls adding transparency and a sense of depth.

PDF support

In this new version, the browser introduces better support for PDF files.

Along with previously available PDF reader features, it's now possible to edit, print, and save PDF forms on the web, or files locally stored on your device.

You've been able to annotate web pages since the browser was first introduced with Windows 10, but starting with the Fall Creators Update, Windows Ink is also expanding to PDF files with features like a ballpoint pen and touch writing, highlighter, and eraser.

On long documents, Microsoft Edge can now display its table of contents for easier navigation. If the file includes this feature, you'll see a Table of Contents button on the top-left side of the PDF toolbar, which you can click to quickly jump to a particular part of the file.

When working with scanned documents that don't have the proper orientation, you can now use the option on the top-right corner of the toolbar to rotate the file.

In the toolbar, you'll also find a new Layout menu with options to switch between one-page to two-page layout, and an option to use continuous scrolling.

Another interesting feature with this update is the ability of Microsoft Edge to read PDF files aloud. The option is available in the toolbar or using the Ctrl + Alt + R keyboard shortcut. While using this feature, you will get access to controls, including to play/pause, jump to the next or previous line, and an option to change the voice and speed.

In addition, when working with PDFs, selecting text will get you access to a new context menu that allows you to use the highlighter, copy, ask Cortana or add notes.

EPUB support

Microsoft Edge is also getting better handling EPUB files. Alongside internal improvements, starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, you can now annotate EPUBs using highlighter, underlining, and adding comments.

You can use these new annotation features by selecting text on the e-book to access a new context menu with options to use the highlighter, underline text, copy, ask Cortana, and add notes.

Additionally, when creating notes, you can use the keyboard or Windows Ink using your digital pen. (Though, it's not possible to use your pen to annotate directly into a page like in PDF files.)

If you're reading books you've purchased from the Windows Store, then your reading progress, bookmarks, and notes will sync automatically across devices.

Favorites improvements

This new version of the default web browser for Windows 10 is also updating the Favorites experience with a new folder-three view that you can drill-down to quickly select where you want to save a new link, instead of using a drop-down menu.

Saving a new favorite, you'll also notice a new animation making it clear that your link got saved in your Favorites list.

Additionally, it's now possible to right-click and select Edit URL on saved link from favorites bar to modify the site URL.

Finally, when accessing the right-context menu for tabs, you'll find a new option to Add tabs to favorites, which when selected will create a new folder in Favorites with all the sites that you have open in the tab bar.

Website permissions

As more websites start supporting push notifications and location-based services, you'll see more requests for permissions to enable notifications, access to camera, or track your location. In order to help manage the permissions you grant to the sites you visit, Microsoft Edge now introduces a new Show site information page to review permissions.

Once you've upgraded to the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, on any website, you can click the lock or "i" icon on the right-side of the address bar to see and manage the site permissions.

Alternatively, you can go to Microsoft Edge settings> View advanced settings, and under Website Permissions, click the Manage button to see and change the permissions you've already granted to websites.

Microsoft Edge new 'about:flags' settings

Similar to other modern web browsers, Microsoft Edge includes an "about:flags" page with settings and experimental features meant for developers and advanced users, and this time around Edge is eliminating most of the options, instead of adding more.

On the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, when accessing "about:flags," you'll find that the page is now divided into two sections: "Developer settings" and "Standards Preview."

In the Developer settings section, the available options remain the same as before with the exception that you'll now find the "Hide my local IP address over WebRTC connections" option.

Under Standards Preview, you can control only a few experimental features, including touch events, VP9 video format, JavaScript features, service workers, standard fullscreen API, individual transforms, and CSS Masking.

Microsoft Edge new settings

In the settings page for Microsoft Edge, you won't find significant changes, but there a few new improvements. For example, in the section to import settings from other browsers, if you're switching from Chrome, you can now bring your Cookies and Settings, in addition to bookmarks, browsing history, and save passwords.

The "Advanced settings" section now adds an option to show search history, and another one to show site you frequently visit on "Top sites."

Other improvements

Along with the new enhancements, Microsoft Edge incorporates some other minor tweaks.

When launching the browser, you'll notice a new splash page that allows smoother color transitions to the Start and new tab pages.

Opening the tab preview bar your current tab stands out from the rest with a subtle highlight, while inactive tabs will show a slightly transparent preview. Also, in this new version, tabs will open and close more smoothly to feel faster and more responsive than before, and when closing tabs the close "X" button will remain clickable even when a JavaScript dialog is open.

In the main menu, you'll now find turn on to enable Read aloud, pin a page to the taskbar -- just like using Internet Explorer --, and a new button to use the browser in fullscreen mode (F11).

Buttons introduce a new click animation to feel more responsive, Hub has been updated with a new star icon, and the share experience has been tweaked to appear below the Share button, instead of in the center.

Starting with this new version, WebVR adds support for motion controllers to interact with digital objects while using virtual reality.

As part of the ongoing effort to bring Progressive Web Apps to the browser, Microsoft Edge now includes a preview of Service Workers support, which can be enabled in the about:flags page.

If you're not familiar with Service Workers, these are event-driven scripts to enable features (e.g., notifications, background sync, local storage) previously only available in native apps.

Under-the-hood Microsoft is updating the Payment Request API to match most up-to-date W3C Payment Request API specification.

The DevTools is getting a few interesting changes that developers will appreciate, including the ability to set DOM mutation breakpoints, view ancestor event listeners and CSS "@" rules in the Styles page, and more.

The Console and Debugger receive several improvements and preview support for developers to start debugging Progressive Web Apps. Also, the browser introduces support for unprefixed implementation of CSS Grid Layout, CSS properties object-fit and object-position.

Additionally, on Windows 10 Enterprise, Microsoft Edge will include Windows Defender Application Guard, which is a new feature that offers a sandbox experience for web pages to protect against zero day attacks and malware.

Image source: Microsoft

The new feature also provides data persistent, which means that once an Application Guard session is open, users will be able to safely and seamlessly access favorites, Cookies, and saved passwords.

Wrapping things up

As you can see, the new features and changes included in this version of Windows 10 are not significant, but they're welcome additions that should help to improve the experience while browsing the web and working with PDF and EPUB files.

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 what you should know about using a pre-built desktop PC.

There's an ongoing debate between those who build their own PCs and those who buy them pre-built. There's really nothing wrong with either option — both methods can and do deliver a satisfactory product — but they are not exactly the same. We've had plenty of time with custom and pre-built PCs, and we're ready to offer some insight into both sides of the argument.

Benefits of buying a pre-built desktop PC

To clarify, we're not talking about all-in-one (AiO) PCs here; we're strictly sticking to towers and the hardware inside, which requires a separate display plugged in. If you are interested in AiO PCs, check out these links.

• Best all-in-one PCs
• The benefits and downsides to buying an all-in-one PC

Pre-built PCs can be easy and cheap to buy

Most major laptop manufacturers — ASUS, Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc. — also have a focus on pre-built desktop PCs for those who don't have time to shop around for parts or those who just don't need to be hitting any benchmarks. Many people just need a budget desktop PC that can browse the internet or handle word processing, and many need it now.

Instead of waiting for sales on parts or for everything to finally arrive from different vendors, you can grab a pre-built budget PC from one place and promptly have it working for you. These budget PCs usually come in a few configurations and price points, making it somewhat possible to get close to what you want.

See the best pre-built desktop PCs

Pre-built PCs come with a warranty

Most pre-built desktop PCs you buy new will come with a warranty, which means in the case of a faulty piece of hardware inside you can ship the entire thing away and not have to worry about diagnosing the problem yourself. This provides a bit of peace-of-mind for those who have no interest in tinkering with their PC, but there is a downside.

If you indeed do have to send your PC away for repair, you're without that PC for the duration. If you depend on that machine to get your work done, what might only have been a thirty-minute fix can turn into a week away being repaired. If you are inclined to attempt a fix yourself, you might not even be able to get inside the case lest you void the warranty.

Pre-built PCs come with technical support

There are thousands of legitimate online resources when it comes to getting help with your PC — including our own Windows Central forum— but dedicated technical support from a manufacturer can be the difference between a false diagnosis and getting back to work.

Sure, if there's a problem with hardware you'll likely be without a PC for a while as it's being repaired, but pretty much any other problems you have can be solved with the help of a support staff member, often in only a matter of minutes. If the idea of traversing the world of PC troubleshooting raises the hair on the back of your neck, the support that comes with a pre-built might be the deciding factor.

Downsides of buying a pre-built desktop PC

Now that we've explored the benefits of a pre-built desktop, let's take a look at why you might want to build a PC yourself the next time you're in the market for something new.

You often can't get the exact configuration you need

Having an idea in mind of what you're going to be using your PC for is a great way of sticking to your budget when shopping for something new. If you're going to be multi-tasking, you might need a bunch of RAM, but the desktop PC you're interested in only has a high-RAM configuration that also comes with a beefy graphics card (GPU) that you really won't utilize.

Sure, this is a single scenario, but overall you'll find it much harder to get exactly what you need if you decide to buy a pre-built PC. There are exceptions; Origin is known to offer some extensive configuration options, but then again you're paying a premium for the convenience.

Pre-built PCs are often harder to upgrade

When buying a pre-built PC, it's never a bad idea to look to the future. How long do you want the PC to remain relevant? Are you prepared to buy something new when it becomes underpowered or no longer suits your needs?

Unfortunately, a lot of pre-built PCs are difficult — if not impossible — to upgrade down the road. Sure, you might be able to slip in another stick of RAM or a faster solid-state drive (SSD) depending on the PC, but overall you won't have the freedom to do as much as with something you build yourself. Likewise, due to the compact size of many pre-built PC towers, adding extra parts, like a bigger GPU or a secondary storage drive, is not possible.

One faulty part can bring down an entire pre-built PC

Those who build their own PCs usually have a pretty good idea of what a faulty part looks or sounds like. They might be able to diagnose an HDD that's on its way out just by the clicking it makes, or they might be able to pick up on symptoms of a faulty power supply unit (PSU) before it has a chance to do any serious damage to other hardware.

PSUs seem to have a bit of a bad reputation in pre-built PCs, and dealing with them often means you're sending away the entire unit to be repaired instead of just buying a new PSU and swapping it out. The same holds true for other hardware as well; it can be extremely frustrating knowing the source of your problem and wanting to fix it, only you can't because it would void a warranty.

What about gaming?

Gaming PCs, both custom- and pre-built, are a bit of a different animal, though all the benefits and downsides mostly still apply. While budget and medium-range pre-built PCs can be had for a reasonable and often competitive price, once you start looking at performance hardware, prices can get a bit silly.

Windows Central Staff Reviewer (and gaming PC guru) Rich Edmonds has built plenty of custom gaming PCs, and has this to say on the subject:

When it comes to gaming PCs, it's all about performance. Performance is key to the overall system and is always at the forefront of any gamer's mind. While a new owner of a pre-built PC may not push an unlocked Intel Core-i3 processor to its limit, running intense games would, causing quite the bottleneck when paired with a capable GPU.

This is where custom PCs are generally considered to be the better choice for PC gaming, allowing you to not only save money — though prices of pre-built systems have come down — but also retain the ability to choose exactly what parts you need and easily upgrade in future.

While Rich primarily uses a PC he built from the ground up, I've been using a pre-built gaming PC for about a year, which is a big change from my usual collection of towers and parts lying around. The pre-built desktop in question is the ASUS ROG G20, designed as an Oculus-ready PC right out of the box. In my experience, there have been minimal issues with the machine, other than some random PSU issues that likely have to do with powering its own hardware as well as the stuff required for VR.

While it's been a mostly worry-free experience, the size of the case doesn't allow for the upgrades needed to keep it relevant, and cooling seems to be a bit of an issue, with no option to add any extra fans. The price is also pretty high; this PC sits at about $1,800, whereas you could no doubt build something similar or superior for hundreds less.

You can indeed find pre-built gaming PCs that have plenty of customization options and lots of room for upgrades — Alienware's Aurora is a perfect example — but again we run into an issue of spending more money for the same hardware.

What does all this mean? Pre-built PCs are a suitable option if you don't need anything that will blow the roof off performance-wise, whereas building your own PC can save you money in the long run when it comes to gaming. If you'd like to tackle building your own PC, we have an extensive guide that can help you every step of the way.

• How to build a PC: The ultimate step-by-step guide
• How to diagnose common problems with custom-built PCs
• Here's why you should build your next PC
• PC Building Simulator lets you build a custom rig without lifting a finger
• 3 easy-to-build mini PCs that can save you money

More resources

Still looking for some great pre-built PCs or more information on the topic? These links have what you need.

• Are pre-built PCs worth the extra money?
• Best pre-built desktop PC
• Best pre-built gaming PC
• Best barebones pre-built PC
• Best mini PCs

Is your OneDrive Files On-Demand feature missing after you installed the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update? Here's what you need to do to get it back.

Starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, OneDrive gets a new feature called "Files On-Demand," which lets you access your entire catalog of files stored in the cloud with File Explorer without having to download them and use local storage on your device.

In other words, OneDrive Files On-Demand is very similar to what placeholders used to be and Microsoft later deprecated, but that feature now works more intelligently.

Unfortunately, after upgrading to the new version of Windows 10, some users have been reporting that the feature is nowhere to be found. Although this may seem like a problem, it appears that Microsoft is rolling out Files On-Demand slowly and not everyone will it immediately.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the easy steps to get OneDrive Files On-Demand after upgrading to the Fall Creators Update.

How to install OneDrive Files On-Demand

You're probably not getting the feature because the upgrade process didn't install the latest version of the OneDrive client, and in order to use Files On-Demand you must have version 17.3.7064.1005 or later.

To get OneDrive Files On-Demand use these steps:

1. Download the latest available OneDrive client.
2. Double-click the OneDriveSetup.exe file to install new client.
3. Restart your computer.
4. Open Start.
5. Search for OneDrive and click the result to launch the app.
6. Follow the on-screen directions to complete the setup as necessary.
7. Right-click the OneDrive (cloud) icon in the notification area, and select Settings.

8. On the "Settings" tab, you should now see the Files On-Demand section, and make sure the Save space and download files as you use them option is checked to enable the feature.

Once you complete these steps, OneDrive Files On-Demand will be enabled on your device running the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. You can check out our guide to learn more about this feature.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update brings Cortana's options to the Settings app, and in this guide, we'll show you the steps to manage them.

Cortana is one of the biggest features of Windows 10, which has been designed to perform a wide range of tasks to help you get things done. The only caveat is that it's been rather confusing to know where to find its settings, as many users have been looking into the Settings app to customize its options. But only to realize that the assistant has its own settings page inside the app, which it's not a very obvious place.

However, the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is changing that, and it's finally relocating the Cortana customization options to the Settings app to make them more discoverable.

Cortana in the Settings app

After installing the new update, opening the Settings app, you'll notice a new Cortana section that is divided into four pages.

The Talk to Cortana page includes all the basic options, such as "Hey Cortana," the ability to enable the assistant about the Lock screen, and change language settings.

The Permissions & History page allows you to set the search filter levels, omit cloud content on searches, control history settings, and you even get the option to decide whether Cortana can access your location and other information to improve the experience.

Then there is the Notifications page, which includes the options to control sync notifications, and finally, you'll find the More details page that really doesn't include any configurable settings — just privacy details.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the new settings changes to manage and personalize your Cortana experience.

• How to enable microphone access on Cortana
• How to enable 'Hey Cortana' hands-free feature
• How to enable Cortana listening mode keyboard shortcut
• How to enable Cortana above the Lock screen
• How to change the default language on Cortana
• How to change search filters on Cortana
• How to show cloud content on search results on Cortana
• How to clear device history data on Cortana
• How to clear search history data on Cortana
• How to clear personal information on Cortana
• How to manage permissions on Cortana
• How to manage cloud services on Cortana
• How to control notifications on Cortana
• How to manage additional Cortana settings

How to enable microphone access on Cortana

If Cortana is having trouble hearing you, or you're just setting up the assistant for the first time on your PC, use the following steps to troubleshoot microphone issues:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Cortana.
3. Click on Talk to Cortana.

4. Under "Microphone," click the Check the microphone link.

5. Click the Cortana can't hear me option to set up your microphone, or click I can't hear Cortana option to troubleshoot any microphone problems.

6. Follow the on-screen directions to complete the process.

How to enable 'Hey Cortana' hands-free feature

Although you can use Cortana with your keyboard and mouse, and touch, you can also use the assistant hands-free with voice commands.

If you want to use voice commands hands-free, use the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Cortana.
3. Click on Talk to Cortana.

4. Under "Hey Cortana," turn on the Let Cortana respond to "Hey Cortana" toggle switch.

After enabling the feature, you'll notice two additional options, including Keep my device from sleeping when it's plugged in so I can always say "Hey Cortana." And an option that allows you to select whether you want Cortana to respond to anyone that says "Hey Cortana," or to train the assistant to answer only to you.

Starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is also possible to shutdown, restart, lock, and sign out of your device using these voice commands:

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

Just remember that using the commands to shutdown, restart, sign out will require a Yes voice command confirmation to complete the process.

Additionally, it should be noted that this feature will impact your device battery life, which is one of the reasons it's disabled by default.

How to enable Cortana listening mode keyboard shortcut

While you can simply enable the hands-free feature to interact with Cortana, you can also open the digital assistant in listening mode manually using a keyboard shortcut. However, you need to enable this feature using the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Cortana.
3. Click on Talk to Cortana.

4. Under "Keyboard shortcut," turn on the Let Cortana listen for my commands when I press Windows logo key + C toggle switch.

How to enable Cortana above the Lock screen

You can also use the digital assistant even if your computer is locked to ask for weather, play music, create reminders, and more without having to access your computer.

Cortana above the Lock screen should be turned on by default, but you can check or disable the feature using the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Cortana.
3. Click on Talk to Cortana.

4. Under "Keyboard shortcut," turn on the Use Cortana even when my device is locked toggle switch.

The tasks that Cortana can perform above the Lock screen are limited for security reasons, but you can always check the Let Cortana access my calendar, email, messages, and Power BI data when my device is locked option if you want the assistant to have more access above the Lock screen.

How to change the default language on Cortana

In the Cortana settings, you also get an option to select a specific region language. For example, if your device primary language is English (United States), but you're from Canada, you can configure Cortana to use English (Canada) to better understand you.

Typically, most users won't have to deal with this option, but if it's something you want to customize, you can use the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Cortana.
3. Click on Talk to Cortana.

4. Under "Cortana Language," use the drop-down menu to select the correct language.

It's worth saying that Cortana will always work best when the language selected matches the region configured on your device.

How to change search filters on Cortana

One of the best features of Cortana is the ability to offer instant search results without having to open the web browser. However, sometimes results may show content that is not suitable for the younger audience, which is the reason Cortana also offers search filters.

If the default search option is not optimal, you can change this option using the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Cortana.
3. Click on Permissions & History.

4. Under "SafeSearch," select the search filter that is more appropriate for you, including Strict, Moderate, or Off.

How to show cloud content on search results on Cortana

Starting with Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, you can prevent Cortana from showing cloud content in search results using the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Cortana.
3. Click on Permissions & History.

4. Under "Cloud Search," turn on the Windows Cloud Search toggle switch to include cloud content, such as from OneDrive in search results.

How to clear device history data on Cortana

Cortana by default collects searches you do on apps, settings, and other history from devices that you sign-in with your Microsoft account. If you want to stop the assistant from accessing this data, you can easily disable the feature and even clear the history on your device.

To turn off and clear your device history, use the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Cortana.
3. Click on Permissions & History.

4. Under "History," click the Clear my device history button.

In the same section, you can also turn off the My device history toggle switch to prevent Cortana to keep collecting on-device searches on apps, settings, and other history from other devices you sign in with a Microsoft account.

How to clear search history data on Cortana

In order to improve the experience when searching on your device, Cortana collects search history from devices you sign-in with your Microsoft account, but you can always disable the feature and clear your search history data.

To disable and remove the search history on your account, use the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Cortana.
3. Click on Permissions & History.

4. Under "History," turn off the My search history toggle switch to stop Cortana from collecting your search history.

If you want to clear your search history and customize the settings, click the Search history settings link. Then in your Bing account, you can stop recent search from appearing in Search History, you can see your recent history, and you can access the settings to manage your history in your Microsoft account.

When you click the Manage my search history link, you can clear your browsing history, as well as search history, location activity, and edit your Cortana data and the data on Microsoft Health.

How to clear personal information on Cortana

Cortana depends on information about you in the cloud, such as from messages, apps, and other sources to improve the experience, but it's possible to delete everything the assistant has learned about you to start over or leave the service.

If you want to erase the data Cortana stores in the cloud about you, use the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Cortana.
3. Click on Permissions & History.

4. Click the Change what Cortana knows about me in the cloud link to open the Cortana experience in the Taskbar.

5. Scroll down, and click the Clear button.

How to manage permissions on Cortana

Microsoft's digital assistant can access certain information, such as location, contacts, emails, calendar, and browsing history to perform a wide array of tasks, such as find directions, track packages, and personalized suggestions. However, you can customize the experience to manage what Cortana can see and use.

To change permissions on your device, use the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Cortana.
3. Click on Permissions & History.

4. Click the Manage the information Cortana can access from this device link.

5. Turn on or off the toggle switch for the feature want Cortana to see and use, including:

   • Location — Current location and location history allows Cortana to remind you of places, find directions, and alter you of nearby places.
   • Contacts, email, calendar & communication history — Accessing this data, Cortana can suggest reminders, track packages and flights, and more.
   • Browsing history — Allows the assistant to provide personalized suggestions and pick up where you left on Microsoft Edge websites.

How to manage cloud services on Cortana

Cortana can assist you with tasks from many different cloud services (e.g., Skype, Uber, Xbox Live, LinkedIn, Office 365), but you need to connect those services manually.

To add or remove cloud services on Cortana on your device, use the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Cortana.
3. Click on Permissions & History.

4. Click the Manage the information Cortana can access from other devices link to open the Cortana experience in the Taskbar.

5. Click the Add a service button.
6. Select a service from the list.

7. Click the Connect button.

8. Type your service credential and follow the on-screen directions to connect the service.

If you want to remove a service, select the service from the list, and click the Disconnect button.

How to control notifications on Cortana

If you have the Cortana app installed on your iPhone or Android phone, you can allow the assistant to let you know when the battery is getting low, missed a call, text, or there is a new app notification.

To manage cross-device notifications with Cortana, use the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Cortana.
3. Click on Notifications.

4. Turn on or off the Send notifications between devices toggle switch.

If you need more granular control, click the Manage notifications button to open the Cortana experience in the Taskbar.

There you can select a device to manage notifications. On a mobile device, you can allow Cortana to alert you on battery, call, incoming messages, and specify apps notifications.

How to manage additional Cortana settings

Although Windows 10 now better organize the Cortana settings inside the Settings app, some options to customize the experience are scattered around.

How to change Cortana presence on the Taskbar

You can always open Cortana by clicking the search box next to Start button. However, if you want to optimize the space in the taskbar on your PC, or you simply don't want the search box to be visible, you have some options available through the Taskbar settings.

1. Right-click the Taskbar to open the context menu.
2. Select Cortana.

3. Choose one of the three options:

   • Hidden — Removes Cortana from the taskbar, but you can always open the Start menu and start typing to bring up the app.
   • Show icon only — Removes the search box, but you'll still can click the Cortana button to start a search.

   • Show search box — Places the search box in the taskbar for quick access to Cortana (default).

How to improve Cortana voice recognition

Cortana's default voice recognition settings may suit most people, but if the language configured on your device isn't your native language, the assistant may find it a bit difficult to understand you.

To improve voice recognition using Cortana you can use the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click Time & language.
3. Click Speech.

4. Check the Recognize non-native accents for this language option.

Once you've completed the steps mentioned above Cortana will be able to understand more accurately when using voice commands.

Wrapping things up

While we're focusing this guide to customize Cortana using the Settings app, to make this guide more complete, we also include some instructions that been around in previous releases, but they're part of Cortana settings.

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

What? This is obvious, right? Not entirely.

There's no "on" button glaring at you — flipping the power on a Windows Mixed Reality Motion Controller is a little more subtle than that. The first thing you have to do, of course, is to pop in the batteries and connect your Motion Controllers to your PC.

How to connect Windows Mixed Reality Motion Controllers

Battery life on the controllers should be pretty good, but equally, you don't want to throw your power away when you're not using them. After a short while they'll simply turn off on their own, likewise the headset will go to sleep. But if you need to turn them off manually, or turn them back on again, it's simple.

Hold down the Windows key on each controller for about 2 seconds. When it turns on you'll feel a single vibration. Repeat the process to turn them off again, and you'll feel a double vibration.

So, incredibly easy. But also not immediately obvious.

All about Mixed Reality

• Everything we know so far about Windows Mixed Reality
• What is Windows Mixed Reality Ultra?
• How to set up your Windows Mixed Reality playspace
• What's the difference between augmented reality and mixed reality?
• What makes each Windows Mixed Reality headset special?
• How to build a PC for Windows Mixed Reality
• Are all Windows Mixed Reality headsets created equal?
• Everything you need to get started with Windows Mixed Reality

You can make your Windows 10 PC visible or hidden on a local network, and in this guide, we'll show you how.

On Windows 10, you can configure different network profiles depending on the network environment to keep your device more secure. If you're connected to the internet using a non-secure network, such as those available in coffee shops and airports, you can set the connection as "public" to hide your device in that location while also turning off file and printer sharing.

When connecting to a trusted network, like the one at your home or place of work, you can configure the connection as "private" to make your computer discoverable and allow network users to access resources you may be sharing.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to make your device discoverable or hidden in any network environment using the Settings app.

How to set a network profile using Settings

Typically, the first time you connect to a network, Windows 10 will ask you to set a network profile. However, if you didn't see the prompt, or you just want to use a different selection, it's possible to use the Settings app to configure the connection as public or private using these steps:

Switching Ethernet network profile

In the case you're connecting to a local network using an Ethernet adapter, follow these steps to configure network discovery:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Network & Internet.
3. Click on Ethernet.

4. On the right side, click on the adapter you want to configure.

5. Under "Network profile," select one of these two options:

   • Public to hide your computer on the network and stop sharing printers and files.
   • Private to make your computer discoverable on a network you trust and allow other users to use the printer or access files you may be sharing.

Switching Wi-Fi network profiles

If you're using a wireless adapter to connect to a local wireless network, use these steps to configure network discovery:

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

4. On the right side, click on the adapter you want to configure.

5. Under "Network profile," select one of these two options:

   • Public to hide your computer on the network and stop sharing printers and files.
   • Private to make your computer discoverable on a network you trust and allow other users to use the printer or access files you may be sharing.

After completing these steps, Windows 10 will remember your network profile every time you connect to the same network, but you'll need to configure a profile on every new network you connect to.

If you want to quickly figure out which network profile your device is using, you can always go to Settings > Network & Internet, and on the Status page, under "Network status," it'll say "Private network" or "Public network".

In the network adapter properties, you'll also find a new "Configure firewall and security settings" link, which opens the "Firewall & network protection" settings in the Windows Defender Security Center. This allows you to turn the Windows Firewall on or off for each network profile.

Wrapping things up

You'll only find these options if you're running the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. Previously, there was just one option called Make this PC discoverable, which you needed to turn on to make your device discoverable (private) or keep the option off to keep your computer hidden (public), but because the feature wasn't obvious to configure, Microsoft decided to change it.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

Storage sense can help you to get rid of junk files when you're running low on space, and in this guide, we show you how to use the feature in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.

On Windows 10, when your device starts to run out of space, you can empty the recycle bin and delete temporary files to free up space using a number of tools, including Disk Cleanup.

While Disk Cleanup and third-party tools are not difficult to use, they're also not intuitive, and many users don't even know they exist. In order to address this issue, Windows 10 includes the Storage sense tool to monitor and free up space on your device automatically.

Storage sense is an optional feature, which is disabled by default, but when enabled, it'll proactively delete temporary files, like those created by apps. It'll delete files that have been in the recycle bin for more than 30 days, as well as files in the downloads folder that haven't changed in 30 days. If you're running low on space, Storage Sense even includes an option to delete the previous version of Windows 10 to make more room.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to enable and set up Storage sense with the new options available in the Fall Creators Update, to prevent running out of space.

• How to enable Storage sense on Windows 10
• How to configure Storage sense settings on Windows 10

How to enable Storage sense on Windows 10

On Windows 10, enabling Storage Sense is a straightforward process:

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

4. Turn on the Storage sense toggle switch.

Once you've completed these steps, Windows 10 will auto delete junk files on your device, including temporary files, older recycle bin items, and those files in the Downloads folder that haven't changed in the last month.

Although it might be obvious for many users, if you need to free up more space, and you have large files that have been in the recycle bin for less than a month, you'll need to delete them manually or empty the bin completely.

Unfortunately, Storage sense doesn't remove everything you don't need. Some temporary files, Windows Update logs, and other files will remain on your PC.

In the case, you must delete all temporary files; you can use this guide to set up Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files and certain other files automatically.

How to configure Storage sense settings on Windows 10

It's also possible to pick the specific files you want Storage sense to delete automatically from your device, using these steps:

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

4. Click the Change how we free up space link.

5. Under "Temporary Files," check the items you want to delete, including:

   • Delete temporary files that my apps aren't using.
   • Delete files that have been in the recycle bin for over 30 days.
   • Delete files in the Downloads folder that haven't changed in 30 days.

6. Under "Free up space now," you can also select the option to delete the previous installation of Windows 10. However, this option is only available after installing a new version of the OS.

After completing these steps, you can click the Clean now button to free up space immediately. If you do not, simply make sure to select the items you want Storage sense to delete, and close the Settings app.

Storage sense was first introduced with the Creators Update, but the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update has redesigned the settings page and added new options, including one to manage the Downloads folder and delete the previous version of Windows 10.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

Windows 10 Fall Creators Update lets you limit bandwidth usage for system and app updates, and in this guide, we'll tell you the steps to adjust the settings.

Windows 10 has a mechanism to dynamically measure and optimize the bandwidth your device uses to download and upload system updates, as well as for apps acquired from the Store, and numerous other products to make sure these activities don't interrupt your experience.

However, the delivery optimization mechanism can only analyze the network activity of your device, and it's not aware of the bandwidth usage on other computers on the local network. As a result, if you have a limited connection to the internet, other devices may experience noticeable speeds reduction during update activities.

Starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709), Microsoft is addressing this issue by introducing new options that allow you to limit the bandwidth your device uses to download and upload updates.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to manually throttle background download and uploads speeds while getting new system and app updates on your device – even if you're running the previous version of the OS.

• How to limit bandwidth for Windows Update using Settings
• How to limit bandwidth for Windows Update using Group Policy

How to limit bandwidth for Windows Update using Settings

If you want to minimize your internet connection impact during updates, you can use the new Delivery Optimization options to limit the bandwidth usage on your device.

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

3. Click the Advanced options link.

4. On "Advanced options," click the Advanced options link.

5. On "Delivery Optimization," click the Advanced options link.

6. Under "Download settings," check the Limit how much bandwidth is used for downloading updates in the background option.
7. Use the slider to specify (in percentage) the amount of bandwidth you want your device to use.
8. Under "Upload settings," check the Limit how much bandwidth is used for uploading updates to other PCs on the Internet option.
9. Use the slider to set (in percentage) the amount of bandwidth you want to dedicate for uploads.
10. If you want to limit the amount of data your device uploads per month, you can also check the Monthly upload limit option.

11. Use the slider to set the upload limit in gigabytes.

It should be noted that the upload settings will only work if you have the "Deliver Optimization" settings configured to Allow downloads from other PCs using the PCs on my local network, and PCs on the Internet option. However, if you're looking to minimize the data speed usage, you should be using the PCs on my local network option instead.

If there are multiple devices connected to the same internet connection, it's also recommended to configure each device to limit the bandwidth usage with the above instructions.

Viewing activity monitor stats for Windows Update

The Delivery Optimization feature also includes a page to view the overall bandwidth usage for feature and quality updates, as well as for app downloads and updates from the Windows Store.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Update & Security.
3. Click the Advanced options link.
4. On "Delivery Optimization," click the Advanced options link.

5. Click the Activity monitor link.

On the Activity monitor page, you'll see two sections. The Downloads Statistics shows you the overall amount of data that your device has downloaded from Microsoft, local network, and other PCs on the internet in the last month along with the average download speed based on the current settings.

And then there is the Uploads Statistics section, which includes the overall data information that has been uploaded from your device to other computers on the local network and the internet within a given month.

How to limit bandwidth for Windows Update using Group Policy

If you're not running version 1709 on your machine, but you're using Windows 10 Pro (version 1703), it's also possible to change the Delivery Optimization settings to limit the download and uploads bandwidth using the Group Policy Editor.

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. Double-click the Maximum Download Bandwidth (percentage) policy (the equivalent to the "Download settings" option in the Settings app).
5. Select the Enabled option.
6. Under "Options," enter the download bandwidth in percentage.
7. Click Apply.

8. Click OK.

9. Double-click the Download Mode policy.
10. Select the Enabled option.
11. Under "Options," use the "Download Mode" drop-down menu, and select the LAN (1) option (the equivalent to "PCs on the local network" option in the Settings app).
    • Important: You only need to configure this option and follow the remaining steps if you want to allow your device to upload updates to other PCs on the internet.
12. Click Apply.

13. Click OK.

14. Double-click the Max Upload Bandwidth (in KB/s) policy.
15. Select the Enabled option.
16. Under "Options," specify the bandwidth speed you want to dedicate for uploads – unlike the download settings, you must specify this option in kilobits per second.
17. Click Apply.

18. Click OK.

19. If you want to specify a month quota, double-click the Monthly Upload Data Cap (in GB) policy.
20. Select the Enabled option.
21. Under "Options," specify the upload data cap in gigabytes.
22. Click Apply.

23. Click OK.

Once you've completed the steps, your device will reduce bandwidth usage during updates, thus minimizing the impact on other computers in the local network.

You can always revert the changes following the same instructions, but on step No. 5, step No. 10, step No. 15, and step No. 20, select the Not configured option.

It's worth noting 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.

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

Notes come in a variety of styles and are written in an even greater number of ways. OneNote has just added a few more of each into the mix.

When you think of a note-taking application, you probably think of a simple text and page solution. OneNote 2016 lets you do more with your notes. It also offers more than one way to take notes. Let us look at how you can take notes in OneNote.

• How to enter a text note in OneNote 2016
• How to use notes for organization in OneNote 2016
• How to use multimedia for notes in OneNote 2016

How to enter a text note in OneNote 2016

Even the most simple of notes can take on a new life by accessing through style and format options. You can enter a note on a blank page simply by clicking on it. This opens a text box that you can populate with content. The Home tab houses basic text styles that allow you to change options such as font types, size, and color.

How to use notes for organization in OneNote 2016

How to add meeting details to a note

1. Click on the Home tab in the navigation ribbon.
2. Click Meeting Details in the Meetings group.
3. Select a meeting from the list of today's meetings.
4. Select Choose a Meeting from Another Day if it is not listed.
5. Click on the desired date.
6. Enter your notes on the page.

The details of the meeting are automatically populated onto the page, with the meeting subject becoming the page title and dates, locations and other information organized below.

How to use Quick Notes

Even without having OneNote 2016 open, notetaking is but a couple of clicks away. If you have OneNote installed, you can time-consuming a note window by pressing the Windows key plus N. The window gives you a basic view by default, but you can view the drop-down menu by clicking the more icon (…). This then gives you the same style and format options found in the main OneNote window. If you close the window, you can always find your notes in OneNote, under Quick Notes in the left pane.

How to create a checklist in OneNote 2016

1. Click on the Home tab in the navigation ribbon.
2. Select To Do in the Tags group. A text box will appear in the page body with a checkbox.
3. Type content next to the checkbox.
4. Press Enter.
5. Repeat until you have composed your checklist.

Use the checkboxes as you normally would, by clicking on them to populate a checkmark. You can also apply the checkbox option to existing content by selecting the group and then clicking To Do, thus applying a checkbox to each item or paragraph.

How to use multimedia for notes in OneNote 2016

How to convert handwriting to text

Depending on what device you access OneNote 2016 with; you may find it easier to take advantage of its handwriting feature. To save you time from trying to decipher your scribbles, you can also convert your handwriting to text.

How to create handwritten notes

1. Select Draw from the navigation ribbon.
2. Select a pen or marker type from the Tools group.
3. Select a color and thickness for the marker or pen.
4. Use your mouse, touchpad or stylus to begin writing on the screen.
5. Click Erase in the Tools group and draw over the handwriting to erase.
6. Select Type from the Tools group
7. Click and drag a selection over the handwriting.
8. Select Ink to Text in the Convert group.

Your handwritten notes will then be converted to text, in the currently used font. If you have selected a specific color while drawing, OneNote will maintain that selection. If you tried the steps above and were not able to select Ink to Text, you can right-click on the selected note and choose Treat Selected Ink As from the menu, then select Handwriting.

You can also expand the drawing tool section to view Pen mode and then chose Create Handwriting Only to avoid any issues.

How to insert Voice and Video recordings

Are you planning to attend a lecture or conference? Taking notes may prove to be difficult as you try to pay attention. There are recording options that allow you to capture audio and/or video within a page.

1. Click on the Insert tab in the navigation ribbon.
2. Select Record Audio or Record Video from the Recording group. Multimedia then begins to record.
3. Navigate to the Audio & Video – Playback tab in the ribbon.
4. View the timer in the Playback group to monitor the progress.
5. Press Stop to end the recording.

The recording is then placed in a notes window on the desired page and represented with an icon. Below the icon, you will able to enter text that you can use to describe the recording contents. Additional options are available by clicking on the icon; left click to use a simplified playback menu, right-click to perform commands such as rename, copy or link.

By accessing Audio & Video Settings from the Playback tab, you can change the devices used to capture the multimedia, change rewind options for linked audio and video or even enable word search for recordings. This is remarkably useful as you can then include recordings in keyword searches. This, of course, is highly dependant on the recording quality and requires time to index the audio.

How to use Screen Clipping

You may already be looking at content that you want to include on a OneNote page. Trying to recreate that content, however, may prove to be too difficult or too time-consuming. The Screen Clipping feature allows you to capture an image of the content.

1. Click on the Insert tab in the ribbon.
2. Click Screen Clipping in the Images group. The screen will blur, and OneNote will remove itself from site temporarily.
3. Left-click and drag the selection box until you have encompassed the necessary content.
4. Release the left-click to move the copied contents to a OneNote page.
5. Click any part of the screen clip edge.
6. Drag to resize as needed.

Just like adding other types of media, OneNote will then invite you to annotate below the added content. There is also the possibility that the text in your screen clip will be included in text searches.

Wrapping Up

With OneNote, you can turn nearly any type of content into a note that is effortlessly captured and potentially searchable. This makes your note truly unique and relative. Which methods do you frequently use to take notes? Let us know in the comments.

Microsoft Office 101: Help, how-tos and tutorials

After getting the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update some of your apps are missing from Start? You're not alone — Here are a few things you can try to fix this issue.

The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update (version 1709) is now slowly rolling out to compatible devices delivering a new set of features and enhancements, but it appears that not everyone is having a smooth upgrade experience. Alongside a number of problems already reported, some users have also been complaining about apps going missing after installing this release.

At the Microsoft forums, the company explains that after installing the Fall Creators Update, you may notice some app entries missing in the Start menu, and they won't appear in the App list or the Live Tile section. In addition, searching for the app will only show the result to get it from the Microsoft Store, but the Store would say that the app is already installed on your PC.

Microsoft is currently investigating the problem, but until there is a permanent solution, the company is offering a few troubleshooting tips to fix the issue on your device.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the Microsoft's recommendations to resolve the problem of missing apps after installing the Fall Creators Update.

• How to repair missing apps on Windows 10
• How to reinstall missing apps on Windows 10
• How to re-register apps using PowerShell on Windows 10
• How to go back to previous version of Windows 10
• How to reset your PC to its default settings

How to repair missing apps on Windows 10

The first thing you can do to restore any missing app is to use the Settings app to repair or reset the app in question.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Apps & features.
4. Select the app with the problem.

5. Click the Advanced options link.

6. Click the Repair button. If the option isn't available, or it didn't fix the problem, click the Reset button, which will delete the app's data along with settings and preferences.

After completing the steps, the app should once again appear in the App list and pinned in the Start menu.

How to reinstall missing apps on Windows 10

If the repair and reset options didn't fix the problem and app still missing, you could try reinstalling the app.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Apps & features.
4. Select the app with the problem.

5. Click the Uninstall button.

6. Click the Uninstall button to confirm.
7. Open the Store.
8. Search for the app you just uninstalled.

9. Click the Get button to reinstall.

Once you've completed the steps, the app should now appear in the Start menu again.

How to re-register apps using PowerShell on Windows 10

The two methods outlined above are more suited if you only have a few apps missing, but if your Start menu has a lot of apps missing, it's recommended to re-register them all in bulk using PowerShell.

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

3. Type the following commands to re-register the missing apps and press Enter on each line:

   • Quick Tip: Make sure to close all running applications, including My People from the taskbar on Settings> Personalization> Taskbar to prevent seeing error message 0X80073D02 during the process.

   reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\TileDataModel\Migration\TileStore" /va /f

   get-appxpackage -packageType bundle |% {add-appxpackage -register -disabledevelopmentmode ($_.installlocation + "\appxmetadata\appxbundlemanifest.xml")}

   $bundlefamilies = (get-appxpackage -packagetype Bundle).packagefamilyname

   get-appxpackage -packagetype main |? {-not ($bundlefamilies -contains $_.packagefamilyname)} |% {add-appxpackage -register -disabledevelopmentmode ($_.installlocation + "\appxmanifest.xml")}

After completing the steps mentioned above, all the missing apps should now appear in the Start menu. However, according to Microsoft, if you've already tried the repair, reset, and reinstall options, the PowerShell commands are likely not going to fix the problem.

How to go back to previous version of Windows 10

If you have already tried all the troubleshooting steps to restore the missing apps on your device and nothing has worked, you may have to consider to go back to the previous version of Windows 10.

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

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

   • Note: If you don't see the option in the Settings app, you won't be able to rollback, but you can use the Reset this PC feature to try to fix the problem
5. Select the reason you're rolling back.
6. Click Next.
7. Click No, thanks.
8. Click Next.
9. Click Next again.
10. Click Go back to earlier build to begin the process.

After going back to the previous version, it's a good idea to block the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update on your device until Microsoft releases a more permanent fix for this problem.

How to reset your PC to its default settings

Alternatively, if the above instructions didn't fix the problem, and you still have missing apps in the Start menu, you can try resetting your device to remove all the apps, drivers, and settings on your current installation.

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

4. Under "Reset this PC," click the Get Started button.

5. Select the Keep may files options.

6. Click Next.

7. Click Reset to begin the process.

Once you've completed the steps, your device will reset to its default settings fixing all the missing apps in the Start menu. However, you'll need to re-install any other app you may have downloaded previously from the Microsoft Store, and any traditional (win32) applications. Also, you'll need to re-apply your settings and drivers as needed, but your personal files will be kept.

Have you come across this issue after upgrading to the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update? Did any of these solutions fix the problem on your PC? Tell us in the comments.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

Stuck trying to enable Cortana to respond to your voice command because the option is grayed out? It's not a bug; this is what you need to do.

Alongside the new features and changes included in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, to make Cortana settings easier to find, Microsoft has now relocated them to the Settings app in its own section.

However, making the settings easier to find doesn't necessarily mean easier to configure. If you've been trying to enable Cortana to recognize your voice and only respond to your commands, you probably noticed that the option is grayed out. But this is not a bug or something wrong with your device, Windows 10 just doesn't make the feature intuitive to configure.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the easy steps to enable Cortana to respond only to you when using voice commands.

How to get Cortana to respond to your voice commands

In order to enable Cortana's Try to respond only to me feature, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Cortana.
3. Click on Talk to Cortana.
4. Under "Hey Cortana," turn on the Let Cortana respond to "Hey Cortana" toggle switch.

5. This is the tricky part. Once you've enabled "Hey Cortana," the Respond when any says "Hey Cortana" option will be selected, but the Try to respond only to me option will remain grayed out. Windows 10 doesn't make it very obvious, but you need to click the Learn how I say "Hey Cortana" link and go through the voice recognition training to make the option available.

6. On Cortana, click the Start button.

7. Repeat the six phrases that Cortana will ask to get familiar with your voice.

8. After the training, go back to the Settings app, and now select the Try to respond only to me option.

Once you've completed the steps, you'll be the only one that Cortana will respond when using voice commands.

As you can see it's not a complicated process, but it's not intuitive. In my opinion, what Microsoft should have done in the Settings app is to make the option available for selection, and as you change the settings, the training wizard should appear to set up the feature. Then if you close the wizard without going through the training, the option should revert to its default state. That simple.

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

How do you turn your digital pen into a PowerPoint slideshow clicker?

The Windows 10 Fall Creators Update has arrived, bringing many awesome changes to our favorite OS. One ease-of-use feature getting some attention is the new ability to use a digital pen — like the Surface Pen— as a remote with a 200-foot range to click through PowerPoint slideshows. Want to take advantage? Here's what you need to know.

Which digital pens work with this feature?

Before we get too far into this guide, let's make sure your digital pen works with this feature. Not just any stylus will work here; the pen must follow the Windows Pen Design and must connect to your PC via Bluetooth. Perfect examples of pens that work with this feature are the Surface Pen and the Wacom Bamboo Ink.

Note that you must also have the Fall Creators Update installed on your PC, and you must have a valid Office 365 subscription. If you're currently using Office 2016 without the Office 365 subscription, it appears that this is one of the ongoing additions and updates that you miss out on.

See at Microsoft Store

How to pair a digital pen with your PC

If you purchased a digital pen separately from your PC, you might be wondering how to pair it. Here are the steps required.

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

3. Click Devices.

4. Click Bluetooth & other devices.

5. Click Add Bluetooth or other device.

6. Click Bluetooth.
7. Click and hold the top button on your pen until it shows up in the list of devices.

8. Click your digital pen.

That's all it takes. You should now be ready to use your digital pen as a clicker remote in PowerPoint.

How to use a pen with PowerPoint

As long as your PC has the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, you have a digital pen paired with your PC, and you have a valid subscription to Office 365, you should now be able to use the pen to click through a slideshow.

1. Launch PowerPoint 2016 from your Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.
2. Open a presentation.

3. Click the Slide Show button. It's located near the bottom-right corner of the window.

4. Click the pen's top (eraser) button once to go forward.
5. Click and hold the pen's top (eraser) button to go back.

More Fall Creators Update resources

Wondering what else is new with the Fall Creators Update? Be sure to check out these links.

• The definitive Windows 10 Fall Creators Update review
• Microsoft Edge features and changes in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
• How to get OneDrive Files On-Demand in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
• How to enable color filters in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
• What's new with the Settings app in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update
• Windows 10 Fall Creators Update common installation problems and fixes
• What's new with Cortana in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

Sometimes, size really does matter. Here's what to consider when buying your next laptop.

There are a number of factors you need to take into account when buying a new laptop before you hand over your hard-earned money. In some ways, many of the different factors are linked together.

Take, for example, whether or not you should go for a 13-inch or 15-inch laptop. It's not just a simple case of "oh, I want a smaller/larger" laptop anymore. The screen size is often integrated into other specifications.

So how to make the best choice? Here's what we think you need to consider.

Where and how you'll be using your laptop

Do you travel a lot? Go to school, college or university every day and need to take your laptop with you? Whatever the reason, if you leave the house with your laptop a lot, then portability is key. Which mostly leads itself to suggest you get a smaller, 13-inch laptop that's light and easy to carry around.

However, there are laptops out there like the Dell XPS 15 which pack a 15-inch display into the frame of a 14-inch laptop. Dell isn't the only company making slim and light 15-inch laptops either. The XPS 15 is probably the best example, but others like the HP Spectre x360 15 and ASUS ZenBook Pro aren't exactly bricks while still having a larger screen.

Also consider how you'll be using it. If you're a video editor, then you'll benefit from having a larger screen. If you're predominantly writing, browsing the web, even consuming media, then you'll be fine with a 13-inch.

Dedicated graphics for gaming or creative work

It isn't just gamers that want dedicated NVIDIA or AMD graphics in a laptop. Creators, such as video editors, will also be looking for some added power in this field.

While there are 13-inch laptops out there with good graphics capabilities, traditionally this is one area that size does matter. A larger laptop means more room for a GPU, and importantly, more room for GPU cooling. So you'll not find a 13-inch Ultrabook with a GTX 1060 GPU in it. We're not quite at that magical stage just yet.

Smaller laptops, as well as thin Ultrabook-style notebooks like the ZenBook Pro tend to have either last-gen mobile GPUs or lower-end of the spectrum current generation ones. If you want a serious GPU you'll be looking for a 15-inch laptop, most likely a gaming one.

More: Best gaming laptops

To 4K or not to 4K

Somewhat tied in with the consideration for graphics, but if you absolutely need a 4K display, then you'll probably be better with a 15-inch laptop. There are smaller options, like the Razer Blade Stealth that have small, 4K displays, but generally that many pixels come on the larger size panels.

And to be honest, if you need 4K for say, video editing, then you'll probably want a larger laptop for reasons mentioned above; graphics and a physically larger screen to look at.

With 4K, or generally higher-than-Full HD resolutions, you also usually get touchscreens. Many 1080p laptops are non-touch, so factor in whether or not you desire to manipulate Windows with touch.

Ports, ports and more ports

Another byproduct of physical size is how many ports you can actually fit on the sides. As laptops become thinner and lighter, the connections on the sides are slowly disappearing.

Are you ready for a ZenBook 3 with a single USB-C port? Or do you want your HDMI, Ethernet, SD card and a bunch of USB ports? If it's the latter, then 15-inch laptops are where you'll still find the best offering. If your laptop is your only PC and you want to use it like a desktop at home, then looking at a larger notebook will give you a better chance of not needing an external dock.

Also good if you have a phobia of carrying dongles.

The bottom line

Those are some of the things we think you should consider when choosing your laptop size, but ultimately the decision is yours. Carefully look at what you'll be doing and where you'll be doing it while deciding.

The end goal is to happen upon a considered decision that leaves you getting what you need in the best package possible. If you don't need a large screen, lots of ports, a beefy GPU or a 4K display, you're probably not going to want the added size, sometimes cost of a 15-inch laptop.

See which boxes you need to tick, then see which ones the laptops you like at both sizes also tick. Then make your decision.

More: Best Windows Laptops of 2017

These are the most exciting features and improvements with the Windows Defender Security Center in the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update.

The Fall Creators update (version 1709) is finally available and gradually rolling out to millions of compatible PCs around the world. Along with all the new features and changes, this release also introduces new security enhancements — just in time to fight back the recent increase of malware and cyber attacks targeting Windows 10.

In this new version, Microsoft is focusing on making Windows 10 more secure against ransomware with "Controlled folder access," and it's attempting to help organizations, as well as regular users, to mitigate vulnerabilities before a patch becomes available through Windows Update with "Windows Defender Exploit Guard."

In this Windows 10 guide, we give you a closer look at the new features in the Windows Defender Security Center app included with the Fall Creators Update.

Controlled folder access

Starting with build version 1709, Windows Defender Antivirus introduces Controlled folder access, a feature designed to add an extra layer of security to protect your files against malicious programs and threats, such as ransomware.

When enabled, the new security feature monitors the changes apps make to your files stored in specific protected folders. If a blacklisted app tries to manipulate a file, controlled folder access will stop the attempt, and you'll get a desktop notification about the suspicious activity.

Windows Defender Antivirus protects the Documents, Pictures, Movies, and Desktop folders by default, which are locations that you can't change, but it's possible to include additional locations, such as from external hard drive, network shares, and mapped drives.

Although most of the apps you use on a regular basis will be allowed on your system, if one of those you trust gets blocked, Controlled folder access also includes an option to whitelist the app to enable it to make changes in the protected folders.

Enabling Controlled folder access

Controlled folder access comes disabled by default, and you'll need to enable it manually, Navigate to Windows Defender Security Center> Virus & threat protection> Virus & threat protection settings, and turn on the Controlled folder access toggle switch.

Adding new locations

If you need to add more locations to monitor, while in the Virus & threat protection settings, click the Protected folders link, and then click the Add a protected folder button to include new locations.

Whitelisting apps you trust

In the case that one of your trusted apps gets blocked, while on the Virus & threat protection settings page, click the Allow an app through Controlled folder access link, and then click the Add an allowed app button to add the executable for the app you want to allow.

This feature only works when Windows Defender Antivirus is your main security software; if you're running third-party antivirus on your machine, this feature won't be available.

Windows Defender Exploit Guard

Although security has always been a priority for Microsoft, before Windows 10 it took the company several years to release new versions of the OS, making the response to new threats very slow. In order to help commercial customers deliver mitigations against specific vulnerabilities, Microsoft created the Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET), which allowed customers to keep devices secure without waiting until the next version of Windows.

However, because EMET was never part of Windows, and it was also limited in many ways, starting with the Fall Creators Update it is now possible to audit, configure, and manage system and app exploit mitigation settings within the Windows Defender Security Center app.

The best part is that you can take advantage of Windows Defender Exploit Guard settings even if you're running third-party antivirus.

Customizing exploit protections settings

Windows 10 ships with a configuration that will suit most users, but you can always customize the settings (as long as you know what you're doing) on Windows Defender Security Center> App & browser control> Exploit protection, and clicking the Exploit protection settings link.

Inside Exploit protection, you'll find two tabs, including "System settings" and "Program settings."

In the System settings tab, you can configure protection settings, including:

• Control Flow Guard (CFG) — Ensures control flow integrity for indirect calls.
• Data Execution Prevention (DEP) — Prevents code from being run from data-only memory pages.
• Force randomization for images (Mandatory ASLR) — Forces the relocation of images not compiled with /DYNNAMICBASE.
• Randomize memory allocations (Bottom-up ASLR) — Randomize locations for virtual memory allocations.
• Validate exception chains (SEHOP) — Ensures the integrity of an exception chain during dispatch.
• Validate heap integrity — Terminates a process when heap corruption is detected.

In the Program settings tab, you'll see a list of applications that are currently protected using the Exploit protection settings.

If you need to modify the current settings for a particular application, just select the executable from the list, and click the Edit button. Inside the page, you'll find some security features with an option to override system settings and set your own rules.

In this update, there are 21 different rules you can customize, some of which include:

• Arbitrary code guard (ACG) — Prevents non-images-backed executable code, and code page modification.
• Block low integrity images — Prevents loading of images marked with low-integrity.
• Block remote images — Prevents loading of images from remote devices.
• Block untrusted fonts — Prevents loading any GDI-based fonts not installed in the system Fonts directory.
• Code integrity guard (CFG) — Ensures flow integrity for indirect calls.

These settings are meant to add an extra layer of security against new threats even before they get an official fix through security patches or anti-malware solutions.

Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection

We're just scratching the surface, and the Exploit protection settings on Windows 10 are part of a more complex topic. Microsoft is also adding more security enhancements to its Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) service for enterprise customers to create an antivirus using Microsoft's cloud-based security intelligence to detect infections faster than ever before.

In addition, Microsoft is now offering new tools, a security analytics view, and an updated detection dictionary to identify the latest attack techniques, which will enable network administrators to respond to attacks more quickly.

Initially, these security features will be available for commercial customers, but the company is looking into integrating Windows Defender ATP to the Windows Server platform and all customers in the future.

For more details about the Exploit protection settings, you can refer to the Microsoft Docs pages, and to learn about Microsoft's EMET, you can check out this Security TechCenter article.

Additional improvements and changes

Another minor change can be found in the Firewall & network protection section of the Windows Defender Security Center dashboard, where you can now see more clearly which network profile is currently active. The page also lists firewall settings for domain networks.

On Windows 10 Enterprise, Microsoft is finally delivering Windows Defender Application Guard, which is a new feature that sandboxes web pages using Microsoft Edge to prevent internet malware and zero-day attacks from infecting your computer.

Windows Defender Application Guard was originally scheduled to release with the Creators Update, but it got pushed back, and now it's available with the Fall Creators Update.

Wrapping up

In this guide, we highlighted the new features and changes coming in the Windows Defender Security Center dashboard for the consumer version of Windows 10. Microsoft is also starting to offer a lot of additional features, but they're aimed at enterprise customers, such as Windows Defender Threat Protection and Windows Defender Application Guard.

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