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How to fix SteamVR crashes in Windows Mixed Reality

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SteamVR keeps crashing when you try to use it with Windows Mixed Reality. Here's a fix.

SteamVR integration with Windows Mixed Reality is a big step. It's opened the emerging VR platform up to a ton of new content and socializing options and bodes well for the future. In most forms, VR doesn't come without a bug here and there, and you might be having issues with SteamVR crashing when you try to use it with Windows Mixed Reality (WMR). Here are some potential fixes.

Read more at VRHeads!


7 best ways to free up hard drive space on Windows 10

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Running low on disk space? In this guide, you'll find seven ways to delete junk files and get rid of apps and games you don't use to reclaim storage on Windows 10.

Although drives are only getting bigger and prices keep coming down, we keep running low on space on our Windows 10 devices as we continue to download tons of files from the internet, take a lot of photos, and create videos of almost anything.

This is even more of concern on low-cost devices that include limited storage, or when using a Solid-State Drive (SSD), which are still quite expensive than traditional rotating platter hard drives (HDD).

However, if you're starting to run out of space on your device, your first step shouldn't just be to get a new drive. The first thing you need to do is to optimize the space you already have by getting rid of junk files, and apps and games you don't use.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through seven ways to reclaim storage space on your PC.

1. Delete junk files using Storage sense

On Windows 10, Storage sense is a feature that includes basic options to allow you to quickly free up space by deleting junk files from your device, including the previous version of Windows 10 after an upgrade, which can take up around 10GB of space or more.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Click on Storage.
  4. Under "Storage sense," click on Change how we free up space link.

  5. Under "Temporary files," check the files 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 during the first ten days after installing a new feature update.

After completing these steps, you can click the Clean now button to free up space immediately.

You don't need to turn on the Storage sense toggle switch to use this feature, but if you do, you'll be enabling this feature to automatically delete junk files when your device is running out of space.

2. Delete junk system files using Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup has been around for years, and it's a tool commonly known by advanced users to delete additional unnecessary files from your device, including system files, system restore and shadow copies, which can help you to reclaim valuable space on your system.

Deleting system files

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. On "This PC," right-click the main system drive and select Properties.

  3. Click the Disk Cleanup button.

  4. Click the Cleanup system files button.

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

    • Windows Update Cleanup.
    • Windows upgrade log files.
    • Downloaded Program Files.
    • Temporary Internet Files.
    • System created Windows Error Reporting.
    • Delivery Optimization Files.
    • Recycle Bin.
    • Temporary files.
    • Temporary Windows Installation Files.
    • Previous Windows installation(s).

    Note: The available options you can select may be different. For example, if Windows 10 already delete the previous version, you won't find the "Previous Windows installation(s)" option.

  6. Click OK.
  7. Click Delete Files.

Once you've completed the steps, depending on the space the files were using, you'll have more available space to store more valuable files.

Deleting System Restore and Shadow Copies

If you usually create System Restore points and use Shadow Copies (volume snapshot typically used by Windows Backup), you can also delete these files to free up additional space.

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. On "This PC," right-click the main system drive and select Properties.
  3. Click the Disk Cleanup button.
  4. Click the Cleanup system files button.
  5. Click the More options tab.
  6. Under "System Restore and Shadow Copies," click the Cleanup button.
  7. Click Delete to confirm.

3. Uninstall apps and games you never use

Uninstalling applications that you don't use, such as those that came preinstalled with your computer or you've installed manually but only used once can help to reclaim some additional space.

Also, games you installed from the Microsoft Store or other sources eat up a lot of storage, as such it's a good idea to remove at least those you don't play anymore.

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

    Quick Tip: Use the Sort by drop-down menu and select Size to list apps and games by size, which makes it a bit easier to find out the items you should consider removing.

  5. Click the Uninstall button again to confirm.

After completing the steps, you can repeat the same instructions to remove more games and apps you may have installed on your device.

4. Use OneDrive Files On-Demand feature

OneDrive Files On-Demand is a new feature introduced to Windows 10 with the Fall Creators Update, which allows you to access your files stored in the cloud using File Explorer without having to sync them and use local storage.

If you're running out of space, it's possible to use Files On-Demand to upload and keep your files in OneDrive and download them only when you need them.

Enabling OneDrive Files On-Demand

  1. Right-click the OneDrive cloud icon in the notification area, and select Settings.

  2. Click on the Settings tab.
  3. Under "Files On-Demand," check the Save space and download files as you use them to enable the feature.

  4. Click OK.

Freeing up space

After enabling Files On-Demand, you can move your files to the OneDrive folder and make them available only online to free up space.

  1. Open your OneDrive folder.
  2. Select the files and folders to keep only in the cloud.
  3. Right-click the selection, and select Free up space.

In addition to freeing up space for files already stored in OneDrive, you can make more room by moving more files from your account's default folders to the OneDrive folder, and then use the same steps mentioned above to free up space.

If you want to sync all your files located on the Desktop, Documents, and other folders without manually having to move them to the OneDrive folder, use this guide.

Once you've completed the steps, you'll be able to access your files using File Explorer, but they will appear with a white cloud with blue borders icon, and you'll need an internet connection to open them.

It's worth noting that if you're only using the free version of OneDrive, you can only store up to 5GB of storage in the cloud. You'll need to get a subscription to use more storage.

5. Reduce Windows 10 footprint using Compact OS

Compact OS is a tool introduced with Windows 10 that allows you to compress the installation files and built-in desktop applications reducing the footprint and freeing up space.

Warning: This is a friendly reminder that you'll be modifying system files, and while it's safe to use the tool, bad things can always happen. It's recommended to make a full backup of your PC before proceeding.

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the result, and select Run as administrator.
  3. Type the following command to compress the Windows 10 and applications and press Enter:

    Compact.exe /CompactOS:always

After completing the steps, Compact OS will begin the process, which can take anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes, and the best part is that you don't even need to restart your device.

At any time, you can revert the changes using the same instructions, but on step No. 3, use this command Compact.exe /CompactOS:never and press Enter.

Using this method, you'll be reclaiming around 2GB, but the amount of space will vary per installation.

Although this method won't noticeable affect performance, you should only consider this option on a device with limited storage or when you don't have another choice.

6. Disable Hibernation on Windows 10

Hibernation is a feature that saves the content in memory to the hard drive allowing you to shut down your device completely without losing your current session.

While Hibernation is a useful feature, it requires several gigabytes of space to save the content in RAM to the hiberfil.sys file on the hard drive.

If you want to optimize the available storage on your computer, you can disable the feature to free up space.

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

    powercfg /hibernate off

The only issue turning off this feature is that you'll lose the ability to use Hibernation, but it's a suitable option when you're running low on storage, and you need space immediately.

7. Move files, apps, games to an external hard drive

At the beginning of this guide, we said not to get an external hard drive right away to overcome the storage limitation, but if after trying all methods you're still low in capacity, you should consider getting a new drive.

Using an external drive, you can move existing files and configure Windows 10 to store new data in the new storage. Also, you can move certain Microsoft Store apps and games to the new hard drive to make more room on the main system drive.

Moving existing files to a new location

  1. Connect the removable drive.
  2. Open File Explorer.
  3. Navigate to the folder with the files and folders you want to move.
  4. Select the items you want to relocate.
  5. Under "Home" tab, click the Move to button.

  6. Select the Choose location option.
  7. Select the new drive.
  8. Click the Move button.

You'll need to repeat the steps to move other locations to the new external drive.

Saving new files to a new drive

To automatically save files to a new location, you can use these steps:

  1. Connect the removable drive.
  2. Open Settings.
  3. Click on System.
  4. Click on Storage.
  5. Under "More storage settings," click the Change where new content is saved link.

  6. Using the drop-down menu, select the location that Windows 10 should use to save files automatically for each content type.

After using the steps, moving forward, Windows 10 and supported apps will save files to the new specified location.

Moving apps and games to a new drive

On Windows 10, it's also possible to move certain Microsoft Store apps and games to a different storage device without having to reinstall them.

  1. Connect the removable drive.
  2. Open Settings.
  3. Click on Apps.
  4. Click on Apps & features.
  5. Select an app or game.
  6. Click the Move bottom.
  7. Use the drop-down menu to select the new location.
  8. Click the Move button.

You'll need to repeat the steps to move more items to the external drive.

The only caveat using any of these options is that you must have the external storage connected at all times.

Do you know more ways to reclaim storage space on your computer? Share your tip in the comments.

More Windows 10 resources

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

How to calibrate a touch-enabled display on Windows 10

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Is the touchscreen on your device not working correctly? It probably needs calibration and in this guide, we'll show you the steps to do just that.

Windows 10-powered devices with touch-enabled displays are virtually everywhere, and they help us to do away without the mouse and keyboard to interact with applications more naturally using a pen or just our fingers.

Although there have been numerous advances in display technologies to make touch more reliable, eventually no matter the computer you're using, the screen can lose its accuracy. It may result in touch input not working at all, taps or swipes not registering, or the screen not responding with the same accuracy as it once did when the device was fresh out of the box.

The good news is that unless it's a mechanical problem, it's an issue that usually can get fixed by simply re-calibrating the screen. If you own a Surface Book 2, Surface Pro, Surface Pro, a Dell laptop, or any other touch-enabled device running Windows 10, you can use the built-in calibration tool to resolve this issue.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the easy steps to calibrate a display that uses touch technology without having to use third-party tools.

How to fix touch input accuracy on Windows 10

If you're having an inaccurate response using touch, use these steps to re-calibrate the device:

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Click on Hardware and Sound.
  3. Under "Tablet PC Settings," click the Calibrate the screen for pen or touch input link.

  4. Under "Display options," select the display (if applicable).

    Quick Tip: Under "Details," you can tell whether your screen has full support for pen and touch with Windows 10.

  5. Click the Calibrate button.

  6. Select the Touch input option.

  7. In the white screen, tap the crosshair each time that is appears on the screen, and do not change the resolution during this process.

  8. After the calibration process concludes, you'll be given the choice to save the calibration data.

Once you've completed the steps, your touch-enabled device should more accurately register touch inputs.

It's worth noting that using the same calibration tool, you can calibrate the pen input with Surface or another device that includes stylus support.

More Windows 10 resources

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

Xbox beginner's guide: Top tips and tricks for new Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox One X owners

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Get to know your Xbox One in a few easy steps!

New Xbox One or Xbox One X owners will find the console's basic functions easy to access, but unlocking the full power of the console can be a little more complex.

Beyond gaming, the Xbox One can act as a media center, you can use it to create and edit clips from your favorite games, and there are tons of great apps available — even many of the same Windows Store apps as your Windows 10 PC.

Still, first you'll need to get yourself set up. So here's some of the most important things you should do first after opening that glossy box.

Know the difference between the Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox One X

There are some pretty large differences between the models of Xbox One. You should know that the base Xbox One launched in 2013 is no longer being manufactured, it's only the slimmed down Xbox One S and suped-up Xbox One X currently on sale, and both consoles offer a premium gaming experience, but what are the key differences?

At a practical level, the main difference between the base Xbox One and the Xbox One S is the inclusion of a 4K Blu-ray drive in the later S model. Both the X and the S sport 4K Blu-ray, complete with streaming 4K playback for media apps like Netflix. The Xbox One X however has beefed up specs, delivering 4K visuals for games, with various other graphical enhancements.

CategoryXbox One XXbox One S
Processoreight core CPU at 2.3GHzeight core custom AMD CPU at 1.75GHz
Storage1TB (more options could be announced)500GB, 1TB or 2TB launch edition
Memory12GB of GDDR5 RAM at 6.8GHz with 326 GB/s bandwidth8GB DDR3 RAM
GraphicsSix teraflop GPU at 1,172 MHz, 40 compute unitsCustom Radeon GPU with 1.23 teraflop
PortsHDMI-in; HDMI-out; one front-facing USB 3.0 ; two rear-facing USB 3.0; IR receiver/blaster; SPDIF digital audio; EthernetHDMI-in; HDMI-out; one front-facing USB 3.0 ; two rear-facing USB 3.0; IR receiver/blaster; SPDIF digital audio; Ethernet
Optical drive4K UHD Blu-ray4K UHD Blu-ray
Price$499From $249

In terms of usage and operating system, though, both consoles are virtually identical. Both consoles are compatible with all Xbox One accessories and games. Games will just look and run far better on the Xbox One X.

Make sure your Xbox Gamertag and Microsoft Account are set up properly

First things first, you'll need to set up an Xbox Gamertag that's connected to your Microsoft Account.

It's important to ensure that you have just one Microsoft Account across Xbox and Windows, particularly as these systems become more and more integrated. You can sign in with any Microsoft Account. If you haven't done so before, while setting up the Xbox One you'll be prompted to create a "Gamertag"— this is your identity on Xbox Live. You can only change this once for free, so pick a good one!

From Xbox 360

  • If you have an existing account from an Xbox 360, you can sign in with the same email address you used on that console.
  • If you don't remember your Xbox 360 account email, you can find it on the old console by going to the Guide Menu and selecting Account Management, your email will be listed under Windows Live ID. If you don't have access to your Xbox 360, you might need to contact Xbox Live's support, or start afresh.

Note: If you somehow ended up with separate accounts for your Xbox 360 and Microsoft Account, you can move your Gamertag to your primary Microsoft account.

From Xbox One

  • If you're coming from an older Xbox One, just log in with your existing accounts and you'll be set to go

New Gamertag

  • If this is your first Xbox, you can create a new Gamertag connected to your Microsoft Account (if you use Windows 8 or Windows 10, you probably already have an account)
  • If you don't yet have a Microsoft Account, you'll have to create a new Microsoft Account. You can use an existing email address from another provider as the username, or create a new one via Microsoft.

Once your account is set up and integrated, you're ready to go!

Set up an Xbox Live Gold subscription

The Xbox One can be used offline, but many apps, services and features will require an online connection. By default, a new Xbox One user is signed up for a free Silver subscription, but by setting up a Gold subscription, you'll be able to access a ton of extra benefits. You can sign up for Xbox Live Gold any time from the main dashboard.

Xbox Live Gold subscriptions

  • If you already have Xbox Live Gold on your Xbox 360, it carries across to your Xbox One as well.
  • Xbox Live Gold is console-bound, in addition to account-bound, meaning that friends and family who use your Xbox also enjoy the benefits without setting up their own subscriptions.

Xbox Live Gold payments

  • You can also subscribe to Xbox Live via time cards sold by Microsoft and other retailers. These Xbox Live cards are often a little cheaper.
  • If you purchase a digital code for Xbox Live Gold from an external retailer, you can redeem the code online, after signing in with your Microsoft Account.
  • You can also redeem the code on your Xbox One by navigating to the store, hitting "Browse all games", and then by selecting "redeem code."
  • You can cancel your subscription at any time using the Microsoft Account services page.

Xbox Live Gold benefits

  • Xbox Live Gold members enjoy exclusive discounts, often up to 75% off. Xbox Live members are also treated to 4 free games per month, two Xbox One games and two backwards compatible Xbox 360 titles.
  • Xbox Live Gold members can access multiplayer games.
  • You can still use apps like YouTube and Netflix without Xbox Live Gold.

Buy Xbox Live Subscriptions at Amazon

Optimize for multiplayer games by opening your NAT

This step won't be necessary for the majority, but if you're having trouble connecting to your home network you may need to make some tweaks. Most domestic networking setups support the Xbox One out of the box, but here's a couple of tips to improve your experience if you have some networking knowledge.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Select Network.
  3. If your NAT type is "strict" or "moderate", you'll need to open the following ports on your router:

    • 53 (UDP and TCP)
    • 80 (TCP)
    • 88 (UDP)
    • 500 (UDP)
    • 3074 (UDP and TCP)
    • 3544 (UDP)
    • 4500 (UDP)

      The steps to change port availability differ for every router, so please consult your router manufacturer' specific instructions.

  4. Enable your router's UPNP setting setting to further improve connectivity to Xbox Live.

Note: Sometimes, simply opening the ports isn't enough, you may have to set up your Xbox One with a static IP address to ensure that the ports remain open for that particular device. PortForwards.com has specific guides on configuring the open ports for your specific model of router.

Set up the Xbox app for PCs and mobile devices

Windows 10 comes with the Xbox app pre-installed, but there are also apps available for iOS and Android for use with your Xbox One. Using these apps, you can manage your Game DVR, send messages, browse and buy games, check your activity feed, and much more. Not all features are supported by all versions, but the apps are frequently updated.

Create an Avatar and Gamerpic

Gaming is often a social experience, and the team at Microsoft gave us Xbox Avatars to help us feel visually represented on Xbox Live. Avatars are 3D cartoon characters you can customize and display on your Xbox Live profile. You can purchase props, licensed clothes and gaming accessories for your Avatar to stand out from the crowd, and then use your Avatar to pose for a unique profile picture.

Create and upload game clips and screenshots

You can create your own gaming memories using the Xbox One's GameDVR and UPLOAD Studio apps. These apps come preinstalled on your Xbox, and provide robust storage and editing tools.

  • When in a game, press the white Xbox home button on your controller to bring up the new guide. Press Y to save a screenshot, press X to record the last 30 seconds of gameplay.
  • If you press the view button (to the bottom left of the home button, looking like two small windows), you can access more capture options. Here, you can record additional time from the buffer, start a custom recording, or view and manage your existing captures.

How to configure the Game DVR for 1080p and 4K resolution capture

Set up your Xbox One to stream media from your PC and mobile devices

You can use the Xbox One to stream content from your devices. On Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile, this is achieved simply by selecting the casting button seen in Windows 10 video apps, then selecting the Xbox One mapped to the same network. To access media content on a PC or server from your Xbox One requires a few settings tweaks in Windows.

  1. First, you need to open the Media Player app, accessed via the Games and Apps section at the bottom of the main dashboard.
  2. From here you can browse PC folders set up to share content over your home network.

  3. To set up a PC for media sharing, type "Media Streaming Options" into your Windows Start Menu.
  4. Find your Xbox One in the list, then tick to allow access.

  5. From here you can customize which Windows libraries you want to share, such as Documents, Pictures, Music and Videos.
  6. When you're done, hit next and follow the extra steps to create a Windows HomeGroup. Your folders should now be accessible via the Xbox One media player app.

Note: Apps like TubeCast and MyTube for Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile allow you to load YouTube videos directly to your Xbox One, too.

Where are the games and apps?

You can access your games at any time right from the home screen or via the Guide menu. Press the Xbox home button on your controller, then move down a step to select "My games & apps."

Games need to be installed either from physical discs or digital downloads from the store. Modern games tend to have quite large file sizes, so investing in an external storage drive might be something to consider.

Install a game from a disc

  1. Insert the disc into the Xbox One. The disc will show up below the main window on the dashboard home screen.
  2. Select the disc icon to begin installation.
  3. After installation is complete, select the Games Library from the bottom of the dashboard.
  4. Select the game to launch it.

Install a game from the Xbox Store

  1. Open the Store app.
  2. Select Browse all games
  3. Select the game you with to install.
  4. Select the Buy button to purchase the game.
  5. Enter your passkey if prompted.
  6. Select Confirm. Your Xbox will begin downloading the game. Note: You can check download progress by returning to the home screen and selecting Queue
  7. Once the game has finished downloading, select the Games Library from the bottom of the dashboard.
  8. Select the **game ** to launch it.

Here are some other Windows Central Xbox Help guides!

If you have any specific Xbox One questions, either drop them in the comments below, post a message in our Xbox Forums or send a tweet to @JezCorden and I'll do my best to help!

Update November 27, 2017: We've updated this guide with the latest information for the Xbox One X and the 2017 Fall update!

Four easy ways to find your PC IP address on Windows 10 S

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If you're running Windows 10 S, you can use one of these four methods to figure out your device IP address.

There could be plenty scenarios where you may need to know your device IP address, including when you need to let other users access resources (e.g., files or printer), when setting up an internet connection, or to troubleshoot network problems.

Whatever the reason it might be, typically, most Windows 10 users would just launch Command Prompt and run the IPConfig tool to find out the current TCP/IP configuration. However, if you have a Surface Laptop or another device running Windows 10 S, you won't have access to Command Prompt, PowerShell, or any other command-line app.

Thankfully, if you're running Windows 10 S, there are still ways to find the IP address assigned to your device using the Settings app, Task Manager, Control Panel, and even System Information.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll show you four quick ways to find your device TCP/IP configuration without having to use command-line tools.

How to find IP address using Task Manager

The quickest way to find the current IP address of your device is using Task Manager.

  1. Right-click the Taskbar and select Task Manager.
  2. Click the More details button if you're using the experience in compact mode.
  3. Click the Performance tab.
  4. Select the network adapter.

In the network adapter section, you'll find your current IPv4 and IPv6 configuration of the device.

2. How to find IP address using Settings

On Windows 10 S, the Settings app is another place you can use to look for the networking configuration of your device.

Wi-Fi

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Network & Internet.
  3. Select Wi-Fi.
  4. Click the wireless network you're connected.

Under "Properties," you'll find your current network address in the IPv4 address field. Additionally, in this section, you'll find other networking information, such as the DNS address, wireless signal protocol and SSID (Service Set Identifier), MAC address and more. However, for some odd reason, you won't find your current IPv6 information.

Ethernet

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Network & Internet.
  3. Select Ethernet.
  4. Click the Ethernet connection.

Under "Properties," your IP address will be displayed in the IPv4 address field.

3. How to find IP address using System Information

On Windows 10 S, you can even use the System Information tool to figure out the IP address and other networking information about your device.

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for System Information and click the result to open the tool.
  3. Expand the Network group.
  4. Select Adapter.

On the right side, look for the name of your adapter, and you'll find your current address next to the IP Address field, but note that if your adapter has IPv4 and IPv6 configurations, they both will appear in the IP Address field.

4. How to find IP address using Control Panel

Alternatively, you can use the networking options within Control Panel to see the IP address currently assigned to your device along with several other networking configurations.

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Click on Network and Internet.
  3. Click on Network and Sharing Center.

  4. On the left pane, click the Change adapter settings option.

  5. Double-click the network adapter you want (e.g., Wi-Fi or Ethernet0).

  6. In the "General" tab, click the Details button.

In "Network Connection Details," the IP address for your device will be shown in the IPv4 Address field. If you're looking for the IPv6 address of your device, then this information will be shown in the Link-local IPv6 Address field.

Also, note that in this section you can find a lot of additional information, such as physical address (MAC), DNS address, whether your device is using DHCP server to obtain its TCP/IP configuration and the TCP/IP lease expiration date.

More Windows 10 resources

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

Make Steam less fugly on high-DPI displays using this Metro Skin

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Steam is a necessity in today's PC gaming world, but it's also ugly, clunky, and simply unbearable on high-DPI displays. But it doesn't have to be.

You can actually skin Steam, and if you're a fan of "Modern UI" Metro-style apps, and want Steam to match, you need to take a look at this excellent skin currently being curated by the Steam community.

Although the official creator seems to be AWOL, there are several industrious members of the skins Steam Group sporadically working on the skin via Github, complete with an easy installer.

How to skin Steam

Here's how to get the skin up and running:

  1. Head over to Github here to grab the Metro.Skin.Installer.exe file.

    • Hit "More" if the red warning box pops up to force the installation. It appears to be completely safe, but install it at your own risk.

  2. Once you have download the installer, run it and hit Next to go through the install wizard.

    • There are no hidden sign ups or ads, thankfully, but you will eventually come upon some additional tweaks and settings; I selected expanded fonts to make the text appear larger on my high-DPI Razer Blade, vastly enhancing Steam's general usability.
  3. When the installer has finished, hit close.
  4. Open Steam, and select the settings option from the Steam menu at the top left.
  5. Go to interface, and you should now be able to select Metro 4.2.4.

  6. Steam will restart, giving you a sexy new layout to play with.

While it doesn't look like this Metro Skin has been updated for a few months, it works perfectly on the current version of Steam. Hopefully, the Github project crew keeps it going, at least until Valve decides to make Steam less clunky.

See at Github

How to find the best possible laptop on any budget

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How to buy the best laptop within any budget

Not sure where to start when buying a new laptop? We'll walk you through the process so you can get the best device possible.

The process of buying a new laptop should take a bit of time. You want to be sure that it's perfect for your needs, and you want to be sure that you aren't paying too much. You also want something worth your money that will last for years to come. To help you shop for the best possible laptop, no matter your budget, we amassed some of the most important aspects to consider.

Important questions to ask before buying a laptop

Before we get into the technical stuff, there are some questions you should ask yourself concerning the laptop you're about to buy.

How much do you want to spend?

Surface Book 2 costs a lot, but might be the best laptop.

Setting a price and sticking to it is a good idea when shopping for a laptop. If you can get a device that meets your needs, and you pay what you wanted to pay, you'll be much happier in the long run.

Premium devices, like the Surface Book 2 can run up to thousands of dollars, but you can also find the HP Spectre x360 or Dell XPS 13 around the $1,000 mark. These laptops are suitable for plenty of tasks, and the more you pay for upgrades, the better performance you'll see.

Mid-range devices usually come in somewhere between $600 and $900, and while you can find something built well, the hardware inside may not be able to keep up with intensive tasks.

Budget laptops can be had anywhere from about $200 and up, and while there are some excellent examples out there — like the CHUWI LapBook 14.1— many affordable options might not be worth your time.

What will you use the laptop for?

There are a few general uses for which most people buy a laptop: gaming, multitasking and productivity, multimedia editing, or business. Ask yourself what you'll mostly be using the laptop for, and you'll have a much easier time deciding on what type of device you need.

Heavy usage: Gaming and multimedia editing require powerful hardware.

Standard usage: Heavy web browsing, occasional gaming, and productivity require average hardware.

Light usage: Light web browsing, email, and occasional video streaming don't require much power.

What size laptop would you like?

The Lenovo X1 Tablet is portable.

Most laptops are available between 11 inches and 17 inches. Smaller laptops are often 2-in-1 devices that can also be used as tablets, while larger laptops are often used for gaming or multimedia editing.

When choosing a size, remember that a larger display is good for multitasking, but it will also come in a laptop that's heavier and not as easy to carry around when you're on the go. Smaller laptops are easier to tote around, but they often won't have the same level of performance hardware inside.

Decide on an appropriate design

Lenovo Yoga 920 converted to tent mode.

Modern laptops are available primarily in three different designs.

Notebook: This is your standard clamshell laptop with a lid that opens to a maximum of about 180 degrees. Notebooks sometimes come with touch displays, but you'll mostly see them with non-touch options.

Convertible: If you're looking at a laptop with a screen that rotates all the way around to lie flat again, you're looking at a convertible laptop. The design also allows for tent and stand modes, offering you some variety. Convertible laptops use touch displays.

2-in-1: Laptops with a removable keyboard and touchpad are called 2-in-1. You can use them as a tablet without anything attached, but you can also connect the keyboard for a full laptop experience. 2-in-1 devices use touch displays and often have a compatible active pen.

Convertible and 2-in-1 laptops work fine as standard laptops, but they also have the added benefit of working as a tablet. If you hate the idea of a tablet and think you'll be sticking with a standard laptop design, choosing a notebook can often save money.

Choose what type of display you want

Using the Bamboo Ink pen.

Laptop displays, besides size, have a few options to choose from. One of the biggest decisions you'll have to make is whether or not you want a touchscreen. Having touch ability often means you can use an active pen as well as your fingers for navigation, and it makes it possible to use your device as a tablet. Touch displays will usually burn battery faster and cost more, so decide carefully.

For resolution, a lot of budget laptops come in HD (1,366 x 768). HD is useable, but most people prefer at least FHD (1,920 x 1,080) for a crisper picture and more on-screen real estate. QHD (2,560 x 1,440) displays are available on many premium laptops, and 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) is where most modern laptops max out. High display resolution affects battery life and raises the cost, so choose something that suits your needs.

Finally, laptop displays usually come with either IPS or TN panels. IPS panels offer wide viewing angles and great color reproduction but often don't offer the same refresh rates as TN panels. TN panels, while not offering the same color quality, are usually cheaper.

IPS vs. TN monitors: Which is best for you?

Choose what type of processor works best

Dell XPS 13 uses an Intel CPU

The processor (CPU) is the "brain" of your PC, so you want something that can handle the rest of the hardware and that can handle whatever tasks you throw at it. There are two brands of CPU you'll usually find in a laptop: Intel and AMD. These two manufacturers produce a lot of different CPUs, but here are some of the common ones you'll find.

Intel

Intel Xeon: Powerful CPUs used in workstations — best for professionals.

Intel Core i7: This is one of Intel's top CPUs, offering great performance for all types of tasks.

Intel Core i5: A great CPU for most tasks, including gaming, as long as you're not looking for heavy multitasking.

Intel Core i3: This CPU is meant for light to medium tasks only.

Intel Core U-Series: Ultrabook-class CPUs that are found in plenty of laptops. These will have a "U" at the end of the designation, such as i5-8250U.

Intel Core Y-Series: These CPUs will have a "Y" in the name designation, such as i7-7Y75. They're often found in budget laptops.

Intel Celeron: Slightly better performance than Intel Atom.

Intel Atom: Low power, low performance.

When shopping, keep an eye out for the number that starts the designation. For example, an i7-8550U means the CPU is eighth-generation, which is currently the latest from Intel.

AMD

AMD Ryzen 7: Four cores and great performance, competing with Intel Core i7.

AMD Ryzen 5: Slightly less power than Ryzen 7, competes with Intel Core i5.

AMD FX, A, or E: Considered "previous-generation" at this point, these chips are found mostly in budget laptops. They offer decent performance for the price but don't set any records.

Get a graphics processing unit that can handle your needs

Using NVIDIA graphics.

A graphics processing unit (GPU) is what handles the graphics in your laptop. You can use a CPU's integrated graphics for light to medium tasks — even some gaming — but for those looking for a gaming laptop or for something that can handle heavy multimedia editing, you'll want to check out a dedicated GPU.

You have options from AMD and NVIDIA here, and there are some differences between laptop and desktop options. For more information about GPUs, check out the following guides.

Go with the right storage for the future

The SSD in the Razer Blade offers great performance.

Storage is more than just a number measuring how much you can store. Sure, 1TB sounds great (and holds a lot of data), but is that 1TB of hard-disk drive (HDD) space, or solid-state drive (SSD) space?

An HDD is going to be much slower at reading and writing but will cost considerably less money. An SSD, however, reads and writes quickly — especially one using PCIe over SATA — but costs more for the same amount of storage. There's also eMMC storage, which is sort of like an SSD but costs less and doesn't deliver the same speed or size.

If you've used an SSD in the past, it's hard to go back to an HDD. If you don't mind waiting a bit longer for apps to load and for Windows to boot, an HDD can save you some money. For more information, be sure to check out these other great resources.

Decide how much RAM you need

4GB of RAM

How much RAM your PC needs depends heavily on what you use it for. If you're sticking to productivity tasks, like checking email, word processing, and web browsing, 4GB is enough, but 8GB won't hurt.

For gaming and VR, you want at least 16GB. Having more wouldn't hurt, either. Likewise, 16GB should be enough for video and photo editing, but more is always a safe bet.

As for whether you want to go with DDR3 or DDR4 RAM, the difference in performance won't likely be noticed at this level.

Check for real battery estimates

Maybe you'd like something with a hot-swappable battery?

Manufacturers always claim a high number when it comes to how many hours a battery can run, but real-life usage often tells a different story.

The best way to actually determine how long a battery will run on a single charge is to read reviews. Testing is usually carried out, and you'll get an idea of how long it will last when under heavy load and when only being used occasionally.

Ideally, you want a battery that can last through a workday. Not having to drag along a charging cable is a nice feeling, and you won't be stuck to an outlet while it charges.

Try out the keyboard and touchpad in person

The keyboard on the ThinkPad 25 is one of the best.

Buying a laptop for productivity reasons and not testing out the keyboard and touchpad is a mistake. Not all keyboards are created the same, and if you get stuck with something uncomfortable, you'll find it hard to repeatedly sit down and use it.

A good keyboard should have adequately spaced keys and enough key travel to not jar the fingers, and touchpads should feel solid when clicked and should track or move well. The only way to discover whether or not you like these parts of a laptop is to use them.

If possible, try to find a demo of the laptop you're interested in. Whether you have a friend with one or you're shopping around at stores, spend some time typing and clicking to get a feel for the hardware.

One more thing: Look out for backlighting on the keyboard and Precision drivers for the touchpad. Both of these features will make your life much better. (The drivers basically enable more gestures and functionality.)

Best laptop by touchpad

Consider port selection

Plenty of ports on the Acer Aspire 5

Unfortunately, port selection is often overlooked by many buyers. In the past, this wasn't as big of a deal since most laptops came with a varied selection, but these days, with the trend of slimness taking over, you'll often find a device with only one or two ports on the entire thing.

USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 are becoming more popular, but USB-A is still sought after, especially for anyone using older peripherals (mouse, keyboards, and external hard drives) with their laptop. There are plenty of adapters and docks available, but that's only if you feel like carrying them around with you.

What's the difference between USB-C and Thunderbolt 3?

For anyone interested in streaming video, HDMI, DisplayPort, or Mini DisplayPort should be considered, but Thunderbolt 3 can also be used for video if you have the correct adapter. If you're often in places where Wi-Fi isn't available, an Ethernet port is recommended.

Generally speaking, try to imagine all the things you're going to use your new laptop for, and plan connectivity, whether with regular ports or with adapters, around that idea.

How to return the 'Open command window here' option to Windows 10's context menu

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You can bring back the option to launch Command Prompt from the right-click context menu on Windows 10, and in this guide we show you how.

On Windows 10, Microsoft continues to fade out Command Prompt in favor of PowerShell. Although you can still use the console, you'll notice that the option is no longer available on the Power User menu (Windows key + X), on the File menu for File Explorer, or in the extended context menu (Shift + Right-click).

While there is an option in the Settings app to add Command Prompt to the Power User menu, you won't find an option to bring it back to the extended context menu. However, it's still possible to re-incorporate the option in Windows 10, if you're comfortable modifying the Registry.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to bring back the "Open command window here" option to the context menu.

How to add 'Open command window here' to the context menu

Adding the "Open command window here" to the extended-folder context menu is a two-step process. First, you need to bring back the option when you open the menu when right-clicking a folder, and second, using similar steps, you need to return the option when right-clicking the background of a folder.

Adding 'Open command window here' to the folder context menu

In order to re-incorporate the option to launch Command Prompt on the extended context menu, you'll need to modify the Registry using the following steps:

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

If you're ready, follow these steps:

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

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\cmd

  4. Right-click the cmd (folder) key, and click Permissions.

  5. Click the Advanced button.

  6. On "Advanced Security Settings," click the Change link next to "Owner."

  7. Type your account name in the provided field, click Check Names to verify you're typing the account name correctly, and click OK.

  8. Check the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects option.

  9. Click Apply.
  10. Click OK.
  11. On "Permissions," select the Administrators group.
  12. Under "Permissions for Administrators," select Allow for the Full Control option.

  13. Click Apply.
  14. Click OK.
  15. Inside the cmd (folder) key, right-click the HideBasedOnVelocityId DWORD, and click Rename.
  16. Change the DWORD name from HideBasedOnVelocityId to ShowBasedOnVelocityId, and press Enter.

Once you complete these steps, using the Shift + Right-click combo on a folder will display the "Open command window here" option.

At any time, you can revert the changes following the same instructions, but on step No. 16, make sure to rename the DWORD from from ShowBasedOnVelocityId to HideBasedOnVelocityId, and press Enter.

Adding 'Open command window here' to the background context menu

The instructions mentioned above add the option to open Command Prompt on the folder context menu, but not when you Shift + right-click the background of the folder that is currently open.

If you want to Shift + right-click a background to open the location using Command Prompt, you need to follow these extra steps:

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

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shell\cmd

  4. Right-click the cmd (folder) key, and click Permissions.

  5. Click the Advanced button.

  6. On "Advanced Security Settings," click the Change link next to "Owner."

  7. Type your account name in the provided field, click Check Names to verify you're typing the account name correctly, and click OK.

  8. Check the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects option.

  9. Click Apply.
  10. Click OK.
  11. On "Permissions," select the Administrators group.
  12. Under "Permissions for Administrators," select Allow for the Full Control option.

  13. Click Apply.
  14. Click OK.
  15. Inside the cmd (folder) key, right-click the HideBasedOnVelocityId DWORD, and click Rename.
  16. Change the DWORD name from HideBasedOnVelocityId to ShowBasedOnVelocityId, and press Enter.

Once you complete these steps, when using the Shift + right-click combo on a folder background you will see the "Open command window here" option.

You can revert the changes following the same instructions, but on step No. 16, make sure to rename the DWORD from from ShowBasedOnVelocityId to HideBasedOnVelocityId, and press Enter.

Thanks @johannesmp (Windows Central reader) for this part of the tip!

How to remove 'Open PowerShell window here' from the context menu

You'll also notice that using the above steps will bring back the "Open command window here," but it'll keep the "Open PowerShell window here" too.

If you want to remove the PowerShell entry from the extended context menu, do the following:

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

    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell\PowerShell

  4. Right-click the PowerShell (folder) key, and click Permissions.

  5. Click the Advanced button.

  6. On "Advanced Security Settings," click the Change link next to "Owner".

  7. Type your account name in the provided field, click Check Names to verify you're typing the account name correctly, and click OK.

  8. Check the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects option.

  9. Click Apply.
  10. Click OK.
  11. On "Permissions," select the Administrators group.
  12. Under "Permissions for Administrators," select Allow for the Full Control option.

  13. Click Apply.
  14. Click OK.
  15. Inside the PowerShell (folder) key, right-click the ShowBasedOnVelocityId DWORD, and click Rename.
  16. Change the DWORD name from ShowBasedOnVelocityId to HideBasedOnVelocityId, and press Enter.

After completing these steps, using Shift + Right-click will only show the "Open command window here" option.

To bring back the PowerShell option, follow the same instructions, but on step No. 16, make sure to rename the DWORD from HideBasedOnVelocityId to ShowBasedOnVelocityId, and press Enter.

Wrapping things up

While you can run the majority of the commands using PowerShell, a lot of people still prefer Command Prompt, and the context menu option provides a quick way to open the utility in a specific location without having to type a long command to navigate to a folder path. But now, thanks to a hidden option in the Registry, you can bring that experience back to Windows 10.

More Windows 10 resources

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


Xbox Wireless: Everything you need to know

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These are all the details you need on Xbox Wireless – Microsoft's latest ecosystem for accessories free of cables.

While Microsoft continues to converge its experiences across Xbox One and Windows 10, programs like Play Anywhere are proving how unified platforms can be beneficial to both the consumers and the company itself. "Xbox Wireless" shows this philosophy being applied to accessories too, building a hardware ecosystem between Microsoft's two flagship gaming platforms. Here's everything you need to know about Xbox Wireless, and its benefits to you as a gamer.

What is Xbox Wireless?

"Xbox Wireless" is a proprietary protocol developed by Microsoft for connecting accessories to Xbox One consoles. Like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Direct, Xbox Wireless enables controllers and select headsets to establish a direct wireless connection with the console, while avoiding the complexities that come with adapters or physical cabling.

The protocol first made its debut back with the Xbox One. It served as the unbranded technology for connecting controllers to the console. Microsoft later expanded its capabilities while ushering in the Xbox Wireless name, embracing the technology as its protocol for premium wireless gaming. This also led to an expansion to Windows devices via an official adapter, allowing Xbox accessories to be used on PC.

Today Microsoft now refers to Xbox Wireless as an ecosystem for its licensed accessories, marketing the protocol for its seamless wireless experience across its platforms. With third-party manufacturers starting to release "Xbox Wireless" devices, both Xbox One and PC can hook into the lineup of accessories.

Using Xbox Wireless on Xbox One and Windows 10

If an Xbox One owner, you've likely been using Xbox Wireless for years without even knowing it. The radio frequency (RF) module embedded inside all Xbox One consoles taps into this protocol and is used to connect to most wireless accessories. While infrared (IR) and Wi-Fi Direct are used for connecting some devices, this is the sole way of connecting controllers wirelessly. Xbox Wireless devices can be connected to an Xbox One system using the "Sync" button located on the front of the console.

Over on PC, connecting Xbox Wireless accessories is a little more challenging. The proprietary nature of Xbox Wireless means an official adapter is required, which will set you back $24.99. However, for that price you'll be getting support for eight controllers and their accompanying headsets, which should be more than enough for any gaming session.

The form factor of the current Xbox Wireless Adapter isn't exactly elegant. Thankfully, a revised version of the Xbox Wireless Adapter is set to release in the U.S. next year, which cuts the adapter's size down to a third of the original. Select devices are also offering integrated Xbox Wireless chips, though this is currently limited to a subset of pre-built PCs.

See Xbox Wireless Adapter at Microsoft

Why use Xbox Wireless?

Existing wireless technologies are available for gaming accessories, but Microsoft opted to develop its own protocol for further flexibility. Building a device offering around its own specification allows accessories to offer unique functionality while tying hardware down to its ecosystem.

Utilizing a higher frequency connection than traditional 2.4 GHz Bluetooth, on paper, Xbox Wireless promises a higher bandwidth connection for accessories. This, in turn, reduces latency, which can shave off vital milliseconds in competitive titles. The effects of this are mostly undetectable but should guarantee a stable connection for hardcore players.

Xbox Wireless is also able to transmit wireless stereo audio, which is used for dedicated Xbox Wireless headsets. This means the Xbox One controller's integrated 3.5mm jack can also be used as an audio output too, which isn't available over a Bluetooth connection. When paired with Windows Sonic spatial sound, an impressive virtualized 7.1 surround sound experience can be provided wirelessly.

One of the Xbox One controller's most unique features in terms of hardware, impulse triggers, are also limited exclusively to Xbox Wireless. On a standard Bluetooth connection you'll still be receiving a standard vibration, although games with rumble trigger support can offer a unique edge to the experience.

While these features aren't ground-breaking, they still contribute toward making for a "premium" experience on Xbox Wireless. Integrated Bluetooth on recent controllers reduces the relevancy of the technology, but can still offer value for some gamers.

Xbox Wireless accessories

Due to protocol restrictions on Xbox One, all wireless controllers use Xbox Wireless for communication. As a result, Xbox wireless controllers should also work on PC with the official adapter.

Microsoft has also been expanding beyond controllers, partnering with various third-party accessory manufacturers to develop Xbox Wireless devices. LucidSound, Turtle Beach and Razer all announced products that fall in this range, kicking off the first wave of headsets that use the protocol. These are the headsets announced so far, for use across Xbox One and Windows 10.

Microsoft has also outlined partnerships with Astro, HyperX, PDP, Plantronics, and SteelSeries. These will assumedly deliver variants of Xbox Wireless accessories in the future. Going forward, Xbox Wireless headsets can be identified by an "Xbox Wireless" icon on the box.

Xbox Wireless PCs

Microsoft has unveiled plans to expand the reach of Xbox Wireless via integrated solutions in Windows PCs. After partnering with hardware manufacturers, Xbox Wireless chips can be shipped in select devices, which are ready to go out of the box.

Adoption of Xbox Wireless has been minimal across major manufacturers, with only a small range of prebuilt devices offering this functionality. It's unclear whether adoption will increase going forward, though Microsoft is introducing integration on some flagship Surface devices. These are all the Windows 10 PCs currently available with Xbox Wireless integration:

We'll be sure to update this piece going forward if new devices and accessories hit the market.

Your thoughts on Xbox Wireless

What do you think of Xbox Wireless so far? Have you been using the official adapter on your Windows PC? If not, why are you holding back? Make sure to drop into the comments section below and share your thoughts on the technology.

How to add more and faster RAM to the Dell XPS 15 (9550 and 9560)

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Dell XPS 15

As is, the Dell XPS 15 (9550 or 9560) is an outstanding 15-inch laptop.

Nonetheless, there are ways to make it even more of a beastly machine thanks to easy upgradeability of some of its hardware.

I recently showed you how to swap the internal Wi-Fi card and today I'll show you how to upgrade the RAM.

RAM – Faster or More?

Before going to the actual how-to let's talk about why you want to upgrade your RAM. There are a few ways to consider this depending on your needs, wants, and wallet:

  • More RAM.
  • Faster RAM.

More RAM is easy. If your XPS 15 has 8GB of RAM and you want 16GB, then we can easily drop in more memory. Personally, I feel 8GB of RAM is fine for most users, but some do need 16GB or even 32GB for heavy lifting like 4K video editing, 3D modeling, virtual machines, and the like. If you're just running a web browser and a few apps and the occasional game, 8GB or 16GB will be more than enough for you.

Is 32GB overkill in a laptop? Probably.

Faster RAM is trickier. The XPS 15 (9550 and 9560) ships with 8GB or 16GB of DDR4-2133MHz. But you can run 2400MHz RAM on the XPS 15 without any issue. (You can install 2800MHz RAM, but the BIOS limits it to 2400MHz, so don't waste your money).

Are there any downsides to having too much RAM? Technically, more RAM uses more energy from the system, but it's such a negligible amount that you'll barely notice it. In fact, if you're maxing out your current RAM, you're using more power by putting the power-hungry SSD to work as overflow memory. Really, though, the only downside is cost versus actual value you get from the upgrade.

Finally, the Dell XPS 15 (9550 and 9560) maxes out at 32GB of DDR4 RAM (a pair of 16GB sticks).

What to buy

When it comes to buying RAM, it will depend on those two factors mentioned above as well as your wallet.

For this article (and for science) I used G.SKILL 32GB (2 x 16GB) Ripjaws Series DDR4-2800MHz (which is how I discovered the 2400MHz limit).

Assuming Dell does not enable 2800MHz speeds for RAM here is what you should buy for the high-end:

See G.SKILL 32GB (2 x 16GB) Ripjaws

This RAM is the same as my extreme version just clocked at 2400MHz and cheaper by around $25. Kingston's HyperX Impact RAM is also impressive and may cost even less.

If you are upgrading from an 8GB XPS 15 to 16GB, you can find the same G.SKILL RAM with less memory at half the cost:

See G.SKILL 16GB (2 x 8GB) Ripjaws

Either one of those will give you more memory at a slightly higher speed. You could, of course, find even cheaper RAM clocked at 2133MHz, but if you're opening your machine and replacing the RAM why not spend the few extra bucks to get a slight bump in performance?

Speaking of, let's be clear: any "speed" difference with RAM will likely make little impact on an actual day to day basis. We're talking maybe in the realm of 2-5% difference in throughput for things like the GPU under heavy load. Something like CAS Latency is also relevant. Yes, your XPS 15 will feel peppier after this upgrade, but it won't be a massive difference.

If you want to see a dramatic improvement in performance for everyday tasks, stay tuned for my SSD upgrade guide for the XPS 15.

Finally, remember it is always preferable to increase RAM amount over RAM speed. If you have to pick one, go for more RAM. I do not advise buying less RAM that is clocked faster. Another way of putting that is the XPS 15 (9550 and 9560) already ships with fast RAM, so it is the amount we are looking to improve upon.

Difficulty Rating

This upgrade is very simple and even easier than changing the Wi-Fi card.

The process is just taking off the bottom cover of the laptop, pushing the latch pins for the RAM to the side and swapping it with the new RAM. You are looking at about a 20-minute job if you take your time.

What you need

You will need a few tools like hex and Philips screwdrivers and a small pry to help remove the bottom cover on the XPS 15.

Some of the tools you will need for this job

You may have your own tools, but since I plan on doing this more often, I picked up the E-Durable Pro Bit Driver Kit on Amazon. It was a mere $12 and includes every tool you will need to work on electronics like a laptop, and I recommend it if you don't have anything at the moment.

See E-Durable Pro Kit on Amazon

You will also want a clean and well-lit workspace and somewhere safe to put the screws from the bottom of the XPS 15.

Opening the XPS 15

To begin, shut down (not sleep or hibernate) your laptop and unplug it from the power adapter.

You should also use an Anti-Static Wrist Strap when touching the inner components.

See Anti-Static Strap at Amazon

To open the XPS 15 (9550 and 9560), you will want to do the following.

XPS 15 screws All 12 of the screws holding the XPS 15 together

  1. Place the XPS 15 bottom-up. I recommend using a cloth to prevent any scratches.
  2. Remove the 10 Torx head screws from the bottom.
  3. Remove the 2 Philips head screws from beneath the XPS label (lift the cover).
  4. Pry the cover off gently using a pry tool.

The cover should just click and come off without much force once all 12 of the screws are removed.

Changing the RAM

The RAM is easily found on the opened XPS 15 (9550 and 9560) as it is right in the middle of the machine and unobstructed. You can see the placement in the below image.

The RAM is very easy to access on the XPS 15 (9550 and 9560)

The RAM is held down by clamps on each side of the chip. Using a small pry tool (or your fingers if you're nimble) just push the clamp to the side away from the RAM. Once you do this for each side, the chip should pop up at a 45-degree angle.

Here are all four clamps holding the RAM down on the XPS 15

  1. Push clamps to the side for each RAM chip

    XPS 15 RAM

  2. When RAM is free from the clamps they should pop up slightly
  3. Gently pull the chip away from the motherboard
  4. Slide in the new RAM (label will likely be facing out)
  5. Gently press downwards on the RAM until you hear the clamps click

  6. Repeat for secondary RAM chip

That's it. Once the RAM is clicked into place, and the clamps are holding it you can reassemble the XPS 15. Start from the center (under the XPS label cover) then do the four corners and finally fill in the middle and side screws. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN as the Torx head screws are relatively soft and you can easily strip the heads. Tighten them gently just until they are not loose. It's much easier to buy a replacement screw then to drill out a stripped one!

G.SKILL 32GB (2 x 16GB) Ripjaws Series DDR4-2800MHz installed on the XPS 15

When you turn the XPS 15 on for the first time, you will likely see a BIOS-like screen informing you that the hardware changed. This behavior is normal, and you can select Continue to proceed to boot up Windows.

You should not have to change anything in the system BIOS or Windows as both will just recognize the new RAM. If you want to check that you have the correct speed and amount when the XPS 15 is booting

  1. Hit F12 when you see the Dell logo
  2. Go to BIOS settings
  3. Navigate to General > System Information and check Memory Speed

You should see 2400MHz (even if you bought 2800MHz) and the amount of RAM listed under System Information.

The amount, speed, and other details of upgraded RAM in the XPS 15 using CPU-Z

Alternatively, you can use the free app CPU-Z to verify even more details about your system's configuration.

Let me know in comments if you need 32GB of RAM in your laptop and why!

Updated December 1, 2017: We modified this post to make it clear that these instructions also apply to the Dell XPS 15 (9560).

What to expect from PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) for Xbox One

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PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is already one of the biggest hits of 2017, Here's everything you can expect from its Xbox One release this fall.

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds was an overnight hit, taking the PC gaming community by storm with its survival-shooter gameplay. After millions of copies sold, the game is now on its way to Microsoft's gaming ecosystem, with an exclusive Xbox One launch set for December 12. With the new 4K-ready Xbox One X now on store shelves, the game is shaping up to be a major blockbuster for 2017.

But what is PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds? And why should you care? Here's everything you can expect from the game's Xbox One release.

5 tips and tricks for staying alive in PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds for PC

See at MicrosoftSee at Amazon

What is PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds?

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (often shortened to Battlegrounds, or PUBG) is a "last-man-standing" multiplayer shooter, pitting up to 100 players against one another in an expansive open world. Taking strong influence from "Battle Royale" and arena survival games, players must gather supplies, converge upon a single location and fend off hostile players.

After being dropped in from a cargo plane via parachute, players land in Battlegrounds' world with no equipment. From there, it's key to quickly search for weapons, ammunition, attachments and more, while watching out for enemies in the vicinity.

Over time, the playable area will begin to shrink, forcing players to move to increasingly smaller pieces of the map. Ultimately, players will be forced into combat, leading to only a single player remaining at the end of the round.

Variations on this core concept are also available, with support for larger teams of players.

Why is PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds so popular?

After its release on PC earlier this year, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds managed to gain an unprecedented wave of traction. Attracting millions of players since launch, and with thousands still jumping on daily, the game's growth doesn't look to be slowing anytime soon.

So, what exactly sparked its popularity? While it's impossible to pin success on just a single factor, the game's appeal mostly comes from the overall cohesion of the package. With previous work on similar titles, Creative Director at Bluehole, Brendan Greene, has applied his experience with the survival genre to deliver an unmatched level of balancing and depth.

While previous survival games offered the same appealing premise, the popularity of the title continues to draw more people. For many, this is their first time experiencing the genre, and the underlying hardcore mechanics are an interesting change of pace from your average multiplayer shooter. At this point, the franchise name alone is able to drive sales, which should also extend to the upcoming Xbox One release.

Will there be differences between the Xbox One and PC versions?

With significantly less flexibility in terms of raw processing power, many have understandably expressed concerns about how the game's scale will translate to console. However, since the announcement for Xbox One, the studio behind PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds has been keen to stress that gameplay should be similar, if not identical on the console.

Anticto, a small developer based out of Girona, Spain, is currently handling the Xbox One port. Bluehole is still established as the team behind core game development and PC updates, while progress on the Xbox One release is outsourced almost entirely to the Spanish developer. Although having an entirely separate studio raises some concerns, it's now common in the industry to have multiple teams contributing to a single project.

Greene has also discussed his intentions to maintain periodic patches on Xbox One, as seen on PC. It appears the regular monthly updates should be present, with close to feature parity between the two platforms. Although it's safe to assume PC will get many updates early, it's encouraging to see the developer already commit to consistent console support.

When the game officially launches, outside of Xbox Game Preview, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds will also take advantage of the Xbox ecosystem. Xbox achievements, Xbox Live multiplayer integration, and the platform's social elements should all make an appearance in the final product – as expected from any ID@Xbox title. Mention of integration for Microsoft's Mixer live streaming platform has also been discussed, although no further details have been provided.

How does PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds play with a controller?

One of the biggest challenges when transitioning over to console from PC can be creating a control scheme, with two vastly different input methods used on the platforms. As discussed during an interview between Greene and GameSpot, Microsoft's ID@Xbox program is lending a hand in porting process to ensure the best layout for an Xbox One controller.

We know it's important to get a really good solid control, especially for a shooter, you need good movement controls and stuff like that. I'm working with these guys (ID@Xbox) and they have the experience with doing it for many other games.

We managed to spend some time with an Xbox build of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds at Gamescom 2017, providing a chance to see how the game translates to controllers. The gamepad has fewer buttons, making for a condensed controller layout but in many ways, the original feel of the PC experience shines through.

A look at PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG) Xbox One controls

Will PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds offer cross-platform multiplayer?

With various gaming ecosystems becoming more integrated than ever, the idea of cross-platform multiplayer doesn't seem too crazy. Especially on Xbox One and Windows 10, where Microsoft is heavily pushing its "Play Anywhere" program, blurring the lines between platforms isn't entirely out of the question.

Speaking to VG247, the game's Executive Producer Chang Han Kim expressed the studio's interest in such a feature, provided it's implemented correctly:

Cross network play between the PC and the console is definitely something we want to do down the road, and we don't anticipate we'll have any technical issues with that.

However, being a hugely competitive title, a stigma still surrounds cross-play and the variation between input methods. Using a mouse provides more precise aiming than a console joystick, and while a handicap can be put in place, this opens a whole new dilemma to consider. While we can't expect such functionality at launch, the developers are still showing interest in implementing cross-play at a later date.

How will PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds perform on Xbox One?

Up until this point, a majority of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds' console marketing has focused on the Xbox One X version of the game. Offering a significant bump in available hardware resources, the game is being upgraded for the console in several ways, though the benefits are set to scale up after release.

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is set to release as an "Xbox One X Enhanced" title, though for now, only HDR support is among the confirmed features at launch. As discussed at E3 2017, the game is on track to be a 4K title too, but the resolution bump is being saved for a later date, via a dedicated patch.

The Xbox One version is designed to run at 30 frames per second (FPS) across all Xbox One consoles, including the Xbox One X. Despite previous reports, Greene has clarified that all versions will output at the same frame rate, maintaining an even playing field for all players. The team is "exploring options to increase FPS," assumedly via further optimization, though 30 FPS will be the limit imposed upon release.

When will PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds be available on Xbox One?

Right now, PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is available exclusively on PC, via Steam's Early Access program. The Xbox One version of the game is on track for a December 12 release as a "console launch exclusive," meaning the game will be tied to the platform for its initial debut.

When the game releases for Xbox One, players will first be able to purchase a version via "Xbox Game Preview," which provides an in-progress package, close to the final product. As with all games debuted through this program, a free trial will also be available.

For those looking to play the full release with additional features and polish, you can expect to wait until sometime in 2018, for the official release.

See at MicrosoftSee at Amazon

Updated December 1, 2017: Added details on PUBG's Xbox One release date and launch performance.

How to change to Bing search in Google Chrome

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Bing

Like Google Chrome but want to use Microsoft's search engine? No problem!

There are many reasons you might prefer to use Bing search over Google, like Microsoft Rewards, but equally, there's a strong case to use Google Chrome as your web browser.

Both Microsoft and Google would naturally prefer you to use the combination of their own browsers and search engines, but that's not how it has to be. If you want to swap, here's how to change Google for Bing as your Chrome search engine.

  1. Click on the three dots on the menu bar.
  2. Click settings.
  3. Scroll down to search engine.
  4. Select Bing from the drop-down box next to search engine used in the address bar.

Now, every time you use the address bar in Chrome to search for something you'll get a Bing search result instead of a Google one.

Naturally, the same steps can be used to sub in other search engines, too, and if you want to add one that isn't there already you can do so in the same area of the Chrome settings menu.

How to create automatic System Restore points daily on Windows 10

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Use this hidden option to make sure there is always an up-to-date restore point to roll back changes in case of system issues on Windows 10.

On Windows 10, System Restore is a feature that automatically checks for system changes on your device and saves a system state as a "restore point." In the future, if a problem occurs due to a change you made, or after a driver or software update, you can go back to a previous working state using the information from a restore point without causing data loss.

When the feature is enabled supported apps and Windows 10 can create restore points during significant changes happen, and you can even trigger them manually. However, if you accidentally make a change without creating a restore point and there isn't a recent checkpoint created, you may not be able to revert back. Furthermore, if there is only an old restore point, you may end up undoing other system changes.

If you want to make sure there is always a fresh restore point available, it's possible to enable a Windows Defender Antivirus hidden option to automatically create checkpoints every day before its daily scanning.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to make sure a System Restore point is created automatically on the daily basis.

How to enable System Restore on Windows 10

By default System Restore isn't enabled on Windows 10, but you can use these steps to enable the feature:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Create System Restore and click the result to open System Protection.
  3. Under "Protection Settings," if your device system drive has "Protection" set to Off, click the Configure button.

  4. Select the Turn on system protection option.

  5. Click Apply.
  6. Click OK.

After enabling System Protection, you can use the steps below to make sure restore points are created daily.

How to enable automatic System Restore points using Group Policy

If you're running Windows 10 Pro, you can modify the Group Policy settings to create restore points every day automatically.

  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 > Windows Defender > Scan

  4. On the right side, double-click the Create a system restore point policy.

  5. Select the Enabled option.

  6. Click Apply.
  7. Click OK.

Once you've completed the steps, your computer will save a new restore point prior to every daily malware scan.

In case that you change your mind, you can always revert the changes following the same instructions, but on step No. 5, make sure to select the Not Configured option.

How to enable automatic System Restore points using Registry

If you're running Windows 10 Home, you won't have access to Group Policy, but you can change the same settings by editing the Registry.

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

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

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

    Quick Tip: On the Windows 10 Creators Update and later, you can copy and paste the path into the new Registry's address bar to quickly jump to the key destination.

  4. Right-click on the Windows Defender (folder) key, select New, and click on Key.

  5. Name the key Scan and press Enter.
  6. Right-click on the right side, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.

  7. Name the key DisableRestorePoint and press Enter.
  8. Double-click the newly created DWORD and make sure its value is 0.

  9. Click OK.

After completing the steps, a checkpoint will be created every day, which you can use to undo changes that might have harmed your device.

If you want to revert the changes, simply follow the same instructions, but on step No. 5, right-click the Scan (folder) key and click Delete to remove the entries.

More Windows 10 resources

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

Xbox Game Preview program: Everything you need to know

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Xbox Game Preview brings games to Xbox One and Windows 10 ahead of release. Here's what you need to know about the program and how it works.

Video game distribution continues to change in the digital age, with developers building on their titles beyond the initial release. While post-launch content and monetization schemes are dominating the industry following this shift, this also allows developers to improve upon the experience first delivered. In some cases, the means studios can even sell titles ahead of release, completing the title through updates over the months, or even years, ahead.

This is where Xbox Game Preview comes in – Microsoft's solution for distributing in-progress titles over Xbox Live. Here's everything you need to know, and how to get started titles in preview.

What is Xbox Game Preview?

Xbox Game Preview is a program offered by Microsoft, which allows creators to publish their Xbox One and Windows 10 titles while still in development. Over time, developers with games in the program are expected to deliver regular content updates, with the eventual goal of releasing as a full-fledged title.

Sharing traits with equivalent programs on rival platforms, such as Steam Early Access, this allows games to get into the hands of the public faster and evolve on player feedback. However, these systems aren't perfect – programs like Game Preview have come under fire in the past for giving developers a chance to sell games without providing a complete product. Many of the titles in Game Preview aren't held to the same quality standards as full releases, with bugs and issues more frequent. Furthermore, content can be lacking during early days in the program.

Playing Xbox Game Preview titles

Despite being acknowledged as a work in progress, Game Preview titles are still distributed via the Microsoft Store alongside the remainder of its curated library. These are clearly marked in the store with "Game Preview" on the cover art and listing title.

Microsoft allows developers to charge when in the Game Preview program, although usually at a discount until the official release. However, all Game Preview titles have a free trial available, which grants one hour of gameplay before a purchase. This provides a chance to ensure players are comfortable investing in a game, without worries of major gameplay or technical issues. After completing the trial period, all progress transfers to a purchased copy.

Xbox Game Preview titles can be found on Xbox One under a special category of the Microsoft Store. On Windows 10 the Microsoft Store doesn't offer the same curated section, meaning titles must be found in the "Xbox" section. Most Game Preview games on Xbox One and Windows 10 also offer [Play Anywhere[(/xbox-play-anywhere-faq) support, with cross-platform purchasing, saves and multiplayer.

Restrictions on Game Preview titles

Microsoft has attempted to combat the stigma associated with pre-release titles by implementing tighter restrictions than many competitors. Xbox Game Preview titles see a tight certification process to debut through the program and provide future updates. With only a small handful of titles today, Microsoft delivers a level of curation not seen on many other "Early Access" services.

Once accepted into the program, few restrictions are imposed on Game Preview titles. Gameplay obviously must abide by various content guidelines and pass the certification process, but otherwise, developers are given a fair amount of freedom. This gives more flexibility to developers than traditional full-scale release, while still being bound to the Microsoft Store.

Many games first hit Xbox Game Preview without support for achievements and other Xbox Live feature, though games in the past have been known to implement them at a later date. Similarly, downloadable content packs can also be released for games through Game Preview, though is uncommon to see.

Xbox Game Preview titles

Since the debut of Xbox Game Preview back in 2015, a stronger selection of titles has embraced the program. Games of varying scales and genres are in development today, with ten games currently available in preview. These are all the games available through Xbox Game Preview and their respective platforms.

Xbox Game Preview has also helped the development and launch of many Xbox One games, which are now available as full titles on the Microsoft Store. Elite: Dangerous, ARK: Survival Evolved and The Long Dark are all products of Xbox Game Preview. Several titles have also been announced for Game Preview in the months ahead, as listed below.

  • PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
  • Deep Rock Galactic
  • Wreckfest
  • Session

We'll be sure to update this list going forward, as new titles enter and leave Xbox Game Preview.

Xbox Game Preview is a promising program on Xbox One and Windows 10, giving developers another route for building and delivering their services. Serving up an option for games to hit the Microsoft Store ahead of launch delivers benefits to both consumers and developers, shipping early access to games with a flow of real-world feedback. What are your thoughts on Xbox Game Preview? Make sure to drop them in the comments section below.

How to transfer your Groove Music playlists to other streaming platforms

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Groove Music

The Groove Music shutdown is almost here. Here's one way to move your playlists to just about any other music service.

As of December 31, 2017, Microsoft's Groove Music Pass will no longer be active. This means all the music you had in it will be gone for good, that is, unless you transfer your playlists out to another service.

Microsoft and Spotify have partnered up to make it easy to move over your playlists, but while it's probably the biggest alternative platform, it's not necessarily the best for everyone. There are other services out there that you might prefer to use, like Amazon, Google Play Music, Deezer, even Apple Music.

We've been hunting for one easy way to get music out of Groove and into any other service, and we've found Stamp. A single Windows application that will take care of it for you.

Download Stamp for Windows

What does Stamp do?

Stamp

Simply put, Stamp will hook into a number of music services and allow you to move your playlists between them. In this case, since Groove Music is supported, we're using it to transfer playlists from there to other services.

It isn't free, though. You'll have to spend around $10 to get the desktop package (though it's free to try), or spend a little more and get a bundle that includes the ability to use an Android or iOS device to do this.

That might be off-putting to some, but if you have a lot of music in your Groove library it's worth it to save on man hours alone. Because Stamp works quickly.

Which services does Stamp support?

Stamp

All the big names are here, thankfully. Here's a quick list:

  • Groove Music.
  • Spotify.
  • Amazon Music.
  • Pandora.
  • Deezer.
  • Tidal.
  • Google Play Music.
  • YouTube.
  • Apple Music.

Stamp also allows you to export your playlists as a CSV file if you wish.

How to move your Groove playlists

Stamp

Specifically we're focusing here on moving from Groove Music for obvious reasons, but the same basic steps apply to any service that Stamp supports.

  1. Select your current service.
  2. Enter your username and password to log in.
  3. Select your destination service.
  4. Enter your username and password to log in.

Stamp will now begin moving your playlists across services and it'll tell you at every step how long is remaining. Unless you have a massive library, it shouldn't take more than a few minutes.

Any songs it can't export, for example, because they're not in the library on your new service, Stamp will tell you and allow you to export a list so you know what will be missing.

That's all there is to it. Microsoft makes it easy to move to Spotify, but for a small outlay Stamp can easily move you to any of the other leading music streaming services. You'll still have to act quickly, of course, because once Groove is gone, it's gone.

If you have any other tips for moving between music services be sure to drop them into the comments.

Download Stamp for Windows


4 tips to keep in mind when shopping for NAS hard drives

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Synology DS218

Not all hard drives are created equal. Here are four things you should consider when expanding the capacity of your Network Attached Storage (NAS).

The issue with NAS is that, generally, hard drives are put under considerable stress with continuous operation. While desktop hard drives may survive the onslaught of use for a period of time — some may even last years — it's recommended to at least consider NAS-specific counterparts. Should you be considering a purchase that will work in a NAS and offer advanced features for enhanced durability, we've got some tips for you.

Size matters when it comes to NAS

Hard Drives

Hard drives typically come in standard sizes, which dictate how much storage is available for use. NAS hard drives come in 1 terabyte (TB), 2TB, 3TB, 4TB, 6TB, 8TB, 10TB and so on — a single TB being 1,000GB. Since most users will be using a NAS for storage, you're going to want to ensure you have ample capacity available, since media can quickly take up all your space.

The capacity you should go for depends on what you will store on the drive. If you're using the NAS for home storage, you can usually get away with one to two terabytes of space. Movies, games and more will require increasing amounts of a drive, so you'll need to calculate (and estimate) accordingly. It's also worth noting that if you wish to utilize RAID to keep an immediate backup copy of files, you'll want to match the capacity of both drives or you'll be limited to the drive with the lesser limit.

Seek out trusted brands

Seagate Baracuda

Your data is important, especially when it comes to NAS. Money can be spared in the actual unit — it's possible to create your own using nothing more than a Raspberry Pi — but for hard drives, we recommend that you spend the extra bucks and purchase a drive from a reputable brand. Western Digital, Seagate, HGST, and other hard drive manufacturers all produce their own NAS-certified drives that can come with extended warranties.

It's about endurance

FreeNAS

NAS drives are specifically designed for use with such devices, and as such, they usually come packing more reliable components with higher use ratings. For example, the Seagate IronWolf NAS family of hard drives has a rated transfer of around 180TB per year, and a meantime before failure (MTBF) of one million hours. That allows you to transfer a lot of data and have peace of mind that the drive is backed by rigorous testing for prolonged use.

Backblaze does some great research on a number of hard drives, noting down failures and analyzing reliability across various vendors. It's well worth checking out to see what brands (and models in particular) are prone to failure.

Drive traits

NAS

NAS hard drives come with an array of marketing jargon, but some of it can be useful. Vendors may include technologies for enhanced reliability when operated 24/7, optimize drives for specific NAS configurations, and include data recovery, as well as other measures to reduce wear and tear. While it can prove useful to compare various models, usually they're similar, and you should value capacity and reliability over such traits.

These three hard drives are ideal for NAS

More on NAS

These are the HTC Vive games launching in December

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Here's what's new for the HTC Vive for December 2017!

A number of interesting titles are set to release for the HTC Vive this month, fit for the fan of any of virtual reality genre. Although we won't be getting any highly anticipated releases from big studios, some indie gems are on the horizon. Here's an in-depth breakdown of all the HTC Vive games releasing over the month of December 2017.

Note: This list is compiled from Steam store listings at the start of the month.

Read more at VRHeads

How to upgrade Office 365 Personal to Home edition so you can use it on more devices

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How to upgrade Office 365 Personal to Home edition so you can use it on more devices

You can quickly and easily upgrade your Office 365 subscription from Personal to Home.

Office 365 is a great way to access Microsoft's suite of office tools on a subscription basis. It ensures you won't be left in the dust when a new version of the product comes out — your Office is going to be kept up to date as long as you're a subscriber.

Did you start with Office 365 Personal but now need Office on multiple computers, tablets, and phones? No problem. Upgrading from Personal to Home won't take long.

See at Microsoft Store

Office 365 subscriptions

There are several options to choose from when purchasing a subscription. Each one gets you access to classic Office tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Where the subscriptions really differ, however, is in how many individual devices can use Office 365.

EditionPCsTabletsPhones
Personal111
Home555
Business555
University2*2*2

* Office 365 University allows installation on a combined two PCs or tablets.

If you initially purchased Office 365 Personal but now need Office on multiple devices, fret not. Upgrading to Office 365 Home from Personal is a snap.

How to upgrade to Office 365 Home using a product key

If you bought a physical copy of Office 365 Home from a brick and mortar store — usually either a box, a card, or a receipt — the product key will be located on that packaging. Follow these steps to upgrade from Office 365 Personal.

Remember that only one subscription can be linked per account, so your Personal subscription will be gone following your upgrade to Home. The time remaining in your existing subscription will be added to your new subscription.

  1. Navigate to www.office.com/setup using your favorite web browser.
  2. Click Sign in.
  3. Type your Microsoft account name or number and hit Tab on your keyboard.

    Click Sign in. Type your Microsoft account name or number.

  4. Type your Microsoft account password.
  5. Click Sign in.

    Type your Microsoft account password. Click Sign in.

  6. Type in the product key found on the physical copy of Office 365 Home.
  7. Click the dropdown arrow beneath Country or region and click your country of residence.

    Type the product key found on your physical copy. Click the dropdown arrow beneath Country or region and click your country of residence.

  8. Click the dropdown arrow beneath Your language and click your language.
  9. Click Next.

    Click the dropdown arrow beneath Your language and click your language. Click Next.

Microsoft will verify your information and your subscription will change to Office 365 Home. Your subscription time will be extended one year past however much time you had remaining on your Personal subscription.

How to upgrade to Office 365 Home without a product key

If you want to upgrade to Office 365 Home straight from your computer, follow these steps.

Remember that only one subscription can be linked per account, so your Personal subscription will be gone following your upgrade to Home. The time remaining in your existing subscription will be added to your new subscription.

  1. Navigate to the Office 365 product page at the Microsoft Store.
  2. Click Sign in. If the account name associated with your Office 365 Personal account is displayed here, skip ahead to step 5.
  3. Type your username and hit Enter on your keyboard.

    Click Sign in. Type your username and hit Enter.

  4. Type your password and hit Enter on your keyboard..
  5. Click a renewal option. Here you can choose from monthly or yearly.

    Type your password and hit Enter. Click a renewal option.

  6. Click Buy and download now.
  7. Click Checkout.

    Click Buy and download now. Click Checkout.

Your new one-year subscription to Office 365 Home will be added to however much time is remaining on your current Personal subscription.

More resources

Looking for more to do with Office 365? Check out these other articles.

Updated December 4, 2017: We've refreshed this guide to ensure you're still getting the correct steps involved in upgrading your Office 365 subscription.

Here's how to search with Microsoft Bing in Firefox

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Bing

Like Firefox as your browser and want to set Bing as your search? No worries!

There are many reasons you might prefer to use Bing search over Google, including Microsoft Rewards, but Microsoft Edge still isn't everyone's favorite web browser. The competition is fierce and with the latest revision of Firefox, it's a compelling alternative.

By default, Firefox will be set to use Google search but it's no great challenge to change it out for Bing.

Firefox

  1. Click on the three lines menu icon in the top right-hand corner.
  2. Select options.
  3. In the sidebar menu click on search.
  4. Change the default search engine drop-down box to Bing.

Now, every time you use the address bar in Chrome to search for something you'll get a Bing search result instead of a Google one.

Naturally, the same steps can be used to sub in other search engines, too, and if you want to add one that isn't there already you can do so in the same area of the Firefox options menu. Simply click on find more search engines on the same page as detailed above.

Download Firefox for Windows

How to reduce the size of Windows 10's footprint on your PC

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You can compress the Windows 10 installation size to use less space, and in this guide, we show you how.

Alongside many new features and changes, Windows 10 also includes additional improvements that are often overlooked because they are implemented under the hood. For example, if you haven't noticed, the installation now takes far less space than previous versions, which enables it to run on devices with smaller storage capacities.

Microsoft even made changes to the recovery process to eliminate the use of a recovery image. Instead, if you ever need to reset your device, the OS will use the files already stored in the winsxs folder. Using this method, users can get around 4GB of space back.

While they all are welcomed improvements your device will take advantage without additional configuration, you may need to reduce the drive usage even more, and this is when "Compact OS" comes in handy.

Compact OS is a new mechanism that compresses all the installation files and preinstalled applications, letting you run Windows 10 from a compressed environment, reducing the footprint and freeing up space.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to use the Compact OS command-line tool to shrink the Windows footprint size to save space on your device.

How to use Compact OS to reduce the size of Windows 10

Compact OS technically is a replacement for WIMBoot which offered similar advantages. You can still use it, but the new mechanism is a lot easier to set up and deploy.

It's worth noting that this guide focuses on using Compact OS on a computer already running Windows 10, but you can also use this tool to deploy a compressed installation of Windows 10 on new devices.

Warning: While the process is safe, you'll be making system changes, and there is always a chance something will go wrong. We recommend making a full backup of your PC before proceeding.

Ready? Follow these steps:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the result, and select Run as administrator.
  3. Type the following command to verify that your system is not already compressed and press Enter:

    Compact.exe /CompactOS:query

  4. Type the following command to reduce the size of Windows 10 and apps and press Enter:

    Compact.exe /CompactOS:always

Once you completed these steps, Compact OS will begin the compression process, which could take up to 20 minutes.

Over time, the footprint of Windows 10 will be kept small, thanks to the system being able to interact with the original files directly to remove or replace them as required, unlike WIMBoot, which combines files into a single WIM file.

You can always revert the changes using the same instructions, but on step No. 4, use this command Compact.exe /CompactOS:never and press Enter.

Reducing the Windows footprint even more

Although using Compact OS can free up additional space, you should also consider that the pagefile.sys (virtual memory) and hiberfil.sys (hibernation data) can increase in size of the footprint even more, depending on the amount of memory in your device.

For example, if you have a tablet with a small storage capacity, and it's limited to 1GB of memory, the system files will use less space than on a device with more than 1GB of memory.

In order to save extra space to reduce the overall size of Windows 10, you can remove or reduce the size of the hiberfil.sys file. Here's how:

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

    powercfg /h /type reduced

The above command reduces the size of the hibernation file by 30 percent. If you want to remove the file completely, you can use the powercfg /h /off command instead.

If you want to change the hibernation settings back to the full amount, simply follow the same instructions, but on step No. 3, make sure to use this command powercfg /h /size 100.

Using this method, you'll be able to reclaim around 3GB of space and an additional 30 percent of the hiberfil.sys file.

While you can use Compact OS on any device, this is a feature designed to make the system files lighter on a low-cost device with limited storage. Also, using this method shouldn't affect system performance noticeably.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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