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How to delay the Windows 10 April 2018 Update while still getting updates

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If you're not ready to start using the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, there are a few ways to delay the new version temporarily.

The Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803) is scheduled to arrive on April 30, and during the next several months the Microsoft servers will be busier than usual delivering the new major update to millions of compatible devices.

The update will be slowly rolled out, initially targeting newer devices and then slowly expanding to older and untested Windows computers. This is to ensure a smooth rollout, and to take care of any showstopper bugs before they reach too many PCs. If you're not ready to deal with a major update, or just want to wait for a while, there are a few ways to delay the Windows 10 April 2018 Update while still receiving maintenance updates.

Related: Our in-depth Windows 10 April 2018 Update review

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through three different methods to delay the April 2018 Update on your device running Windows 10 Pro or Windows 10 Home — all while still being able to receive quality updates to fix bugs and keep your computer and data safe and secure.

How to delay the Windows 10 April 2018 Update installation

If you're ready to upgrade to the new version of Windows 10, but you just can't install it the minute is ready, you can postpone the installation to a later time or different day using the Settings app.

Pausing updates

To temporarily stop the April 2018 Update from downloading and installing on your device, do the following:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Update & Security.
  3. Click on Windows Update.
  4. Under "Update settings," click the Advanced options link.

  5. Turn on the Pause Updates toggle switch.

Once you've completed the steps, quality and feature updates will not download on your computer for up to 35 days since you turned on the option.

Postponing installation

If the new version has already downloaded, and it's ready to install you can postpone the installation to a later time using these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Update & Security.
  3. Click on Windows Update.
  4. Under "Update settings," click the Restart options link.

  5. Turn on the Schedule a time toggle switch.
  6. Select the time and date you want the upgrade to occur (up to seven days in the future).

If you're planning to install version 1803 the same day, but on a different time, while in Windows Update, you can click the Change active hours link, and specify a time range that you don't want the installation to happen. After applying the settings, the Windows 10 April 2018 Update will install outside the active hours you've specified.

How to defer the Windows 10 April 2018 Update installation

If your device is running the professional or enterprise version of Windows 10, you can use the Settings app to defer the feature update for several months. To skip the upgrade on your device running Windows 10 Pro, do the following:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Update & Security.
  3. Under "Update settings," click the Advanced options link.
  4. Under "Choose when updates are installed," select the readiness level that you want to delay the update:

    • Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted): Defers feature updates up to 365 days since the original release of version 1803.
    • Semi-Annual Channel: Defers feature updates up to 365 days since the update is considered stable for organizations. Usually, this happens four months after a new version becomes available in the Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) branch.

  5. Select the number of days using the feature update drop-down menu.

After completing the steps, Windows 10 version 1803 won't install until after the date you specified, or until you change the settings. However, no matter which option you choose, your computer will continue to receive fixes and security updates to patch any vulnerabilities with the release you're running.

How to block the Windows 10 April 2018 Update installation

Windows 10 Home is a more restricted version of the OS when it comes to updates. If you're running this version, you won't find any options in the Settings app to defer the April 2018 Update, but it's possible to temporarily block the update using a metered connection.

A metered connection is a feature that allows you to reduce the data usage of Windows 10 on capped internet data plans. However, because using a metered connection prohibits the download of updates to save data, you can use this option to block version 1803 from downloading and installing on your PC.

It's never a good idea to skip updates as it can potentially be a security risk, but if you're using Windows 10 Home and really want to block this update, you can temporarily set up your network adapter as metered with almost no risks.

Setting a Wi-Fi metered connection

To set a Wi-Fi connection as metered on Windows 10, do the following:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Network & Internet.
  3. Click on Wi-Fi.
  4. Click the network connection you use to connect to the internet.

  5. Turn on the Metered connection toggle switch.

Setting a Wi-Fi metered connection

To set an Ethernet connection as metered, do the following:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Network & internet.
  3. Click on Ethernet.
  4. Click the network connection you use to connect to the internet.

  5. Turn on the Metered connection toggle switch.

Once you've completed the steps, feature updates, as well as quality updates, will no longer download on your computer. However, priority updates to address a severe problem with Windows 10 will continue to download regardless of the settings you use.

As a result of a metered network connection, apps you acquired from the Microsoft Store will stop updating, the Start menu may stop showing live updates in tiles, and offline files may stop syncing to the cloud automatically.

At any time, you can use the instructions outlined above to remove the block, but on step No. 5, make sure to turn off the Metered connection toggle switch.

If you're concerned about missing security updates and fixes while using a network connection as metered, you can periodically check the Windows 10 support website to find out if there's a new quality update available. If an update is available, you manually install Windows 10 updates.

Wrapping things up

Although this guide outlines several methods that you can use to delay Windows 10 version 1803 on your computer, these are not steps meant to discourage you from discarding the update entirely.

Updates are extremely important to maintain the health of your machine, keep your data safe with new security enhancements, and start taking advantage of new features that can make you more productive. However, it's also true that during the early days, you may want to consider deferring a new release to evade potential unknown issues that could negatively affect your experience.

This is something that Microsoft knows, and in order to provide the best experience possible, the company never pushes significant updates to every device at once. Instead, rollouts happen slowly in stages, and updates take several months to ship to business customers.

It's worth noting that temporarily delaying a new version of Windows 10 is not a significant security risk either. If this was the case, computers that aren't initially compatible, and organizations that need to wait even longer to deploy new updates would be a risk, and that wouldn't be a good experience.

Typically, new versions of Windows 10 are supported for at least 18 months, and while the release you're using still supported, it'll continue to receive maintenance updates to patch security vulnerabilities, fix problems and compatibility issues, and improve performance.

Are you planning to upgrade immediately or are you delaying the Windows 10 April 2018 Update? Let us know in the comments.

More Windows 10 resources

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


Windows 10 April 2018 Update common problems and fixes

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If you're having problems upgrading to the April 2018 Update, in this guide, we'll highlight the most common issues and the steps to resolve them.

The Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803) has finally arrived, and it's rolling out worldwide as a free update for compatible desktops, laptops, and tablets. The new version is the fifth major refresh that Microsoft is releasing (the first of two updates coming out this year), and it delivers a new set of features and changes to improve productivity, performance, and security.

However, a new release also means new potential problems because feature updates are not the same as those quality updates you get every month. Instead, every new release of Windows 10 goes through significant code restructuring which can introduce compatibility issues as well as bugs that can negatively impact the experience.

Alongside the issues that may appear as a result of the new version, you may also come across problems that aren't necessarily problems with the new feature update. Sometimes, an installation could fail because of outdated drivers, conflicts with programs, and configurations you may have applied that will prevent installing the new version.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll highlight a number of common problems and the different ways you can resolve them as you install the April 2018 Update on your device.

Problems and fixes moving to Windows 10 version 1803

It's important to note that during the installation of a new version of Windows 10, you may encounter two types of problems. You may see errors that are common issues during the upgrade process, which they're not necessarily bugs, and then, there are those errors that can occur as a result of a bug, compatibility problem, or unknown issue with the new feature update.

This guide includes the instructions to resolve both types of problems during and after the installation of Windows 10 version 1803:

How to fix Windows Update errors installing April Update

Although the best way to download and install the latest release of Windows 10 is to use the Windows Update option, sometimes you may see an error message that won't let you install the new version.

There are a number of errors that may appear, and they'll be different depending on the problem that caused them. However, if you're having trouble, the quickest way to troubleshoot and resolve this issue is to use the Windows Update troubleshooter tool.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Update & Security.
  3. Click on Troubleshoot.
  4. Under "Get up and running," select the Windows Update option.
  5. Click the Run the troubleshooter button.

  6. Click the Apply this fix option (if applicable).

  7. Continue with the on-screen directions.

  8. Restart your device.

After completing the steps, go to Settings> Update & Security> Windows Update, click the Check for updates button to try the upgrade one more time.

It worth noting that there could also be a problem with your device network adapter. In this case, you can use the Network Adapter troubleshooter available under "Find and fix other problems" in the Troubleshoot settings page to resolve this issue.

How to fix Windows Update error 0x800F0922 downloading April Update

The error 0x800F0922 can indicate that your computer cannot contact the Microsoft's update servers, or it can mean that the System Reserved partition doesn't have enough space.

Disconnect VPN

If you see these errors using Windows Update, the problem could be an active VPN connection.

To fix this problem, disconnect your current VPN session and then try to update again.

Resize System Reserved partition

It's unusual to have a System Reserved partition that is smaller than required, but sometimes third-party programs like security software may save data into this partition, which can be the reason that you can't install the April Update.

To fix this problem, you'll need to find a third-party tool to resize and make the System Reserved partition larger (at least 500MB).

Alternatively, you can perform a clean installation, which will create the proper partition to run Windows 10 without problems.

Use Media Creation Tool

Alongside problems contacting the update servers or partition size, you may also come across error 0x80246007 while using Windows Update to download the latest version of Windows 10. This error indicates that the update didn't download successfully.

The best way to get around this problem is to use the Media Creation Tool to perform a clean installation which will create the proper partition to run Windows 10 without problems.

How to fix unexpected error downloading installation files

The error 0x80190001 usually happens when an unexpected problem occurs trying to download the upgrade files to install the Windows 10 version 1803 using Windows Update.

If you see this error message, use Disk Cleanup to remove the temporary installation files and try again.

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for cleanmgr and click the result to launch Disk Cleanup.
  3. Select the C: drive.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Click the Clean up system file button.

  6. Click OK ensuring that the C: drive is selected.
  7. Select Temporary Windows installation files .

  8. Click OK.
  9. Click the Delete Files button.

After removing the files, go to Settings> Update & Security> Windows Update, click the Check for updates button.

If this method doesn't work, use the Media Creation Tool to upgrade your device manually.

How to fix Windows Update error 0x80070020 installing April Update

Usually, you'll see error 0x80070020 using Windows Update to install a feature update if an application is conflicting with the Windows 10 automatic update mechanism.

This error is likely caused by a third-party antivirus or security software. You can troubleshoot this problem doing a clean boot of Windows 10 and then try to go through the upgrade on more time.

If you don't want to use the clean boot process, make sure to temporarily remove any third-party antivirus, security software, and older programs that may be causing the conflict, and then try to upgrade again.

On Windows 10, you can uninstall applications using these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Apps.
  3. Click on Apps & features.
  4. Select the app you want to remove, and click the Uninstall button.

  5. Click the Uninstall button again to confirm.

After completing the steps, repeat the instructions to remove any other conflicting applications. Then try to upgrade one more time, and after the process, remember to reinstall your third-party antivirus or security software.

How to fix missing or damaged update files error 0x80073712

When you see error 0x80073712 or 0x80245006, it means that the required files to install the April Update are missing or damaged.

To fix this problem, use the Disk Cleanup tool to remove the setup temporary files and then try again:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for cleanmgr and click the top result to launch Disk Cleanup.
  3. Select the C: drive.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Click the Clean up system file button.

  6. Click OK, ensuring the C: drive is selected.
  7. Select Windows Setup temporary files or Temporary Windows installation files.

  8. Click OK.
  9. Click the Delete Files button.

After removing the files, go to Settings> Update & Security> Windows Update, click the Check for updates button.

If you're still having problems, you should upgrade to version 1803 using the Media Creation Tool.

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

As you try to upgrade to Windows 10 version 1803, you may see a messages that reads: Error: The update isn't applicable to your computer. This message indicates that your device doesn't have the required updates installed to support the new version.

Windows 10 installs updates automatically, but if your computer doesn't connect to the internet for some time, and then you try to use a USB bootable media to upgrade, you're likely to see this problem.

To resolve this issue, make sure to install the latest updates before proceeding with the upgrade:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Update & Security.
  3. Click on Windows Update.
  4. Click the Check for update button.

In the rare case that the required update isn't downloading, you can install it manually using this guide.

How to fix Media Creation Tool errors installing April Update

When trying to install the April Update using the in-place upgrade option with the Media Creation Tool, there's a chance you may see a Dynamic Update related problem, but even after restarting the process your computer will get stuck again downloading the installation files.

If you see this problem, you can try launching the process manually:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Browse to the following path:

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

  3. Double-click the Setupprep.exe file to start the upgrade process again.

How to fix stuck downloading updates using Media Creation Tool

If you're using the Media Creation Tool to upgrade to the latest version of Windows 10, sometimes the tool will get stuck trying to download any available updates before the installation process.

You can resolve this issue starting over again, but after the Media Creation Tool finishes downloading the required files on your device, quickly disconnect your wire or wireless connection from the internet. When you do this, the tool will timeout, skip the update process, and continue with the installation.

Once the new version has been installed, and you're in the out-of-box experience (OOBE), connect your computer to the internet and finalize the update. Then check for updates on Settings> Update & Security> Windows Update, and click the Check for Updates button to download and install any available patch for version 1803.

How to fix damaged files on USB bootable media

In the case that you're using a USB bootable media to install the Windows 10 April Update, during the process the installation may fail, or an error may appear preventing a successful upgrade.

This is a very common issue that is often caused by one or multiple corrupted files in the USB flash drive. You can quickly resolve this issue re-downloading the files again from the Microsoft servers using the Media Creation Tool to create a new USB installation media.

  1. Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.
  2. Double-click the MediaCreationTool.exe file to launch the tool.
  3. Click Accept.
  4. Select the Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC option.

  5. Select the correct language, architecture, and edition as necessary, if different from the default selection.
  6. Click Next.
  7. Select the USB flash drive option.

  8. Click Next.
  9. Select a removable drive from the list.

  10. Click Next.
  11. Click Finish.

Once you've completed the steps, you can use the new bootable media to successfully install the April Update.

How to fix error 0x8007025D using an ISO file installing April Update

If you see error 0x8007025D - 0x2000C, this means the metadata of the ISO file is corrupt, and it won't let you install the Windows 10 April Update.

You can quickly get around this issue by using the Media Creation Tool to create a new ISO file.

  1. Download the Media Creation Tool from Microsoft.
  2. Double-click the MediaCreationTool.exe file to launch the tool.
  3. Click Accept.
  4. Select the Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC option.

  5. Select the correct language, architecture, and edition as necessary, if different from the default selection.
  6. Click Next.
  7. Select the ISO file option.

  8. Click Next.

Once you've completed the steps, the tool will create an ISO file that you can use to upgrade your computer, virtual machine, or another device.

How to fix storage error 0x80070070 during installation

Windows 10 requires a least 16GB of free space to upgrade a 32-bit version, or 20GB to upgrade a 64-bit version. If your device doesn't have enough free space to complete the installation, you're likely to see one of these errors:

  • 0x80070070 – 0x50011
  • 0x80070070 – 0x50012
  • 0x80070070 – 0x60000
  • 0x80070008
  • 0xC190020e

To fix this common upgrade problem on Windows 10, use the Disk Cleanup utility to free up space:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for cleanmgr and click the result to launch Disk Cleanup.
  3. Select the C: drive.
  4. Click OK.
  5. Click the Clean up system file button.

  6. Click OK ensuring that the C: drive is selected.
  7. Select the files you want to delete, including:

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

    Warning: It's important to remember not to delete "Windows Setup temporary files" or "Windows ESD installation files" because these are the files needed to install the new update on your computer.

  8. Click OK.
  9. Click the Delete Files button.

Once you've completed the steps, try to install the Windows 10 April Update one more time.

If you couldn't free up enough space, it's also possible to connect a USB flash drive with at least 16GB of available storage that Windows 10 will detect and use as temporary storage to complete the installation.

How to fix error 0x80070522 installing April Update

If you get error 0x80070522 as you try to upgrade your computer to the April Update, it means that you're trying to install the update using an account without administrator privileges.

In the case you're using a standard account, make sure to sign-in with an administrator account or have someone with the right privileges to perform the upgrade for you.

How to fix Windows 10 before installing a feature update

Sometimes using the same Windows 10 installation without maintenance, you're more likely to run into performance and other problems that can prevent the April Update from installing on your computer.

If you've been running the same installation for a long time, use the SFC command-line tool to repair any files that may be corrupted or replace missing system files.

Refer to this guide to use the System File Checker (SFC) tool with Command Prompt to repair your Windows 10 installation.

If you're still having issues, you can also use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool to fix your current installation.

How to fix compatibility error 0x800F0923 during installation

The error 0x800F0923 indicates a problem with a device driver or compatibility issue with an application.

Usually, this error will appear when there is a problem with the graphics driver, outdated driver for a specific piece of hardware, or there's a compatibility problem with older software or security application, such as your third-party antivirus.

If your computer was working without issues before installing Windows 10 version 1803, it could be difficult to figure out which driver or program is blocking Windows Update.

In this case, the best way to get around this problem is to use the Media Creation Tool to do an in-place upgrade. If there's something that will conflict with the installation process, the tool will let you know on a report.

If it's a driver related issue, download and install the latest update from your manufacturer's support website.

If you're using the latest drivers, but the problem continues, one way to overcome this issue is to temporarily remove the driver, and continue with the April Update installation. Then after installing the new version, you can reinstall the devices again.

To remove a driver from Windows 10, do the following:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Device Manager and click the top result.
  3. Expand the device causing the problem.
  4. Right-click and click Uninstall.

After completing the steps, you can try to install the Windows 10 April Update on your device one more time.

In addition to error 0x800F0923, you may also experience error 0x80070490 - 0x20007 during the upgrade process, which means that one or multiple device drivers are incompatible. The error 0x80070003- 0x20007 indicates that the upgrade process failed during the driver installation phase.

If you get one of these errors, after Windows 10 rolls back to the previous version automatically, use the steps mentioned above to temporarily uninstall the device driver that may be causing the problem, and then try to upgrade again.

When dealing with software compatibility issues, check your software vendor support website to download and install the latest patches for the application.

Alternatively, you could uninstall the app blocking the feature update and then continue with the installation.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Apps.
  3. Click on Apps & features.
  4. Select the app you want to remove, and click the Uninstall button.

  5. Click the Uninstall button again to confirm.

Then after installing the upgrade, you can reinstall the application again.

How to fix driver error 0xC1900101 during installation

When you get an error that starts with 0xC1900101 is likely that the problem is a device driver.

Here's a list of 0xC1900101 possible errors:

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

Also, error 0x80090011 indicates that a driver error has appeared during the user data migration process.

In order to get around these errors, here are some fixes you can try:

Install latest drivers

To prevent 0xC1900101 or 0x80090011 errors, make sure to install the latest update for the driver with the problem from your manufacturer support website.

To update a driver on your computer, do the following:

  1. Open Start.
  2. Search for Device Manager and click the top result.
  3. Expand the device causing problems, which is likely to appear with a yellow exclamation mark.
  4. Right-click and select Update Driver Software to check for updates. (Alternatively, you can use the Uninstall option to bypass the error.)

In the case that you're downloading the driver from your manufacturer support website, use their instructions to update, instead of the steps mentioned above.

Disconnect devices

You can also disconnect the device or peripheral causing the problem, proceed with the April Update installation, and then reconnect the hardware.

As a rule of thumb, you always want to remove all non-essential peripherals, including Bluetooth devices, printers, external storage, and other hardware that you think may cause issues.

Use SFC and DISM tools

Use the SFC command-line tool built into Windows 10 to repair the installation and fix potential problems with drivers.

If you're still experiencing driver issues with 0xC1900101 errors, use the DISM command-line tool for repair the installation.

Free up hard drive space

If your device doesn't have enough, you may also see one of the errors. Always ensure that there's at least 20GB of free storage.

You can also use our guide with several tips on how to free up disk space on Windows 10.

Repair hard drive errors

You may also see one of these errors if there are errors with your computer's hard drive. You can check and repair drive errors using the CHKDSK command-line utility.

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

    chkdsk/f c:

  4. If you're unable to run the tool, type Y and press Enter to schedule a checkup.

  5. Restart your computer to trigger the scan.

The tool will scan and automatically repair any problems with the hard drive. After the process completes, make sure to restart your computer before trying to upgrade again.

Upgrade manually

Using the Media Creation Tool to perform a clean installation is perhaps the best alternative to update to version 1803 to prevent 0xC1900101 errors.

How to fix installation error 0x80200056 after accidental restart

During the upgrade process, you may get error 0x80200056 as a result of an accidental restart, but it's nothing serious. Simply start the installation one more time, and the process should go through this time.

How to fix software compatibility error 0xC1900208 during installation

When you see the error 0xC1900208 – 0x4000C, it means that one or more programs are incompatible with the new version of Windows 10, and you won't be able to continue with the installation process.

The fastest way to get around this common problem installing the Windows 10 April Update is to uninstall the application causing the issue. Usually, this error is caused by a third-party antivirus or another type of security software.

To uninstall an application on Windows 10, do the following:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Apps.
  3. Click on Apps & features.
  4. Select the app that's not compatible.
  5. Click the Uninstall button.

  6. Click the Uninstall button again to confirm.

If you're removing a classic desktop (win32) application, you may need to follow some additional steps as directed by the uninstaller.

How to fix problems trying to complete the installation

During the installation of feature update or quality update, you may come across two error messages, including:

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

These are common errors when an update fails to install, and unless you track down the exact error, you won't be able to find the appropriate solution.

The best action you can take is to check the Windows Update history information to find out the error, which you can use to find the correct fix.

To check the update history information, do the following:

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

  5. Check the error code for the update that failed to install.

Once you find out the exact error, use the internet to try figuring out the solution. Also, remember to check the Windows Central forums to seek help.

How to fix minimum hardware requirements error 0xC1900200, 0xC1900202

In the rare case that you come across error 0xC1900200 – 0x20008 or 0xC1900202 – 0x20008, it means that your device doesn't meet the minimum hardware requirements to install the new version of Windows 10.

Usually, if you're upgrading from the previous release of Windows 10, you're likely not to see these errors. However, if you're upgrading the original version released back in 2015 on an older computer, then chances are that you'll see one of these errors.

Here are the Windows 10 April Update minimum hardware requirements:

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

Although most devices already running Windows 10 are not likely to have hardware problems, it might be an issue with low-end computers. When there are requirement problems, it's typically the memory, which you can resolve upgrading the system RAM. However, you may also want to consider getting a new device.

You can use this guide to learn the steps to check your system hardware information on Windows 10 to figure out if hardware update is needed.

How to fix Windows 10 activation problems

Windows 10 is capable of reactivating automatically after a re-installation, but the process not always works perfectly, and there's a small chance that your computer won't activate after installing the April Update. When this happens, you'll see a Windows not activated message with a 0x803F7001 error in the Settings app.

Luckily, there's an Activation Troubleshooter option in the Settings app to fix any problem trying to re-activate your copy of Windows 10.

In the case that you're still unable to activate Windows 10, it's also recommended to wait a few days to see if your device re-activates automatically.

How to successfully install the Windows 10 April Update

Usually, moving to a new release of Windows 10 is a smooth process, but because developing an operating system that runs across thousands of different hardware configurations isn't an easy task, at least in the early days, hiccups during and after the installation are common.

However, there are several steps you can follow to reduce the chances to come across errors as you upgrade to the April Update.

Create a full backup

Although there's a built-in mechanism that can automatically restore the previous version of Windows 10 if something goes wrong, you can't expect that it'll work all the time. As a result, it's very important to create a backup of your entire computer to have a way to roll back in case something goes critical wrong while installing version 1803.

Luckily, Windows 10 includes a tool to quickly create a system image that includes everything you need to recover your computer, including installation, apps, settings, and files.

If you don't know how to do this, you can use our guide to create a full backup of Windows 10.

Remove unnecessary apps

Incompatible and outdated applications are one of the main reasons an upgrade may fail. The best way to stay ahead and prevent these problems is to uninstall those apps you don't use and those that are likely to cause compatibility conflicts. Usually, you want to remove older classic desktop programs and security tools before clicking the install button.

To uninstall apps, anti-malware, and other security software on Windows 10 is an easy process, just do the following:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Apps.
  3. Click on Apps & features.
  4. Select the app you want to remove, and click the Uninstall button.

  5. Click the Uninstall button again to confirm.

If you're removing a classic desktop application, you may need to follow additional steps to complete the process. In the case that you have multiple incompatible applications, repeat the above steps to remove them.

In addition, you may want to consider (temporarily) removing any third-party antivirus and security tools to prevent potential problems during the installation. (It's assumed that you understand the that leaving your computer unprotected isn't recommended.)

If you're using the Windows Defender Antivirus, you can temporarily disable its real-time protection to proceed with the upgrade process.

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

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

Once the April Update installs on your device, the real-time protection will reactivate automatically. After the upgrade, you can also install any other third-party malware solution you want.

Disable firewall

The Windows Firewall or any other firewall can also be the reason for problems and errors during the upgrade process to a new version of Windows 10. Before the installation, make sure to disable your firewall.

You can disable the Windows Firewall using these steps:

  1. Open Windows Defender Security Center.
  2. Click on Firewall & network protection.

  3. Click the Domain network link.
  4. Turn off the Windows Firewall toggle switch.
  5. Click the Private network link.
  6. Turn off the Windows Firewall toggle switch.

  7. Click the Public network link.
  8. Turn off the Windows Firewall toggle switch.

Remove any update blocks

If you've been making custom configuration changes to your installation, before trying to upgrade, make sure to remove any block that will prevent Windows Update from downloading the new version.

Although there might be many configurations that you may have applied to your computer, you can follow these steps to find out if you're not blocking the April Update:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Update & Security.
  3. Click the Advanced options link.

  4. Under "Choose when updates are installed," make sure that settings are configured to Semi-Annual Channel (Targeted) and 0 days for both of the deferred options.

Additionally, you want to make sure that the Pause Updates toggle switch is turned off.

Disable metered network connections

When you have a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network connection set as metered, Windows 10 automatically prevents your device from getting big feature updates. If you want to upgrade to the latest version as soon as it becomes available, you want to disable any network connection set as metered.

If you're connected to the internet with a limited data plan, make sure you have enough data available in your account or connect to an unlimited network connection before proceeding.

To disable a metered connection, do the following:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Network & Security.
  3. Click on Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
  4. Click the network connection.

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

Disconnect unnecessary peripherals

During the installation of a new version of Windows 10, you may also come across problems as a result of incompatible hardware connected to your computer.

In order to avoid problems, it's always a good idea to disconnect non-essential devices before the upgrade. This includes disconnecting removable storage peripherals, such as USB flash drives, SD cards, external hard drives, printers, scanners, adapters, and Bluetooth devices.

During the installation process, you only need a keyboard and mouse, monitor, and an internet connection. Once the installation completes, you can reconnect all your devices to your computer.

Use a clean installation

If you've already followed all the best practices and tips, and you're still unable to upgrade your computer, you should consider performing a clean installation.

A clean installation takes longer, but it deletes everything on the primary hard drive, and installs a fresh copy of Windows 10 with the April Update that can help to improve performance and resolve many issues in your current installation.

The easiest way to start from scratch is to use the Media Creation Tool to prepare a USB bootable media, which you can use to boot your computer and install Windows 10. If you don't know the steps to start, we have you covered with our guide that will walk you through every step of the way to perform a clean installation.

Wrapping things up

Although the new version of Windows 10 is now available to the masses with a slew of new changes and new features to improve security, performance, and productivity, be aware that during the initial rollout there might be still some unknown bugs and compatibility problems.

In the case you're thinking on upgrading to version 1803 as soon as it launches, before pushing the install button, consider that the best way to upgrade is to wait until it becomes available automatically through Windows Update.

As a result of potential issues, Microsoft usually begins rolling out new feature updates slowly to devices known to work correctly with the update and blocks the rest. Then after the new version goes through more testing, it'll expand more broadly to other devices.

Did you have any problems installing the April Update? Did you find a solution? Let us know in the comments.

More Windows 10 resources

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

What's new with the Settings app for the Windows 10 April 2018 Update

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The April 2018 Update for Windows 10 delivers a ton of improvements and new options to the Settings, and here's everything you need to know.

While the Settings app is still a work in progress, the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803) introduces a lot of new options and improvements that bring the experience one step closer to make Control Panel completely obsolete.

On version 1803, the Settings app debuts with a revamped interface using more elements of the Fluent Design System. You'll find a number of new options that are new to Windows 10, or have been ported from Control Panel, many of the settings have been reorganized or updated, and a lot more.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll show you the improvements, tweaks, and changes included in the Settings app starting with the April 2018 Update.

What's new in the Settings app

Windows 10's April 2018 Update delivers a slew of improvements to the Settings app, including an updated homepage with icons and information aligned to the right forming a rectangle instead of a square tile (similar to the layout found in Control Panel).

Control Panel (left), Settings app (right)

The experience also brings a few Fluent Design tweaks, including the Acrylic material effect in the left navigation pane for each section. Reveal highlight is more visible with darker borders when hovering over items using the light theme, and starting with this release, Windows 10 removes the border reveal effect in tree views and lists. Also, the home button is a house, instead of a gear, and the colored title bar is gone.

Alongside all the interface changes, the Settings app also delivers a slew of updates and new options to take even more control of Windows 10.

Here are all the new improvements found in the Settings app for version 1803:

System

On Settings> System, the Display page has been updated with some changes.

Under "Scale and layout," you can now click the Advanced scaling settings link to access a page to enable an option called Let Windows try to fix apps, so they're not blurry. This new option allows the OS to fix apps that become blurry in particular scenarios automatically, including when changing settings, remote session, or dock/undock, without you having to sign out and sign back in.

In the "Multiple displays" section there's a new link to access the Advanced display settings page that shows you information about your monitor, including active signal resolution, refresh rate, bit depth, color format, and color space.

Additionally, under "Multiple displays," you'll also be able to access the new Graphics settings page that allows you to manage settings for apps on devices driving multiple graphics processors.

The idea with the new settings is to let users manually designate which GPU an app should use, instead of Windows deciding on your behalf. If these settings are configured correctly, they should help to improve system performance and optimize battery life.

The settings are available for both, classic desktop (win32) and Microsoft Store applications. After adding an app, you can access the Options page to select one of the three available options:

  • System default: Windows decides which GPU an app should use.
  • Power saving: Apps using this option will run on the GPU that uses the least power. Usually, this is the integrated graphics processor.
  • High performance: Apps using this option run on the most powerful GPU, which typically is the dedicated or external graphics processor.

The new Windows 10's graphics settings are always preferred over the same settings you can configure using a control panel designed by the GPU manufacturer. Just remember that these settings may not always work as expected, some apps may require changing the graphics settings within the app in question.

On Settings> System, the Sound page is new to the April 2018 Update, and it includes the settings to control the system and apps sounds, and you'll also find settings to manage your microphone options.

The page is divided into three sections. At the top, you can choose your output device if you have multiple speaker setups. You can control the system volume, access the sound card advanced properties, and there's a button to launch the audio troubleshooter to fix any sound issues.

In the Input section, you can select the microphone that Windows 10 should use by default. It's also possible to access the advanced microphone properties, and you'll find an option to troubleshoot and fix common problems with your microphone.

Under "Other sound options," you'll find a link to access the App volume and device preferences page, where you can adjust the master volume and options to change the volume for a specific app.

The page also includes the options to select the default output and input devices. You can select the output and input source for individual apps, and there's even a Reset button to restore the default settings.

On Settings> System, the Focus assist page is new, and it includes all the options you can manage using this feature (previously known as "Quiet hours").

Focus assist is a useful feature that allows you to suppress notifications on those times when you need to get the work done without interruptions. This feature isn't new to Windows 10 version 1803, but with a new name, you also get a lot of improvements.

In this page, you can select which notifications you want to see, and which ones will go straight to Action Center.

  • Off: Disables Focus assists and you'll see the notifications from apps and contacts.
  • Priority only: The feature will only allow notifications depending on the settings you've configured on your priority list. (Click the Customize priority list link to manage which notifications are allowed, including calls, text, reminders, people, and apps.)

  • Alarms only: Suppresses all notifications while Focus assist is enabled, except for alarms.

Focus assist also allows you to configure automatic rules to pick the times and activities when the feature will enable automatically to stay focus, including:

  • During these times.

  • When I'm duplicating my display.

  • When I'm playing a game.

You'll need to click each option to access a page to customize each rule. After changing the settings, don't forget to turn on the toggle switch.

In this page, there's even an option to decide whether or not you want to see a summary of the missed notifications while Focus assist was enabled.

On Settings> System, the Storage page has been updated with faster access to the settings to delete temporary files, and users get more control to free up space.

Starting with the April 2018 Update, the Change how we free up space automatically page has been updated to give you more granular control to schedule a cleanup.

Under "Storage sense," you'll find a new drop-down menu to decide when the feature should run automatically to free up disk space, including:

  • Every day.
  • Every week.
  • Every month.
  • When Windows decides.

Instead of checkboxes, under "Temporary files," you can now just check the Delete temporary files that my apps aren't using option, and then use the new drop-down menu to schedule when to delete the files in the recycle bin and Downloads folders.

Options available include:

  • Never.
  • 1 day.
  • 14 days.
  • 30 days.
  • 60 days.

In the Free up space now page, it's possible to delete virtually the same temporary files found using the Disk Cleanup tool, including:

  • Windows upgrade log files.
  • System created Windows Error Reporting Files.
  • Windows Defender Antivirus.
  • Thumbnails.
  • Temporary files.
  • Recycle Bin.
  • Previous Windows installations.
  • Temporary Internet Files.
  • Device driver packages.
  • Delivery Optimization Files.
  • DirectX Shared Cache.

Your list may be different depending on the temporary files created on your machine.

On Settings> System, the Multitasking page now uses the same icon the represents Timeline in Windows 10, and it includes a new option to enable or disable suggestions in your timeline.

On Settings> System, the Share experiences page has also been updated to accommodate the settings to configure Nearby sharing.

Nearby sharing is a new feature that makes it easy to share files and links wirelessly using Bluetooth or a wireless connection.

In this page, you can enable or disable Nearby sharing, decide which devices you want to share or receive content, and you can even change the default location to save received content.

At the top of the page, you'll also find an "Accounts" section with your account status and link to manage your accounts.

On Settings> System, the About page doesn't include significant changes, but you can now select and copy the device name, and there's a new link in the right-pane to access System info.

Devices

On Settings> Devices, the Typing page receives new options to control hardware keyboard, including options to enable or disable text suggestions and autocorrect misspelled words as you type.

There's also a new option to enable or disable multilingual text predictions allowing Windows 10 to assist you with predictions for up to three languages — all without you having to switch the language for the touch keyboard.

Under "More keyboard" settings, you can access the new "Advanced keyboard" settings page, where you'll find additional options to switch input methods. Enable the touch keyboard when tablet mode isn't in use, and there isn't a keyboard attached. And there's an option to prevent the emoji panel from closing after entering a new emoji enabling you to type multiple emojis faster.

On Settings> Devices, the Pen & Windows Ink page allows you to change the font Windows 10 uses to convert your handwriting. Using the drop-down menu, you can select from:

  • Segoe UI.
  • Segoe Print.
  • Segoe Script.

Also, the available options now use checkboxes instead of toggle switches.

Network & Internet

On Settings> Network & Internet, in the Ethernet and Wi-Fi pages, inside the network adapter properties, you'll now find a Set a data limit to help control data usage on this network link to configure data usage settings.

On Settings> Network & Internet, the Mobile hotspot page is available whether you are using an Ethernet or Wi-Fi connection.

On Settings> Network & Internet, in the Data usage page is now possible to configure data limits and background data restrictions to help prevent going over your data plan. (These settings are available for Wi-Fi as well as for Ethernet connections.)

The new settings can be applied to metered connections as well as to cellular connections. Just select the network adapter from the drop-down menu, and click the Set limit button to configure the data limit properties, including:

  • Limit type.
  • Monthly reset date.
  • Data limit.

You can also use the "Background data" options to limit Store apps and Windows 10 features from using background data to restrict data usage further.

On Settings> Network & Internet, the Cellular page now lets you customize connections priorities to use cellular connectivity instead of Wi-Fi in specific scenarios, including when the wireless network around you is not reliable. (This page is only available on devices with cellular connectivity.)

Personalization

On Settings> Personalization, the Fonts page is new in the April 2018 Update to manage the new font experience.

The page offers a preview of each font family installed on your computer alongside its name and font face count. Additionally, if the font supports multiple colors, it'll be reflected in the preview too.

If your device has a lot of fonts, you can use the search box or filter menu to find a font family more quickly. On the right side, under "Related settings," you also have access to the "Adjust ClearType text" tool to make the text easier to read, and an option to "download fonts for all languages."

When you click one of the previews, you'll access a page with more information about the font family. Inside this page, you'll find a text box to preview the font, a slider to preview the size, and at the bottom, there's a section to see metadata details and an option to uninstall the font face.

Also, for OpenType Variable fonts, under "Metadata," you'll find a link to access the variable font properties allowing you to explore the capabilities of the font.

On Windows 10 version 1803, Microsoft is also making available fonts as another type of content through the Microsoft Store. You can access this new section by clicking the "Get more fonts in the Store" link.

On Settings> Personalization, the Taskbar page now includes new options to customize the My People feature, including:

  • Choose how many contacts to show — lets you pin more than three contacts to the taskbar (up to 10), and there is even an option to put everyone in overflow.
  • Show My People app suggestions — suggests other apps you can connect with this experience.

Apps

On Settings> Apps, the Apps & features page now has a new option to manage app execution aliases to decide which app declared name could be used to run from Command Prompt.

In the Advanced options page for a particular app, it's now possible to find out the version number of the app.

You can allow or deny permissions to access your location, camera, files, and decide whether the app can run in the background. (The available permissions will vary per application.)

Also, there's an option to quickly set the apps as the default. If the app isn't responding, there is a new Terminate button to close the app and all its processes.

Just like before, you'll find the option to reset the app if it's not working correctly, manage add-ons, and there's a new option to uninstall the app.

On Settings> Apps, the Video Playback page has a new feature to calibrate displays with support for HDR video if the "Stream HDR video" toggle can be switched to "On". (This functionality will only be available on HDR monitors.)

On Settings> Apps, the Startup page is new with version 1803, and similar to Task Manager, it allows you to configure which applications can start automatically when your PC boots up.

Each application on the list will show the performance impact, and there is a filter to sort apps by name, status, and startup impact.

Accounts

On Settings> Accounts, the Sign-in options page includes a few new options. If you're using a local account, you'll now see an option to update your account security questions. Once updated, you'll be able to reset your password on the Lock screen without the need of a reset disk or complicated workarounds.

In the case you're creating a new local account while setting up a new device, or using the "Family & other people" settings; you'll be asked to add these security questions as part of the process.

Time & Language

On Settings> Time & language, the Region & Language page has been updated with the ability to change the Windows 10 display language for elements likes Settings and File Explorer.

Using the "Preferred languages" section, you can add multiple languages and change the preferred language for apps and websites.

Items in the list now show icons to indicate if the language supports text-to-speech, speech recognition, or handwriting. Also, there are two arrow buttons on each installed language that allows you to quickly set a language as your default.

When adding a new language, you'll notice that the experience has been updated to find and install additional languages more efficiently. (If there are extra features supported for a particular package, you'll be asked to install them.)

Gaming

On Settings> Gaming, the Game bar page no longer includes the Show Game bar when I play full-screen games Microsoft has verified option.

Ease of Access

In a continued effort to make Windows 10 more inclusive, the April 2018 Update is introducing a lot of changes for its Ease of Access settings.

For example, the Settings app now breaks the list of available settings into three sections grouping related content to make it easier for anyone to navigate the settings. Windows 10 is making settings easier to understand by updating descriptions and changing options names, and it introduces a slew of new changes.

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Display page is new with version 1803, and it's the place that you'll find the most common settings to configure your display.

You can customize the DPI scaling settings to make apps and text bigger or smaller on the screen and change brightness. You'll find controls to enable or disable animation effects, transparency, and a new option to keep scrollbars always visible. Also, you'll find settings to change notification times and show or hide the desktop background.

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Cursor & pointer size page is new, and it's where you'll find options to change the mouse cursor thickness, pointer size, and customize the touch visual feedback.

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Magnifier page no longer includes a list of keyboard shortcuts. Instead, the shortcuts are now located below the corresponding settings. Also, some of the options have been reworded to make it easier to understand.

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Color filters page has been updated with improved option descriptions. There's a new color wheel that helps you test each filter before applying it to the entire system. And now there is an option to enable or disable a filter using a keyboard shortcut.

On Settings> Ease of Access, the High contrast page now only includes high contrast settings and sets the "High Contrast Black" theme as the default option. (Previously, the page was called Color & high contrast and included the filter options.)

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Narrator page has been updated with the April 2018 Update, and it now lets you use a shortcut to enable or disable the experience.

It's possible to pick whether Narrator should start automatically after sign-in in your account and for everyone.

There's a new option to sync your settings to the cloud, and Microsoft recommends to use this option if you want to use a serial braille display before signing in.

Under the "Personalize Narrator's voice," you can now adjust the voice volume and change the default audio output, and you'll also find a new "Emphasize formatted text" toggle switch.

The "Change how much content your hear" section has been reorganized and now uses checkboxes instead of toggle switches, and there's a new drop-down menu to change the level of detail the experience uses about the text.

The "Use Narrator cursor" is a new section with options to show Narrator cursor on the screen, allow text insertion point follow cursor on editable text, sync cursor, and system focus, and read and interact with the screen using the mouse.

In addition, the "Cursors and keys" section has been renamed to "Choose Narrator key behavior" section, and now includes two options:

  • Activate keys on the touch keyboard when I lift my finger off the key.
  • Lock the Narrator key so you don't have to press it for each command.

Finally, you'll see a new "Help make Narrator better" with an option to send diagnostic data to Microsoft.

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Audio page is new, and it features options to change your computer volume, enable mono audio, and an option to show audio alerts visually with different flash animations.

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Closed captions page divides settings into groups, including "Change caption font,""Change caption background," and "Dim window content."

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Speech page is also new in this version of Windows 10 with an option to enable or disable Speech Recognition.

Also, this page includes instructions to use dictations and links to access Cortana settings.

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Keyboard page has been updated with instructions on how to use each feature with a keyboard shortcut. The "Use Sticky Keys,""Use Toggle Keys," and "Use Filter Keys" now include an option that lets your device whether or not to allow the shortcut to start the feature.

Under "Make it easier to type" section, the settings haven't changed, but the options now use checkboxes instead of toggle switches.

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Mouse page now only includes an option to control the mouse using a keypad.

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Eye control (beta) page is new, and it's part of a new feature on Windows 10 that allows you to control a device only using your eyes. If you have compatible hardware to use this feature, the options to manage Eye control will appear on this page.

Cortana

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Notifications page has been renamed to Cortana across my devices. Also, it includes two new options, including an option that allows Cortana to help you resume content from other devices, and one to disable lists and updates suggestions.

Privacy

In the April 2018 Update, the Privacy section divides pages into two groups, including "Windows permissions" and "App permissions," making easier to navigates settings, and you'll find some new settings.

On Settings> Privacy, the Speech, inking, & typing page now includes an option to view and clear the user dictionary.

However, you can't add or remove words individually.

On Settings> Privacy, the Feedback & diagnostic page becomes the Diagnostic & feedback page, and introduces a number of new settings.

Microsoft is changing the experience to select your privacy settings as a result of concerns of the company collecting typing data, and now with version 1803, you get an option to stop the company from collecting inking and typing recognition telemetry to improve Windows 10.

You'll find an option to allow or deny Microsoft from offering tailored experiences (such as tips, advertisements, and recommendations) using the diagnostic data collected from your device.

Starting with the April 2018 Update, using the Settings app, you can review and delete telemetry data that Microsoft collects on your computer to improve Windows 10.

If you want to review the data collected about your device, you'll need to enable the Diagnostic data viewer toggle switch, and click the Diagnostic Data Viewer button.

Once in the Diagnostic data viewer app, you can use the search box, filters, and other options to review the raw data. If you wish to delete this data, in the Settings app, click the Delete button under "Delete diagnostic data" section.

If you want to remove data already uploaded to the Microsoft servers, you'll need to access your Microsoft account as indicated in the settings.

On Settings> Privacy, the Activity history page is new, and here is where you can control most of your Timeline settings.

In this page, you can stop Windows 10 from collecting and syncing activities to the cloud. You can decide to show or hide activities for one or multiple accounts in Timeline. If you want to clear the activity history, you'll need to click the Manage my Microsoft Account activity data link to delete this information from your account using the web browser.

According to Microsoft, you can see up to 30 days of activities when the Let Windows sync my activities from this PC to the cloud option enabled. However, by default, this option will be disabled, which only shows the last four days of activities in your timeline.

On Settings> Privacy, the Documents page is new and allows you to control which apps can access your documents library.

  • Allow access to documents on this device: Allows or denies users to decide which apps have access to their files using these settings.
  • Allow apps to access your documents: Allows or denies all Microsoft Store apps from accessing your files.
  • Choose which apps can access your documents library: Allows or denies apps from accessing your files individually.

The Pictures and Videos pages are also new, and they let you manage the same settings like in the "Documents" page, but you'll set permissions for your pictures and videos libraries.

On Settings> Privacy, the File System page is new with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, and the page includes the same settings found in the Documents, Pictures, and Videos pages. However, the difference is that in this page, you can restrict access to all your files in the documents, pictures, videos, and those files in the OneDrive folder locally stored on your device.

Microsoft will be granting file access permissions on a per-app basis, and apps that are restricted will prompt you to allow or deny this permission.

Update & Security

On Settings> Update & Security, the Windows Update page has been slightly updated, and now if your device has all the required updates, you'll see a "You're up to date!" message.

The "Update settings" section and description are no longer available, and if there are no updates available, you'll only see three links, including:

  • Change active hours.
  • View update history.
  • Advanced options.

Inside the Advanced options page, the settings have been streamlined, and you'll only find two sections, including "Update Options" and "Pause Updates."

The Update Options section includes:

  • Give me updates for other Microsoft products when I update Windows.
  • Automatically download updates, even over metered data connections (charges may apply).
  • We'll show a reminder when we're going to restart.

The Pause Updates only includes an option to skip updates on your device for up to seven days.

On Delivery Optimization> Advanced options, you now get an option to limit the bandwidth used for downloading updates in the foreground. These are those downloads that happen when you trigger an update, such as when clicking the "Check for updates" button.

Even further, starting with this new version, Windows 10 will keep your device awake up to two hours in the middle of an update to ensure the new packages are installed successfully.

On Settings> Update & Security, the Windows Defender page has been renamed to Windows Security, and now includes access to the different protection areas of the Windows Defender Security Center.

Wrapping things up

Although you'll still need to use Control Panel to customize some aspects of Windows 10, the April 2018 Update delivers a slew of new tweaks, changes, and new options to the Settings app that improves the overall experience.

What are your thoughts on the new improvements found in this experience? Tell us in the comments.

More Windows 10 resources

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

How to reclaim space after upgrading to Windows 10 April 2018 Update

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Did the available space shrink on your hard drive after installing the Windows 10 April 2018 Update? Here's how to get the storage back.

As part of the April 2018 Update (version 1803) install process, Windows 10 saves a copy of the previous installation files in case the system needs to revert to its original settings due to an error during the upgrade, or you need to rollback because of a problem after the upgrade.

While it's a useful safeguard feature, the files (stored in the Windows.old folder) can take up a fair amount of disk space. Deleting these files can get you back anywhere between 10GB to 20G of storage space, which may not mean a lot for users with terabytes to spare, but it's a significant amount of space for laptops and tablets with limited storage.

If you're running low on space or the upgrade is working correctly and you don't have the need to keep these files, you can use the Settings app or Disk Cleanup tool to reclaim disk space.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the different ways you can safely delete the previous installation files saved on your device after upgrading to the April 2018 Update to reclaim storage space.

How to free up space after upgrade using Storage sense

After installing the April 2018 Update, the best way to remove the previous installation files from your device is to use Storage sense with these steps:

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

  5. Under "Free up space now," check the Delete previous version of Windows option.

  6. Click the Clean now button.

Once you've completed the steps, the backup files that enable Windows 10 to rollback to the previous version will be erased from your computer, as well as any other files that you may have checked to delete using the process under "Temporary Files."

How to free up space after upgrade using Temporary files

You can also use the Temporary files settings page to reclaim space after upgrading to the new version of Windows 10 using these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Click on Storage.
  4. Under "Storage sense," click the Free up space now link.

  5. Under "Remove temporary files," check the Previous Windows installation(s) option from the list.

  6. Click the Remove files button.

After completing the steps, Windows 10 will remove the "Windows.old" folder that contains the previous installation files freeing up space to store more valuable data.

Starting with Windows 10 version 1803, this page is also getting updated to give you the ability to delete even more junk files, removing the need to use the old Disk Cleanup tool.

How to free up space after upgrade using Disk Cleanup

Although it's now recommended to use the Settings up to free up space on Windows 10, you can still use the Disk Cleanup tool to delete the previous installation after an upgrade using these steps:

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Click on This PC from the left pane.
  3. Right-click the Local Disk (C:) drive, and select Properties.

  4. Click the Disk Cleanup button.

  5. Click the Clean up system files button.

  6. Check the Previous Windows installation(s) option.

  7. Click OK.

Once you've completed the steps, the previous installation will be removed from your device.

If it's been a while since you've run a disk maintenance, it's now an excellent opportunity to use Disk Cleanup to delete other junk files from your computer to free up more space. Using this tool, you can also delete files like Windows Defender Antivirus, upgrade logs, temporary program and internet files, and error reporting logs among other files.

Wrapping things up

Although using any of these methods will help you reclaim several gigabytes of space after upgrading to Windows 10 version 1803, it's important to note that these leftover files are necessary to go back to your previous installation if you're experiencing problems. You should only use these steps after noticing that the update and device drivers are working as expected.

In the case you remove the previous installation backup files, the option to rollback will disappear from the Settings app, and then the only way to go back is doing a clean installation of Windows 10. However, you can't keep these files forever either, because the system will remove these files after ten days automatically.

More Windows 10 resources

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

How to review and manage diagnostic data on Windows 10 April 2018 Update

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Here are the steps to review, manage, and delete diagnostic data that Microsoft collected about your device with new settings included with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update.

It's not a secret that Microsoft collects a bunch of diagnostic data about your device and your activities using Windows 10, apps, and browsing the internet to improve the experience and make product decisions.

However, as a result of the ongoing privacy concerns, complaints, and the fear over a possible built-in "keylogger"— as your typing information is also collected —, Microsoft is trying to be more transparent, and starting with the April 2018 update, Windows 10 introduces new options to increase control over the uploaded data using the new Diagnostics & feedback settings page.

Also, hoping to ease concerns, Microsoft is adding a new data viewer app to allow users to review their data, which includes information like device configuration, hardware information, peripherals, performance data, installed apps, visited websites, speech, location, and a lot more.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to review and delete diagnostic data that Microsoft collects about your device, and we will show you the steps to manage your settings to reduce the amount of telemetry data you send to the company.

How to manage diagnostic data settings on Windows 10

Using the Diagnostic & feedback settings page, you have more control over the data you send to Microsoft and stop targeted ads. Here's how:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Privacy.
  3. Click on Diagnostic & feedback.

Reducing diagnostic data you send to Microsoft

Under the Diagnostic data section, you can reduce the amount of data that is uploaded to Microsoft. You can choose between to different membership levels:

  • Basic: Sends information about your device, settings and capabilities, and performance data.
  • Full: (Default) Uploads all the information including in the "Basic" level, plus the websites you visit, your apps behavior, error reporting, and device health and usage.

Although you can't completely prevent Microsoft from collecting diagnostic data, if you're concern about your privacy, you can switch to the Basic level to send out the least amount of information.

Disabling typing and inking data collection

By default, Microsoft also collects typing and inking data to improve autocorrect, spelling correction, and next word prediction, but because of concerns about the company collecting every keystroke you make, starting with the April 2018 Update, you can now turn off the Improve inking & typing recognition toggle switch to opt-out of this feature.

It's worth noting that starting with this new version, you can also turn off Inking & Typing as well as Find my device options in the installation process, during the out-of-box experience (OOBE).

Stopping targeted ads

Microsoft also scans the diagnostic data you produce to target advertisements and recommendations, but if that's something that you don't want, you can turn off the Tailored experiences toggle switch to opt-out of the experience.

How to review diagnostic data on Windows 10

In addition to being able to reduce the diagnostic data you send to Microsoft, disabling the built-in "keylogger," and preventing the company from targeting you with ads, Windows 10 version 1803 also includes a new data viewer app that allows you to review precisely the information you send to the Microsoft servers.

If you want to see the data you're sending to the company, use the following steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Privacy.
  3. Click on Diagnostic & feedback.
  4. Turn on the Diagnostic data viewer toggle switch.
  5. Click the Diagnostic Data Viewer button.

  6. If the app isn't installed on your PC, the Microsoft Store app will open, where you can simply click the Get button to get the app.

Using the Diagnostic Data Viewer

Once in the app, you can review the data has been already sent to Microsoft. In the left pane, you'll find a list of all your device activities events. Selecting an event will open its content in a JSON format, which offers a carbon copy of the details uploaded to the Microsoft servers.

If you have to find something specific, you can use the search box in the top-left corner, which will return results matching your query.

Opening the top-left menu allows you to access a number of options to filter the diagnostic data by categories (you can select more than one category) to help you narrow down the events with the information you're searching.

The same menu also includes options to access your privacy dashboard in your Microsoft account online. You can jump to the privacy settings in the Settings app. And you will also find an option to export your telemetry data using a CSV file format.

Microsoft collects small pieces of information to make Windows 10 better. If your device is part of this group, you'll see an icon indicating your contribution, and if any of your events are sent to the company, you'll see another icon.

Deleting diagnostic data from your device

Once you've reviewed the diagnostic data sent to Microsoft, it's recommended to disable this feature to stop wasting storage space. Turning off the Diagnostic data viewer toggle switch in the Settings app will prevent Windows 10 from storing data and clears the existing events on your computer.

It's also possible to completely erase all the diagnostic data stored on your device using these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Privacy.
  3. Click on Diagnostic & feedback.
  4. Under "Delete diagnostic data," click the Delete button.

After completing the steps, the data that has already been uploaded and analyzed by Microsoft will be deleted from your device free up around 1GB of disk space.

If you're using a Microsoft account, it's likely that there are additional diagnostic data that you can delete. You can manage and delete any additional data that Microsoft collected about you at the privacy section of your Microsoft account online.

You can navigate to the Activity history page to view and delete data, including those collected by apps and services, voice, search, browse history, media, and location.

While in the Privacy dashboard, it's worth going through the different sections to adjust your privacy settings, including targeted ads.

what do you think about the new privacy settings options? Let us know in the comments below.

More Windows 10 resources

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

How to monitor and control data usage on Windows 10 April 2018 Update

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You can use the Data Usage settings on the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803) to monitor network usage and prevent going over your data plan.

On Windows 10, you've been able to use the "Data Usage" settings to track your network consumption to prevent going over your data plan when using a limited internet connection, but it's been a limited experience because you were only able to monitor your data usage.

However, with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803), Windows 10 brings a number of improvements to its built-in network traffic monitor, and now, in addition to viewing and resetting the stats, you can set data limits and background data restrictions when using a Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection to reduce usage and stay under the ceiling.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to view your device's current data usage and provide instructions on how to limit data to help you prevent going over your data plan.

How to view data usage on Windows 10

By default, Windows 10 monitors the traffic for all network adapters. If you need to review the network data usage, use the following steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Network & Internet.
  3. Click on Data Usage.

Under the "Overview" section, you can see your current data usage from the last 30 days for each network adapter.

You can also click View usage per app to see which apps are using the most data.

How to reset data usage on Windows 10

Although Windows automatically resets the data usage stats every 30 days, the schedule might not line up with your plan's billing schedule, making this information useless. If you need to flush and restart the data counters, use these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Network & Internet.
  3. Click on Data Usage.
  4. Click the View usage per app link.

  5. Use the "Show usage from" drop-down menu, and select the Wi-Fi or Ethernet adapter you want to reset.
  6. Click the Reset usage stats button.

  7. Click the Reset button to confirm.

After completing the steps, if you use multiple adapters, repeat steps No. 5, 6, and 7 for each one that you want to reset.

How to configure data usage limit on Windows 10

If you're using an internet connection with a limited data plan, you can set limits for a Wi-Fi or Ethernet network adapter to allow Windows 10 to monitor, restrict unnecessary usage, and provide notifications to help you avoid going over your plan. Here's how using the Data Usage settings:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Network & Internet.
  3. Click on Data Usage.
  4. Use the "Show settings for" drop-down menu, and select the wireless or wired network adapter to want to restrict.
  5. Under "Data limit," click the Set limit button.

  6. Select the limit type you want to use, including:

    • Monthly.
    • One time.
    • Unlimited.
  7. Depending on your selection on step No. 6, specify the information required. For example, if you selected the "Monthly" option, you'll need to specify:

    • Monthly reset data — Select exactly when the data usage should reset the counter. (Usually, this is when your billing cycle starts.)
    • Data limit — Lets you specify the data plan allowance.
    • Unit — Specifies the data limit in megabytes (MB) or gigabytes (GB).
  8. Click the Save button.

Once you completed these steps, Windows 10 will monitor your device data usage, set the network adapter as metered, and pause OneDrive (if applicable) and other activities to reduce network consumption. Then as you get closer to the limit, you'll start getting alerts that you're reaching the data cap.

You can always go back to the settings page to check the current use, remaining data, and the number of days until the counters reset.

Even after reaching the limit, you'll still be able to use the internet. If you want to avoid extra charges, either disconnect your device from the network or connect to another network.

Quick tip: You can quickly disconnect from a wireless network by clicking the wireless icon in the notification area of the taskbar and then clicking the Wi-Fi button.

Restricting background data

It's also possible to restrict background data to limit data usage even further for Windows 10 features and Microsoft Store apps.

You can set this limit under the Background data section. Options available include Always, Never, and When I'm within 10% of my limit, but this last option is only available after setting a connection data limit.

Editing or removing data limit

After setting up a data limit for a network adapter, you can always edit your settings or remove the current limit.

If you made a mistake setting the limit, or you upgraded your plan, under "Data limit," click the Edit button to change your configuration.

In the case that you no longer need to monitor and restrict data usage, you can simply click the Remove limit button.

The background data option works independently from the data limit options, so make sure to change this option to Never to disable it.

Wrapping things up

Windows 10 only monitors the data usage on your device, not every device in the network. You have to keep this in mind when sharing, for example, a mobile data connection.

Also, remember that the method to measure network data on Windows 10 may be different from the method used by your Internet Service Provider (ISP). In order to further reduce the chances of extra charges, it's always a good idea to configure a data limit using an amount that is less (around two to five percent) than the actual limit specified in your plan.

More Windows 10 resources

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

What's new with Windows Defender Security Center in the April 2018 Update

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There's an updated version of the Windows Defender Security Center app in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, and in this guide, we show you all the new changes.

The Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803) is now available, and with it, Microsoft is introducing an updated version of its Windows Defender Security Center with a number of improvements to keep your device and data safe and secure against malware and hackers.

In this new version, the experience is getting updated to make settings easier to find and configure. It also introduces two new sections to improve your sign-in experience and manage hardware-based security features. It brings Windows Defender Application Guard (WDAG) to Windows 10 Pro, and a lot more.

In this Windows 10 guide, we highlight the new features and improvements you'll see in the Windows Defender Security Center app shipping with the April 2018 Update.

Windows Defender Security Center improvements

Home

Starting the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, the Windows Defender Security Center app includes a Home page that has been updated to show status and alerts of additional areas of protection, including "Account protection" and "Device security."

The page header now displays the "Security at a glance" message, instead of "Windows Defender Security Center," and you'll no longer see the antivirus information in this section.

Virus & threat protection

The Virus & threat protection page is also receiving some tweaks. For example, the "Scan history" option has been renamed to "Threat history." The "Quick scan" button now is simply labeled "Scan now." The "Advanced scan" link is now called "Run a new advanced scan," and "Protections updates" becomes "Virus & threat protection updates."

You'll also notice a new Ransomware protection option, but this is not a new feature in the app. Instead, it's a new page that allows you to configure Windows 10's "Controlled folder access" feature that has been available since the release of the Fall Creators Update. Previously, the same settings were available in the "Virus & threat protection settings page."

Account protection

The Account protection page is new with the April Update, and it's a section that Microsoft has created to lure people using passwords to configure Windows Hello using face recognition, fingerprint, or PIN password for a faster sign-in and more secure experience.

If you're using "Dynamic lock," you'll now see if the feature stops working because your Bluetooth device is turned off or there's a problem with your phone.

Device security

The Device security page is also new to the Windows Defender experience, and it provides status reporting and management of the security features associated with your device.

The details and features you can configure will always be different depending on your hardware configuration.

For instance, I'm currently testing the Windows 10 April 2018 Update on a virtual machine, and "Control isolation" is the only option available to me.

Core isolation is a feature that provides virtualization-based security to keep your computer protected. Memory integrity is a security feature, part of Core isolation, which prevents malicious code from getting injected into high-security processes.

Settings

The Settings page has not changed significantly, but there are a few new options.

Under "Windows Defender Antivirus notifications," you'll find three additional notifications that you can disable, including:

  • Recent activity and scan results.
  • Threat found, but no immediate action is needed.
  • Files or activities blocked.

The "Account protection notifications" section is new, and it allows you disable alerts if Dynamic lock stops working.

Windows Defender Application Guard

Windows Defender Application Guard is another security feature on Windows 10 designed to sandbox web pages using Microsoft Edge to prevent internet malware and zero-day attacks from infecting your device.

Previously, this feature was only available on Windows 10 Enterprise, but now it's expected to be available on Windows 10 Pro with the April 2018 Update.

Also, Microsoft is introducing changes to speed up its performance, and it's adding the ability to download files to your computer from a WDAG session. However, this is a feature that needs to be turned on manually using the Local Group Policy Editor, and it's only available for Windows 10 Enterprise.

Once the feature is enabled, files will be saved inside the Untrusted files folder located inside the Downloads folder.

Interface and other improvements

Alongside the new features and changes, Windows Defender Security Center brings a number of small tweaks, including Fluent Design touches to the interface.

In the experience, you'll now notice that the menu button and the options available in the Exploit protection settings use the Reveal highlight effect.

The icons of each area of protection now use a blue color, and the gear button now is labeled "Settings"— as it should be.

The Windows Defender icon context menu in the notification area has been updated to use the modern style design, and it now includes options to perform a quick scan, update definitions, change notifications, and launch the Windows Defender Security Center dashboard.

On Settings> Update & Security, the "Windows Defender" page has been renamed to Windows Security page, and it includes options to access all the areas from the Windows Defender Security Center app.

Wrapping things up

Although the new version of Windows Defender Security Center is only a minor update, it introduces welcome improvements that should help technical and non-technical users keep Windows 10 and their data protected against viruses, ransomware, and other types of malware, including hackers.

This guide highlights the Windows Defender Security Center changes included in the consumer version of Windows 10. Along with these changes, Microsoft is also expected to introduce additional improvements, but usually, they're designed for enterprise costumers.

More Windows 10 resources

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

How State of Decay 2's co-op works: Progression, tethering, and more

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State of Decay 2 is an upcoming zombie apocalypse survival simulator where the emphasis lies in scavenging, base building, and social management.

In State of Decay 2 you control a group of zombie apocalypse survivors hunting for shelter and resources, as you battle your way through the ruins of civilization. In the latest installment, you can play in co-op with up to three additional friends, but there has been some confusion about how co-operative play works.

Like many co-op games, when you join the host's game you'll be helping to progress their base and their story, but that doesn't mean you'll miss out on loot and other items. Here's how co-op works in State of Decay 2.

Player tethering

Player icons are represented by triangles here.

State of Decay 2 won't allow co-op players in a shared world to roam freely. Instead, for performance reasons, you will be tethered to the host as you move around the game's sizable open world. This is similar to other co-operative games such as Far Cry 5.

In our hands-on session with the game, we didn't find the tethering range to be restrictive, or even noticeable, as you work together to plunder the haunted ruins of zombie-infested America. You can't go running off in different directions to do separate missions, however. When you drive a significant distance away from your friends, they will "hitch a ride" towards you. The distance feels generous enough that most co-op players shouldn't really notice it.

Progression and loot sharing

When you join a friend's session, you are effectively playing as a survivor within their game. It's their base, their survivor community, and their story progression. State of Decay 2 is a bit divergent in the sense that it doesn't feature a linear story, instead spawning progressive narrative events based on your decisions and growth.

What you will gain from helping a friend, however, is influence points, which is a resource needed for base building and other actions, generated by successful activities. Additionally, any loot you acquire on your travels in your friend's game will be taken back to your own personal base. Players will be able to drop items on the floor as well, for others to pick up, use, and keep. You will be able to access your pool of supplies and gear from your personal progression from your friend's game, via their bases and outposts.

It's not known if achievement progress will be shared across games, but we've reached out to Microsoft for clarification. We expect that it will be.

Communication and death

Similarly to Monster Hunter: World and Sea of Thieves, State of Decay 2 features a communication wheel that can be used for basic commands such as "over here," and warnings. Obviously, you'll be able to use Xbox party chat too, and any services you like on PC, but if you prefer non-verbal co-op, the dialogue wheel is there for you.

Perma-death for a controlled survivor remains a thing in co-op. If you die, the survivor you are controlling will be gone, permanently. You'll have to assume control of another, so, be careful!

State of Decay 2 looks promising

That's all we know about State of Decay 2 co-operative play for now, but in our early impressions, we certainly think the game holds a lot of promise for zombie fans. Be sure to take a look at our full preview below, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.

State of Decay 2 hands-on preview

State of Decay 2 launches on May 22, 2018 for Xbox One and Windows 10 as an Xbox Play Anywhere title for $29.99. It'll also be available in Xbox Game Pass for $9.99 per month.

See at Microsoft StoreSee at Amazon


How to use the Windows 10 April 2018 Update's Focus assist feature to reduce distractions

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If you don't want to be bothered with notifications during as specific time while using Windows 10, we'll show you the steps to use Focus assist to minimize distractions.

On Windows 10, Focus assist is a handy feature that allows you to minimize or completely stop notifications when you need to stay focused to get work done, or you want to avoid interruptions during a presentation or while playing an exciting game.

Focus assist isn't a new feature with the Windows 10 April 2018 update (version 1803), and it was previously known as Quiet hours. However, with a new name, you're now getting new options to customize the experience, including the ability to automatically pick those times when you don't want to be bothered with automatic rules.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to configure and use Focus assist in the April 2018 Update to reduce distractions and stay focused.

How to enable or disable focus assist on Windows 10

The April 2018 Update allows you to enable or disable focus assist in at least two different ways.

Using Settings

To enable or disable focus assist on Windows 10, do the following:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Click on Focus assist.
  4. Under "Focus assist," select one of the three options:

    • Off — Disables the feature, and you'll see the notifications from apps and contacts.
    • Priority only — The feature will only allow notifications depending on the settings you've configured on your priority list.
    • Alarms only — Suppresses all notifications while focus assist is enabled, except for alarms.

Using Action Center

Alternatively, you can control focus assist using the Action Center context menu. Here's how:

  1. Right-click the Action Center button in the notification area.
  2. Select Focus assist.
  3. Choose from one of the available options:

    • Off.
    • Priority only.
    • Alarms only.

How to set up Focus assist priorities on Windows 10

Using Focus assist, you can also configure a priority list that lets you decide which notifications from apps, calls, texts, and people are allowed to bypass the feature to prevent missing out on an important event.

To configure your priority list in the April 2018 Update, do the following:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Click on Focus assist.
  4. Under "Focus assist," click the Customize your priority list link.

  5. In the "Calls, texts, and reminders" section, you can allow Cortana to show notifications for missed calls, texts, and messages from apps. Options available, include:

    • Show incoming VoIP calls and calls from a linked phone.
    • Show incoming text from a linked phone.
    • Show reminders, regardless of the app used.
  6. In the "People" section, you can select the contacts that are allowed to show notifications while focus assist is enabled. To allow a particular contact to show notifications, simply click the Add contacts button, and select the person you want.

    Quick Tip: If you're using the My People feature, and you're pinning contacts to the taskbar, it's also possible to allow or block the feature from showing notifications from pinned contacts.

  7. In the "Apps" section, you can select the apps that are permitted to break through your quiet hours. To allow apps to show notifications, simply click the Add an app button, and select the app from the list. (You can only add Microsoft Store apps to your list.)

Once you completed these steps, when enabling Focus assist using your priority list, only the calls, apps, and people you have configured will break through and show notifications.

How to manage Focus assist automatic rules on Windows 10

You can use automatic rules to select the times and activities during which you don't want to be bothered, and the feature will kick in automatically.

To manage automatic rules, do the following:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Click on Focus assist.
  4. Under "Automatic rules," turn on the toggle switch for the rule you want to use, including:

    • During these times.
    • When I'm duplicating my display.
    • When I'm playing a game.

  5. After enabling the rules you want, click the rule to customize it:

    • During these times — Allows Focus assist to automatically turn on or off during a specific time range. Using the "Repeats" drop-down menu, you can set the schedule to repeat daily, weekends, or weekdays.

    • When I'm duplicating my display — The enables Focus assist to turn on automatically when it detects that you're mirroring the screen. (This is a particularly handy feature that everyone should use during a meeting to prevent notifications from popping up in the middle of a presentation.)

    • When I'm playing a game — Focus assist turns on automatically to suppress notifications while playing games in full-screen mode. (This option only works for exclusive games using DirectX.)

In either of the rules setting pages, you'll also find a "Focus level" drop-down menu that allows notifications using your priority list or alarms to break through. Additionally, there's an option to create a notification in action center when the feature turns on automatically.

Finally, you'll see an option at the bottom of the settings page to show a summary of the notifications you may have missed while focus assist was enabled.

More Windows 10 resources

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

How to watch 360-degree YouTube videos on Oculus Rift

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Playing 360-degree videos in Rift is possible, and there are a few easy ways to do it.

The Oculus Rift is not only a premier VR headset for gaming, it's also quite good at delivering a cinema-quality movie experience. You can pop your own corn, lay back on a couch, and enjoy a film on the big screen. To take it one step further, 360-degree videos offer something lifelike and immersive. It just so happens that YouTube has a wide selection of these videos; here's how to watch them inside your Rift.

YouTube VR

YouTube VR is a free app on Steam. The compatibility says it is just for the HTC Vive only but many Oculus users, including myself, can confirm that's not true. This app is compatible with your Oculus.

For the most part, it just seems like an app that hit the market before it was actually ready to be used. HTC Vive and Oculus Users alike can't seem to decide how they feel about it, and that's because the controls are shaky, the image quality is not that great and the load times take forever. I'm sure at some point YouTube will update this app and it will be well worth your free download, but until then, check out the other options we've listed below.

See on Steam

Virtual Desktop

Virtual Desktop is a fine way to play 360-degree videos, but it costs about $14. If you have Virtual Desktop installed, here's how to get a video playing. Before starting these steps, be sure to use your web browser to find a 360-degree video on YouTube and copy the URL to your PC's clipboard. Here's how to get started:

  1. Launch Virtual Desktop from the Oculus app.
  2. Click the Videos tab.

  3. Click Paste Url. (The video will download.)
  4. Click the Play button when the video has finished downloading.

The 360-degree video will play in its entirety, and you'll be brought back to seeing your regular desktop when it's finished.

See at Oculus

DeoVR

If you're looking for an app that only plays video — Virtual Desktop is more like a productivity suite with an added player — DeoVR is a solid option. It's also available for free from the Oculus Store. Before using DeoVR, use your web browser to find a 360-degree video on YouTube. Copy the URL to your clipboard and follow these steps:

  1. Launch DeoVR from the Oculus app.
  2. Click the Paste button on the DeoVR toolbar. (It looks like a clipboard.)

Note that unlike Virtual Desktop which downloads the video first, DeoVR streams the video from YouTube. If your internet connection can't keep up, the quality will likely suffer and you might see some buffering.

See at Oculus

Opera Developer

Developer versions of the Opera web browser now come complete with 360-degree VR support. This browser is free to download and provides a relatively lightweight way to watch YouTube videos. Here's how:

  1. Navigate to the Opera Developer download page.
  2. Click Run.
  3. Click Accept and Install. Opera should install and will launch automatically when complete.

  4. Navigate to YouTube.
  5. Search for a 360-degree video you'd like to watch.

  6. Click Watch in VR and put on your Oculus Rift.
  7. Click the Cube button on the Opera VR toolbar using your Oculus remote or Touch controller.

The 360-degree video will now play. Once complete, you'll have to return to your normal desktop to play another. Like DeoVR, Opera does not download the videos first, so you'll need a decent internet connection to play it without flaws.

More resources

Updated May 1, 2018: We updated the prices in this article, and the apps are now cheaper. And YouTube VR is now available.

How to enable (and disable) Game Mode in Windows 10

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Game Mode is a feature in Windows 10 that focuses system resources on games when enabled. Here's how to turn it on and off.

In our tests, we found that Game Mode didn't have a huge impact on higher-end systems, but if you're prone to multi-tasking or have lots of processes running in the background, Game Mode could be useful to you. Additionally, Microsoft has plans to improve the feature in subsequent updates, so it's at least worth knowing where it is.

Here's how to enable (and disable) Game Mode in Windows 10.

Enable (and disable) Game Mode

You can also force Game Mode on in specific games, whether they're tested by Microsoft or not. To do this, you need to use the Windows 10 Game Bar.

  1. Inside your game, press Windows Key + G to open the Game Bar.
  2. This should release your cursor. Now, find the Game Mode icon on the right side of the bar as shown below.

  3. Click to toggle Game Mode on or off.
  4. Click on your game or press ESC to hide the Game Bar.

While Game Mode won't make a huge difference for most games, if you're prone to heavy background task usage, or you're using a lower-end system without much overhead for games, Game Mode could be useful.

More Windows 10 resources

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

Update May 3, 2018: We've updated this guide to account for changes in the April 2018 Windows 10 update.

How to manage Fonts settings on the Windows 10 April 2018 Update

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The April 2018 Update brings a new experience to manage fonts on Windows 10, and here's how to use it.

Windows 10 comes with a large selection of fonts to add more style to your work, but if you want to add your own fonts the process has changed with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803). Instead of being managed through the old Control Panel, the Settings app is the new home for fonts management, now found under the Personalization section. It still allows you to add and remove font families, and now you can preview fonts in different colors and use OpenType Variable fonts.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to download and install fonts from the Microsoft Store, and you'll learn the steps to remove fonts using the Settings app available starting with the April 2018 Update.

How to add a new font family on Windows 10

The installation process of a new font family using the Microsoft Store is a straightforward process, just follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Personalization.
  3. Click on Fonts.
  4. Click the Get more fonts in the Microsoft Store link.

  5. Select the font you want.

  6. Click the Get button.

    Quick Tip: You can always read the description and view the screenshots to learn more about the font family before installation.

After completing the steps, the font family will install and appear in the Fonts settings page. If you can't find the font, you can use the search box or filter menu to sort the list.

How to remove a font family on Windows 10

If you no longer need or you installed to wrong font family, the settings page also includes an option to quickly uninstall fonts.

To uninstall a font family with the April 2018 Update, do the following:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Personalization.
  3. Click on Fonts.
  4. Select the font you want to remove.

  5. Under "Metadata, click the Uninstall button.

  6. Click the Uninstall button again to confirm.

It's worth noting that while you have control over which fonts you can have on Windows 10, some font families are system-protected, and you won't be able to delete them.

How to download all supported fonts on Windows 10

It's also possible to download fonts for all the supported languages at once using these steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Personalization.
  3. Click on Fonts.
  4. In the right-pane, under "Related Settings," click the Download fonts for all languages link.

  5. Click the OK button to confirm the download.

After completing the steps, you're not going to see any download progress, but after a few moments, you'll start noticing additional fonts on this page.

Only use this option if it's really necessary, as downloading more fonts will take some space in the hard drive, and you may not be able to remove them later.

How to preview fonts on Windows 10

In addition to the initial settings page, the experience also provides a details page with additional information and preview tool.

To get to a font preview, do the following:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Personalization.
  3. Click on Fonts.
  4. Click the preview of the font family you want to see more details.

The preview page for fonts is divided into two sections. The one in the top, includes a box to input some text to view how letters look on every available font face (regular, bold, italic, etc.). Also, you'll find a slider to preview the text size as necessary.

Then there's the "Metadata" section at the bottom of the page that displays important details about the font face, such as its full name, the path to the file, version, supported languages, licensing, and more. (You can use the drop-down menu to view details about the other font faces as well.) As mentioned in the instructions above, from this section, you can also uninstall the font family as required.

If you're a web developer or typographer previewing an OpenType Variable font family, such as Microsoft's Bahnschrift, inside of the page, you'll also find a link, under "Metadata," to access additional properties.

In the Variable font properties page, you have a number of tools to view axis details and preview other font variations only available on OpenType Variable fonts.

Wrapping things up

Alongside the new fonts page in the Settings app, just like before, it's still possible to manage fonts using Control Panel. However, these are now the recommended steps as Microsoft will eventually fade out Control Panel from Windows 10.

Finally, while it's not recommended to install fonts from other sources, if you already have the font family (such as those available from Adobe), you can simply double-click the file to install it.

More Windows 10 resources

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

How to use color filters on Windows 10 April 2018 Update

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Here are the steps to get started with color filters on Windows 10 with the options available starting version 1803.

In order to make Windows 10 more accessible, Ease of Access is getting a bunch of improvements with the April 2018 Update (version 1803), including with a dedicated settings page to manage the "color filters" feature.

Color filters is a feature that Microsoft has built to help users to improve the visualization of elements on the screen, and to aid users with color blindness to see the difference between colors while working on apps or viewing content.

Furthermore, color filters work at a system level, meaning that it's a feature that will work with the elements of Windows 10 as well as with apps, including Microsoft Store apps and classic (win32) programs.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to get started and manage color filters settings in the spring update.

How to manage color filters on Windows 10

In order to apply a color filter on Windows 10, use the following steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Ease of Access.
  3. Click on Color filters.
  4. Under "Use color filters," turn on the toggle switch.
  5. Check the Allow the shortcut key to toggle filter on or off option. (It's recommended to enable this feature to turn the feature on or off using the keyboard more quickly.)

Once you've enabled the feature, you'll be able to select the color filter that best suits your needs grouped by filters that let you improve the visualization of elements on the screen, and filters specifically created to help color blindness users.

Color filters:

  • Inverted (reverse colors on the display).

  • Grayscale.

  • Grayscale inverted.

Color blindness filters:

  • Red-green (green weak, deuteranopia).

  • Red-green (red weak, protanopia).

  • Blue-yellow (tritanopia).

Also at the bottom of the page, you'll find a color wheel that helps users to test the filter.

The color filters feature was initially introduced with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, but the experience has been updated with the release of version 1803.

More Windows 10 resources

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

How to use the Oculus Store without a credit card

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How do I buy Rift games without a credit card?

If you don't have a credit card or don't want to give up your credit card information to Oculus Rift, you can sync an active PayPal account and use it to buy Rift games from the Oculus Store.

Syncing a PayPal account must be done through the desktop Oculus app — you cannot sync a PayPal account from within the Rift. Here's how to do it!

How to sync a PayPal account with the Oculus Store

  1. Launch the Oculus app from your Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.
  2. Click the gear button in the top right corner of the window.
  3. Click Settings.

  4. Click Payment.
  5. Click Add your Paypal account. A web browser will open.

  6. Type your email address and password associated with your Oculus account.
  7. Click Sign In. You will be redirected to the PayPal website.

  8. Type your email address and password associated with your PayPal account.
  9. Click Log In.

That's it! Your PayPal account will be saved in the Oculus app to ensure you check out easily next time you buy a game.

The Oculus Store

What's the latest Rift game you picked up? Let us know in the comments section below!

How to set up two-factor authentication (2FA) for Twitter

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Protect your account by enabling Twitter's two-factor authentication options.

Twitter can be a powerful mouthpiece for yourself, your brand, or your business — and an even more powerful weapon if your login credentials fall into the wrong hands. You can protect your account by enabling Twitter's two-factor authentication options: Here's how.

To prevent your Twitter account from being compromised by enterprising hoodlums or hackers, there are a couple options available to you.

Send a code to your phone number

When you log in to your Twitter account via app or Web browser, you can get the service to send you a code to your phone number that you must first input before gaining access to your account. Setting it up is easy:

  1. On the Twitter.com website, click your profile picture and then select Account. On your mobile device within the Twitter app, tap your profile picture, then select Account and then Security.
  2. On the website, tick the Verify login requests checkbox. (If you don't have a phone number on file, you'll have to add it under the Mobile section.) On your mobile device within the Twitter app, toggle the Login Verification switch on.
  3. Click Send Code to get a test code sent to your mobile phone.
  4. When you receive it, type in the code and press Submit to confirm your enrollment in two-factor authentication.

  5. You can also receive a permanent backup code in the event you lose your phone or don't have an active Internet connection when trying to verify your account; we suggest taking a screenshot of this and backing it up somewhere safe on your computer or adding it to 1Password.

Generate a temporary password

If you want to log directly into a third-party Twitter app, you can also request a temporary password.

  1. On the Twitter.com website, click your profile picture and then select Account then click on Review verification methods. On your mobile device within the Twitter app, tap your profile picture, then select Account and then Security.
  2. On the website, click on Generate App Password. In the app, tap on Temporary Password.
  3. Copy the temporary password to use in third-party Twitter apps. This keeps your password from being stored in other apps.

Secure your password with personal details

If you'd rather not enable two-factor authentication at this time but still want it to be a little bit harder for evildoers to hack your Twitter account, you can require Twitter to request additional information from you in the event of a password reset. You can only enable this from Twittter.com.

  1. On the Twitter.com website, click your profile picture and then select Account.
  2. Under the Security section, tick the box for Require personal information to reset your password. In the event of a password reset, Twitter will ask the resetter a few additional questions about you to confirm your identity, including your phone number.

Questions?

Let us know in the comments.


How to change your Twitter password

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How to change your Twitter password

Keep those Tweets protected!

Twitter. Some people love it, some people hate it. No matter your take, you should ensure that your account is as safe as can be if you use the social network.

To keep your account as secure as can be, we recommend changing your password and enabling two-factor authentication if you don't have it turned on already.

Without further ado, let's get started.

Changing your password

  1. From the Twitter app, click or tap on your profile photo near the top of the feed
  2. Tap Settings and privacy.
  3. On this menu, tap Account.
  4. Tap the Password tab under Log in and security.
  5. Enter your current password followed by a new password and then type in the new one again to confirm it.

After entering your info, you'll see a small pop-up at the bottom of your screen letting you know your password has successfully been changed.

Make sure you create a password that's strong with a mix of lowercase/uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters. If you use a password manager like 1Password or LastPass, make sure you update your Twitter info there, too. And if you're looking to add even more security to your account, it'd be a good idea to set up two-factor authentication as well.

How to set up Windows Hello from the Lock screen on Windows 10 April 2018 Update

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You can now manage Windows Hello authentication from the Lock screen, and in this guide, we show you how to do it.

Starting with the April 2018 Update, Windows 10 will begin encouraging password users to set up Windows Hello for a faster and more secure alternative to sign-in, because this method of authentication is more reliable than traditional passwords.

One of the ways the Windows 10 April 2018 Update) will encourage password users to switch is by making the experience easier and faster to set up from the Lock screen without the need of using the Settings app.

Using this new option, you can quickly create a PIN, or set up Windows Hello Face or Fingerprint recognition, depending on your hardware configuration.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the easy steps to set up Windows Hello authentication through the Lock screen. (The instructions outlined below are focused on setting up a PIN, but you can also refer to this guide to set up a Fingerprint or Face authentication.)

How to configure Windows Hello from the Lock screen

In order to set up Windows Hello from the Lock screen, reboot your device or sign out from your account, and use the following steps:

  1. Under "Sign-in options," click the Windows Hello button.
  2. Type your Microsoft account password and press Enter.

  3. Click the Next button.

  4. Create a four-digit PIN.
  5. Confirm your new PIN.

    Quick Tip: By default, a PIN password only contains numbers, if you want to create a more complex PIN, check the Include letters and symbols option.

  6. Click the OK button.

Once you complete these steps, you can sign-in and out of Windows 10 using your new PIN.

How to reset Windows Hello from the Lock screen

If you forget your Windows Hello authentication, on the Lock screen, you can always click the Sign-in options link and use a password to get into your account. However, if you must reset your Windows Hello authentication, use these steps:

  1. Click the I forgot my PIN option.

  2. Type your Microsoft password and press Enter.
  3. Click the Continue button.

  4. You'll need to verify your account to continue. In this example, we'll use the email verification method.
  5. Click the Next button.

  6. Type the verification code that you receive.
  7. Click the Next button.

  8. Click the Continue button.

  9. Create a four-digit PIN.

  10. Click the OK button.

If you can sign-in using a regular password, you can alternatively reset your credentials on Settings> Accounts> Sign-in options, and use the Change option in the PIN section, and then follow the same on-screen directions.

What do you think about the Lock screen option to manage Windows Hello? How about Windows 10 being more proactive and luring users to use this method of authentication? Tell us in the comments below.

More Windows 10 resources

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

How to manage Sound settings on Windows 10 April 2018 Update

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The Windows 10 April 2018 Update brings the sound options to the Settings app. These are the steps to manage them.

Adjusting the volume and changing the system sound settings on Windows 10 has always been a straightforward process, but you were only able to manage them using Control Panel.

However, starting with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, you can now manage speakers and microphones settings, and it's also possible to adjust the volume on apps and system sound individually using the Settings app.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to change the sound settings using the new options available starting with the April 2018 Update.

How to manage Windows sound options using Settings

To set your default output speaker, adjust the master volume, and fix common sound problems, do the following:

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

The Sound page includes two sections separating the output and input options. At the top of the page, you'll find your output options.

Using the Choose your output device drop-down menu, you can quickly change the speakers you want to use as the default.

You can also click the Device properties link, which opens additional speaker settings using the Control Panel experience:

  • General — You can enable or disable the speaker and access audio driver information.

  • Levels — Allows you to adjust master volume and balance settings.
  • Enhancements — Includes settings to enhance audio with special effects.
  • Advanced — Allows you to change default sample rate and bit depth.
  • Spatial sound — Includes the options to use Windows 10's spatial sound format, including "Windows Sonic for Headphones" and "Dolby Atmos for Headphones."

Similar to using the speaker icon in the taskbar, on the Sound page you can also change the system master volume with the slider.

You'll also find a Troubleshoot button that starts the audio troubleshooter to fix common sound problems automatically.

How to manage Windows microphone options using Settings

To set a microphone as your default, test if it's working, and customize its properties, do the following:

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

Under "Input," you'll find the options to configure your microphone.

Using the Choose your input device drop-down menu, you can quickly select the microphone that you want to use as your default.

You can also click the Device properties link to open additional microphone settings using the Control Panel experience:

  • General: You can enable or disable the speaker and access audio driver information.

  • Listen — Lets you allow or deny the microphone to listen to your speakers, and you can customize power options.
  • Levels — Allows you to adjust the volume and balance settings for the microphone.
  • Advanced — Allows you to change default sample rate and bit depth.

The Input section also includes an indication to test if your microphone is working, and if it's not, you can click the Troubleshoot button to open the microphone troubleshooter to fix common problems.

How to manage sound settings from the taskbar

Alongside the new Sound page in the Settings app, you can still adjust the master volume and access sound settings from the taskbar.

Starting with the Windows 10 April Update, the sound context menu has been updated with a new modern look, and now it also includes quick access to the new Sound settings and removes the "Recording devices" option.

You'll notice that the "Volume Mixer" is still accessible, but it'll eventually go away as these settings can now be found in "App volume and device preferences" page.

How to manage advanced Windows sound options using Settings

The new Sound settings also include a number of advanced options to control volume and input and output devices. (This experience replaces the Volume Mixer, which is still available in the April 2018 Update.)

To access and customize app volume and device preferences, do the following:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on System
  3. Click on Sound.
  4. Under "Other sound options," click the App volume and device preferences option.

The first thing you'll find on this page is the slider to control the system master volume and adjust all sounds. On the right, there are two drop-down menus to select the default speaker and microphone, which are the same settings that you can customize in the Sound page.

At the bottom of the page, you can adjust volume for specific apps and system sounds as a percentage of the master volume.

Alongside the ability to change the volume for apps and system individually, this page also allows you to select the default output and input device if you have multiple speaker setups and microphones.

If you want to revert all your changes, you can use the Reset button to roll back to Microsoft's recommended sound settings.

Wrapping things up

Although the April 2018 Update finally ports the sound options to the Settings app, you'll still need to use the Control Panel experience to change more advanced properties. However, eventually, those options are also expected to move in some form to the Settings app.

More Windows 10 resources

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

How to manage apps settings on Windows 10 April 2018 Update

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Here are the steps to access and configure apps settings individually on Windows 10 version 1803.

The ability to manage settings for Microsoft Store apps have been around since the original release of Windows 10. However, it was a troublesome experience as the app settings page was limited, options were scattered throughout the Settings app, and many essential features were missing.

Starting with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803), the Settings app is updating the "Advanced options" page introducing new options and grouping all the available settings for a particular app in one place, which makes configuring apps an easier and faster experience.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to access, manage, and understand the settings available for Microsoft Store apps.

How to manage app settings on Windows 10

In order to change the settings of an app, use the following steps:

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Click on Apps.
  3. Click on Apps & features.
  4. Select the app you want to manage permissions, and click the Advanced options link.

    Quick Tip: Alternatively, you can right-click the app tile in the Start menu, select More, and then click the App Settings option to quickly open the settings page.

In the settings page, you can manage a number of settings about a particular app. However, settings are only available for apps you acquired from the Microsoft Store, and the options and features may be different per application.

Specifications

Under Specifications, you can see the publisher information, along with the installation and data size, and the total amount of hard drive space usage.

Also, starting with version 1803, you can now find out the version number of the app installed on your device without extra steps to know if you're running the latest version. This is particularly useful information to quickly figure out if you're running the version that includes that new feature or the one that fixes a specific bug.

App permissions

The App permissions section lets you allow and deny the app access to your files, location, camera, microphone, and you can even specify if the app should run in the background.

Using these settings is the same as changing the same settings in the Privacy section, but without you having to jump between pages to configure the app's permission.

Also, because no every app requires the same permissions, the options available will vary per application.

Runs at log-in

Starting with the April 2018 Update, the Advanced options page now includes the ability to control Startup tasks, which are additional tasks from an app that can run on startup.

If an application includes tasks that run a startup, it'll be listed under "Runs at log-in," and if you need to change these options, you'll need to click the Configure startup tasks link to access the "Startup" page to turn on or off the tasks.

It's worth noting that "Startup tasks" isn't an option that will be available in every application because it's up to the developer to implement this feature.

Lock screen notifications

In the case the application (such as Mail and Calendar) supports showing notifications in the Lock screen, you'll see a link to access the settings to configure quick status for the app in the Lock screen.

Default

Under Defaults, you can't directly set the app as your default, but there's a link to access the Default apps page to set your preferred app by default.

Terminate

When an app isn't not responding or acting up, you can click the Terminate button to force-quit the app and all its related processes. Then just restart the app to start using it again.

Reset

If an app isn't working correctly, depending on how it was designed, you'll get a Repair button that tries to fix any problems without deleting your app data.

In the case that the app still isn't working, or it's acting up, you can use the Reset button, which allows you to reinstall the app, delete the user data, and revert the settings to its default when the app isn't working correctly.

Uninstall

Although you can simply right-click a Microsoft Store app and click the Uninstall button to remove it from your device, it's also possible to uninstall a particular app from its settings page.

App add-ons & downloadable content

Finally, at the bottom of the page, you'll find a list of add-ons and other downloadable content that enhances the app or game. Usually, these extras are not free, and you can only download them from the Microsoft Store.

More Windows 10 resources

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

How to mirror Oculus Home on your desktop

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How can I see Oculus Home in my Rift and on my desktop?

When you launch the Oculus Rift app from your desktop, you normally have to don the head-mounted display in order to see Oculus Home. Not anymore!

A clever member of the Oculus subreddit, NeoZeroo, created a neat little program called HomeUnhider that unhides Oculus Home on your desktop. Use your keyboard and mouse in Oculus Home while your Rift sits next to you — here's all you need to know!

How to download and install HomeUnhider

  1. Launch the Oculus app from your Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.
  2. Launch your favorite web browser from the Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.

  3. Navigate to the HomeUnhider download file.
  4. Click Save. Your download will begin.

  5. Launch File Explorer from the Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.
  6. Click Downloads.

  7. Right-click HomeUnhider.zip.
  8. Click Extract All.

  9. Click Extract.
  10. Double-click HomeUnhider.exe.

A window will now pop up on your desktop that mirrors whatever you're seeing within Oculus Home.

How to use HomeUnhider

Now that you have an Oculus Home window on your desktop, you can resize it using your mouse. Do not try to make it fullscreen, as it will just disappear.

Using HomeUnhider means you don't necessarily need to have the Rift on your face, so you can use your keyboard and mouse to navigate. Here are the controls.

DeviceXbox ControllerMouse / Keyboard
ALeft-click / Spacebar
BRight-click / Esc
D-padArrow keys

Give it a try?

Let us know how HomeUnhider works with your Rift in the comments section!

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