You can prevent getting locked out of your Windows 10 local account by adding security questions to reset your password from the Lock screen, and here's how to do it.

On Windows 10, forgetting your password to sign into your account is not a fun situation, and it can happen to anyone, even when using a password that's easy to remember.

Starting with the Fall Creators Update, Windows 10 introduced a mechanism to reset your account password from the Lock screen, but it was an option only available for those using a Microsoft account. However, with the release of the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803), it's now possible to reset the password for your local account as well.

But before you can use this option, you must update your settings by adding security questions that you'll need to answer in order to replace the old forgotten password.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to add security questions to your local account that you can then use to reset your local account password from the Lock screen.

• How to update local account security questions on Windows 10
• How to reset a local account password on Windows 10

How to update local account security questions on Windows 10

In order to reset your local account password on Windows 10 using security questions, you must update your account settings using these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Accounts.
3. Click on Sign-in options.

4. Under "Password," click the Update your security questions link.

5. If prompted, enter your current account password.

6. Click the OK button.

7. Use the drop-down menu to select a security question.

8. Type an answer.
9. Repeat steps No. 7 and 8 to complete the remaining security questions.
10. Click the Finish button.

Once you've completed the steps, if you ever forget your password, you can quickly recover your local account from the Lock screen without having to use hacks or using a reset disk, which you probably never created.

It's worth noting that these steps are aimed to update the setting to recover an existing local account, or if you need to change your questions or answers. If you're creating a new local account, the setup wizard will walk you through the steps to include these questions and answer in the process workflow.

How to reset a local account password on Windows 10

After updating your local account settings, if you ever forget your password, you can use the following steps to recover your local account:

1. Try to sign-in using an incorrect password.
2. Click the OK button.

3. Click the Reset password link.

4. Type the answer of each of the security questions you added to your local account and press Enter.

5. Type a new password and press Enter.

Once you've completed the steps, your old password will be reset and moving forward you can use the new password to sign in.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

Discord is a leading communication platform designed around communities and gamers, and it's getting Xbox One integration soon.

Currently available only on the Xbox One Alpha ring, Discord will soon allow all Xbox gamers to show off their status on the platform, revealing what game you're currently playing to your friends and communities.

In this quick guide, we'll run through how to get you up and running.

Note: This is currently available only to Alpha testers on the Xbox One, and we've only tested this method using an Android phone. As of writing, you need the Android beta client to get this running. The steps to make it work will be very similar on the PC and iOS apps once they go live.

1. First, sign in to your Discord account on the website.
2. Once you're logged in, navigate to this link to integrate your Discord account with your Xbox Live account.
3. Click on Link Account.
4. When prompted, sign into the Microsoft Account attached to your Xbox gamertag.

5. It will give you a special authentication code, next we need to go over to the Discord app (currently only available in the Android beta version).

6. Open the Discord app.

7. Select the settings cogwheel at the bottom of the hamburger menu.

8. Select connections.
9. Select add near the top.

10. Select Xbox.

11. Input the authentication code from step 5.

Now, your Xbox account should be integrated with Discord, showing off your Gamertag on your profile and what game you're currently playing!

More: Xbox Help

Timeline has finally arrived in Windows 10, and these are the steps to get started and manage its settings in the April 2018 Update.

On Windows 10, Timeline is an experience that debuts with the April 2018 Update, and it introduces a new way to resume activities you were working in the past, but it's not a standalone feature. Instead, it's an extension of Task View that allows you to see and resume a web page you were reading (using Microsoft Edge), finish working in a Word document, or pick up an app where you left off in addition to switching between running apps and work with virtual desktops.

Timeline works by tracking the stuff you do on your computer and then organizing them into a list within Task View. Using this feature, you can resume activities originated on the same or from another computer, or pick up documents you started on your Android or iOS device as long as they're connected with the same Microsoft account.

Also, it integrates with Cortana, which means that you'll see the digital assistant popping up now and then suggesting tasks you should continue, as such you might hardly need to lift a finger to resume a previous activity from other devices, including your phone.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to get started with Timeline on the April 2018 Update.

• How to navigate Timeline on Windows 10
• How to hide account activities in Timeline
• How to disable activity syncing in Timeline
• How to delete activity history in Timeline
• How to disable suggestions in Timeline
• How to disable Timeline completely on Windows 10

How to navigate Timeline on Windows 10

You can access the Timeline experience in at least two different ways. You can click the new Task View button in the taskbar, or you can use the Windows key + Tab keyboard shortcut.

Once in Task View, you'll find your Timeline activities below the list of your current running applications.

Task View organizes your timeline activities using links, but these are deep-links to a specific piece of content within an application, which makes it easier to pick up right where you left off.

Items are sorted in chronological order and each day contains two rows of activities, but the number of links will depend on the size of your screen.

If you can't see the task you want to resume, you can click the See all button in the header of the group to view that day activities organized by hours.

In the left side, there's a convenient annotated scrollbar to quickly scroll through all the items. Also, on the top-left side, above the scrollbar, you'll find an option that you can use to search an activity using keywords.

Although you can clear your activities using the Settings app, within Timeline, it's possible to right-click an item to access a context menu with options to open or remove a particular task, or you can use the Clear all option to delete every activity for a specific day.

The cloud powers Timeline, so if you have more than one computer, you'll see the same activities across all your devices using the same Microsoft account. (Activities from other devices will appear with a label in the upper-right corner indicating the name of the computer.)

Also, if the activity was started with a Microsoft Store app that isn't available on the PC you want to resume the task, Windows 10 will guide you to get the app.

How to hide account activities in Timeline

Timeline can show activities from one or multiple accounts, including from your Microsoft and work accounts, but you can control which accounts activities appear in your timeline.

To show or hide accounts in your timeline, do the following:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Privacy.
3. Click on Activity history.

4. Under the "Show activities from accounts," turn on or off the toggle switch to show or hide activities for your connected accounts.

After completing the steps, activities associated with the account you've turned off will no longer show up in your timeline. However, the activities will still be available on other devices and in your account for up to 30 days.

How to disable activity syncing in Timeline

The basic idea with Timeline is to collect and make your activities available on all devices using the cloud as the medium to sync this information. However, to prevent privacy concerns, by default, Windows 10 doesn't upload your activities to the cloud. Instead, it collects and shows only those tasks you've been working on your computer.

The caveat with this default behavior is that keeping the sync option disabled, it only shows up to four days of activities. If you want to resume tasks from other devices and go back as far as 30 days, you must enable the sync option.

To enable Timeline sync, do the following:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Privacy.
3. Click on Activity history.

4. Check the Let Windows sync my activities from this PC to the cloud option.

If you want to stop activities from syncing to the cloud, you can use the same instructions, but on step No. 4, make sure to clear the option.

How to delete activity history in Timeline

If your device has been collecting activities, but you don't use Timeline, you can clear the activity history from your computer as well as from your Microsoft account.

To clear your timeline history, do the following:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Privacy.
3. Click on Activity history.

4. Clear the Let Windows sync my activities from this PC to the cloud option.

5. Click on Diagnostic & feedback.
6. Click on Activity history again. (It's odd, but jumping to another page and coming back to the settings app is what enables the option to clear your activities after disabling the sync activities option.)
7. Under "Clear activity history," click the Clear button.

8. Click the OK button to confirm.

Once you've completed the steps, the activities from all the devices associated with your Microsoft account will be deleted along with the activities in your timeline.

If Timeline isn't working correctly, you can use this option to delete your history to troubleshoot and fix issues with this feature.

You can also click the Manage my Microsoft Account activity data link to review and delete activities stored in the cloud.

Clearing only specific activities

If you only want to delete certain activities, you can do this using Task View.

1. Open Task View.
2. Scroll down and find the activity you want to remove.

3. Right-click the activity, and select the Remove option to delete just the one activity or click the Clear all from option to delete activities for a given day.

How to disable suggestions in Timeline

Cortana also works with Timeline, and it'll pop notifications suggesting previous activities that you should continue. If you're not interested in receiving these type of notifications, do the following:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Cortana.
3. Click on Cortana across my devices.

4. Turn off the Help me pick up where I left off on other devices toggle switch.

Also Timeline can occasionally show suggestions as well, but you can disable them using these steps:

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

4. Under "Timeline," turn on or off the Show suggestions occasionally in Timeline toggle switch.

After completing the steps, you'll no longer see Timeline suggestions on Windows 10.

How to disable Timeline completely on Windows 10

Timeline is a feature that comes enabled by default, but you can completely disable the experience if you don't find a use for it.

Unfortunately, there's not a "turn off Timeline" master switch. Instead, you need to follow a number of steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Privacy.
3. Click on Activity history.
4. Clear the Let Windows collect my activities from this PC option.
5. Clear the Let Windows sync my activities from this PC to the cloud option.

6. Under "Show activities from accounts," turn off the toggle switch from all the accounts connected to your PC.

These steps will disable Timeline on your computer, but your previous activities will remain in your account for up to 30 days. If you want to remove tasks as well, use the instructions outlined above.

In the case that Timeline is disabled, you can enable the feature by making sure to turn on all the options described in the above steps.

Additional details about Timeline

Here's some additional information you need to know as you get started with Timeline on Windows 10:

• Timeline works only on devices running the Windows 10 April 2018 Update and later.
• Timeline is a feature that works on every version of Windows 10 that is connected using a Microsoft account.
• Office applications will appear in your timeline, but after saving the document or if autosave is enabled.
• You can't control which applications appear in your timeline.
• You can't check your timeline on the web, but you can view your activities in the privacy dashboard of your Microsoft account.
• You can't change the number of days that Timeline tracks on your devices. It's either 4 days or 30 days if the sync option is enabled.
• Timeline is supported on a multi-monitor setup, but your timeline will only appear in the display you invoked it.
• Developers must implement the feature in their applications. However, if the app doesn't support Timeline, and you open a file with it, Windows 10 will create a basic card to for that activity that works until the app gets updated with the new integration.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

These are all the changes included with Windows 10 build 17661, 17655, and 17650.

As part of the Redstone 5 development, Microsoft is rolling out Windows 10 build 17661 for PCs enrolled in the Fast ring and the Fast ring using the Skip Ahead option. This new test preview introduces a small set of features and several changes over previous releases, which the company plans to deliver with the second major update expected to come out in 2018.

Windows 10 build 17661 introduces a new snipping experience, Fluent Design tweaks, changes in the Settings app for Focus assist and Sound, improvements to the High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF) support, minor modifications related to input, and a lot more.

Alongside build 17661, there have been a few other builds released in April, including 17655 and 17650, which were just minor updates, but they also introduce several changes we'll see later in the year.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll get a closer look at the new improvements and features that Microsoft is planning to release with the Redstone 5 update.

Windows 10 Redstone 5 latest features and improvements

Here's everything that Microsoft has been working on the last three Windows 10 Insider Preview builds:

Task View and Action Center

Starting with build 17661, based on feedback, Windows 10 now enables the Acrylic transparency with blur effect part of Fluent Design in the Task View background.

In addition, Action Center now includes a new Screen snip button in the Quick action section to open the new snipping tool experience.

File Explorer

File Explorer is not getting visual changes, but in this build, the experience is adding more integration features using High Efficiency Image File Format (HEIF).

Starting with this flight, you can rotate a HEIF image file — right-click the file and select "Rotate right" or "Rotate left" from the context menu.

Image source: Microsoft

Also, accessing the file's properties, it's now possible to edit metadata information, including "Date taken" and other info through the Details tab.

If you're not familiar, HEIF is an image container that uses codecs like HEVC to improve compression, quality, and other advantages over older file formats, such as PNG, JPEG, and GIF.

Settings

Windows 10 build 17661 also updates the Settings app as Microsoft continues to consolidate all settings under one experience to eventually retire Control Panel.

Sound

On Settings> System, the Sound page now includes "Device properties" on the Settings app. Simply click the link under the output device, and it'll take you to a new page, where you can change the name of the device, and select the spatial audio you want to use.

You can also click the link under the input device to change the name of your microphone.

Notifications & actions

On Settings> System, the Notifications & actions page, under "Quick actions," you can add or remove the new Screen snip button in Action Center.

Focus assist

On Settings> System, the Focus assist page has been updated to enable the feature automatically when you're playing any games in full-screen mode. Previously, this option was available for DirectX exclusive games.

However, in order for this feature to work, you have to make sure the "When I'm playing a game" option is enabled under "Automatic rules."

Pen & Windows Ink

On Settings> Devices, the Pen & Windows Ink page is getting an update making available a new Screen Snipping option, under Pen shortcuts, giving you the ability to start using the new screenshot tool with one click using the pen.

Image source: Microsoft

Also, the page includes a new option that allows the pen to work just like a mouse, instead of panning and scrolling the screen.

Family & other users

On Settings> Accounts, in the Family & other users page, you won't find significant changes, but the "Set up assigned access" option now is grouped under the "Device lockdown" section.

Region & language

On Settings> Time & Language, the Region & language page, the language options page now lists additional features, such as language pack, in addition to handwriting and speech. If some of the features aren't installed, you'll now see a button download directly from the options pages.

Also, on "Region & language," you can see at glance whether the language is your default for apps and display language.

Keyboard

On Settings> Ease of Access, the Keyboard page now includes an option that lets you set the Print Screen button on your keyboard as the default to launch the new screenshot tool.

The option is called Use the Print Screen key to launch screen snipping,, and it's located under the "Print Screen key" section.

Input

Emoji

Starting with Windows 10 build 17661, using emojis, the skin tones will appear in a row view, instead of you having to click a button to access the different tones.

In addition, you'll also find additional tweaks to the emoji panel, including a new message to let users know that they can simply open the panel and start typing to search for an emoji, and the bottom no longer shows the buttons using a gray background.

Handwriting

The handwriting panel now includes a delete (backspace) button in the top level menu, and Microsoft says that button to switch languages is now under "..." menu.

System

On this flight, Windows 10 is also modifying the out-of-box experience (OOBE) to include a new page allowing you to enable activity history sync, which is an essential feature to use Timeline across devices.

Snipping experience

On Windows 10 build 17661, Microsoft is introducing a new experience to take screenshots on your computer.

Originally, Screen Sketch was a feature part of Windows Ink, now it's an entirely separate application that can take screenshots, offers many tools to annotate them, and it's an app that now gets updated through the Microsoft store.

The app is very straightforward, you can open it just like any other app from the Start menu, but you can also use the Windows key + Shift + S keyboard shortcut or clicking the Screen snip button in the "Quick actions" section in Action Center to bring up the screenshot tools (Rectangular clip, Freeform clip, and Fullscreen clip).

Once you take a screenshot, the capture will be copied to the clipboard so you can paste it on any application. However, the experience will also create a notification in Action Center that you can open with Screen Sketch to edit, annotate, and quickly share it with anyone you want.

The tools available in the Screen Sketch app includes a snipping button, option to open images and undo and redo buttons. In the middle, you'll find the annotation tools, including three different markers, eraser, ruler, and an option for touch annotation.

On the far right, you'll find your Save and Copy to clipboard options, and the button to share the capture using the Share experience.

Also, there's a new option in the keyboard settings page, which allows you to replace the Print Screen button to take a screenshot using the new experience instead.

Windows Security

The Windows Defender Security Center app now becomes "Windows Security," and on build 17661, the app adds some changes to make it easier to understand threats and actions that need your attention.

Since build 17650, the experience now includes Fluent Design tweaks, and as a result, you'll now see the Acrylic material effect in the navigation pane, the Reveal effect when hovering items, and the app now takes the system color.

Other improvements

Along with all the features and changes, Windows 10 build 17661 also includes a number of other minor improvements. For example, as part of the Ease of Access improvements, Narrator now is much better at communicating the use of Sets.

When hovering over the Start button in the taskbar, you'll now see a "Start" tooltip.

Starting with this flight, Microsoft is once again making available Sets in the Fast ring, but only for a select number of users.

If you write in Chinese (Simplified), you'll find a few interesting changes in this release, including a new Input Method Editor (IME) toolbar that now supports the dark theme mode of Windows 10, and there's a new logo for the Microsoft Pinyin IME.

Image source: Microsoft

The extended context menu for IME in the taskbar now includes a "bunch of options," and the emoji panel now works in the IME toolbar.

Image source: Microsoft

On build 17655, Windows 10 includes a new Mobile Broadband (MBB) USB class driver for devices with SIM card and USB modem support. This new driver is based on the new Net Adapter framework stack that was originally released with Windows 10 version 1703.

Finally, starting with build 17650, you can add rules for the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) process in the Windows Firewall. In addition, since this flight, the default firewall is also able to show notifications for WSL processes.

Wrapping things up

Although this flight falls into the minor release category, it's still a significant preview, as it's the first build revealing numerous visual changes and new features.

As a reminder, always consider to install pre-releases of Windows 10 on a spare computer or virtual machine. It's never recommended to use Insider builds on your primary device due to the fact that you may come across errors, problems, and possible data loss. At least, you should always make a full backup of your computer before installing the latest preview, in the case things don't go well, and you need to rollback.

According to Microsoft, moving forward Windows 10 previews for the Redstone 5 development will be available in both, through the Fast ring and Skip Ahead lane.

What do you think about the progress that Microsoft is making with the Windows 10 Redstone 5 update? Tell us in the comments.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

You can now prevent even more sophisticated attacks using core isolation's memory integrity feature included with the April update of Windows 10.

On Windows 10 version 1803, the Windows Defender Security Center experience introduces a number of improvements, including a new "Device Security" section that provides reporting and management tools for the security features supported on your computer, and core isolation is one of these tools.

Core isolation is a virtualization-based security feature designed to provide an extra layer of security against sophisticated attacks. And memory integrity is a feature, part of core isolation, which helps prevent attempts to inject and run malware in high-security processes by making kernel memory pages executable only when they pass integrity check.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to turn on core isolation's memory integrity feature included with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update to increase the security of your computer.

How to enable core isolation's memory integrity feature

To enable this security feature on your device running Windows 10 version 1803, do the following:

1. Open Windows Defender Security Center.
2. Click on Device security.

3. Under "Core isolation," click the Core isolation details link.

4. Turn on the Memory integrity toggle switch.

Once you've completed the steps, you'll need to restart your computer to apply the new changes. (You can learn more about this feature in this Microsoft Tech Community article.)

It's worth pointing out that this is a virtualization-based security feature, which means that your processor must support virtualization, and virtualization has to be enabled in the BIOS or UEFI firmware. Otherwise, the option will not be available.

Fixing problems with core isolation

In rare cases, it's possible to come across app compatibility problems if core isolation is enabled, if this is the case, you may need to disable the feature to resolve this issue.

If you're trying to disable memory integrity in Windows Defender Security Center, but the option is grayed out with the "This setting is managed by your administrator" message, you can use the Registry to disable the feature:

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

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

3. Browse the following path:

   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\DeviceGuard\Scenarios\HypervisorEnforcedCodeIntegrity

4. Double-click the Enabled key.

5. Set it value from 1 to 0.
6. Click OK.

After completing the steps, restart your computer to apply the changes.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

If you don't like Windows 10 automatically hiding scrollbars, here are the steps to keep them always visible.

As part of the Microsoft's new Fluent Design System, Windows 10 now includes conscious controls, which are elements that adapt and respond to the environment and the action you're trying to do. One of these new controls are conscious scrollbars that only appear when you move the mouse toward the edge of a window, and then, they'll remain hidden to remove unnecessary distractions from the screen when they're not needed.

Despite conscious scrollbars is a useful feature, it's not something for everyone, and for that reason, starting with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803), the Settings app introduces an option that lets you decide if scrollbars should hide automatically or always remain visible.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to keep scrollbars always visible with a new option available with version 1803.

How to prevent Windows 10 from hiding scrollbars automatically

In order to prevent scrollbars from hiding automatically on Windows 10, use the following steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Ease of Access.
3. Click on Display.

4. Under "Simplify and personalize Windows," turn off the Automatically hide scrollbar in Windows toggle switch.

Once you've completed the steps, the scrollbars will be visible all the time in the Start menu, Settings app, Microsoft Store apps, and everywhere else that uses this conscious control.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

How do I know where my Oculus sensors are focused?

Now that the Oculus Rift has joined the room-scale club, you'll find yourself setting up sensors around your VR space. These sensors can't just go anywhere, as they must overlap for best results. But how do you know if they're properly placed?

Reddit user NeoZeroo created an incredibly useful application called Desk Scene that shows you where up to four sensors are pointed, where your sensors overlap, and even where your PC sits in relation to your play area. Here's how to download and get started using Desk Scene. Now that sensors are this easy to navigate, be sure to grab your 3rd and 4th off Amazon for $59.99 a piece.

See on Amazon

Check it out

We've broken down this artile into three sections so you can jump straight to where you need the most help!

• How to set your height in the Oculus app
• How to download and install Desk Scene
• How to use Desk Scene

How to set your height in the Oculus app

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

3. Click Settings.

4. Click Devices.

5. Click Configure Rift.

6. Click Run Full Setup.
7. Follow the setup steps until you arrive at the sensor setup.

8. Click Next.

9. Type your height based on whether you're sitting or standing when using your Rift.
10. Click Next.

11. Complete the setup steps.

How to download and install Desk Scene

1. Navigate to the Reddit page.
2. Click the download link.

3. Launch File Explorer from your Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.

4. Click Downloads.

5. Right-click DeskScene.zip.

6. Click Extract All.
7. Click Extract.

8. Launch DeskScene.exe.

How to use Desk Scene

Now that you've downloaded, installed, and launched Desk Scene, you'll want to either put on your Oculus Rift or trick it into thinking you have it on by placing a finger over the inner sensor.

The image is mirrored onto your monitor and you can move the third-person camera around, change whether or not you can see the boundaries of your sensors, and you can see where the sensors overlap.

To control Desk Scene, you can use the Oculus remote, a gamepad, or a keyboard and mouse.

• Reset view: Your desk will reappear in front of you.
• Move third-person camera: With third-person camera enabled, this allows you to move it around freely. Use this to get a good view of the boundaries.
• Rotate third-person camera: More third-person camera movement for easier navigation.
• Height up / Height down: Move the third-person camera up and down.
• Show/hide chair: This will toggle a desk chair on and off.
• Change camera: Switch between third-person, first-person, and sensor view.
• Change tracking level: Choose between floor level and eye level. Eye level will cause the floor's height to change depending on your set height when you reset the view. Floor level will keep the level the same height no matter how much you reset your view — use this mode for walking around.
• Show/hide camera boundaries: Choose from classic and fancy. Classic shows just the lines emanating from the sensor(s). Fancy shows a highlighted area where sensors reach and overlap.

Mess around with Desk Scene as much as you want and get your sensor(s) set up perfectly. It supports up to four sensors, so you can be sure you're getting the best room-scale setup possible for your Rift.

An official release?

Shout out to NeoZeroo for creating this amazing tool. Here's to hoping this gets enough traction to show up at the Oculus Store!

Update May 2018: We've updated this article with information on where to buy your 3rd and 4th sensors, as well as pricing!

You can now throttle bandwidth for foreground downloads, and here's how to do it on Windows 10 April Update.

Windows 10 includes a mechanism to dynamically optimize the bandwidth for system and apps update downloads. However, this feature isn't aware of the bandwidth usage of other devices in the network. As a result, some users may notice their bandwidth experience significantly reduce when updates are downloading.

In order to address this issue version 1709 (Fall Creators Update) introduced new delivery optimization settings to manually throttle the bandwidth for updates. However, it was limited to background downloads only, but starting with Windows 10 April 2018 Update) there's a new option to control foreground downloads as well.

What's the difference between the two? Foreground downloads are those you start manually. For instance, when you click the Check for updates button on Windows Update, or the Get button to download an app from the Microsoft Store. On the other hand, background downloads are those downloads that are triggered automatically, such as when updates for Windows 10 download without user interaction.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to reduce the bandwidth for foreground downloads after upgrading to the April 2018 update.

• How to limit foreground downloads using Settings
• How to limit foreground downloads using Group Policy

How to limit foreground downloads using Settings

If you must reduce the bandwidth used by foreground downloads, use these steps:

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

4. Click the Advanced options link.

5. Click the Delivery Optimization link.

6. Click the Advanced options link.

7. Check the Limit how much bandwidth is used for downloading updates in the foreground option.

8. Use the slider to select the limit the foreground bandwidth.

Once you've completed the steps, foreground downloads will be limited to the percentage of bandwidth you specified.

How to limit foreground downloads using Group Policy

Alternatively, if you're running Windows 10 Pro, you can also set a limit for foreground downloads using the Local Group Policy editor with these steps:

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

3. Browse the following path:

   Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Delivery Optimization

4. On the right side, double-click the Maximum Foreground Download Bandwidth (percentage) policy.

5. Select the Enabled option.

6. Under "Options," select the percentage you want to allow.

7. Click Apply. 
8. Click OK.

After completing the steps, as you trigger downloads, for example, when checking for Windows updates, or trying to download apps from the Microsoft Store, these operations will only use the bandwidth you have configured.

At any time, you can revert the changes using the same instructions, but on step No. 5, make sure to select the Not configured option.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

What you need to know about State of Decay 2 base building to fortify your home against the hordes.

Microsoft is gearing up for State of Decay 2, its upcoming zombie-themed survival game, with new details surfacing on its revamped gameplay. Capitalizing on the franchise's strengths, the successor is shaping up with some promising prospects while driving a heavier emphasis on developing a sustainable community.

One of State of Decay 2's largest components is its base building, providing players with the ability to shape handcrafted settlements reflected in the game's world. But packing deeper mechanics than the original, for some, there may be a lot to learn. After getting hands-on for ourselves on Xbox One, we've wrapped up what you need to know.

State of Decay 2 Xbox One preview: Raw, rich survival on Xbox One

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft

Getting started with bases in State of Decay 2

Establishing, growing and maintaining a base is key to survival in State of Decay 2, providing a home to your digital society. Inside a base, you can accommodate people's needs, gather resources and advance the group's available technology.

In the game's opening hours, you'll be guided through the steps of establishing your first outpost and fostering a community within. Going forward new opportunities to expand your settlement will surface, through the "facilities" system.

After establishing a successful base, you're not stuck there forever either. Over time new locations can be unlocked, which can change in layout and size.

State of Decay 2 facilities explained

Facilities are a modular backbone to State of Decay 2 construction, which add increased functionality to your base. Installed facilities can be further developed through optional upgrades, granting additional alterations or improvements. Facilities can also be damaged by zombies and must be maintained through costly repairs.

However, managing facilities doesn't come cheap - building, upgrades, and repairs all require resources or the game's main currency, "Influence." Many of these are also subject to build times, and since offline progression has been retired, these are tracked through real-time in-game.

Facilities are managed by visiting a dedicated menu, which employs an abstracted view of your base. A modular card system is used for viewing and upgrading facilities, with a cursor to reveal potential actions for a selected area. New upgrades can be placed on empty spaces, while occupied spaces can be upgrades or cleared.

List of all State of Decay 2 facilities

After getting hands-on, we had the chance to check out every facility available in pre-release versions of the State of Decay 2. Below are all known facility types so far and their in-game descriptions.

Crafting & building

• Workshop: Craft explosives, fix weapons. Also lets us salvage weapons for parts.
• Kitchen: Craft stamina items. Also lets us ration food. Cooking skills let us prepare feasts.
• Staging Area: Speed up build times. Also reduces facility maintenance costs to zero.
• Forge: Craft melee weapons, materials, parts. Metalworking skills unlock fearsome weapons and the ability to convert materials to parts. Construction skills unlock the ability to convert parts to materials.
• Auto Shop: Craft vehicle upgrades. Also improved vehicle durability.

Health & sleep

• Sheltered beds: Two beds.
• Outdoor beds: Two beds, morale penalty. Outdoor beds always have a morale penalty.
• Infirmary: Treat blood plague, craft cure. Crafts bandages. Also crafts herbal remedies, if we have water access.
• Barracks: Four beds.

Resource production

• Garden: Provides 1 food/day.
• Still: Craft fuel, provides base-wide water. Also slightly boosts morale if we have water access.
• Farm: Provides 2 food/day.
• Hydroponics: +3 food/day. Needs water and power to function.

Morale & training

• Fighting gym: Train fighting, +20 health. Also increases rate of fighting improvement.
• Shooting range: Train shooting, +20 stamina. Also increases rate of shooting improvement.
• Latrine: Boosts morale.
• Lounge: One bed, many morale boosts. Different ways to use available labor to boost morale.

Defense & utilities

• Watchtower: Enables armed guard. Requires ammo and at least one armed survivor to function.
• Rain collector: Provides base-wide water. While we have access to drinking water, morale will be boosted.
• Generator: Provides base-wide power. Needs fuel to function. While we have access to electric light via power, morale will be boosted.
• Solar array: Provides free, silent base-wide power. Also gives the kitchen a bonus via hot water.

Leader projects

• Armory: Crafts ammunition, military explosives. Any ammo type, and top-tier explodables.
• Sniper tower: Radio unlock: Sniper cover. Requires ammo and at least one armed survivor to function (or two for full effect).
• Field hospital: Heal all injuries and sickness. Enables passive recovery of health, and removal of trauma, injuries, and infection. Treats blood plague. Crafts plague cure and many other medical items.
• Trade depot: Summons traders, free influence. Summon any trader you want over the radio.

Fortified and ready

With details on State of Decay 2 finally surfacing, it's upcoming release will be the opportunity to see how base building finally shapes up. We'll be sure to update this article going forward, with in-depth breakdowns of base building at launch. Are you looking forward to the game? Drop into the comments section below with your thoughts.

• State of Decay 2 Xbox One preview: Raw, rich survival on Xbox One
• State of Decay 2 weapons: Crafting, upgrades, mods explained
• How State of Decay 2's co-op works: Progression, tethering, and more

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft

In Windows 10, the Game Bar allows you to create content directly from your games (and certain apps), here's what you need to know.

The Windows 10 Game Bar is an underrated feature which allows you to easily screenshot, record, and stream directly from a game (or app) without the need for external software. In the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, the Game Bar got a fresh coat of paint, along with speed improvements and other new features. Here's what you need to know.

How to enable the Windows 10 Game Bar

First, make sure the Game Bar is actually enabled. It should be turned on by default, but here's how to find it.

1. Open the Settings menu by clicking the cogwheel in the Start Menu.
2. Select Gaming in the Settings Menu.

3. Select Game Bar.

4. Make sure it's set to On as pictured above.

In this menu, you can also customize and review the hotkeys available for the Game Bar. It's worth knowing where they are for future reference.

How to use the Windows 10 Game Bar in games (and apps)

The Game Bar in Windows 10 is enabled by pressing Windows Key + G or by pressing the Xbox button on a connected Xbox controller. Windows Key + G opens an overlay bar which gives you access to numerous functions and features. There are a few nuances to its use you need to be aware of.

• It works best using games from the Windows 10 Microsoft Store. This is because these games are enabled to use the Game Bar by default.
• It works with some Win32 games in Full Screen mode, but not all. If you find that you can't see the overlay, you can try running your game in windowed mode, or by using the Game Bar hot keys (they should still work, you just won't be able to see the overlay).
• You can actually use the Game Bar with any Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app, even if it's not a game. This can be handy for recording UWP apps like Microsoft Edge, but it won't work in classic apps, even if they're ported to the Windows 10 Microsoft Store, like Spotify and Slack.
• Enabling Game Bar (and Game DVR, which is the recording service) might impact the performance of your game or app.

Turning on the Game Bar should release your mouse cursor. You can mouse over the individual controls to see what they do. Here's a run through from left to right:

Configuring Game DVR

When it comes to recording footage and taking screenshots with the Game Bar, there are a number of settings you can tweak to improve your experience. Here's a run down of where to find them, and what you can fix.

1. Open the Settings menu by clicking the cogwheel in the Start Menu.
2. Select Gaming in the Settings Menu.
3. Select Game DVR, as shown above.

Using the Game DVR settings menu, you can configure the following things:

• You can change the location of stored captures.
• Set the DVR to maintain background recording for capturing recent moments.
• Change settings for when background recording should be maintained (on battery, off battery, etc.).
• Change audio recording settings, such as mic levels.
• Change video capture quality, including resolution and frame rate (set lower for better performance).
• Enable or disable cursor capture in videos.

Game Bar settings within games

When you're inside a game, there are a few settings you control from within the bar itself for convenience. To do this, follow these steps.

1. Open the Game Bar inside a game by pressing Windows Key + G.
2. Click on the Settings cogwheel.

From here, you can change certain quick settings, such as the color theme of the Game Bar, whether background recording is enabled or not, and whether to include microphone audio or not in the recordings.

More Game Bar features

If you want to disable the Game Bar to save resources, broadcast to Mixer, or use Game Mode, we have a bunch of resources tailored to that end below.

• How to disable the Game Bar
• How to broadcast to Mixer using the Game Bar
• How to enable (and disable) Game Mode in Windows 10

More Resources

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

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

The biggest event in Microsoft land today is Build 2018. But there's also another huge tech event underway: Google I/O.

Google I/O is a three-day event with hours of presentations, talks and announcements — but for most people, the show is synonymous with its opening-day keynote. This nearly two-hour presentation, led by Google CEO Sundar Pichai and several other top executives, is the sort of "state of the union" address for the company. We never know exactly what to expect, but there's a good chance we'll learn about nearly all of Google's big products and initiatives.

And with the day-two Build keynote presumably coming to a close right around the same time the I/O one starts, you can watch both.

Google I/O 2018 preview: All of the big announcements you can expect

Basically, if you're a fan of any of Google's products, or just want to get an update on what one of the biggest technology companies in the world has on its radar, you'll want to see the Google I/O 2018 opening keynote. Thankfully for everyone who isn't there, which is most people, Google puts on a livestream of the whole thing. It all gets going at 10:00 a.m. PT — 1:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. CET / 10:30 p.m. IST — on May 8. That's today.

Be sure to keep up with all Android Central's I/O 2018 coverage this week so you don't miss a thing!

Find out what's new in the settings menu for gamers in the Windows 10 April 2018 update.

Windows 10 has a pile of new gaming settings as of the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, and we're here to show you what's new.

How to find the Windows 10 game settings

1. Open the Settings menu by clicking the cogwheel in the bottom left corner of the Start Menu.

2. Select Gaming in the Settings Menu.

The menu options from here grant you access to various functions to tailor your gaming experience with Windows 10 features.

• You can customize the Windows 10 Game Bar, adding your own keyboard shortcuts for its various functions and features. Head here for more information on how to use it.
• You can configure the Windows 10 Game DVR, which records gameplay in the background so you can capture video and screenshots. There is more information on how it works over here.
• You can set up broadcasting on Windows 10, allowing you to stream your gameplay to Microsoft's streaming platform, Mixer.com. Go here to learn how to do that.
• The Game Mode segment simply tells you if your PC is Game Mode capable. Game Mode doesn't seem to have a huge impact on gameplay performance in our testing, even in the April 2018 update. If you want to try it out yourself, though, head here to find out how it works.
• You can also enable TruePlay, which is an anti-cheat system provided by Microsoft. Not many games seem to use this as of writing, so if enabling it screws with your games, we recommend keeping it off.
• It also lets you check your connectivity to Xbox Live services via the Xbox Networking tab.

More Windows 10 gaming resources

We have a bunch of resources on how to use the settings in the Windows 10 gaming section outlined above right here.

• How to use the Windows 10 Game Bar and DVR
• How to disable the Game Bar
• How to broadcast to Mixer using the Game Bar
• How to enable (and disable) Game Mode in Windows 10

Everything Windows 10

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

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

There's a little app built into Windows 10 that you might not know is there, or have just skipped over without more than a passing glance: Sticky Notes. But, this simple app can be a powerful reminder tool to help you plan your day.

Imagine your monitor filled with Post-It notes and you're about understanding Sticky Notes.

Here's what you need to know.

Using the app on a regular PC

If you're on a regular Windows 10 PC, then the steps below will detail your Sticky Notes experience. If your PC supports digital inking, there's another section further down dedicated to this.

1. Launching the app

The first part of using Sticky Notes is knowing where to find it. The quickest way to do this is to use Cortana and just type "Sticky Notes" into the search box or to use voice commands to launch it by saying "Hey Cortana, launch Sticky Notes."

If you want to find it in the Start Menu, it no longer lives in the accessories folder. It's now a standalone app updated through the Store and you'll find it listed under S.

2. Adding new notes

When you launch the app for the first time it'll present you with a square resembling the popular sticky notes. These aren't designed for detailed note taking, you're better off with something like OneNote for that still. These are quick reminders you need throughout out the day, so keep them concise.

Once you've left one note, adding another is easy. Hit the small "+" in the top left and another square will appear. Just keep repeating until you've got enough. Or you can right click on the icon in the taskbar and then "add note," or use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl + N."

You need to keep the app open for your notes to remain on the screen.

3. Placement

As with traditional sticky notes you can put these little guys all over the place. You can pick them up and move them around the full expanse of your display. Just drag, and drop. Click on the slightly darker yellow strip and the top and go sticking them wherever you want them.

4. Customize

Click the three-dots menu icon on any of your notes and you can change the color to a variety of presets. This is particularly handy if you want to make certain notes stand out or just group like topics by color.

5. Cleaning up the mess

Once you're done with a note, getting rid of it is easy. You can either just click the small trash can icon or use the keyboard shortcut "Ctrl + D." You'll get a dialog message to check you're sure you want to delete, but otherwise, your screen will start to empty.

Windows Ink

With the arrival of Windows Ink, Sticky Notes became a super useful app for folks using devices with digital pens like the Surface Pro. The app is mostly the same in this scenario, but how you interact with it is a little different.

Fortunately, we have a complete guide to doing just that.

How to use Sticky Notes with Windows Ink

How to use Sticky Notes for reminders

A neat extra feature with Windows Ink and Sticky Notes is writing reminders with dates that Windows automatically recognizes. It'll then add a reminder to Cortana with a screen grab of the note you wrote!

Check out the link below for more.

How to create a reminder in Sticky Notes on Windows 10

Sticky Notes is a very simple application that is easily overlooked. But if you just want to keep a quick reminder close at hand, why not give it a try.

Download Sticky Notes from the Microsoft Store

Updated May 3, 2018: We've refreshed this guide to ensure it reflects the latest April 2018 Update to Windows 10.

The Edge browser can now fill passwords, form entries, and card info automatically. Here are the steps to manage the experience on the Windows 10 April 2018 Update.

Microsoft Edge has been able to automatically fill out information on websites for a while now, but it was limited to passwords and form entries (partially). However, starting with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803), the web browser introduces autofill changes to improve the overall experience.

In this new version, in addition to autofill passwords and form entries, the browser now can save and manage credit card information to fill in payment details more quickly. Also, you can now edit form entries, and autofill for saved passwords is available using an InPrivate session, too.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to manage autofill settings for passwords, form entries, and cards on Microsoft Edge.

How to manage autofill settings on Microsoft Edge

In order to access and manage the autofill settings on Microsoft Edge, do the following:

1. Open Microsoft Edge's main menu.
2. Click on Settings.

3. Under "Advanced settings," click the View Advanced settings button.

Scroll down, and in the "Autofill settings" section, you can control autofill related settings for passwords, form entries, and credit cards.

Configuring saved passwords settings in Edge

Using these settings, you can enable or disable the browser from automatically filling out passwords and prevent the prompt from saving a new password for a website.

Disable saved passwords

To disable this feature, turn off the Save passwords toggle switch.

Manage saved passwords

To manage passwords, click the Manage passwords button. On the settings page, you can view your saved passwords and the sites you specified to never to ask or save the password.

If you want to edit the information on an entry, click the entry and change the username and password as required, and then click the Save button.

In the case that you need to delete a saved password, or you need to remove an entry from the "Never Saved" list, right-click the entry and select the Delete credential option.

It's worth noting that starting with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, the browser is now capable of filling out saved passwords when using an InPrivate tab or window.

Configuring saved form entry settings

Microsoft Edge can fill out the address and other information in online forms automatically, and now you can also edit and add new information beforehand or disable the feature entirely.

Disable saved form entries

To disable the form entries feature, turn off the Save form entries toggle switch.

Note: Disabling form entries also disables card information.

Manage saved form entries

To manage saved form entries, click the Manage form entries button. On the settings page, you can view previously-saved entries and add new information.

If you need to update already saved entries, click the entry that you want to modify, change the information you want, and click the Save button.

If you want to add information beforehand, click the Add new button, fill out the form, and click the Save button.

When entries are no longer needed, you can just right-click the form, and click the Delete option.

Configuring saved cards settings in Edge

Starting with the April 2018 Update, Microsoft Edge can also save credit card information allowing you effortlessly fill in payment details online.

Disable saved cards

By default, the ability to save cards comes enabled, but if it's not a feature you want, you can turn off the Save cards toggle switch to disable it.

Manage cards

If you need to add, remove, or sync cards already linked to your Microsoft account, click the Manage cards button.

To add a new credit or debit card, click the Add card button. Type your name, card number, expiration date, and click the Save button.

You'll notice that there's no field to add the CVV code, because it's a security measure to prevent unauthorized use of your card. The CVV code needs to be entered manually every time to you make a purchase.

If you want to delete a card, right-click the entry, and select the Delete option.

In the case that you want cards linked to your Microsoft account to be available in Microsoft Edge, you'll need to turn on the Microsoft Pay toggle switch.

Troubleshooting autofill on Microsoft Edge

On the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, your saved passwords, form entries, and cards sync automatically across devices using the same Microsoft account. If you don't see this information in your web browser, a few things could be happening.

If you're using a secondary computer, or you recently performed a clean installation of Windows 10, chances are your device isn't verified. Go to Settings> Accounts> Your info, and click the Verify button.

Also, it could be that your sync settings are preventing autofill information from syncing. Go to Settings> Accounts> Sync your settings, and turn on the Sync settings toggle switch and make sure the Passwords toggle switch is also enabled.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

Streamers should take a look at the latest Windows 10 update to make their sound lives much easier. Here's how to get started.

I previously covered a piece of software called Voicemeeter Banana, a powerful piece of audio management software for Windows that has long been popular with streamers. This is in no small part thanks to its ability to be a virtual mixer, splitting audio from various sources and outputting it to different places.

There's a bit of a learning curve with Voicemeeter Banana, and if you can avoid using a third-party piece of software to do something built into Windows, it's one less thing to deal with.

There's still a good case to keep using Voicemeeter, but in conjunction with the new settings available in the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, you'll have more control than ever before.

What's so good about Windows 10 April Update audio settings?

Essentially it comes down to the mixer that Microsoft included in the OS, which allows you to set volume, output, and input levels on a per-app basis. To do this previously with some apps such as Spotify, for example, you needed to use a plugin (in this case one called Equalify) that allowed you to dictate where the audio from the application went.

That's no longer the case, and better still the mixer supports all applications that handle audio on Windows 10, be they traditional win32 or apps from the Microsoft Store.

If you want your Spotify music to come out of your desktop speakers but your Sea of Thieves game audio only from a set of headphones, you can now do that with ease in the Windows sound settings. Likewise, if you want to use your headset microphone only in your games or party chat but a desktop mic everywhere else, it's now no problem.

How to manage Windows 10 April 2018 Update sound settings

Microsoft is moving legacy settings into the Windows 10 settings app, and this is where you'll find the new goodies for audio in the April Update.

The main focus here is on the mixer part of it, but be sure to check out our full guide on managing audio in Windows 10 to make sure you get the most from it.

How to manage Sound settings on Windows 10 April 2018 Update

How streamers can make the most of the new audio options

Being able to dictate where an app sends its audio is particularly useful for streamers because not only will they want to hear things themselves, they also need to ensure that certain parts are being sent to XSplit, OBS or whatever else they're using to broadcast.

You could conceivably do away with an external program such as Voicemeeter, as your streaming program will show up in the sound settings menu. If you have enough audio inputs and outputs you could set this to use something completely different to the rest of your PC. An example could be telling XSplit to pull its default input from an Astro Mixamp, which may well be enough to separate your stream from your regular Windows 10 audio. But I think the best performance will come from using the new settings with Voicemeeter Banana.

How to use Voicemeeter Banana to control your Windows 10 audio

In order to use Voicemeeter at all, you still need it to be the default output for Windows. But with the new settings, you can send more than ever before into the app. Previously, I had a single channel in Voicemeeter dedicated to Xbox Party Chat from the Windows 10 app.

Now, using the sound mixer in Windows 10, it's possible to combine Discord, Xbox and Skype into the same Voicemeeter channel with a couple of clicks, so it doesn't matter which you're using at any time.

To select the correct channel in Voicemeeter simply hit the drop-down box next to the app in the list and choose either VB-Audio Cable A or VB-Audio Virtual Cable, depending on how many of the virtual cables you're using and which channel you want to send the audio to.

The same applies to Spotify, iTunes or any other application you may previously have wanted more control over. The benefit of using Voicemeeter is that you can output a different channel entirely to your stream than the default audio on your PC, something you can't yet do in the Windows 10 sound settings.

The bottom line

Audio in Windows 10 has often been a frustrating beast to tame. Microsoft made it a whole lot better with the April Update, allowing you to get a lot more functionality from the OS.

There's no reason if you're comfortable using Voicemeeter already to replace it, mainly because it still offers much more functionality than Windows, such as one-click muting per channel, noise gates, and equalizers. But thanks to the new settings, it's easier than ever to feed all kinds of audio into Voicemeeter, and then a single channel out to your stream.

The new sound settings are my favorite feature in the Windows 10 April Update. If you're a streamer, they might be yours, too.

Microsoft Edge can replace your PDF and EPUB reader apps, and it can improve your web reading experience. In this guide, we show you how.

On Windows 10, Microsoft Edge has included a reading experience for PDF documents, EPUB ebooks, and web pages using Reading view for quite a while. But starting with the April 2018 Update (version 1803) the experience is getting updated with various improvements and a new interface.

In the updated version of Edge, which continues the work from previous versions, you'll find an interface that uses Fluent Design elements for a more consistent experience, whether you're reading an ebook or web page, or filling out a form online. Also, there are some new tools and features that will be available depending on the content you're viewing.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to get started with Microsoft Edge to use the browser with PDF documents, EPUB ebooks, and Reading view to declutter web pages.

• How to use Microsoft Edge as a PDF reader
• How to use Microsoft Edge as a EPUB reader
• How to use Microsoft Edge Reading view experience
• How to use Microsoft Edge read aloud experience
• How to set Microsoft Edge as your default reader experience

How to use Microsoft Edge as a PDF reader

On Windows 10, you don't need a third-party application to view and edit PDF documents locally stored on your computer or on the web, because Microsoft Edge has you covered with all the essential features you've come to expect on a PDF reader.

Navigating PDF tools

Starting with the April Update, Microsoft Edge includes a redesigned toolbar that ditches the edge-to-edge design with an experience that floats under the address bar. Also, it now uses the Acrylic effect part of Fluent Design that adapts to the color theme you're using on the browser.

On the left, the toolbar shows the total number of pages, and the page you're on, and you can click to specify the page you want to go.

The Table of contents button is located next to the page information, and the menu allows you to quickly skip to a specific chapter in the document.

If the table of contents isn't available, you can use the Search button (Ctrl + F) to query part of the text to find a specific section. Alternatively, you can use the page option to go to the page you want to read.

On the right side, you'll find several tools to adjust the view of the PDF document, including "fit to page,""zoom out" and "zoom in." In addition, you get a Rotate button that comes in handy when you're working with scanned documents that don't have the proper orientation.

And the Layout button includes options to switch between one-page and two-page view and continuous scrolling for better navigation on long PDF documents.

Also, depending if you're editing a protected or unprotected PDF document, you'll see the options to Save and Save As, along with a button to view the document in full-screen mode (F11) for a distraction-free reading experience.

Filling out forms

Using the reading experience, you can also fill in PDF forms online (or forms stored on your computer) within the browser, and then save for printing.

The process to fill out a form is a straightforward process. Open the PDF document, edit the fields, and use the drop-down menus to select additional options as required. Then click the Save button in the top-right corner, or click the Save As button to keep a copy.

Annotating PDF documents

Microsoft Edge supports PDF annotation using highlighter, notes, and the ability to ask Cortana. Also, the experience includes options to copy and share content using the Windows 10 Share functionality.

On an unprotected PDF document, you can select some text to access the context menu with five options, including:

• Highlight – Allows you to highlight text using four different colors, and also remove the highlight.

• Add a note – Opens a Sticky Notes-like experience to add comments. After typing the note, click the check mark button in the top-right corner to save it, or the trash can button in the bottom-right to delete it.

• Copy – Copies selected text to the clipboard, which you can paste into another document.

• Share – Lets you share selected content through email, social media, or another app using the Windows 10's Share experience.

• Cortana – Opens the assistant flyout and researches the word or text you've selected.

Alongside the visual menu, you can also right-click the selected text to access the same options, but in a traditional menu style that includes the name of each option.

Printing PDF documents

Using the browser you can also print PDF documents and forms. Just click the Print button in the toolbar, select your preferences, and click the Print button.

How to use Microsoft Edge as a EPUB reader

Along with the ability to read books you purchase from the Microsoft Store, Edge can also read protected and unprotected EPUB ebooks.

Navigating EPUB tools

When viewing an EPUB file, similar to the PDF reading experience, you'll find a floating toolbar with specific tools for this type of file. However, unlike reading PDF documents, the experience uses Fluent Design elements, but it doesn't adapt to the browser color scheme. It only uses the light theme color.

On the left side, you'll find the EPUB table of contents that allows you to quickly jump between sections.

Then there's the Notes flyout that includes a list of comments, annotations, and highlights you added to the book. Clicking any of the items will take you to the page where you inserted the note.

On the right side of the toolbar, you'll find a Text flyout with a number of options to change the text size, text spacing, and page theme.

In addition, when reading ebooks, you can use the Grammar Tools button with options to help you better comprehend the text that you're reading.

Using these options, you can split words into syllables, and highlight all nouns, verbs, and adjectives. (If you're opening the Grammar Tools for the first time, you'll need to click the button to download and install the tools.)

The toolbar also includes a floppy disk button to save free EPUB books directly from the web and onto your device.

If you need to save a page for later viewing, you can conveniently click the Bookmarks button, and then click the Add to bookmark option. If you want to return to a page, click the button again, and select the bookmark you want.

Quick Tip: To remove a bookmark, hover over the item and click the X button, or right-click the item and select Delete. You can even change the name of the bookmark by selecting the Rename option.

Although you can just hit the F11 key to access the full-screen mode when reading a book, you can also click the Full screen button for a distraction-free reading experience.

Annotating EPUB books

You can annotate on EPUB books using highlighter, underline, and notes. In addition, you can copy and share fragments of text, and use Cortana to research content.

To get started with EPUB annotation, select some text to access the context menu with five options, including:

• Highlight – Allows you to highlight text using four different colors, and then remove the highlight.

• Underline – This is just another way to highlight content, but using a red underline.

• Add a note – Opens a Sticky Notes-like experience to add comments. After typing the note, click the check mark button in the top-right corner to save it, or the trash can button in the bottom-right to delete it.

• Copy – Copies selected text to the clipboard, which you can then paste into another document.

• Share – Lets you share selected content through email, social media, or another app using the Windows 10's Share experience.

• Cortana – Opens the assistant flyout and researches the word or text you've selected.

Alternatively, you can select and right-click the text to access the same options, but using a traditional menu that shows the name of each option.

Finally, at the bottom of the page, you'll find a seek bar that shows your reading progress, the number of pages, and an option to jump to a specific page number.

How to use Microsoft Edge Reading view experience

Usually, web pages are filled with all sorts of content, including ads and many other design elements, and while they serve their purposes, they also add clutter and distractions to your reading experience.

Microsoft Edge's Reading view is a feature that removes the clutter from web pages for a distraction-free web reading experience, similar to reading a book.

Navigating Reading view tools

You know when to use this experience because the book button in the address bar will light up when you're on a website that supports this feature. Clicking the button will convert the page into a PDF document-style experience without any distracting elements.

As you start the experience, you'll notice the floating toolbar with tools available for Reading view.

On the right side, the Text flyout includes a number of options to change the text size, text spacing, and page color scheme.

Also, when using Reading view, you can click the Grammar Tools button to access features to help you better comprehend the content.

Using the tools, similar to the EPUB files, you can split words into syllables, and highlight all nouns, verbs, and adjectives.

If you want to print a web page as you see it in Reading view without clutter, simply click the Print button in the toolbar, select your preferences, and click the Print button.

For a completely distraction-free web reading experience, you can click the Full screen (F11) button available in the toolbar.

How to use Microsoft Edge read-aloud experience

The Microsoft Edge reading experience also includes a feature that allows the browser to read aloud text from PDF documents and forms, EPUB ebooks, and web pages in Reading view.

To hear text aloud, select the text, right-click the selection and use the Read aloud option. Alternatively, you can choose the text and click the Read Aloud button in the toolbar, or use the Ctrl + Shift + G keyboard shortcut to start hearing the words aloud.

When using this feature, a number of controls will be available to play and pause, or skip to the next or previous paragraph, and you can also click the Voice settings button to change the reading speed and voice.

How to set Microsoft Edge as your default reader experience

Microsoft Edge is your default reader on Windows 10 for PDFs and EPUBs, but if you're using different apps, you can set the browser as your default using these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Default apps.

4. Click the Choose default apps by file type link.

5. Click the app button next to .epub and choose Microsoft Edge.

6. Click the app button next to .pdf and choose Microsoft Edge.

Wrapping things up

This guide outlines the steps to get started with the most interesting reading features available on Microsoft Edge in the April 2018 Update. If you want to know the specific Edge improvements added to the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, check out this guide with everything you need to know about the updated version of Edge.

Also, it's worth noting that there's technically only one reading experience on Microsoft Edge, but it adapts with specific tools depending on the content you're reading.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

If your PC can't boot after installing update KB4103721, you can try this workaround to get Windows 10 up and running again.

On May 8, Microsoft started rolling out its first cumulative update to fix some of the problems with the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803). However, as it turns out, the update described as KB4103721 is causing issues for some users.

At the Microsoft's Answers forums some users have been complaining that after installing update KB4103721, their computers are not able to boot. Although it may appear that not everyone is experiencing the same problem, there's a number of users complaining about the same problem.

If you're among the few that have been affected, you can remove the update until a new version of the update releases fixing the problem.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to uninstall and block KB4103721 from your computer after installing the April 2018 Update.

How to remove update KB4103721 from Windows 10

If you're not able to boot into Windows 10, you'll need to access the automatic repair environment to remove the problematic update. Here's how to trigger the automatic repair tool in Windows 10:

1. Turn on your PC.
2. As soon as the Windows logo appears on your screen, press the power button. This will immediately interrupt the boot process.
3. Repeat steps 2 and 3 two more times. After the third interruption, Windows will open into the Advanced Startup Menu

Once inside the Advanced Startup Menu, you can then use System Restore or Safe Mode to remove the update.

Important: We've tested the steps below, and they work to remove update KB4103721, but you should use these instructions at your own risk.

Removing update using System Restore

The easiest way to uninstall the May 8 Patch Tuesday is to use System Restore available in the Windows 10 Advanced options.

1. Click the See advanced repair options button.

2. Click on Troubleshoot.

3. Click on Advanced options.

4. Click on System Restore.

5. Click on your account name.
6. Type your account password, and click the Continue button.
7. Click the Next button.

8. Select the restore point created before the update was installed.

9. Click the Next button.
10. Click the Finish button.

Once you've completed the steps, the update KB4103721 will be removed, and your computer should start normally again.

Removing update using Safe mode

If you don't see a restore point, you can boot your device is Safe Mode to remove update KB4103721 manually using Command Prompt.

1. Click the See advanced repair options button.

2. Click on Troubleshoot.

3. Click on Advanced options.

4. Click the Startup settings option.

5. Click the Restart button.

6. Upon restart, select Safe Mode with Networking, which you can select hitting F5.

7. Open Start.
8. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select Run as administrator.

9. Type the following command to remove the update and press Enter:

   wusa /uninstall /kb:4103721

10. Click the Yes button.
11. Click the Restart button to reboot and exit from Safe Mode.

After completing the steps, update KB4103721 will be removed, and your device should once again start normally.

Blocking update KB4103721 from installing again

The last thing left to do is to prevent Windows 10 from installing the same update again using these steps:

1. Download the Show or hide updates troubleshooter from Microsoft support.
2. Double-click the .diagcab file to launch the tool.
3. Click Next.

4. Click Hide updates to continue.

5. The tool will check online and list the available updates currently not installed on your PC. Select the KB4103721 update, and click Next.

6. Click the Close button.

After uninstalling and hiding update KB4103721, your Windows 10 device won't try to download and reinstall it again until there is a new update that replaces the old version.

At any time, you can always show the update again using the same instructions mentioned above, but on step 4, you have to use the Show hidden updates option. Then use Windows Update to download the patch again.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

Wondering how to get that sweet, sweet loot with your Twitch Prime subscription? Read this.

Amazon-owned Twitch currently has a cross-promotion going on with Epic Games where Amazon Prime subscribers can get some free in-game loot.

Following the initial batch, the two companies have continued the relationship and there's now more free loot being given away!

If you want it (and why wouldn't you?) but aren't sure if you have Twitch Prime or how to get your loot, read on and I'll walk you through it.

See at MicrosoftSee at Epic Games

What's Twitch Prime, and how do you get it?

Simply put, if you're an Amazon Prime subscriber, you also have Twitch Prime. Twitch Prime is, however, available everywhere globally except for China, India and "embargoed territories." In countries where Amazon Prime is supported (U.S., Mexico, Canada, Italy, France, Germany, Belgium, Austria, Spain, Japan, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Singapore or the United Kingdom) you have to have Amazon Prime to have Twitch Prime.

If you're not in one of the countries listed above, you can sign up for Twitch Prime with a Prime Video subscription. Whichever way you play it, though, you have to have Amazon Prime something to get the free loot.

If you haven't yet linked your Amazon account and your Twitch account, you need to do that first. Head on over to the Twitch Prime homepage linked below, log in to Amazon, then log in to Twitch, and let the magic happen.

Link your Amazon account and Twitch Account

And if you don't yet have Amazon Prime, remember you can get a 30-day free trial.

How to get your Fortnite Twitch Prime loot

Now that you're all set up with Twitch Prime, the rest is a case of linking your Twitch account with an Epic Games account (which you will have if you're playing Fortnite anyway). Here's how to do it:

1. In your web browser, visit this link and ensure you're logged in to your Twitch account.
2. Click on the Claim Loot button.
3. If you have an Epic Games account, click yes or signup if you don't yet have one.
   • Note that if you're playing on Xbox One, your Xbox Live login should suffice as you should have already linked this to an Epic account in the game.
4. Log in with either your Xbox Live account (or PlayStation 4) or your PC-bound Epic Games login details.

The two will now be linked, and the next time you go to play Fortnite the new stuff will be waiting in your inventory. It's important to point out that you can only claim the Twitch Prime Pack once.

What's the latest?

The Twitch Prime Pack #2 is now available for Fortnite Battle Royale players and this time around it includes:

• Battle Royale Trailblazer outfit
• Battle Royale True North Back Bling
• Battle Royale Tenderizer Pickaxe
• Battle Royale Freestylin' emote

Anyone who has already linked their accounts and claimed the first pack will still need to follow the steps above and claim the new pack. Subsequent items that are added to it will appear in-game automatically, but the pack itself must be claimed first.

See at MicrosoftSee at Epic Games

Updated May 10, 2018: The Twitch Prime Pack #2 is now available so we've updated this post with info on how to claim it!

Make VR life easier by adding length to your Rift's cables.

Whether you want to keep your gaming PC in a different room than where you use your Oculus Rift, or you just have a large space to cover for your room-scale VR activities, you might be looking to extend the cables on the headset and to the external sensors. Luckily, it'll only cost you about $20 to get everything ordered for the headset, and about that much again to extend each sensor. Below I've laid out the best options so that you can get back to VR gaming without restrictions.

See Oculus Rift at Amazon

How to extend the Oculus Rift headset

Your Oculus Rift needs two extensions, preferably both the same length to avoid coils and tangles. For an HDMI extension, this six-foot Monoprice cable should do the trick. It's cheap (about $11.50), it's built well, and it's the cable Oculus has listed in its room-scale setup guide.

See at Amazon

As for the USB-A 3.0 extension, Monoprice again makes the cable that Oculus has listed. It measures in at six feet like the HDMI extension, it's well-built, and it only costs about $6.75.

See at Amazon

How to extend Oculus Rift sensors

Extra sensors purchased after the Oculus Rift― in most cases the third and fourth alongside the two that ship with a Rift and Touch bundle ― should come with a 16-foot USB-A 2.0 extension cable, but what about the originals? Monoprice also seems to be the name to go with for long USB-A extension cables for the Rift's external sensors. This 15-foot USB-A 3.0 option has a number of positive reviews from users who purchased it for the Oculus Rift, and it costs about $18.75.

See at Amazon

Your Rift setup

Have you extended the reach of your Rift's cables? What were the underlying circumstances that made you go with this modification? Let us know in the comments section!

You can now set the default GPU that Microsoft Edge uses to improve performance, and in this guide, we'll show how to do it on Windows 10 April 2018 Update.

Modern browsers often offload graphic-intensive tasks to the GPU to improve your web browsing experience, freeing up CPU resources for other tasks. If your system has multiple GPUs, Windows 10 can automatically decide on the optimal one for Microsoft Edge to use automatically — but that doesn't necessarily mean the most powerful one. Now with the April 2018 Update (version 1803), you can manually select the default GPU that Edge uses to improve its performance.

The new Graphics settings page available in the Settings app that allows you to manage the graphics performance preference per application.GPU manufacturers like Nvidia and AMD have their own control panel apps with similar options, but now you can do it directly from the Windows 10 settings.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to force Microsoft Edge to always use the most capable graphics processor with the new options available starting with the April 2018 Update.

How to set default GPU for Microsoft Edge to improve hardware acceleration

If you want Microsoft Edge to use the best and more capable graphics engine on your computer, use these steps:

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

4. Click the Graphics settings link.

5. Use the "Choose an app to set preference" drop-down menu and select the Universal app option.
6. Select Microsoft Edge using the second drop-down menu.
7. Click the Add button.
8. Select Microsoft Edge from the list.

9. Click the Options button.

10. Select the High performance option. (If you want lower performance to save battery, then select the "Power saving" option instead.)

11. Click the Save button.

Once you've completed the steps, open Microsoft Edge and it should now be using your PC's discrete graphics card for rendering tasks.

If you end up experiencing problems, such as high GPU utilization or another performance issue, you can also use these steps to change the Microsoft Edge graphics preferences to troubleshoot and fix hardware acceleration issues. Bear in mind that rendering issues can also be caused by other problems, such as graphics driver issues. If this is the case, you also want to update your video card driver to resolve any graphics problems.

If you want to revert the changes, or you're experiencing other issues, you can always follow the same instructions, but on step No. 5, make sure to click the Remove button for Microsoft Edge.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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