Xbox has a new group feature which lets you create folders of favorite apps and games. And this is how it works!

Microsoft has been working around the clock to bring new features to the Xbox console, and in an Alpha ring update this week, the company finally rolled out the new grouping feature more broadly.

Groups allows you to create folders in the Guide menu for quick access to games and apps. You can name the folders, creating tailor-made spaces that sync across consoles. Here's a quick look at how they work, and how you can create your own groups.

Adding a group

1. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the Guide.
2. Select "My Games & Apps."

3. You'll now be presented with a new menu, that looks similar to the old pins menu.

4. Select Create a new group at the bottom.
5. Give it a cool name.

6. Next, you'll be given the option to select from a list of apps and games to include. Select them with 'A' then select add. You'll also be able to filter the results by pressing the menu button on your controller, but it doesn't appear to be working in the Alpha ring at the moment.

7. Now, when you go back to My Games & Apps in the Guide, your new group will be populated.

8. Additionally, if you select See all from the My Games & Apps menu in the Guide, you'll be able to see your new groups in the main games and apps list.

9. Finally, if you press the Menu button on any app or game in the full apps list, you'll be able to instantly add it to a group from the context menu.

Pin a group to the dashboard

1. Once you have made a group, you can pin it to the main dashboard. Open the Guide with the Xbox button to get started.
2. Select My games & apps again.

3. Select the group you want to pin to the dashboard.

4. Press the menu button on your controller to access more options.

5. Select Add to Home to pin it to the main dashboard.

6. Now, your group will be available on the home screen when you scroll down.

7. You can select the group with the menu button to remove it, or move it to the top of the list.

Delete, move or rename a group

1. Go to the Xbox Guide menu again by pressing the Xbox button.
2. Select My games & apps.

3. Hit See all to open the full games and apps list.

4. Navigate to Groups on the left.
5. Select the name of the group you want to delete.

6. Press the menu button on your controller, then select Remove group. You can also use this menu to rename a group, move it around in the list, or add it to your home dashboard.

That's a wrap!

The new groups feature is only available in A/B testing on the Xbox Alpha ring as of writing, so some of these systems may change by the time it hits the public. We'll be sure to let you know what to expect before it rolls out more broadly.

More: Xbox Help

If you have an old PC with only a mechanical hard drive inside and it's getting too slow, an SSD is a cheap and easy way to get a big speed increase.

Over time your PC will slow down, that's just the sad nature things. If you're using an older PC that doesn't have any form of SSD inside it, however, there's one very simple thing to do that will reap you some significant performance increases.

A mechanical HDD will never offer data transfer speeds that an SSD will. Even a low-cost SSD will vastly outperform even the leading HDDs. A HDD-only system will be slow to boot up, slow to load apps, slow to read and write files.

For not a lot of money and a spare couple of hours you can breathe new life into your PC. Here's everything you need to know.

What you need

What you'll be doing is installing a new, small capacity SSD into your PC to move your Windows install and crucial applications over to. This way you'll get faster boot, loading and read/write times, while retaining your large HDD for mass storage.

Here's the kit you'll need.

• 2.5-inch SSD or m.2 SSD.
• SATA power cable (2.5-inch drive only).
• SATA data cable (2.5-inch drive only).
• Depending on your system, you may also need a mounting bracket for the SSD (2.5-inch drive only).
• Cloning software or Windows 10 install USB/disc

A decent 2.5-inch SSD can be had for as little as around $40 for 120GB from someone such as Silicon Power or PNY. If your motherboard has space for an m.2 SSD, these are a little more expensive at around $50 for one from ADATA, but they won't require external power or data cables.

Note, this entire process can also apply to a HDD-only laptop. Some laptops will have a vacant m.2 SSD slot, others you may need to completely remove the HDD and replace it with a 2.5-inch drive. If the second of these is the case then you'll really need to look at a 500GB or higher SSD, such as the excellent WD Blue which is still fairly well-priced at $110.

As far as cloning software goes, you may get some included with your SSD of choice. Some of the popular ones include Acronis or Macrium Reflect, or if you get a Samsung SSD then you'll have access to the company's own software.

It's probably worth picking up an SSD upgrade kit, too, like this one from Sabrent as for $10 it'll make sure you have the right cables, mounting brackets and fixings you may need for your 2.5-inch drive.

How to install the SSD

The process will vary depending on the PC you're putting it into, and especially if you're upgrade the drive in a a laptop rather than a desktop.

If you're adding an SSD to your desktop PC there are a few key things to locate:

• A mounting point.
• A spare SATA data connection on your motherboard.
• A spare SATA power connector from your power supply.

Most PCs should be able to accept a second drive, but some smaller PCs may not. It's worth doing the investigating before you buy a drive — if you can only have one drive, you'll need a larger capacity SSD to act as your only drive.

When you're looking in your PC these are the bits to identify:

SATA data connector on the motherboard

SATA power connector

A mounting point will usually be in a drive caddy, which is where the kit mentioned above may come in handy since you should have a 2.5-inch adapter for a 3.5-inch drive bay.

But, since an SSD doesn't have any moving parts, you can (theoretically) mount it anywhere you have space in your PC that won't interfere with any of the other hardware. Doesn't have to be pretty!

Essentially you just need to connect the power and data to your new drive and then you're good to start moving Windows to it.

How to get Windows on your new SSD

There are two methods you can try: A clean install or clone the existing drive.

Here's what you need to know about both.

How to do a clean install of Windows 10

Doing a clean install of Windows 10 will wipe it clean and start again factory fresh on your new SSD. If you have files you want to keep that are on your HDD you'll need to back those up somewhere, because once you have your new Windows install you'll be wiping that drive and repartitioning it to use as mass storage.

Doing a clean install of Windows 10 involves creating bootable media on a USB stick or DVD and booting to it from your PCs BIOS.

How to do a clean install of Windows 10

How to clone your existing drive

Again, you need to make sure you have a backup of any important files before you begin. This process involves creating a carbon copy of your old drive to your new one, and as such you must remember you can't move more than the capacity of the new drive if you're installing a small SSD.

The cloning process will take care of partitioning the drive and making sure everything is setup properly. The exact process may vary from software to software, but one we recommend is Macrium Reflect.

How to clone your PC hard drive using Macrium Reflect

In both cases, you'll need to ensure you go into your PCs BIOS or UEFI (press F2 or F12 at bootup are the most common) and change your boot order to ensure the new SSD is first in the list. If you did a clean install, you'll have previously set your bootable media as priority, so it's important to get this done right away or you'll be back into the Windows install process!

How to format the old HDD for mass storage

Even though your old HDD is slow, there's one thing they're very good for and that's using as mass storage. Now you have a speedy SSD acting as your boot drive for Windows and your main applications, you can keep all your files and less frequently used apps and games on it.

To use it as mass storage you need to clean it up of the old Windows install and repartition it as one mass volume. It's really easy and Windows 10's built in Disk Utility app is all you need.

How to format a hard drive on Windows 10

Conclusion

There are many ways you can try and speed up an old PC, but none will be quite as immediately dramatic as switching to an SSD from a HDD-only system.

Assuming you're keeping the HDD as mass storage you can get away with a smaller 120GB or 240GB SSD to boot Windows and your key apps from, and spend as little as $40 on a drive, and another $10 on the cables and tools you need to install it.

The performance to price ratio makes it extremely good value, and a boot SSD is definitely something you should have in your system.

Best SSDs for Windows PCs

Add a personal touch to your Xbox One with our ultimate guide to Home customization.

Microsoft continues to expand the customization options available to Xbox One users, currently offering the most flexible dashboard to date. With options for custom colors, layouts, and shortcuts, it's easy to make your console feel homelier than ever. And with more options soon on the way, we've wrapped up every Home customization option so far – and how to access them.

• Changing your Xbox One background
• Setting your Xbox One system color
• Using Xbox One light and dark themes
• Customizing Xbox One Home with content blocks
• Using Xbox One Pins shortcuts

Changing your Xbox One background

Like any phone or PC, setting a custom background is one of the best ways to add a personal touch to Xbox One. Microsoft allows custom backgrounds on the Home menu, sitting behind the main user interface (UI). And following the "Fluent Design" overhaul of the Xbox Fall 2017 Update, additional transparency leaves the background heavily influencing the console's feel.

The easiest way to set any background is by using a saved image, transferred through an external USB device. These are the steps to choosing and using your own custom background image on Xbox One.

1. Find a custom image to use as a background using a PC. We recommend an image with a 16:9 aspect ratio, sporting a minimum resolution of 1920 x 1080. This image should be saved as a JPG or PNG file.
2. Transfer this image to a USB storage device.
3. Connect the USB storage device to your Xbox One.
4. Navigate to Settings app on your Xbox One.

5. Select the Personalization tab.

6. Select My color & background.
7. Choose Custom image.
8. Select your USB device from the listed drives.
9. Select your chosen image.
10. Press Menu while the image is displayed fullscreen.
11. Choose Set as background.

Several other sources are available for custom Xbox One backgrounds, including Xbox Achievement art, captured screenshots or dedicated apps. For a deeper breakdown of these options, check out our standalone Xbox One custom background guide.

Read more: How to set a custom Xbox One background

Setting your Xbox One system color

Expanding on your dashboard's mood, Xbox One also allows custom accent colors for use across the console. Reflected system-wide between menus, your chosen color adds an additional flair to the standard UI. On the Home menu, these custom colors dictate the styling of certain tiles and elements. Here's how to change your custom accent color on Xbox One.

1. Navigate to Settings app on your Xbox One.
2. Select the Personalization tab.
3. Select My color & background.
4. Select the My color tile.
5. Choose a color from the available options.

After setting a custom color, the transparency of Home menu elements can also be changed. Tweaking this value affects the acrylic effect of select elements and how the background shows through.

1. Navigate to Settings app on your Xbox One.
2. Select the Personalization tab.
3. Select My color & background.
4. Tweak the Home panel slider. This adjusts the bottom panel covering the lower half of Home, housing recent games and apps.
5. Tweak the Tile slider. This adjusts the transparency of tiles inheriting the accent color.

Using Xbox One light and dark themes

Changing your theme has a large effect on the feel of your Xbox One, beyond your system color. Reworking the entire Xbox One OS, the light theme favors whites and lighter colors, which makes for improved visibility in brighter environments. Alternatively, the dark theme still utilizes blacks and dark grays, which can be easier on the eyes once the sun sets. Here's how to switch between light and dark themes on Xbox One.

1. Navigate to Settings app on your Xbox One.
2. Select the Personalization tab.
3. Select the Theme & motion tile.
4. Select System theme.
5. Choose Dark or Light.

For added flexibility, Microsoft also offers the ability to change your system's theme based on time of day. Check out our guide on utilizing scheduled themes on Xbox One for a deeper look at this feature.

• How to enable Xbox One's light theme
• How to use Xbox One Scheduled Themes

Customizing Xbox One Home with content blocks

Content blocks are a big part of the current Xbox One dashboard, adding functional customization beyond a new look. Providing fast access to information from the Home menu, these modular sections condense timely updates on your games, friends, and services.

Adding content blocks on Xbox One

Various content block sources are available, spanning all corners of Xbox Live. Chosen games can be pinned to your Home menu, collecting progress details, game updates and community activity. Friend blocks provide status updates on friend activity and their gaming sessions. Microsoft also offers content blocks for Xbox One X, Xbox Live Gold, Xbox Game Pass, among other in-house services. Adding new content blocks to your home screen is simple, once you know where to look.

1. Open the Home menu on your Xbox One console.
2. Scroll to the Add more section at the bottom of the page.
3. Select See all suggestions.
4. Use RB to select from available tabs.
5. Select an item to add it to your Home menu.

How to use Xbox One Home content blocks

Organizing content blocks on Xbox One

After adding content blocks to your Home menu, their order can be rearranged to refine accessibility. This ensures your important blocks are at the top while less frequently accessed blocks are at the bottom.

1. Select the content block to move.
2. Press View to begin editing the block.
3. Use the left thumbstick to move its position.
4. Press View to fix the block's position.

Deleting content blocks on Xbox One

No longer need a content block? Not a problem. Individual content blocks can be removed with just a few button presses. And if you need these blocks again, just repeat the steps above.

1. Select the content block to delete.
2. Press View to begin editing the block.
3. Press X to delete the block.

Using Xbox One Pins shortcuts

Like shortcuts on a PC, Pins provide quick access to up to 40 items across the Home and Guide menu. If you have a library filled with hundreds of games, using Pins can often be the easiest way to filter them. Before using Pins, you'll need to choose which items you use most.

1. Open My games & apps on your Xbox One.
2. Place your cursor over a game or application to pin.
3. Press Menu to access more options.
4. Select Add to pins.

Repeat these steps for all games and apps you plan to add.

Editing Pins on Xbox One

After assigning content to your Pins section, individual games and apps can be rearranged. This makes it even easier to access specific software, especially for those close to the 40 pin limit.

1. Press the Xbox button on your Xbox One controller.
2. Select the Pins tile.
3. Navigate to the pinned item to move.
4. Press the View button.
5. Use the left stick to change the pin item's position.
6. Press the View button again to place the item.

Adding Pins as an Xbox One content block

Pins can be made even more convenient when paired with content blocks, granting access to chosen titles directly from the Home menu. When pinned directly below the main Home landing page, this allows "My games & apps" to be bypassed for certain titles.

1. Press the Xbox button on your Xbox One controller.
2. Select the Pins tile.
3. Select Add pins to home. Pins will be added to the Home menu.

Over to you

Have any further customization tips for Xbox One users? Drop into the comments section below and let us know.

If you have a commercial subscription for Office 365, these are the steps you need to follow to install the latest Insider preview of Office 2016 apps.

Just like Windows 10, Microsoft offers an Insider program for Office, which lets subscribers get early access to upcoming features and enhancements. The only caveat is that while the desktop Office 2016 applications are virtually the same across subscriptions, the way to enroll in the program will depend upon the plan you're using.

If you're an Office 365 Home, Personal, or University subscriber, enrolling to the Office Insider program is an easy process, which only requires a few clicks using in the app settings. However, if you work on an organization, or you're a Microsoft MVP with access to Office 365 Enterprise, the option to join the Insider program won't be available in your installation.

In the case that you want to install Office 2016 preview builds as soon as they're ready for testing, you'll need to use the "Office Deployment Tool" to enroll and install the latest builds.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to properly enroll and install the latest preview of Office 2016 apps if you're a commercial customer.

• How to enroll and install Office 2016 Insider builds
• How to opt-out of the Office Insider program

How to enroll and install Office 2016 Insider builds

If you're an Office 365 commercial subscriber, you can enroll and test upcoming features using these steps:

Important: Before proceeding, you must uninstall any version of Office already installed on your computer. You can quickly do this from Settings> Apps> Apps & features, select the Office installation and click the Uninstall button.

1. Double-click the Office 2016 Deployment Tool from Microsoft.
2. Double-click the OfficeDeploymentToolexe file.

3. Browse and select a location to extract the Setup.exe and configuration.xml file on your computer.

4. Open the folder that you extracted the files.

5. Using any text editor, open the configuration.xml file.
6. Select and delete any content inside the file.

7. Copy and paste these lines:

   <Configuration>
     <Add OfficeClientEdition="32" Channel="InsiderFast">
       <Product ID="O365ProPlusRetail">
             <Language ID="en-us" />
        </Product>
      </Add>  
    </Configuration>
   

   The above configuration will install the 32-bit version of Office 365 ProPlus, and it'll enroll your copy in the InsiderFast channel that offers new features and changes as soon as they become available for testing. If you want to test new features at a slower pace, change the "Channel" value to InsiderSlow or FirstReleaseCurrent.

   If you want to install the 64-bit version, make sure to change the value of "OfficeClientEdition" to 64.

   If you have a subscription for Office 365 Business Premium or Office 365 Business, change the "Product ID" value to O365BusinessRetail.

8. Save the file with the new configuration.

9. Open Start.
10. Search for Command Prompt, right-click the top result, and select Run as administrator.
11. Use the cd command to navigate to the location you stored the installation files. For example: cd %HOMEPATH%\Downloads\Office2016\.

12. Execute the following command to start the installation using the configuration file:

    Setup.exe /configure configuration.xml

After completing the steps, the setup process will download and install the version of Office you specified in the configuration file.

To check that your copy of Office is enrolled in the Insider program, open Word (sign-in with your subscription account as required), go to File, and in the Account section, under Product Information, it should read Office Insider.

If you want to make sure that the latest build is installed, while in the "Account" section, click the Update Options button, and click the Update Now button.

How to opt-out of the Office Insider program

At any time, you can opt-out of the Office Insider program by removing the preview version of Office 2016, and then reinstalling the current version.

Uninstalling Office Insider builds

In order to remove the pre-release desktop Office 2016 applications, do the following:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Apps.
3. Click on Apps & features.
4. Select your Office installation.

5. Click the Uninstall button.

6. Continue with the on-screen directions.

Once you've completed the steps, restart your computer, and continue with the steps below.

Installing current version of Office

In order to install the latest public version Office 2016, do the following:

1. Sign into your Office 365 commercial account.
2. Click the Install Office apps menu.

3. Click the Office 2016 option.

4. Double-click the Setup file.

After completing the steps, the most current version of Office 2016 will install, and you'll no longer receive Insider builds.

Wrapping things up

As a reminder, preview builds of Office are only meant for testing purposes, and they're not supported for enterprise use. Also, installing these builds, you may encounter problems and features not working correctly.

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

Your Rift won't be much use without some sort of input device.

During the initial setup of your Oculus Rift, you were no doubt prompted to pair at least one of the compatible controllers, whether the Oculus remote, Xbox controller or Touch motion controllers. If you skipped one or two controllers, I'll show you here how to pair each piece of hardware after you've run through the initial setup.

See Oculus Rift at Amazon

• How to pair an Oculus Rift remote
• How to pair an Xbox controller to Oculus Rift
• How to pair Oculus Touch controllers

How to pair an Oculus Rift remote

The Oculus remote allows for easy navigation of Oculus Home while you're in your Rift. Here's how to pair it.

1. Launch the Oculus app from your desktop, taskbar, or Start menu.

2. Click Devices.

3. Click Configure Rift.

4. Click Pair Remote.

5. Click and hold the Oculus and Select buttons simultaneously to pair the remote.

6. Click Finish.

How to pair an Xbox controller to Oculus Rift

An Xbox controller is another great way to game while in Oculus Rift, especially if you don't have Oculus Touch controllers. Once paired with your PC, any games you play on Oculus Rift should automatically pick up on the Xbox controller.

Related: Best Xbox One controller of 2018

Wireless Xbox controller (with dongle)

Older Xbox controllers have an included wireless dongle that must be plugged into your PC before beginning.

1. Plug the wireless dongle into a free USB port on your PC.

2. Insert two AA batteries into your Xbox controller.

3. Press and hold the Xbox button on the front of the controller until it lights up.

4. Press the sync button on the wireless dongle that is plugged into your PC.

5. Press and hold the sync button on the Xbox controller.

The light on your Xbox controller will flash slowly if it isn't paired, will flash quickly when in pairing mode, and will be solid when paired with your Rift.

Wireless Xbox controller (Bluetooth)

Newer Xbox controllers connect to your PC via Bluetooth. Here's how to get it set up. Before starting the steps below, turn on the Xbox controller by clicking the Xbox button in the middle.

1. Click the Start button.
2. Click Settings.

3. Click Devices.

4. Click Add Bluetooth or other device.

5. Click Bluetooth.

You should now see the Xbox controller appear in the list of discovered devices. Click it to pair.

Wired

If you'd rather have a wired connection to your Xbox controller ― or if you live in a region where certain wireless bands are restricted ― you can use a USB to micro-USB cable. Plug the USB end into your PC and the micro-USB end into your controller. The drivers should automatically install on your PC, and you'll be ready to go next time you don the Oculus Rift.

How to pair Oculus Touch controllers

Oculus Touch controllers are the best way to get around inside your Oculus Rift. Here's how to sync them up with your PC.

See Oculus Touch at Amazon

1. Launch the Oculus app from your desktop, taskbar, or Start menu.
2. Click Devices.

3. Click Configure Rift.

4. Click Pair Touch.

5. Click Next and follow the on-screen steps to complete the Touch setup.

More resources

Looking for more worthwhile information about the Oculus Rift? Be sure to check out our ultimate guide!

Oculus Rift: The Ultimate Guide

You can fix blurry text and stretched elements on a per-app basis using these settings on the Windows 10 April 2018 Update.

On Windows 10, some classic desktop applications might become blurry during certain scenarios, such as when you're running a remote session, dock or undock, or display settings change. Usually, you need to sign-out and in again to fix the problem.

In order to ease this issue, starting with the April 2018 Update (version 1803), Windows 10 introduces a new option in the "Advanced scaling settings" page that detects and tries to fix blurry apps automatically the next time you open them. However, if the feature isn't working as expected, you can also choose the high DPI settings a particular app should use to override the global settings.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to change the high DPI settings for classic desktop (win32) apps to allow Windows to automatically fix blurry text and elements with new options available in the April 2018 Update.

How to change scaling settings for classic desktop apps

If you're using a classic desktop app that doesn't render correctly on a high pixel density display, you can fix scaling problems to make it look better using the following steps:

1. Open the app you want to fix.
2. Right-click the app in the taskbar.

3. Right-click the name of the app and select Properties.

4. Click on the Compatibility tab.

5. Under "Settings," click the Change high DPI settings button.

   Quick Tip: If you want to apply the settings for all accounts configured on your computer, click the Change settings for all users button, and then click the Change high DPI settings button.

6. Under "Program DPI," check the Use this setting to fix scaling problems for this program instead of the one in Settings option.

7. Using the available drop-down menu, specify whether an app should use the display DPI settings when you sign in to Windows 10 or when opening the app. (Usually, you want to use the default option.)

8. Click OK.
9. Click Apply.
10. Click OK.

Once you complete these steps, relaunch the app to start using the changes. In the future, if the app becomes blurry, Windows 10 will use the settings you specified to render the app correctly the next time you open it.

Default scaling settings override

It's worth noting that in step No. 5, you can also use the High DPI scaling override options to change the default scaling behavior for a program that is blurry from the very beginning.

After enabling the option, select the System (Enhanced) option using the drop-down menu to make the text and interface look crisper, and resize elements correctly. (Some parts of the app may continue to look a little blurry, but it's still a significant improvement.)

If the "System (Enhanced)" option isn't working on a particular app, you can also try two additional options, including:

• Application — Forces the app to run on a per-monitor DPI awareness.
• System — Stretches the interface, bitmap elements, and text will be blurry. This is how Windows handles scaling by default.

These settings are only available for classic desktop applications, as Microsoft Store apps are already designed to handle high pixel density displays. Also, these new improvements work for apps running on your primary monitor. If you have a multi-monitor setup using different scaling settings and using the extended mode, applications may still look blurry on the other monitors.

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

Looking to invite a few friends to your Stardew Valley farm? Here's how to do it.

The team behind the popular and highly addictive role-playing adventure and farm-management game Stardew Valley is currently running an open beta for all players to test. This in-development version of the PC release includes an early look at the upcoming multiplayer feature, which has been in the works for some time.

this update allows farm owners to construct up to three cabins on their land to allow the same amount of people to join. Instead of venturing into the cave system alone, you have the option to band together as a four-man party. It also makes the small town feel a little more alive with the presence of a few more humans.

See at GOG (PC)See at Microsoft Store (Xbox One)

Sowing the seeds

To gain access to the version 1.3 beta, you need to do the following:

1. Launch Steam.
2. Right-click on Stardew Valley in your library.
3. Choose Properties.
4. Select the betas tab.
5. Enter in "jumpingjunimos" and hit check code.
6. Select the beta in the drop-down menu above.
7. Let Steam download the version.
8. Launch Stardew Valley.

The method in GOG is similar to the instructions above. Head to your library and into Stardew Valley. Once you're good to go, you should see the option to construct a cabin on an existing farm, which allows another player to enter and live on your farm. The most basic cabin costs 100 gold and 10 stone.

There's also the option of starting a new farm with cabins preinstalled. Inviting friends is an easy process. All you need to do is launch a new co-op game from the main Stardew Valley menu and invite them using the social system on GOG or Steam.

Stardew Valley Beginner's Guide

Fruitful harvest

Some things to bear in mind:

• Saves are stored on the host PC.
• Skills, inventory, and relationships with non-player characters (NPCs) are separate.
• Gold, time, and everything on the farm are all shared across the team.
• The host can pause the game using the /pause command.
• The host can access inventories of offline players through a chest in their cabin.
• More items and other goodies are included.

To end the day in-game, all players must hit the pillow. Generally, it's recommended to acquire a team of players who all have their own interests. This allows for one to oversee the farm, another to fish, adventure, and finally, one to dedicate their time to fixing up the town hall (unless you plan to merge with JojaMart).

See at GOG (PC)See at Microsoft Store (Xbox One)

Windows 10 will eventually pick up browser-style tabbed window management in the future, called "Sets," but not everyone is going to want the experience right away. Here's how to disable it.

In the future, Microsoft plans to debut "Sets" for Windows 10, which is an all-new tabbing system for window management, similar to how tabs work in your web browser. Sets will be a unique way to manage your projects, allocating all the necessary windows you need into a single "set," able to be closed and recalled at will via the Timeline. For more information on Sets, head over here.

Not everybody will enjoy Sets, of course. Here's how to quickly turn them off for that "classic" Windows experience.

Note: To be clear, Sets is not yet widely available. It is currently in A/B testing for Windows Insiders. Microsoft has said that Sets will roll out to the public when it's ready, hopefully in the next big Windows 10 update, expected this coming fall.

How to disable Sets on Windows 10

1. To disable sets, first, open the Start Menu.

2. Click on the Settings cogwheel in the bottom left corner.

3. Once in settings, select System.

4. In the System settings menu, select Multitasking on the left list.

5. Scroll down to Sets, and disable Tabs in apps.

Once you complete these steps, windows will open as they used to, in separate containers rather than grouped into tabs.

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 get Xbox One gameplay that's silky smooth thanks to the newly-added support for high refresh rate displays.

Xbox One picks up support for high refresh rates, among a variety of features under the Xbox May 2018 Update. Expanding upon the console's video capabilities, the feature promises smoother gameplay across supported titles. We wrapped up everything you need to know about the feature and how to use it.

Xbox One May 2018 update: All the expected changes

What 120Hz means for you (and your Xbox)

The refresh rate of your display refers to how many times per second the screen refreshes its image. It's measured in hertz (Hz), and the higher the number, the more times per second your TV or monitor refreshes. With a higher refresh rate comes smoother gameplay and potentially reduced reaction times, making for an improved gaming experience.

Xbox One has now gained support for high refresh rates, supporting up to a 120Hz signal on compatible displays. This lifts the previously-imposed limit of 60Hz on the console. Once enabled, your console will see benefits across certain software.

Xbox One 120Hz support explained

To take advantage of 120Hz, you'll need an Xbox One X or Xbox One S running the Xbox May 2018 Update. This update is currently limited to a subset of users enrolled in the Xbox Insider Program, ahead of a wider release set for the coming weeks.

Your Xbox One must also be connected to a compatible TV or monitor, which supports refresh rates over 60Hz. High refresh rates must be supported over HDMI 2.0, due to limitations of the Xbox One hardware.

Constraints of HDMI 2.0 also means 120Hz support cannot be used in conjunction with 4K resolution. And bandwidth limitations mean 1440p or 1080p resolution must be used, cutting a few pixels for those extra frames.

Some games provide the option to disable V-Sync, allowing them to output at high frame rates.

But even with the feature, don't expect system-wide improvements. Many Xbox One titles are developed with hardcoded frame-rate limits, set between 30Hz and 60Hz. While some games are developed with uncapped frame rates, expect many games to see no changes. We recommend researching your favorite titles for details on frame rate settings.

Because of this resolution drop, the feature isn't recommended for people many with 4K displays. With few games offering 120Hz support on the console, the benefits are limited. But for 1440p or 1080p users, there are advantages.

How to enable Xbox One 120Hz support

To get started with high refresh rates on Xbox One, you'll need to enable the feature on your console. After installing the latest update, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Settings app on your Xbox One.
2. Choose the Display & sound tab
3. Select the Video output tile.
4. Select the Video fidelity and overscan tile.
5. Open the Connection drop-down menu.

6. Choose HDMI as your connection type.

7. Select Use manual settings when the pop-up appears.
8. Press the B button to go back to the Video output menu.
9. Open the Refresh rate drop-down menu.
10. Choose 120Hz to increase your refresh rate. (Your console should now output a 120Hz signal.)

Enhancing 120Hz with FreeSync

When gaming on traditional displays, incoming frames are output on the fly to ensure the most recent image is reflected on-screen. When the number of frames output by a device exceeds the refresh rate of the display, a new frame can be pushed during a screen draw, resulting in two images being displayed at the same time. Known as "screen tearing," this can ruin an otherwise-faultless gaming experience – especially when delving into higher frame rates.

For the best high refresh rate experience, we recommend using it alongside a recent addition to Xbox One: variable refresh rates (VRR). Powered by AMD's in-house FreeSync technology, the console and compatible monitors can communicate directly, scaling a display's refreshes to current outputted frames.

Xbox One FreeSync and Variable Refresh Rates explained

Have you enabled 120Hz output on your Xbox One? Drop into the comments section and share your experience.

See Xbox One at Microsoft StoreSee Xbox One at Amazon

You can now schedule Deliver Optimization to limit download bandwidth for system and app updates during specific times of the day — Here we show you how to do it.

On Windows 10, Delivery Optimization is a feature that allows you to manually set bandwidth limits for background and foreground downloads to help minimize the network consumption during system and app updates.

The only caveat is that it's been a feature that either stays enabled or disabled all the time, but starring with the April 2018 Update, Windows 10 includes new options to throttle bandwidth using Delivery Optimization only at certain times of the day.

Microsoft is aiming these new options to help organizations to limit bandwidth during business hours while allowing acceleration of updates when the network isn't being fully utilized. However, these are options that anyone can configure on Windows 10 Pro using the Group Policy Editor.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to set download limits for system updates, whether they download automatically (background) or they've been triggered manually by you (foreground).

• How to limit background download bandwidth during specific hours
• How to limit foreground download bandwidth during specific hours

How to limit background download bandwidth during specific hours

If you're running Windows 10 Pro, starting with the April 2018 Update, you can use the Local Group Policy Editor to throttle the bandwidth for automatic system and app updates during certain hours of the day using 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 Set Business Hours to Limit Background Download Bandwidth policy.

5. Select the Enabled option.
6. Use the available drop-down menus and select the range of hours where background downloads will be limited.
7. Specify the maximum bandwidth (percentage) allowed during the time range you set on step No. 6.

8. (Optional) Specify the maximum bandwidth (percentage) allowed outside the time range you set on step No. 6.

9. Click Apply.
10. Click OK.

Once you've completed the steps, the bandwidth for background downloads will only be limited during the range of hours you specified using the above instructions. Outside of the schedule, background downloads will make full use of the bandwidth available, or the maximum allowed if you set a limit on step No. 8.

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.

How to limit foreground download bandwidth during specific hours

Alongside the ability to limit background downloads, you can also limit updates that you trigger manually during a specific time of day using the Local Group Policy editor using 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 Set Business Hours to Limit Foreground Download Bandwidth policy.

5. Select the Enabled option.
6. Use the available drop-down menus and select the range of hours where background downloads will be limited.
7. Specify the maximum bandwidth (percentage) allowed during the time range you set on step No. 6.

8. (Optional) Specify the maximum bandwidth (percentage) allowed outside the time range you set on step No. 6.

9. Click Apply.
10. Click OK.

After completing the steps, the foreground download bandwidth will only be limited during the hours you specified. Outside of the schedule, foreground downloads will make full use of the bandwidth available, or the maximum allowed if you set a limit on step No. 8.

You can always undo 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

Stay ahead of game releases with this handy tip.

It's an exciting time for PC gamers, especially those who have Windows Mixed Reality (WMR), an HTC Vive, or an Oculus Rift. The amount of games keeps growing, with many more unreleased titles on the way. Want to follow those unreleased games to get notifications about development updates and potential discounts? Here's how to do it.

Best SteamVR games for Windows Mixed Reality in 2018

How to follow unreleased games on Steam

1. Launch Steam from your Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.
2. Click the Upcoming category. It's located on the left side of the window.

3. Click a tag, type, or feature on the right side of the window to narrow search results.

4. Click a game from the main list that you'd like to follow.

5. Click Follow.

You're now following the game. You'll receive updates about the game in your Steam activity feed.

How to view and remove titles from your list of followed games

If you're an avid Steam user, you might have quite a few followed games saved up. Here's how to view your list. From this collection, you can also remove games from your Followed list.

1. Launch Steam from your Start menu, desktop, or taskbar.

2. Hover your cursor over the Your Store tab.

3. Click Followed Games & Software.

4. Click Stop Following to remove a game from your Followed list.

That's all there is to it! You can now easily keep track of any unreleased games on Steam.

More resources

Steam tips and tricks for new PC gamers

Team up and prepare for the apocalypse – we break down State of Decay 2's new survivors system ahead of launch.

Microsoft's upcoming zombie game, State of Decay 2, is just around the corner, with new details surfacing on its survival mechanics. After recently getting hands-on with a pre-release version at a preview event, we had the opportunity to break down its complex systems before launch.

Your community will be a major part of the experience, shaping how you survive again the merciless undead hordes. We've wrapped up everything we know about survivors and progression so far, getting you ready for release.

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

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft Store

Survivors are key in State of Decay 2

Like in the original game, survivors play a vital role in State of Decay 2. While many titles establish the main protagonist, State of Decay places an emphasis on your community and the survivors it encompasses. Gameplay requires players to cater to survivor needs, keeping their health, stamina, and morale in check.

The depth of the existing survival system has evolved for this successor, with each character granted a unique likeness, personality, and backstory in the world. Each of these combinations is procedurally generated from a handcrafted pool, ensuring diversity isn't sacrificed for depth. This creates substantial profiles for characters, with personal ambitions and motivators in the apocalypse.

While expanding your following, it's best to find a group of survivors that work well together, while delivering varied skillsets. Differing personalities can clash, resulting in fallouts, fights and decreased morale. Conversely, you should gather varied backgrounds to cover all major pillars of combat, survival and base building.

Skills and progression explained

Every survivor is assigned an assortment of personal skills, inherited from their history. For example, an ex-auto dealer may have great knowledge of vehicles, while a rifle collector will have more firearms experience. Backstories seamlessly shape a survivor's skills, which translate to in-game advantages (and disadvantages).

When first enlisted into your community, survivors are assigned with up to five basic starter skills. New skills can also be obtained, by gaining knowledge through scavenged books and resources. Characters are locked to a maximum of five skills, enforcing limitations on a survivor's skillset.

Each skill is accompanied by a rating, between zero to seven stars. The survivor's proficiency with a skill will increase when used, leveling up the skill's star ranking.

After fully leveling a survivor's skill, you'll need to choose a specialization for the character. A specialization provides the opportunity to further refine this trait, by choosing to focus upgrades in a specific area. Similarly to a skill tree, specializing your skills unlocks new moves and abilities for that character. For example, this can include improved stealth, scavenging, and various other bonuses.

Heroes, leaders and more

Survivors are also ranked, with rewards in place for leveling up. By completing activities that help the community, that member will be rewarded with increased standing among their allies. New community members will join the team as "recruits," before progressing to "citizens" and "heroes." By hitting hero, the survivor will gain special abilities tied to this status.

Every community can also have an elected leader, dictating how it approaches challenges going forward. Only one member can be promoted to leader status at a single time. Additionally, only certain survivors are eligible for a leader role, with their personality influencing how settlements are managed.

Each leader has a distinct leadership style, categorized under four leader types. "Warlords" show their strength to establish peace, while "sheriffs" allow ethics to play a heavier role in decisions. Alternatively, "builders" are ideal for construction and expanding your settlements, while "traders" are best at establishing deals with enclaves. Each leader type also gains access to exclusive base facilities, only accessible to that leader type.

Team up for launch

State of Decay 2 is on track for a May 22 release, priced at $29.99 on Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs. The game will also be accessible via Xbox Game Pass– the Xbox One's Netflix-style subscription service for games, valued at a $9.99 flat monthly fee.

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft Store

• State of Decay 2 weapons: Crafting, upgrades, mods explained
• State of Decay 2 base building, facilities, and upgrades explained

These are the steps to get started with Nearby sharing to transfers files or share links with other in-range devices.

Alongside the new features and a slew of improvements, the Windows 10 April 2018 Update (version 1803) introduces "Nearby sharing," which is a new experience that allows you to quickly and effortlessly transfer files and links wirelessly to nearby devices using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

The feature should sound familiar because it's very similar to Apple's AirDrop. In the same way, it's a useful experience that will come in handy in those times when you need to quickly send a document, photo, video, or presentation to another person across the room without having to use network file sharing, cloud services, email attachment, or a USB flash drive.

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to get started using Nearby sharing after installing the April 2018 Update on your device.

• How to enable Nearby sharing on Windows 10
• How to change Nearby sharing settings on Windows 10
• How to transfer files using Nearby sharing on Windows 10
• How to troubleshoot Nearby sharing on Windows 10

How to enable Nearby sharing on Windows 10

On Windows 10, Nearby sharing should be enabled by default after installing the April 2018 Update and if Bluetooth is working correctly. However, you can always ensure and enable (or disable) the feature using the Settings app.

Changing transfer settings

In order to enable Nearby sharing, do the following:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Shared experiences.

4. Turn on the Nearby sharing toggle switch.

If you want to disable the feature, simply turn off the toggle switch in step No. 4.

Alternatively, you can also enable or disable the feature by clicking the new Nearby sharing quick button available in Action Center (Ctrl + A).

If the button isn't available, you can quickly add it to Quick actions from Settings> System> Notifications & actions, under "Quick actions," click the Add or remove quick actions link, and then simply enable the button.

How to change Nearby sharing settings on Windows 10

Although Nearby sharing is a straightforward feature, using the Settings app, you can customize a few settings.

Specify how to share content

Using this feature, it's possible to restrict how you share and receive content.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Shared experiences.

4. Under "Nearby sharing," using the I can share or receive content from down-down menu, and select:

   • Everyone nearby — Your PC will be able to share and receive content from all nearby devices, including those you don't own.
   • My devices only — Your PC will share and receive content only with devices using the Microsoft account.

Once you've completed the steps, you'll only be able to share files to the devices you specified.

Changing transfer folder location

By default, transfers will be stored in the Downloads folder, but you can specify another folder or another drive very easily.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on System.
3. Click on Shared experiences.

4. Under "Nearby sharing," using Save files I receive to option, click the Change button.

5. Select a location to save transfers.
6. Click the Select folder button.

After completing the steps, feature transfers will be saved in the new location.

How to transfer files using Nearby sharing on Windows 10

Once enabled, transferring files and links with other device is a very easy process with any application that includes the Windows 10 Share icon, such as Microsoft Edge, File Explorer, Photos, and many others.

Sharing a file

In order to share a document, video, picture, or another type of file, do the following:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Right-click the file you want to share.

3. Click the Share option.

4. Select the device from the list.

Once you've completed the steps, if the destination device is within Bluetooth range and running at least the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, the user will receive a notification to accept or decline the transfer. (The source device will also get a notification with information about the transfer. Also, if no one responds after a few second the request will timeout automatically.)

The file will be stored in the Downloads folder, or in the folder location that has been configured in the "Shared experiences" settings page.

Nearby sharing isn't available for OneDrive files, because the cloud storage service already includes its own file sharing capabilities.

Sharing a web link

In order to share a web link, use these steps:

1. Open Microsoft Edge.
2. Visit the page you want to share.
3. Click the Share button in the top-right.

4. Select the device from the list.

After completing the steps, the other device will receive a notification, which the recipient has to accept to open the link on Microsoft Edge.

How to troubleshoot Nearby sharing on Windows 10

Nearby sharing is an easy-to-use feature, and it should just work out-of-the-box, but if you're unable to share content, below you'll find a few troubleshooting steps to get the experience working.

Checking Bluetooth

On Windows 10, the new share functionality requires Bluetooth to detect computers that are in range and transfer files or links, as such you want to make sure that this device is enabled and working properly.

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Devices.
3. Click on Bluetooth & other devices.

4. Turn on the Bluetooth toggle switch.

If you don't see the option or Nearby sharing still not working, you may need to install the latest Bluetooth driver on your device. (You can refer to our guide to properly update your device driver.)

Checking Bluetooth on Device Manager

You can check if there's a problem using Device Manager:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager, click the top result to open the experience.

3. Expand Bluetooth.

If there's a badge notification in the Bluetooth icon, such as yellow icon with an exclamation mark, then something is wrong with the device. If you don't see a Bluetooth icon, then your device doesn't support this device, or the driver isn't installed.

In the case that your Bluetooth adapter is broken, or your computer doesn't have one, you can always get one on Amazon.

Checking Bluetooth compatibility

In addition, you have to make sure that your Bluetooth is version 4.0 (or later) with Low Energy (LE) support using these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Device Manager, click the top result to open the experience.
3. Expand Bluetooth.

4. Right-click the adapter name, and select Properties.

5. Click on the Details tab.

6. Use the "Property" drop-down menu, and select Bluetooth radio supports Low Energy Central Role option.

If the value is set to True, then you can use Nearby sharing.

In the case that devices can't discover each other, bring them closer, as they may not be within Bluetooth range.

Checking network connection

Nearby sharing works over Bluetooth and through a wireless connection. If you want to transfer files faster, in addition to a working Bluetooth connection, you'll also need to make sure both devices are connected in the same network, and they can talk to each other.

Checking network connectivity

You can check the connectivity between devices using these steps:

1. Open Start on the destination computer.
2. Search for Command Prompt, and click the top result.

3. Type the following command to find your local IP address and press Enter:

   ipconfig

4. Make a note of the "IPv4 Address," which is your device network address.

5. Open Command Prompt in the source computer.

6. Type the following command to make sure both devices are reachable and press Enter:

   ping 192.168.1.5

   Important: In the ping command, make sure to use your destination IP address.

After completing these steps, repeat the process in the second machine, and if in both devices you get a reply, then they can connect to each other.

Quick Tip: Using a firewall should not be a problem with Nearby sharing, but if you're using a third-party security solution, you may want to temporarily disable the firewall to see if that's preventing from sending files over Wi-Fi.

Checking network profile

Also, you want to make sure that both devices are set to Private. Otherwise, Nearby sharing will use Bluetooth over Wi-Fi, and transfers will be sent very slowly.

To make sure that both devices are using a Private networking profile, do the following:

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

4. Click the wireless connection.

5. Select the Private option.

After completing the steps, transferring file will occur much faster using the wireless connection.

Wrapping things up

On Windows 10, Nearby sharing is a nifty feature that makes sharing files and links a very easy process, but it's easy only if it's configured correctly on both devices.

Although this feature works with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, bear in mind that there are a few catches. For example, you can share files with other devices using Bluetooth, but should only consider this method to send links or smaller files. Otherwise, the transfer will be painfully slow.

Nearby sharing over Wi-Fi will offer the best experience, but it only works if there's a properly configured network connection between both devices, and Bluetooth is enabled.

If one of the device doesn't have a Bluetooth adapter working properly, or doesn't have an adapter at all, the Nearby sharing option and settings will not be available on Windows 10.

And yes, Nearby sharing also works over an Ethernet connection.

Have you already tried Nearby sharing on the Windows 10 April 2018 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

Don't push your limits, when playing in VR.

We all want to jump into VR and stay as long as we can. From taking a rocket to the moon or playing your favorite games, there are countless experiences that could suck you in before you realize how much time has passed. Staying in VR for too long can have some consequences, so it's worth it to know how long you can stay in VR before you jump on it. So before you lose yourself in your HTC Vive or Oculus Rift make sure you know how long in VR is too long.

Be Prepared

Before you go loading up your favorite game on your Oculus Rift you'll want to make sure you are ready to spend some time in VR. This means ensuring that you've got a decent charge on your phone, getting comfortable in a swivel chair, and tossing on a pair of headphones.

Likewise, you'll also want to double check that the intensity rating on the app you plan on playing is within your comfort threshold. Certain games can cause motion sickness and the like, so be prepared before you start playing. While you could just wing it, nobody wants to be that guy. Trust me.

Don't push your limits

Here are some helpful tips on extended VR sessions:

Take a break

An easy way to make sure that you don't end up tiring out your eyes or with a leg cramp is to take regular breaks. A solid bet is to play for an hour, and then take fifteen minutes off to rest and move around. This also lets you hydrate since using your VR headset can easily work up a sweat. Realistically after an hour straight of Fallout 4 VR, you definitely need to at least drink some water if you don't want to fall out.

Keep track of how much physical work you're doing

Different apps require different amounts of activity. Just like not everybody will get sick during a high-intensity app, not everybody can play for hours at a time without taking a break. Listen to what your body is telling you. If your eyes are getting tired, or you're becoming a sweaty mess, then it's time to take a step away from VR and return to the physical world.

Don't get lost in the fun

There are already reports of people playing for 48 hours straight, so while it's possible to stay plugged into VR for a seriously extended amount of time it's probably not a great idea. Know your personal limits. Make sure to take breaks for food, water, and other necessities. The most important thing, of course, is just to go ahead and have fun.

How long do you usually play VR for?

Have you set a personal limit for yourself? Tell us in the comment section below how long you usually play VR for and how you battle the repercussions of playing for too long!

If you love Windows 10 but need a slice of the old, Internet Explorer (IE) is still there for you.

You might not have been aware that IE can still be used in Windows 10. In this beginners guide we show you how to easily get to it anytime you want.

Activate Cortana either by saying "Hey Cortana, open Internet Explorer," or by typing in the box if you're not using voice or have Cortana disabled. Internet Explorer will show up immediately to be opened for use. To avoid doing this every time you want to use Internet Explorer, follow these simple steps.

1. Type "Internet Explorer" in the Cortana/Search box. (Saying "Hey Cortana, open Internet Explorer" isn't useful here.)
2. Right click on Internet Explorer in the Cortana/Search window.
3. To add Internet Explorer as a tile on your Start Menu click Pin to Start.
4. To keep it on your taskbar simply click Pin to taskbar.

Now, every time you need to use IE it's just a click away. If you don't want to add extra clutter to your taskbar, you can always now find IE in the Start Menu under Windows Accessories in all versions of Windows 10 since the Anniversary Update.

Updated May 14, 2018: We checked this guide to ensure it's up to date for the Windows 10 April Update.

You don't need a smartphone phone to use the Amazon Echo. Windows 10 is also Alexa's friend!

The Amazon Echo is not a smart home product that is reliant on a mobile device to operate. Once set up, the Echo is entirely voice activated and it's very good at it. You simply use the app to pair it to your WiFi, adjust settings and add or remove skills.

OK, so there's a good amount of interaction through an app, but you don't need the app to make it do things throughout the day. And the best thing of all is that Amazon has a web app for Alexa that does everything the Android and iOS apps do. So you can use an Echo with Windows 10.

Which Amazon Echo should you get?

Amazon now has a whole range of Echo products to choose from: The Echo Dot, Echo, Echo Plus, Echo Tap, Echo Show and Echo Spot.

The first big difference between them is the price. The Echo Dot is $50, the 2nd generation Echo is $100 and the Echo Plus is $150. The Spot is $129 and Show is $229, with these two also having a display (Show has a big rectangular screen, Spot's is little and round), not just audio-based features. The Tap is the red-headed stepchild — a $130 portable Alexa-enabled speaker, not one that's dedicated for use in the home.

The Echo Plus tops the range of the speakers because it's also a built-in smart home hub, and it's basically the same form factor as the original Echo. The new 2nd generation Amazon Echo is smaller, has fabric finishes in its lineup and has improved sound powered by Dolby.

The Echo Dot hasn't been refreshed as yet, but for $50 you get all the same Alexa features as the other two in a teeny tiny package. It's not so hot as a speaker for playing music, but you can get a pair for the price of one Echo. Or if you'd prefer one for the kids' room, the Kids Edition is available for $80 with a neat case and an included year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited.

If you're looking for an extended Echo experience, the Show and Spot have built-in displays that can show you the time, weather, make video calls and take advantage of skills like the Ring Doorbell. You can answer the door and check your cameras using the Echo Show and the Echo Spot.

See at Amazon

Setting up an Amazon Echo with Windows 10

Before you get too excited there are a couple of caveats, the first is that you'll have to set it up through your desktop browser. Unless you're a weird outlier like me and using a smaller browser like Opera, you'll probably be supported — if your browser's not, Edge will work just fine.

Setting up using your browser is fairly straightforward:

1. Go to https://alexa.amazon.com in your browser.
2. If you're not already logged in, hit log in.
3. Plug in and turn on your Echo.
4. Wait for the Echo's ring light to turn orange. The Echo should appear in the Alexa web app, as it's was automatically attached to your Amazon account when you ordered.
5. Hold down the action button on the Echo for 5 seconds.
6. In the web app, click on settings.
7. Select set up new device.
8. Choose the type of Echo you have.
9. Select your Wi-Fi network in the web app.
10. Click connect

After a few seconds, your Echo will set up and you can begin talking to it!

What you get inside the Alexa web app is a very simple to use layout to manage all your key Amazon Echo features. If you're using an Echo it's mostly a given you're also a Prime subscriber, and this will be your default music service. In the UK, Echo has support also for Spotify Premium, but that's it.

Amazon now has Music Unlimited, which has a special, lower-cost Echo only subscription that opens up more music for about $5 a month. To enable it, just ask Alexa to start your Music Unlimited trial.

All this in regular use without touching a phone — just say "Alexa…" and issue your command or ask your question. You can use the web app to keep a visual track on such items as your reminders and shopping lists, alarms, playlist history and even what Alexa has been asked. But none of this is necessary to just use the Echo, it's all value added. And you can look at it all in the browser on your PC or tablet.

So, an Amazon Echo might be mildly less convenient to set up for those of us who don't carry an iPhone or Android phone regularly. But set up is about the only real hiccup, after that, it does all the other Echo things. If you've held off because you think you can't use it because you prefer Windows, you need not. This tubular speaker with benefits is a wonderful product and I'm enjoying using one a great deal.

Now, Alexa, play some Iron Maiden.

Check out Android Central's full Amazon Echo review

Alexa on Windows 10 PCs

Announced at CES 2018, Amazon is bringing Alexa to Windows 10 PCs in partnership initially with companies like ASUS, Acer, and HP. While not specifically for interacting with an Echo, it does provide another outlet to handle Alexa, requests and skills on your PC.

In practice, you'll still have the very best experience with Alexa on an Amazon Echo. And, of course, a PC, even a laptop, isn't as convenient as a small speaker in any room in your home.

But, it expands the reach and makes Alexa even more convenient to integrate with your life, and your home. HP announced the launch of its first PCs with Alexa, and they are due to hit shelves in May 2018.

See at Amazon

Updated May 15, 2018: Added information on Alexa for Windows 10 PCs.

Keep your State of Decay 2 community running smoothly with these quick-and-easy tips for obtaining resources.

Growing and maintaining a community is a major part of State of Decay 2, meaning you'll spend a lot of time catering to the community's needs. Coveted resources are the catalyst for many in-game actions, and it's crucial to keep these topped off at all times.

But not all resources come easily, meaning you'll need to venture into the wasteland to support fellow survivors. Here's what you need to know about obtaining supplies efficiently in State of Decay 2.

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

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft Store

Understanding resources in State of Decay 2

Many actions in State of Decay 2 require supplies, and you'll need to secure a steady stream of them to survive. Consumable resources fall into six categories, with each bearing distinct applications. Here's a breakdown of every resource at launch and what they do.

• Food is required to keep your community well nourished and to maintain morale. Convenience stores, houses, and warehouses often contain this resource.
• Ammunition ensures your weapons are ready for action. Stockpiles are frequently found in gun stores, military bases, and other government properties.
• Fuel keeps your vehicles moving, while also powering bases and helping craft explosives.
• Medicine helps keep your community's health under control and it can be used to craft remedies for injured survivors.
• Construction materials are needed to build and upgrade facilities.
• Parts are required for crafting and repairing some items.

Leave no stone unturned

The easiest way to obtain new resources in State of Decay 2 is by scavenging. Like many rewards, resources can be located by searching marked containers in the game world. The world map also details the potential resources inside every building, helping cut down your time on the search.

Resources can be found as individual items or as a large batch in a prepackaged rucksack. While individual items fill your inventory, only one rucksack can be carried on top of the standard inventory. With the help of high-capacity vehicles and other players, multiple rucksacks can also be transported in a single journey.

After returning to your base, you'll need to deposit your findings in storage. Only bagged resources can be dropped into the main storage, which contributes to your total stockpile values. Batches of items can be bagged up and added to resource totals or stored individually in the supply locker.

Use your radio for easy help

If you're running low on resources, State of Decay 2's radio feature might be for you. By pressing up on the direction pad, players can establish a direct line with a radio contact to locate nearby supplies. This will trigger an objective, leading to a cluster of buildings containing that resource.

Radio requests are an ideal way to gain resources when you've depleted an area's offerings. Calling a contact sources guaranteed resources, often by spawning drops at searched locations. You'll likely receive several bags of your requested resource, so bring a vehicle to these locations to save time.

Radio contacts cost 35 Influence per call, but when times get tough, this is a small price to pay to get resources fast.

Claiming resources from bases and outposts

Following the opening hours of State of Decay 2, gameplay begins to shift as your technology advances. Early stages of survival require players to continually fetch resources, but with new facilities, your base will become increasingly self-sustainable. Some installations provide steady resource gains with little investment, such as food and medicinal farms. For a full breakdown of State of Decay 2's base building, check out our in-depth guide.

Outposts can also play a role in long-term earnings, with some providing resource bonuses tied to their purpose. Before claiming a property, its daily resource benefits will be clearly outlined on-screen. For example, claiming a clinic provides additional medicine, while gas stations regularly top off your fuel. Explore the world for outposts that best suit you and your community's current needs.

Stocked up and ready to go

State of Decay 2 is on track for a May 22 release, priced at $29.99 on Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs. The game will also be accessible via Xbox Game Pass– Xbox One's Netflix-style subscription service for games, $9.99 a month.

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft Store

• State of Decay 2 weapons: Crafting, upgrades, mods explained
• State of Decay 2 base building, facilities, and upgrades explained
• State of Decay 2 survivors, skills, and progression explained

This VR rhythm game can be incredibly challenging, but we can help.

Beat Saber is quickly becoming one of the most popular VR games, thanks to a combination of frenetic action, pumping original tunes, and a simple-yet-challenging playstyle. What starts out as a simple game of block cutting with dual lightsabers becomes a sweaty, frantic workout as you move up in difficulty. If you're struggling with the upper difficulties, I've put together some tips that will hopefully help no matter if you're playing on Windows Mixed Reality (WMR), Oculus Rift, or HTC Vive.

See at SteamSee at Oculus

Understand how scoring works in Beat Saber

You have been asking about our scoring system a lot. Here you go! 💪 pic.twitter.com/PePYINZq12

— Beat Saber (@BeatSaber) May 5, 2018

I'll admit it: despite taking the tutorial before jumping into the main action of Beat Saber, I had no idea how scoring worked. It wasn't until the official Twitter account released a video explaining the scoring system that I began to pass my friends on the leaderboard.

When cutting a block, you always want to start the swing from a 90-degree angle. This nets you 70 points. Your follow-through should continue another 60 degrees, awarding another 30 points. Finally, how close you cut the block to the middle will net you up to another 10 points for a grand total of 110 points per block.

Yes, scoring 110 points on every block is nearly impossible, and yes, you will likely be gasping for breath at the end of a high score run.

Don't focus too much on the arrows

This seems counterintuitive, but I've found that focusing on the arrows can and does throw off my timing. Instead, I've learned to chop at whichever side of the block has the discoloration (from the arrow), which seems to keep my brain from making that extra directional calculation.

It might not work for you, but most people I've shared this tip with have agreed that not thinking too hard about which direction you're supposed to cut in helps keep up the pace. In Expert mode, when blocks seemingly come in too fast to see, you should begin to see a difference.

Don't be afraid to get into the music

Once you get into Hard and Expert difficulties, the blocks begin to match up more closely with the music. I've found that the rounds where I involuntarily start a bit of a dance are the rounds where I score the most points. If you've watched someone else play Beat Saber, you know how ridiculous you'll look, but there's no substitute for a high score.

Warm up with lesser difficulties

I'm horribly out of shape, and jumping right into Expert mode cold is usually a disaster. A warmup is never a bad idea (some stretches can likewise prevent injury), so give the lesser difficulties a try. If you're comfortable on Hard, start with Normal for a song or two before moving on. Get the blood pumping and your reaction time will be much quicker.

Try Expert mode with "No Fail" enabled

If you'd rather forget about the lesser difficulties when you ascend, you can always check the "No Fail" box before starting. Even if you miss 90 percent of the cuts, you'll still get an idea of the pace and layout of the round.

Your score won't be posted on the leaderboards, but it's a great way to avoid frustration as you warm up or get used to the top difficulty.

Ensure motion controller tracking is spot on

Beat Saber is all about precision, and shoddy motion controller tracking just won't do. My office sees a lot of sunlight in the afternoons, so much so that my WMR controllers had a poor time tracking the frantic movements.

I've since switched over to playing on the Oculus Rift, and for me it's a much better experience. Some black-out curtains would have no doubt helped with WMR (playing at night wasn't an issue), but the main point here is to make sure you have perfect tracking. There's nothing more frustrating than watching a perfect combo spin down the drain as one of your lightsabers takes a virtual trip far out in front of you.

How to fix motion controller tracking loss in Windows Mixed Reality

Experiment with different motion controller grips

While I didn't have much issue holding onto and using the WMR motion controllers aside from the tracking issue, Oculus Touch has a lot of buttons crammed into a small space. Usually this isn't a problem, but I tend to grip down hard while swinging away. My thumbs were constantly pausing the game, messing up my rhythm.

I've seen a few people play Beat Saber, and they all eventually shifted the Touch controllers around to sit more securely in the hand. For me, this involves cupping the entire inner portion in the palm of my hand. The controllers stay put and I no longer accidentally mash buttons.

Catch your breath and drink water between rounds

Just because this is a video game doesn't mean it isn't also an intense workout. According to the Virtual Reality Institute of Health and Exercise, Beat Saber burns the caloric equivalent of playing tennis. On average, that's six to eight calories per minute. Not bad.

Between songs, don't be afraid to remove the headset, catch your breath, and drink some water. Jumping into the next song when you're already gassed probably isn't going to deliver any better results. And, of course, dehydration is a lightsaber-wielders worst enemy.

See at SteamSee at Oculus

More resources

• Best Windows Mixed Reality games
• Best SteamVR games for Windows Mixed Reality

If you're running a Samsung SSD in your PC you might be able to use Rapid Mode. But what is it and should you use it?

SSD's are pretty fast, and Samsung has some of the very fastest consumer drives out there. While the company's fancy new 970 Evo and Pro drives boast insanely fast read and write speeds, for the older, SATA spec drives there's still hope.

Samsung has a thing called Rapid Mode that can add a little extra oomph to some of its SSDs. Here's a quick look at what it is, how you use it and whether you should.

What is Rapid Mode?

From Samsung's official description:

Achieve over 2X faster performance through intelligent DRAM caching of data, for read acceleration and write optimization.

You can't physically make the drive faster, as the read/write speeds are bound by the limitations of the hardware. Rapid Mode instead uses intelligence and other resources in your PC, namely the RAM, to cache files for quicker access and a more streamlined write process.

As Rapid Mode engages the RAM on your PC, the minimum system requirement is 2GB so you have enough to go around.

Which drives can use Rapid Mode

The newest, and fastest NVMe drives from Samsung cannot use Rapid Mode. They also don't need to. So if you're using a 960 or 970 series SSD, you can end right here.

Samsung's official listings show the wide variety of SSDs supporting Rapid Mode, but they don't seem to be all encompassing. My 750 Evo isn't listed, but has full support for Rapid Mode.

For this you're limited to SATA drives, which includes the 2.5-inch size and some of the non-NVMe m.2 drives like the 860 Evo. As well as this and 2GB of RAM, your PC must also be running Windows 7 or later.

How to enable and disable Rapid Mode

Turning on Rapid Mode is extremely simple. The first thing you have to do is download the free (and quite useful) Samsung Magician application. It's worth having this if you're using any Samsung SSD, as it's an easy way to keep firmware up to date, keep tabs on drive health and performance and even securely erase it if you're going to be replacing it.

Once you've downloaded and installed Samsung Magician follow these steps:

1. Open Samsung Magician.

2. Ensure the supported drive is selected from the drop-down box.

3. Change the Rapid Mode toggle to on.

4. Click yes when the description message pops up.

5. Once you're happy to restart the PC and apply Rapid Mode, click yes at the next dialog box.

Magician will now force your PC to restart and when it comes back up Rapid Mode will be enabled. You can verify this by opening the application up and you'll see the button under Rapid Mode now says on.

If you need to run any performance tests on your drive you'll need to disable Rapid Mode first, restart your PC, then run the tests. Because it interferes with the direct read/write feature, you won't ever get an accurate result and the benchmark is essentially running against your RAM, not your SSD.

Is Rapid Mode worth it?

Why you don't run performance checks with Rapid Mode on!

The $64,000 question. In my experience, I can't say I've noticed much of a difference either way, but I also don't use my 750 Evo as a boot drive (I have a 960 Evo for that which is amazing.) The theory behind it is sound, but since mine is used primarily for storing games and other large, non-essential programs, I'm not really the right use case.

Looking around the web there are various resources discussing Rapid Mode, including "it certainly doesn't hurt having it enabled."

This comment on a thread from way back in 2016 on the Overclockers UK forum seems to sum it up quite well:

"The Samsung Rapid Mode benchmarks are a bit deceiving. Technical reviews revealed the actual real world increase in performance is anywhere between 0% and 25% depending on what was loaded into the Ramdisk. The 0% represents brand new data of some type that has never been loaded into the Ramdisk while the 25% represents some type of data that is routinely loaded into the Ramdisk."

Which makes perfect sense. The software is intelligently caching data, so if you're loading the same thing over and over again, it stands to reason that this is where you'll see the most benefit.

Some users claim that it's a definite improvement, some are on the fence and some will just leave it off altogether. In my use case, I won't gain anything really from having it on, but your mileage may vary. There's plenty of discussion out there on the topic, so there's plenty of reading if you're unsure.

Best SSDs for Windows PCs

There's a lot planned for State of Decay 2 after launch – here's what you should know.

State of Decay 2 offers a vast open world, packed with content to explore during your survival journey. And like any open-world sandbox, uncovering all it has to offer will take time. But looking further ahead, developer Undead Labs is laying the foundations for what comes next. Here's everything we know so far about the future of State of Decay 2 on Xbox One and Windows 10.

State of Decay 2 buyer's guide: Editions, bonuses, and release dates

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft Store

Independence and Daybreak expansion packs

While many of today's titles adopt a "games-as-a-service" content model, State of Decay 2 pursues traditional post-launch expansions. Undead Labs has outlined two paid downloadable content (DLC) drops for the game, which are expected to build on the existing foundation from launch. The "Independence Pack" kicks off these plans, followed by the "Daybreak Pack." Speaking to Windows Central, State of Decay 2 design director, Richard Foge, broke down the content we can expect.

For the Independence Pack, the team has discussed "some cool consumables, some new variations on vehicles and some new weapons" for players to unlock. This is set to be an extension of the base experience, by ushering new items into the world.

The Daybreak Pack brings a "full new game mode" in the works, departing from the core gameplay loop. While Foge didn't elaborate with further details, its premise could be an ambitious shift into new territory.

Both expansions are included with State of Decay 2: Ultimate Edition, making them a main draw of the premium $49.99 bundle. This edition is currently the only way to pre-purchase the content, with no standalone season pass or add-ons available at launch. Undead Labs has told us it plans to allow standard edition owners to purchase DLC at a later date.

Ultimate Edition owners pay $20 over the base game, valuing these expansions at a similar price point. Assuming Ultimate Edition owners received a small discount, these DLC packs will likely cost between $10 and $15 each.

Free updates, patches and more

Beyond the main expansions, State of Decay 2 will also see free updates over its lifetime. The team currently hopes the game will feel "well supported" with bug fixes, feature improvements and other refinements after release. The team has previously committed to delivering heavier polish leading up to, and beyond, May 22.

There's a sense that Undead Labs plans to mostly offer new content through expansions, rather than regular updates many are accustomed to. Nevertheless, Foge discussed seamlessly implementing content that didn't make it into the final game alongside updates.

We have a lot of really cool things we've been talking about for a while, that as you come up to release date, the producers tell you to put your pencils down and you stop being able to put stuff in. There's a backlog of all these fun missions and stuff we'd love to get into the game as well, and the structure of the game allows us to pretty easily slot stuff in.

For now, we can assume efforts are being heavily invested in improving the existing game while focusing on future DLC. Stay tuned for announcements on firmer update plans.

No plans for microtransactions

Leading up to launch, Undead Labs has stressed that controversial monetization practices are being avoided for State of Decay 2. There are still no plans to implement microtransactions, paid currencies or loot boxes, betting on transparent purchases instead. Foge elaborated on this decision, citing the team's vision for the game.

The content we built out and just the way we built it, microtransactions don't make a lot of sense for the structure of the game and the way we built things out. […] We didn't want microtransactions or our own currency in the game where you're buying loot boxes and things like that with "zombucks" or anything – it didn't make sense for the game.

While the game leaves microtransactions untouched at launch, keep in mind that plans could change later down the line.

Kicking off your journey

State of Decay 2 is on track for a May 22 release, priced at $29.99 on Xbox One and Windows 10 PCs. The game will also be accessible via Xbox Game Pass– the Xbox One's Netflix-style subscription service for games, valued at a $9.99 flat monthly fee.

See at AmazonSee at Microsoft Store

State of Decay 2 buyer's guide: Editions, bonuses, and release dates