A new cumulative update is now available for machines on the Windows 10 Creators Update.

Microsoft has started rolling out a new cumulative update for Windows 10. Available for devices on the Creators Update in Release Preview and on production, the cumulative update is labeled KB4032188 and ticks the PC build number up to version 15063.502 (via Windows Blog Italia).

The list of changes includes a number of fixes for both PC and Mobile. Here's a look at Microsoft's release notes in full:

• Addressed issue that causes a Microsoft Installer (MSI) application to fail for standard (non-admin) users when installed on a per user basis.
• Addressed issue to enable support in the DevDetail Configuration Service Provider (CSP) to return the UBR number in the D part of the SwV node.
• Addressed issue where NTFS sparse files were unexpectedly truncated (NTFS sparse files are used by Data Deduplication—deduplicated files may be unexpectedly corrupted as a result). Also updated chkdsk to detect which files are corrupted.
• Addressed issue where the IME pad was not launching correctly in the Microsoft Edge browser for certain markets.
• Addressed issue to allow Win32 applications to work with various Bluetooth LE devices including head tracking devices.
• Addressed issue in the Mobile Device Manager Enterprise feature to allow headsets to work correctly.
• Addressed issue where device drivers are not loading.
• Addressed a reliability issue when playing specific types of spatial sound content.
• Addressed issue with a dropped key on Microsoft Surface Keyboard and Microsoft Surface Ergo Keyboard, and addressed Wacom active pen connection failures.
• Addressed issue to improve stability for USB type C during device arrival and removal during system power changes.
• Addressed USB host controller issue where the host controller no longer responds to the attached peripherals.
• Addressed MP4 compatibility issue while playing content from a social media site in Microsoft Edge.
• Addressed issue with audio headsets connected to a PC through Xbox 360 controllers.
• Addressed a reliability issue with launching a Settings app while another application is using the camera device concurrently.
• Addressed issue with notifications (SMS, Calendar) for an activity tracker.
• Addressed issue with video playback artifacts during transitions from portrait to landscape on mobile devices.
• Addressed issue with Skype calls becoming unresponsive after about 20 minutes when using Bluetooth headsets with Hands-Free Profile (HFP) connections with negotiated mSBC codec (Wideband Speech).
• Addressed issue where a service using a Managed Service Account (MSA) fails to connect to the domain after an automatic password update.
• Addressed issue where, in some cases, a drive that utilizes on-drive hardware encryption would not automatically unlock at system startup.
• Addressed issue where "cipher.exe /u" fails on client machines that are deployed with InTune, Windows Information Protection (WIP), and an updated Data Recovery Agent (DRA) certificate. Cipher.exe will fail with one of the following errors: "The request is not supported" or "The system cannot find the file specified".
• Addressed issue where a memory leak occurs in a nonpaged pool with the "NDnd" memory tag when you have a network bridge set up.
• Addressed issue where you cannot add Work and School accounts in Windows Store, and you may get an error that reads, "We encountered an error; please try signing in again later."
• Addressed issue issue where if a Surface Hub enters Sleep mode and then resumes, it may require the user to sign in to Skype again.
• Addressed issue where some Windows Forms (WinForms) applications that use DataGridView, Menu controls, or call a constructor for a Screen object experienced performance regressions in .NET 4.7. This was caused by additional Garbage Collections. In some cases, there was an empty UI because of a lack of GDI+ handles.
• Addressed issue where Magnifier Lens users cannot click on buttons or select web content in Microsoft Edge or Cortana results.
• Addressed issue introduced in the June updates where some applications may not launch when a device resumes from Connected Standby mode.

The official Patch Tuesday for August will arrive next week, so we're expecting even more cumulative updates to arrive then as well. For now, you should be able to pull this update down through Windows Update.

You can adjust the maximum length of time for background recording using Game DVR on Windows 10, and in this guide we show you how.

On Windows 10, the Game DVR feature comes with "background recording," which allows you to quickly capture clips of your favorite games without needing to configure extra software. However, when enabled, recordings end automatically after 30 minutes.

Although that default recording time should be enough for most users, if you want to capture longer clips, Windows 10 allows you to easily increase the time up to two hours in at least two different ways.

In this Windows 10 guide, we show you the easy steps to adjust the maximum background recording time using the Settings and the Xbox app.

• How to change Game DVR recording time using Settings
• How to change Game DVR recording time using Xbox

How to change Game DVR recording time using Settings

Using the Windows Settings app, you can change the maximum recording length with these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Gaming.
3. Click on Game DVR.

4. Under "Record this," use the Maximum recording time drop-down menu to select the time length:

   • 30 minutes.
   • 1 hour.
   • 2 hours.

How to change Game DVR recording time using Xbox

Using the Xbox app, you can adjust the maximum recording time for games with these steps:

1. Open Xbox.
2. Click Settings (gear) button.
3. Click the Game DVR tab.

4. Under "Game Clips," you can use the Maximum recording time drop-down menu to select the time length:

   • 30 minutes.
   • 1 hour.
   • 2 hours.

Once you adjust your settings, the next time you're playing a game and you use the Windows key + G keyboard shortcut to open the Game bar and click the Record button, the screen recording will stop and save the clip automatically at the new time specified.

While background recording is a great feature to have in Windows 10, you should also consider that it requires additional system resources to record, which can affect gaming performance. It's recommended to use background recording only if you have a capable machine.

If you also want to capture videos with the highest quality, in this guide we explain how to record at 60 frames per second with 192kbps audio quality.

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

HP's latest point-of-sale system runs Windows 10 and looks a lot like its Spectre line. Here is why the ElitePOS G1 is a fascinating use of modern technology to solve everyday problems.

When it comes to retail technology i.e. point-of-sales (POS) systems like registers and self-checkout machines rarely is there anything exciting to talk about. Step in HP who today is announcing its HP ElitePOS G1 – a glorified Windows 10 (or Windows 10 IoT) PC that runs the latest Intel Core processors and will be showing up in your local mall soon.

Just going by the name – ElitePOS – HP is bringing its premium business line of Elite products like its EliteBook laptops to retail. The move is not just about building a nice-looking POS system, however, but about HP's long-standing history in security to protect consumer data during checkouts.

What is HP ElitePOS G1?

The HP retail ElitePOS is a mixture of Windows 10 PC running an Intel Celeron, Core i3, or Core i5 processor along with a top-notch Full HD touch display. That PC end makes up the "head unit, " and it can run Windows 10 or Windows 10 IoT for a more locked-down experience. Companies can then run customized boutique software on top of the OS for customer check out or self-help kiosks.

After the head unit comes an optional fixed-position or swivel-and-tilt stand, which sits on top of the optional receipt printer. That printer sits vertically and appears as if it's built right into the head unit's stem.

HP ElitePOS G1 tech specs

Finally, there is a "stability base plate" to mount the POS system to a counter along with an optional connectivity base to allow for peripherals like a 2D scanner or external printer to be attached.

The big selling point here for retail outlets is the complete modularity and customizability of the ElitePOS system. Add a printer, swivel mount, and connectivity base, or just have a stand with the head unit – it's their choice.

Who is the HP ElitePOS G1 for?

The ElitePOS G1 is a business and retail independent software vendor (ISV) solution meant to be deployed in stores, kiosks, hotels, movie theaters, or wherever a POS system is needed. The system can be set up for retail employees to check-out customers, or it can be consumer facing for self-help stands.

Since the ElitePOS G1 runs Windows 10 companies can lock down the OS, use user-authentication technology like HP's built-in fingerprint reader for privileged employee access, remote management, and HP's famed BIOS-level device security with HP Sure Start (Gen3), which protects the system from malware attacks and Device Guard – which "lets IT managers create rules to run only signed, trusted, and approved applications".

With a matte full HD touch display, DDR4 memory and up to a seventh generation, Intel Core i5-7300U processor with Intel vPRO technology companies can have a fast, reliable, and trustworthy platform to handle credit card transactions, sales, or accessing records.

Why is the HP ElitePOS G1…cool?

Normally, retail distribution devices are rarely exciting, but the ElitePOS is kind of neat. For one, it runs Windows 10 or Windows 10 IoT showing just how flexible and powerful Microsoft's OS can be for 2017.

Next, it's just super nice looking. With a spill and dust-proof design, HP built the ElitePOS not only to look chic but hold up for a decade in the field. Looking at it and you can see the obvious parallels with its Spectre consumer products.

HP built a printer right into the stand for a clean, minimalist look.

Moreover, it's important. Retail crimes where customer data is breached or stolen – especially at the point where credit card transactions occur – is a problem in retail. HP's ElitePOS G1 is supposed to address that since users can't just run malware on it and with Windows Hello for bio-authentication, there is just more security here than proprietary systems.

Finally, due to the modular system and Windows 10, the ElitePOS G1 is agnostic for payment systems, retail software, and more letting companies use it however they wish. There is no lock-in or forcing businesses to adopt something they don't want.

You may see one of these someday when you grab a coffee.

The ElitePOS is expected to be available in August 2017 direct from HP and the company's global network of more than 250,000 partners. Additionally, retail independent software vendors (ISVs) Custom Business Solutions, GK Software, LS Retail, Manhattan Associates, Omnico Group, PCMS, Retail Pro, SilverWare POS, and TCPOS plan to support the HP ElitePOS G1.

For more information on the point-of-sale system, visit hp.com/go/elitepos, or see the ElitePOS in person August 6-9 at RetailNow 2017 in booth #410-412.

Apple's best tablet has us ready for the next step in Windows portables. Here's why.

I use an iPad Pro. And I use it every single day. It's a 128 GB, 9.7-inch 4G version, and I'm not here to explain or defend to Windows Central readers why I bought it. The fact is I bought it, and I enjoy using it.

At the same time, it's far from perfect. It's also still using a mobile OS, and no matter how hard Apple or its legions of fans may try telling you otherwise, it isn't as good as Windows or macOS. If you want a desktop experience, you still need a desktop OS.

What would be absolutely perfect is a device like the iPad Pro running a full desktop-class OS with cellular and incredible battery life.

Like Windows 10 on ARM, perhaps?

iPad over Surface

Since getting the iPad Pro, I've essentially stopped using a laptop altogether. That's partly because I use a 15.6-inch Dell Inspiron 15 7000 gaming laptop, and partly because most of the time I don't really need it.

When I'm at home, the iPad is better. It's smaller, it's lighter and it's easier to relax with. I also have a Surface Pro 3 which is the first and last Surface I ever bought and which doesn't get used anymore. It's thicker, larger, heavier and the worst thing is the fan noise because of that Intel Core i5 processor.

Compared to any of my laptops past and present though, the iPad Pro has a number of advantages, besides size. It has a built-in 4G connection, so no need for public Wi-Fi or to drain my phone battery using it as a hotspot. It also has exceptional battery life, lasting at least two days between charges depending on how heavy I use it.

Whether you like Apple or not, you cannot fault the iPad Pro as a piece of hardware and design. Even the speakers are excellent.

But it's still not a Windows PC.

Ultimate portable productivity machine

I don't indulge in anything like video editing or heavy photo editing in my work here at Mobile Nations, Windows Central's parent company. I mostly write words. As such I've been using the iPad Pro a lot for working on the go. If I duck out to a coffee shop for lunch, take a train to London, even going abroad for short periods of time, the iPad Pro has always been in my bag while my laptop stays at home.

I can almost hear the cries now from the Surface faithful, saying that what I need is a Surface. But no, that's not what I need or want. I've tried it and it didn't work for me. And compared to my iPad Pro, the Surface tablets are beastly things.

What I'm ready for now is the next step: he Snapdragon-powered Windows 10 tablets that provide everything I've talked about here, such as sleek and portable form factor, excellent battery life and cellular connectivity. Honestly, the latest high-end Snapdragon processors are pretty damn powerful, too.

iOS is at times too limiting. It has tremendous developer support but the way the OS does a lot of its business is a source of constant frustration. And it doesn't support mouse input. I really need a mouse.

Bye bye iPad?

If Microsoft and its partners get this right, I'll have no hesitation swapping out the iPad for a similar device running Windows 10. We've seen how good hardware partners like Dell, HP, and Lenovo have become at designing laptops.I want something the size of an iPad Pro packed with power, a gorgeous screen, and incredible battery life.

I have no trouble believing that for some people an iPad Pro is all the computer they'll ever need. But it's not all the computer everyone needs.

And would we need Ultrabooks to stick around if the next evolution of hardware becomes powerful 2-in-1s powered by ARM chips?

For now, I'm sticking with my iPad Pro, because there's nothing else out there that fits what I want from a tablet. But considering how much I use it now, and how much (most of the time) I enjoy it, slap Windows 10 on this thing and I'm throwing my money at you.

Your thoughts

I'm really excited for Windows 10 on ARM and what it could bring to the table. But what about you? Drop your thoughts into the comments.

Insiders now have the option to "skip ahead" to the next Windows 10 OS update and begin receiving Redstone 4 Insider builds early. But what exactly does that mean?

Last week, Microsoft announced a change in the Windows 10 Insider Program that lets Insiders in the Fast ring skip ahead to the next Windows 10 release preview. There are a few reasons why this change is taking place, and depending on the kind of Insider you are, you're going to want to know about it. Here's everything you need to know about Windows 10 skip ahead.

In short, skip ahead is a new option for Insiders in the Fast ring that allows users to jump ahead, past the current Fall Creators Update preview builds, and onto the development branch where the update coming after the Fall Creators Update is being developed. It puts Insiders on the Redstone 4 channel of development builds, meaning Insiders who choose to skip ahead won't be given the chance to test the Fall Creators Update RTM.

The two options

Insiders will notice a new option in the Insider Program area in the Settings app that provides a drop-down menu with two options. By default, the option is set to "Active development of Windows," which tells the Insider Program that you wish to continue receiving preview builds from the Fall Creators Update development cycle. This option will only be present until the development of the Fall Creators Update is complete, which should happen around mid-September. Once development on the Fall Creators Update is done, Insiders in the Fast ring will then be automatically switched to the Redstone 4 development branch.

The other option, which Insiders will have to manually switch to is "Skip ahead to the next Windows release," which does exactly what you might expect. This option will put you on the Redstone 4 development branch now, ahead of the Fall Creators Update being finalized. This means that you will skip ahead to Redstone 4 development, and not be able to test final Fall Creators Update builds as they roll out to Insiders for testing.

At first, Insiders who choose to skip ahead will receive builds that are practically identical to the builds that roll out to Insiders who are continuing to test the Fall Creators Update. That won't be the case forever, and when Redstone 4 development ramps up, Insiders who skip ahead will start receiving builds from a much higher range of numbers, which will include more bugs and eventually new features.

On the flip side, Insiders who remain testing the Fall Creators Update will see fewer big features and more bug fixes and stability updates as the preview program progresses, as we're at the tail-end of development of the Fall Creators Update, which means Microsoft is now focused on making sure the Fall Creators Update is as stable as possible for public rollout.

What's the point?

Lots of Insiders are wondering why this option is now available for Insiders. In the past, Microsoft would just continue flighting builds from the active development of Windows, only switching to development on the next version of Windows once the active version has been signed off. With the new skip ahead option, Microsoft can begin testing the next version of Windows 10 much sooner than in the past, even before the active Windows 10 development cycle is complete.

It gives Insiders a choice between testing the upcoming release or testing the release that's coming after the upcoming one. It also allows Microsoft longer testing times on the next version of Windows 10, giving the company a few additional weeks that it wouldn't normally have to collect feedback.

From Microsoft:

To stabilize the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update for release, we have 'forked' the release into its own branch we call 'RS3_RELEASE.' Many Windows Insiders will recall we did the same thing for the Windows 10 Creators Update when we started flighting builds from the 'RS2_RELEASE' branch. Going forward, Windows Insiders in the Fast ring will continue to get builds for the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update from this branch. However, Windows Insiders who choose to skip ahead will receive builds from the RS_PRERELEASE branch.

As we work to prepare the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update for the world, our engineering teams are beginning work on the next release of Windows 10 from our Development Branch. Windows Insiders in the Fast ring who choose to skip ahead will be given the opportunity to start trying out these builds in addition to receiving app updates again for many of the inbox apps in Windows 10 such as Photos, Skype, Groove, and Movies & TV.

Which should you choose?

Should you skip ahead in the Insider Preview? That comes down to how you're using the Insider Program. If you' use the Insider Preview builds on your main machine and aren't willing to risk system instability and bugs, then remaining on the Fall Creators Update preview branch is your best bet. Builds are only going to get better from here on out, with more fixes and eventually the final release.

If you're in the Insider Program to test new features, regardless of how buggy and broken things may get, the skip ahead option is going to be for you. Skip ahead will fast track you to the newest features and builds over the next few weeks, but you won't be able to test the Fall Creators Update anymore as a result. Instead, you'll be testing the next update.

Two new Insider Preview builds are now available for Insiders in the Fast ring on PC and Mobile with new features and enhancements!

Microsoft is now rolling out two brand new preview builds for Insiders in the Fast ring on PC and Mobile that include a number of new bug fixes and enhancements, as well as a couple of additional new features. Today's builds are 16257 for PC and 15237 for Mobile!

What's new for PC?

• Eye Control (beta): This experience requires a compatible eye tracker, like the Tobii Eye Tracker 4C, which unlocks access to the Windows operating system to be able to do the tasks one could previously accomplish with a physical mouse and keyboard. We are starting by supporting the EN-US keyboard layout, and we are looking to expand to more keyboard layouts in the future. We are excited to release this experience as a beta and would love your feedback!
• Eye Control launchpad – When you turn on Eye Control, the launchpad will appear on the screen. This allows you to access the mouse, keyboard, text-to-speech, and to reposition the UI to the opposite side of the screen.
• Eye Control interaction model – To interact with the UI for Eye Control, simply look at the UI with your eyes until the button activates. A visual affordance will appear around the UI that you are looking at.
• Eye Control keyboard – To use the keyboard, select the keyboard from the launchpad, and dwell at the characters you want to type. You can type numbers and symbols on the &123 page and function keys on the Fn page. We currently support the EN-US keyboard layout.
• Eye Control shape-writing – Type faster with your eyes by shape-writing on the Eye Control keyboard. To use shape writing, turn it on from the keyboard settings (found on the Fn page). Once it is on, you can form words by dwelling at the first and last character of the word, and simply glancing at letters in between.  A hint of the word predicted will appear on the last key of the word. If the prediction was incorrect, you can simply select an alternative prediction provided.
• Eye Control text-to-speech – Communicate with your family and friends in person by using text-to-speech. To use text-to-speech, select text-to-speech from the launchpad. From here, you can use the keyboard to type sentences and have it spoken aloud. At the top are phrases that are spoken aloud immediately and can be edited to say different words. This uses the default text-to-speech voices, which can be changed in Settings > Time & Language > Speech > Text-to-speech.
• Eye Control settings – Access settings from the Fn keyboard page to adjust the dwell times, turn on/off shape-writing, and turn on/off the gaze cursor used to test hardware calibration.
• We're giving Microsoft Edge a refreshed and more modern look in the browser frame, inspired by the Fluent Design System. The use of Acrylic material provides depth and transparency to the tab bar and other controls, and we've improved button animations to feel more responsive and delightful."
• Based on your feedback we've adjusted the design of the address bar so now even if the address bar isn't in focus to start with when you click and drag the text it will remain under the cursor. Previously the text would shift as the "http://" appeared – this change will make it easier to quickly edit parts of the URL.
• We fixed an issue where right-clicking on an image in Microsoft Edge and selecting copy then later pasting the clipboard content would result in the image URL being pasted rather than the image itself.
• We fixed an issue where if a tab had been opened while Microsoft Edge was in full screen mode, using Ctrl + W to close that tab while still in full screen mode would close the content but leave the tab in the frame.
• We fixed an issue where if you had two unrelated tabs in Microsoft Edge and opened a link from the first in a new tab, the new tab would appear to the right of the second tab rather than the first.

What's new for Mobile?

• We made some improvements to the Field Medic Store app, where we fixed an issue with collecting Watson crash data, enabled spell checking when editing a report, and updated the PowerOn/PowerOff profiles to include additional battery info.
• We fixed an issue where the screen would occasionally flash black after launching or rotating the Camera app.
• We fixed an issue with the HP Elite X3 reporting that the SD card had been removed from the device when it had not.
• We fixed an issue with Continuum where, after the attached monitor is unplugged, occasionally the mobile LCD does not power off and the mobile battery could be drained.
• We fixed an issue with the Windows inbox NFC driver where occasionally the wrong card type data was reported.
• We improved the Cortana resume-from-suspend behavior to enable a Cortana skill to be authenticated before the user interacts with the skill.
• We fixed an issue with the behavior of the hardware search button in countries where Cortana is not available. In this case, the OEM provides the search app or URI.

You can check out the Windows Blog for the full changelog, including a list of known issues!

A new Insider Preview build is now making its way to Insiders in the Slow ring with new features and fixes!

Good news, if you're one of the few Insiders who are rocking out on the Windows Insider Slow ring, Microsoft has a new build for you! Build 16251, released last week in the Fast ring, is now making its way to Insiders in the slow ring with new features and fixes!

Build 16251 includes all the new features and changes that have been added to builds since the last Slow build, including the ability to link an Android or iPhone device to your PC, more Fluent Design improvements, new Edge features and a whole lot more. Here's a list of notable changes in build 16251.

• Windows lets you link your phone and PC: You may remember at Build we talked about PCs and phones working better together. With Build 16251, we are introducing the first set of features that enable "linking" your phone to your PC. This build's scenario is focused on cross-device web-browsing. Today, we're asking for you Windows Insiders to help us test this experience out using your Android phones.  Support for iPhone is coming very soon, stay tuned.
• Get web search results in Cortana without opening your browser: Now you can view the results that Cortana has for you without launching the web browser. For some questions, the Cortana pane will expand automatically, quickly showing you exactly what you need to know.  It works with movies, celebrities, stock prices, weather, flight status – you name it!
• Use Cortana voice commands to lock, sign-out, shutdown, or turn off your PC: We have now enabled the ability for you to use Cortana to turn off, restart, lock, or sign-out of Windows. While previously announced, we haven't fully enabled it via the cloud until now.
• Use sign-in info to apply settings after a restart or update: The advanced Windows Update feature to use your sign-in info to automatically finish setting your device after an update has been extended to regular reboots and shutdowns. When you log in and initiate a reboot or a shutdown through power options available on the Start Menu and various other locations, Windows will automatically setup your account after it's has booted back up. 

There are a number of known issues in this build that you should likely also be aware of:

• If you installed Builds 16226-16237 and upgrade to this build, Storage Spaces will not work correctly. While Build 16241 contained a fix for the general reported issue with Storage Spaces in that build range, we discovered that the fix only applies for computers not already in the bad state, and need to do some extra work to return those already impacted to the good state. Special thanks to the Insiders that have helped us investigate this!
• Trying to use the dictation hotkey (WIN + H) in UWP apps won't work – you'll see the UI come up and immediately dismiss. If you'd still like to use dictation, the microphone in the touch keyboard will work. You can right-click the Taskbar for an option to show the touch keyboard button if it's not already visible.
• We're investigating your reports that after upgrading to the latest Insider Preview builds, some network settings are lost and revert to default settings. Static IP address configuration is reverted to DHCP. Networks which were marked as private are reverted to public. After the upgrade you will need to manually readjust your network settings back to your preferred settings.
• Start, Action Center and notification toasts may at times have a background that is 100% transparent. A fix will be available in later flight – for now, if you encounter this issue, try ending ShellExperienceHost.exe via Task Manager or rebooting to resolve the issue.
• Connecting to a VPN using a solution downloaded from the Windows Store may result in a system crash.
• The battery flyout might show unexpected text for the % charged (specifically "%1!s!%2!s!% until fully charged").
• When installing or updating a Windows Store app, you may see error 80070057. As a workaround, you can get the latest app by uninstalling the older version of the app from your device and reinstall latest version from Store.
• We're investigating reports where Action Center shows it has some number of notifications but when you click to open Action Center, there are no notifications shown.

This build is now rolling out to Insiders in the Slow ring for PC. Enjoy!

You can keep your PC more secure by removing administrator privileges from your account but still be able to perform admin tasks on Windows 10. Here's how.

On Windows 10, users with administrator privileges have complete control over the OS and their apps have unrestricted access to the computer. Although you may proactively keep up with system and antivirus updates, follow the best security practices, and be careful using the internet and checking email attachments, there is still a chance that malicious programs, such as malware, could gain access to your device.

Running as administrator, an exploit can more easily gain control of your system. It can install rootkits, keyloggers, and other suspect services without you knowing. A malicious program can also modify and delete files, and even prevent devices from booting. However, using a user account with fewer privileges can block most attacks.

Although it's usually recommended to use a standard user account for nontechnical users, in general, it's also good practice to make everyone (including you) use a limited account to make your device more secure. Then when it becomes necessary to perform a task that requires elevation, you can set a separate account to use the "Run as administrator" option.

In this Windows 10 guide, we walk you through the steps to use your computer without administrator privileges to protect your system from malicious programs and accidental changes, while still remaining in control.

• How to create a new administrator account on Windows 10
• How to change your account type on Windows 10
• How to go back to the previous settings

How to create a new administrator account on Windows 10

In order to make your account more restricted but still make sure it is possible to perform administrative tasks, you need to configure a separate account that will only be used to authorize tasks that require elevation.

One way you can do this is by creating a new local account using these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Accounts.
3. Click on Family & other people.

4. Under "Other People," click the Add someone else to this PC option.

5. Click the I don't have this person's sign-in information link.

   • Note: Typically, you'd want to create a new Windows 10 account using a Microsoft account, but in this case it's not a requirement because the account will only be used for administrative tasks.

6. Click the Add a user without a Microsoft account link.

7. Type the username and password you want to use. For example, admin or root.

8. Click Next.

9. Select the newly created account, and click Change account type.

10. In the "Account type" drop-down menu, select Administrator.

11. Click OK.

Once you've completed these steps, the last thing left to do is to change your account type to a Standard User account.

How to change your account type on Windows 10

In Windows 10, an Administrator account is a member of the Administrators and Users groups, which means that to make the account a Standard User, you only need to remove your account from the Administrators group.

You can sign-in to the newly created account to change your account type to Standard User using the Settings app, but you can also use the Computer Management console, and simply remove the account from the Administrators group.

To switch your account type to a Standard User, do the following:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Computer Management and click the result to open the console.

3. Browse the following path:

   System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users

4. Double-click your Windows 10 account — the one you want to switch to a Standard User account.

5. Click on Member Of tab.
6. Select Administrators from the list.

7. Click the Remove button.

8. Click Apply.
9. Click OK.
10. Sign out and sign back in to apply the changes.

After completing these steps, your account will have fewer privileges and apps won't be allowed to make system changes, making your system more secure against malware.

When the time comes that you need to perform a task that requires administrator rights, you can always right-click the app and use the Run as Administrator option with the credential of the administrator account. Or you can temporarily sign into the administrator account to make system changes, and then sign back into your personal account.

If you want, it's also possible to keep the new account hidden from the lock screen.

How to go back to the previous settings

If you no longer want to use a Standard User account, you can quickly roll back the changes using these steps:

1. Open Start.
2. Search for Computer Management.
3. Right-click the result, and select Run as administrator.

4. Browse the following path:

   System Tools > Local Users and Groups > Users

5. Double-click your account.

6. Click on Member Of tab.

7. Click the Add button.

8. Type administrators in the object field.
9. Click the Check Names button.

10. Click OK.

11. Click Apply.
12. Click OK again.
13. Sign out and sign back in to apply the changes.
14. Open Settings.
15. Click on Accounts.
16. Click on Family & other people.
17. Under "Other people," select the administrator account you created earlier.

18. Click the Remove button.

19. Click the Delete account and data button.

You'll find that using this approach is similar to using the User Account Control with its highest level, but switching to a more restrictive account can make your computer even less vulnerable to malicious programs.

Remember that sometimes depending on the environment and apps requirements, it's not always possible to use a more restricted account. However, whenever possible, if you're just using the device to create and consume content, you should consider making the switch.

While this guide is focused on Windows 10, the same concept can also be applied to Windows 8.1, Windows 7, and previous versions.

More Windows 10 resources

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

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

Microsoft is no longer accepting new Insiders to join its "skip ahead" ring that gives access to Redstone 4 preview builds a little earlier than usual.

Not long ago, Microsoft announced a change to the Windows Insider Program that would allow a select amount of Insiders to "skip ahead" to the next release of Windows 10 (codenamed Redstone 4) coming after the upcoming Fall Creators Update. Today, it appears the skip ahead program has reached capacity, as Microsoft is no longer accepting any new participants.

This means that Insiders who did not select skip ahead won't be able to do so now test out any Redstone 4 preview builds until after the Fall Creators Update is finalized, which we expect will happen sometime in September. Insiders who did jump into the skip ahead ring before it closed will continue to receive Redstone 4 builds from here on out, which over time will get progressively more buggy, as the Insider Program tends to do.

Once the Fall Creators Update is finalized, Microsoft will begin pushing Redstone 4 preview builds to all Insiders in the Fast ring, whether they selected skip ahead or not. But until then, these early Redstone 4 preview builds are now only available to a select, limited amount of Insiders. Now, the reason Microsoft is limiting capacity for the skip ahead option is so the company can continue to test the Fall Creators Update with Insiders and continue to receive feedback and telemetry on those last few builds.

What is Skip Ahead?

If the skip ahead option was open to all, Microsoft may lose more Insiders to the Redstone 4 builds than needed at this time. Microsoft needs as many Insiders as possible to continue testing the last few Fall Creators Update builds for optimum quality assurance. So, did you choose to skip ahead to the next development cycle of Windows 10?

It's almost the weekend and time to relax! Here are the movies, music, and books the Windows Central team is enjoying this week.

The weekend is just around the corner, and you're probably keen to put your feet up and enjoy some downtime. What better way to relax than with some great tunes, a great movie, or a real page turner? If you're looking for some suggestions, we put together a collection of some of the best stuff out there right now.

Movies and TV

Here are some of the movies and TV shows the Windows Central team is enjoying this week.

Hot Fuzz

Recommended by Zac Bowden, senior editor

After watching Edgar Wright's new movie, Baby Driver, I really wanted to go on an Edgar Wright movie spree. So, I picked up Hot Fuzz, one of his legendary movies starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. It's two hours of comedy gold!

See at Microsoft Store

Ghost in the Shell

Recommended by Jez Corden, Xbox editor

Ghost in the Shell is a brief but explosive classic anime, recently remastered in HD for its twenty-fifth anniversary, and it's available on the Microsoft Store.

In a future where the entire world is connected via brain implants and other cybernetic enhancements, a hacker known only as the 'Puppet Master' has become a huge terrorist threat, due to his ability to hack into people's minds.

The cyborg officers of Section 9 pursue the Puppet Master across a futuristic Tokyo, but their encounters lead at least one of them, Major Motoko, to question the very nature of her robotic existence.

Ghost in the Shell is an utter classic that remains a staple of any anime fan's library to this day. But even if you're not a fan of the medium, fans of deep sci-fi should definitely check this one out.

See at Microsoft Store

Keeping Up with the Joneses

Recommended by Al Sacco, managing editor

I'll start by saying Keeping up with the Joneses is NOT a good movie. In fact, it's really quite bad. Now that that's out of the way, I like the flick. It's light and silly and full of awkward jokes. And the leading cast is composed of three very good-looking folks (Gal Gadot, a.k.a., Wonder Woman; Isla Fisher; and Jon Hamm) and one very schlubby-yet-funny dude (Zach Galifianakis).

The movie's premise is also dumb: a new couple moves into an idyllic suburban neighbor, quickly bonds with another stereotypically boring 'burbs couple, and hilarity ensues when it turns out the new couple has ulterior motives. More specifically, they're spies. Really aesthetically-pleasing spies.

I'm a big fan of Fisher, Hamm and Galifianakis, and having recently watched the new Wonder Woman film, I was interested in seeing what else Gadot could do. So I spent a couple of hours with the Joneses. It's not a movie I'll likely watch again, but I also enjoyed it. If you're looking for a mindless comedy that doesn't take itself too seriously, you'll appreciate Keeping up with the Joneses— just don't go into it with unrealistic expectations.

See at Microsoft Store

The Bourne Ultimate Collection

Recommended by Daniel Rubino, executive editor

When it comes to international espionage and government conspiracy, there is none better than Jason Bourne. The Ultimate Collection, which includes all five films, is receiving an excellent 39 percent discount to just $39.99 dropping from the usual $66 price tag.

As a huge fan of the series — well, most of it — what I love about the Bourne movies is their re-watch-ability. Due to the intricacies and complexities of the series, remembering who did what to whom and when is something you'll forget the details of, making the series always fun to watch.

The first of the films — The Bourne Identity directed by Doug Liman — sets the scene, but it's the next two in the series – the back-to-back The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum directed by Paul Greengrass that make these movies an exciting thrill ride of badassness. With the combo of Filpino Kali and Jeet Kune Do hand-to-hand combat and edge of your seat car chases, parts two and three are some of the best action cinema around.

The Bourne Legacy, while impressive, falls short of the series and 2016's Jason Bourne (which sees Greengrass and Matt Damon return) was exciting but repeated a bit too much of the past. Nonetheless, the entire Bourne series is still better than anything James Bond. Yeah, I went there.

See at Microsoft

Alien: Covenant

Recommended by Cale Hunt, staff writer

Ridley Scott's previous sci-fi flick, Prometheus, seems to divide fans into love it or hate it, but I sit in the former camp. I didn't mind the slower pacing, the backstory, or the cliffhanger ending.

Now, Alien: Covenant attempts to recapture the magic from the original Alien movies, delivering up a buttload of long-limbed, salivating monsters and a crew of space-faring folk to fall victim

I haven't yet seen Alien: Covenant, but that's about to change this weekend. I have a feeling I might be jumping back into Alien: Isolation when I'm done.

See at Microsoft Store

Music

Here's some of the music the Windows Central team is listening to this week.

American III: Solitary Man — Johnny Cash

Recommended by Richard Devine, reviews editor

One of my absolute favorite artists is Johnny Cash, and some of his finest work came at the very end of his life. Of the six-part American Recordings series, volume No. 3 is my favorite, with epic covers like Solitary Man and One being made entirely his own. It's a great work by a great musician.

See at Microsoft Store

Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not — Arctic Monkeys

Recommended by Dan Thorp-Lancaster, staff writer

Ever since I got my first taste of the Arctic Monkeys in 2007 (man, I feel old), I've been hooked. The band's whole discography is an adventure, and nearly every album takes on a whole different sonic mood. That said, I still find myself returning to where it all started with Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not. While it's known for a handful of tracks that received quite a bit of radio play at the time, the whole album is chock full of solid, catchy riffs and lyrics that just struck a chord with me — and still do to this day.

See at Microsoft Store

All Yours — Widowspeak

Recommended by Cale Hunt, staff writer

Widowspeak was originally formed in Brooklyn by a couple of old friends from Tacoma, Washington. They brought on guitarist Robert E. Thomas, and after a few member changes, the band is still playing today. I'd heard them here and there — songs played by friends or on the radio — and finally saw them perform live at a festival last weekend.

All Yours, released in 2015, shows how easily the band can move between genres as they move between songs, offering up country twang one minute, classic rock the next, and finally some psychedelic feelings to top it all off. Robert Earl Thomas's guitar playing is second only to Molly Hamilton's beautiful voice.

See at Microsoft Store

Books

Here are the books we're reading this week!

Ready Player One — Ernest Cline

Recommended by Mark Guim, video editor

I've been wanting to read Ready Player One for a long time, but haven't found the time to do it. Now that I've seen the movie trailer for it, I'm more determined to read the novel before heading to the movie theater next year.

Ready Player One follows teenager Wade Watts, who devotes his life to studying the puzzles hidden within a virtual utopia known as the Oasis. The creator of the Oasis promises massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock the puzzles.

Download the Kindle book from AmazonDownload the Audible audio book from Amazon

The Savage Detective — Roberto Bolaño

Recommended by Cale Hunt, staff writer

I discovered Bolaño years ago when his final masterpiece, 2666 received an English translation. It took me a long time to read 2666, and I was left with a sense of dread for months after. I wondered when I'd have the stomach to read more Bolaño.

Along comes The Savage Detective, a novel he published in 1998 with an English translation in 2007. The book is divided into three unequal parts. The first is told through an aspiring poet and college dropout named Juan Garcia Madero; the second is told through a series of interviews with people living all over the world (this is also by far the largest portion of the book); and the third section is told through the eyes of Madero.

No matter who's telling the story, the focus is mainly on the two poets who are the last of a dying movement. This is a book that makes you feel lonely, that makes you feel like you can't fit in anywhere. It's also full of genuine human interactions, love, poverty, and glimpses of the lives of people who have nothing to lose. If you like a book that you have to put together like a puzzle, give The Savage Detectives a try.

Download the Kindle book from AmazonDownload the Audible audio book from Amazon

Your favorites?

What have you been watching, reading, and listening to this week? We want to know, so drop a comment and share your recommendations.

If someone said 25 years ago that "phones" would be rectangular touch screen computers we carry in our pockets, they'd have been mocked. If I say today phones might eventually be glasses-shaped computers we wear on our faces, I'll be mocked.

Go ahead, laugh. Call telephony-enabled smartglasses a sci-fi fantasy. But remember, sci-fi has an uncanny knack at becoming reality. Technological leaps such as the moon landing, the mapping of the human genome, cloning, artificial intelligence, bionic limbs and more were all foretold within the annals of science fiction.

For some, the notions sci-fi proposes are merely entertainment. For others, they are sources of inspiration that expand perception, ignite imagination and become the underpinnings of confidence in human ingenuity. Such ingenuity has been confidently applied to exerting our God-given dominion over the material world and shaping it to conform to our imaginations.

The technology that is both the foundation and context of modern society is the result of these actions. Not everyone can see beyond the paradigms that rule our current experiences, however. The present way of doing things, the systems that are in place and the apparent immutability of both obscures the vision of some.

So when someone like me, HoloLens creator Alex Kipman or Windows Insider Chief Dona Sarkar suggests that one day augmented reality (AR) smartglasses may replace the "all important" smartphone, we should be prepared for passionate resistance.

Alex Kipman says smartphones are dead

Kipman's assessment of the smartphone's status and where we are headed technologically is bold and decisive:

Smartphones are yesterday's news. The phone is already dead. People just haven't realized.

Kipman is a "futurist". As such he looks at current technological trends, observes the path they're forging and makes predictions about where that road will lead. He sees mixed reality, the spectrum from AR to virtual reality (VR), as becoming mainstream, emerging from the current paradigm of highly mobile computing and becoming the next personal computing and communication model.

Smartphones, the intelligent cloud, and digital assistants have made computing highly personal and mobile. Under the current smartphone model, we engage our digital experiences by staring downward, away from our world, at a tiny screen. Kipman anticipates that technology like Microsoft's AR holographic wearable computer, HoloLens, will replace our screens and merge our physical and digital worlds. From Kipman:

The potential of these devices is that they could one day replace your phones, TVs, and all these screens. Once your apps, videos, information, and even social life are projected into your line of sight, you won't need any other screen-based gadgetry … [it's] the "natural conclusion" of mixed reality.

Dona Sarkar says staring at a smartphone screen is unnatural

A visit to any public venue will reveal a troubling scene where dozens of people of varying ages spend their time at dinner, on dates, shopping and more with their heads bowed in reverence to their smartphones.

Many people see this paradigm and the associated unnatural bowed head, swiping, tapping and zooming means of interaction as something that's here to stay. One thing about technology's evolution, however, is that more often than not, it conforms more to us than we to it.

Sarkar sees mobile technology and Microsoft's investments in ARM, cellular, HoloLens and mixed reality as producing a mobile device that replaces the smartphone and allows natural human interaction.

Dona Sarkar talks about the future of mobile.

Sarkar said:

Let's talk about what mobile means ... people think about mobile as this thing that they carry around in their pocket … I love my 950 XL … but that is not the only mobile device on the planet. HoloLens is a mobile device ... There are going to be new device categories in the future that are also going to be mobile devices. It will be about things you carry with you everywhere you go.

And as humans it is actually very unnatural for us to stare at a screen ... this has only been around for the last 10 years … it makes us antisocial, it makes us not behave the way humans do.

Sarkar, like Kipman, hints that Microsoft will create a device category where our digital lives and physical worlds meet via a "screenless" mobile device that replaces the smartphone. The ultimate vision of an ultimate mobile device or "Surface phone" may be full Windows 10 AR smartglasses.

The way it was, is and always will be?

Some individuals, unable to see beyond "the now," resist the notion that things won't always be the same. Some even mock those who present an image of a future ruled by another paradigm and that follows different systems than what is currently in place.

Still, change is inevitable. The naysayers or non-dreamers barely realize they are moving forward, changing their behavior as technology slowly changes their reality.

Take telephones for instance. Home telephones became car phones, which became forearm sized mobile phones, later becoming cell phones that were pocketable bricks, and finally veritable pocket-sized, touchscreen computers or smartphones.

The evolution of the "phone." https://t.co/435zFtJOxt Boy we've come far!😎@DarrenSproat@leolaporte@edbott@WinObspic.twitter.com/BEgtY2NWWF

— Jason L Ward (@JLTechWord) April 21, 2016

Over the years during that transition life continued, distracting us and the non-dreamers, as feature phones in all their dumb glory, then smartphones went from early adopter novelties to social mainstays. We lost sight of the technological wonderment the devices initially provoked as the marketing and social undertow of the "next big thing" dragged us continually to the obligatory annual upgrade.

We are easily lulled into complacency as the new, becomes the norm, the norm becomes dull, and the dull becomes "just the way things are." We're in a constant cycle of visible change.

Do you see what I see?

For non-dreamers, seeing the technological shifts, trends and behaviors that are shaping tomorrow is a difficult challenge. If what a visionary or futurist presents as an impending future differs too much from the current reality, non-dreamers often dismiss it, seemingly unable to see the breadcrumbs highlighting the way to the future.

They often do see the path once the journey is done, however, as they look back and remember when things were different.

Futurists may have that same level of awe as they look forward while observing current trends that they perceive are leading to an imminent technological shift toward smartglasses-as-phones that will change society and human interaction.

Telephony-enabled AR smartglasses

Like Sarkar and Kipman I see smartphones one day being replaced by AR smartglasses.

ODG CEO Ralph Osterhout, who's bringing the R-8 (consumer) and R-9 (business) smartglasses to market, also sees this future. Though these Android-based smartglasses don't currently have telephony, its on the product roadmap. ODG's partnership with the world's largest carrier, China Mobile (which serves 800 million people), will be strategic leverage for telephony-enabled smartglasses.

Microsoft's Sarkar and Kipman allude to AR smartglasses replacing smartphones. Other futurists including Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and ODG's Osterhout see the same future. The question is who will get there first or do it smarter.

Either way, whether you see it or not, the transition is coming.

Make sure you join us for the LIVE recording of the Windows Central Video Podcast, today at 2:30PM ET!

For those in different time zones, here's when we'll be live: Convert your time zone here.

Head to our Mixer page to see the podcast or watch the embed below.

You can also watch here on YouTube if you prefer Google's service instead.

We'll be talking about this week's biggest Microsoft news. Make sure you're there!

Be sure to be following us on Twitter as we'll be tweeting out when the show begins. Alternatively, bookmark this page and come back later, as the player embedded in this post will be where we stream to.

Microsoft has built eye tracking into the Windows 10 Fall Creators UPdate, giving users the ability to control their PC with just their eyes. Here's a first look the feature in action!

Starting with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, Microsoft is introducing a new accessibility feature that allows users to control their PC's with just their eyes. Using third party hardware like the Tobii Eye Tracker 4C, you will be able to navigate your Windows 10 PC with just your eyeballs, including the ability to manipulate windows, type out sentences and more.

Microsoft is now testing this new eye tracking technology with the latest Windows 10 Insider Preview builds, and will be available for the public when the Fall Creators Update begins its rollout. We've gone eyes on with the new eye tracking features to show you what it's all about.

In our quick demo, we showcase the work Microsoft has been doing natively to Windows 10 in the ease of access space, as well as showcase the work Tobii has been doing to via its third party software to enhance the experience of using a PC with a mouse and keyboard.

This technology is truly fascinating. The work Microsoft is doing specifically is designed with those who may not be able to move around as freely as others in mind. For example if you're someone who is unable to comfortably use a mouse or use a keyboard, being able to control your PC with your eyes is a helpful alternative for input.

Of course, this technology is also useful in other situations too. If you're a chef in a kitchen, and have messy hands from all that cake mix you've been mixing, instead of cleaning your hands to interact with your PC and read the recipe you're following, you can just use your eyes to get what you need done instead.

Microsoft says they will be adding support for more eye tracking hardware in the future. For now however, it works with hardware from Tobii, such as the Eye Tracker 4C. You can grab one for yourself from Amazon for $150.

See at Amazon

Between Windows 10, Windows 10 Mobile and Xbox, as well as the fast and slow and every other ring, there's a lot to keep up with when it comes to Microsoft's Insider Preview programs. So right here you'll be able to keep tabs on the very latest previews!

• Windows 10
  • Fast Ring
  • Slow Ring
  • Release Ring
• Windows 10 Mobile
  • Fast Ring
  • Slow Ring
  • Release Ring
• Xbox One

Windows 10 Insider Preview

Microsoft is currently developing the next major release of Windows 10, known as the Fall Creators Update. Codenamed "Redstone 3" Microsoft is currently flighting Redstone 3 builds in its Fast and Slow rings, with the Release Preview ring receiving cumulative updates for the Current Branch — the Windows 10 Creators Update.

Everything you need to know about the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update

Build Video Walkthroughs

If you'd rather check out the most noteworthy build changes in video form, make sure you check out our in-depth video walkthroughs of new builds.

Latest Fast Ring: Build 16257

This build includes a new eye tracking function that works with third party hardware such as the Tobii Eye Tracker 4C. It also includes an improved reveal effect within the Settings app, plus many more under the hood improvements and fixes in preparation for the Fall Creators Update RTM.

This build rolled out in two branches. It's available in the RS3_RELEASE branch for Insiders who are continuing to test the Fall Creators Update, and also in the rs_prerelease branch for Insiders who chose to skip ahead to Redstone 4 development. You can learn about skip ahead here.

Check out our more in-depth changelog, including what's new, improved and known issues for build 16257 for PC.

Latest Slow Ring: Build 16251

This is the second Redstone 3 build for users in the Slow ring. It includes several new features for Slow ring Insiders, including My People, Gaming improvements, UI changes and more.

Latest Release Ring: 15063.502

15063.502 is the latest cumulative update available for Insiders on the Release Preview ring that features only under the hood changes and improvements. There are no new features included with this update.

Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview

The current Windows 10 Mobile Insider Preview builds are incredibly stable, likely due to the fact they have no new features currently in testing. These builds are OK for use as a daily driver.

Latest Fast Ring: Build 15237

This build includes a new option that allows the user to use Continuum on a monitor in the portrait orientation. There are also several fixes.

Latest Slow Ring: Build 15230

There are no new features in this build. There are several fixes however.

Release Preview: 15063.502

15063.483 is the latest cumulative updates available for Insiders on the Release Preview ring that features only under the hood changes and improvements. There are no new features included with this update.

Xbox Insider Preview

The Xbox Insider Program is still flighting Redstone 2 builds of Windows to testers. There are several improvements and features in testing however, which you can check out at our detailed Insider Preview page for Xbox.

Alpha Ring: 15063.4096

Beta Ring: 15063.4096

Ring 3: 15063.4095

What are the best Microsoft Edge extensions?

Extensions are something many Microsoft Edge users have been crying out for, in some cases their absence kept another browser in use. But Edge has a lot going for it, and finally, with extensions, there's nothing missing anyone could claim as a "showstopper."

In fact, what we're going to get now is a more powerful, more functional browser for everyone. The selection may be small, but there are already some great additions to your browsing experience. As the selection grows, we'll keep this list updated to be sure to bookmark it for future reference.

Ghostery

Let's be real: Web publishers (like ourselves) would rather people didn't block ads, but it happens. Edge can now do the same and if you're going down that road then you should use Ghostery.

Ghostery blocks trackers used by websites and allows you to take control over what you do and don't want to see while you're browsing. It's very customizable, free, and if you create a Ghostery account you'll be able to sync your settings across devices.

Download Ghostery from the Windows Store

Office Online

Office 365 subscribers and frequenters of Office Online will love this nifty little extension. It offers you access to your documents, even to create new ones with a couple of clicks. Open from your OneDrive account or from local storage and create, edit and save right there in the browser. It's not particularly flashy, but still a must have for Office users.

Download Office Online from the Windows Store

Save to Pocket

One of the most popular read it later services on the web, Pocket is a good fit to be an early adopter and get an extension out for Edge. The premise and execution is simple: You sign in to the extension with your Pocket login details and pop the button on the toolbar. That way you're only a click away from adding an interesting bit of content to read later on any of your devices.

Download Save to Pocket from the Windows Store

OneNote Web Clipper

Microsoft's own OneNote is an amazingly powerful tool used by many. It'd be foolish for Microsoft not to support its own products, so OneNote gets its own Edge extension for web clippings. Once added you can snip anything you find online to your notebook in OneNote with a click of a button. Simple, effective, supremely useful.

Download OneNote Web Clipper from the Windows Store

Mouse Gestures

This one's a little unusual, but a really neat idea that can transform your web browsing experience. Once installed you can perform a number of gestures on the screen to accomplish tasks. The image above shows drawing a reverse 'L' to open up a new tab. There are a bunch to learn, but once you've gone through that you've got an innovative, and speedy web experience.

Download Mouse Gestures from the Windows Store

LastPass

There are other password services we'd expect to see extensions from in the future, but if you're a LastPass user you're already in luck. Instead of having to exit out of your browser to another app you can hit the extension and get the login information you need, all without ever leaving Edge. Ultimately convenient and another plus to using LastPass on Windows 10.

Download LastPass from the Windows Store

Turn Off the Lights

Simple, but insanely effective. What this does is make everything on a webpage fade into the background except the video you're trying to watch, thus enhancing your visual experience. And it really works.

All you have to do is hit the lamp icon to activate and automagically everything will fade out for your video frame. You can even customize the background you want to not be looking at! Take away the excess distractions, focus on what really matters. Once you've tried it you'll wonder how you watched YouTube without it.

Download Turn Off the Lights from the Windows Store

Mailtrack

If you're a Gmail user then Mailtrack mght be an important extension for you to have. Simply put, it tells you when people have read your emails.

Not just that, but it tells you how long ago they were read, who by and on what sort of device. People ignoring you? Mailtrack will catch them out!

Download Mailtrack from the Windows Store

Reddit Enhancement Suite (RES)

RES is one of the most popular community tools for Reddit browsers and it's also available for Microsoft Edge.

The list of features is pretty extensive, and you can find out more on the official site. But if you're looking for a way to change up the appearance, add filters, have an account switcher, a spam button and much more, then it's definitely worth having.

In fact, if you use Reddit in the browser at all, you should have RES.

Download RES from the Windows Store

Updated August 4, 2017: We've added two new great extensions to the list in RES and Mailtrack.

This is Windows Central, so most of us on the team would recommend a Windows PC over a Mac computer just about every time. But the fact is, in some cases, Macs may be a better fit for certain types of users.

Our esteemed Community Manager James Falconer is trying to find the best new computer for his mom, who's no tech expert, but she's also no slouch when it comes to modern devices. For many people today, Apple's Macs are no-brainers when it comes to buying new computers, due largely to Apple's effective marketing (which seems to be everywhere) and the common belief that Macs "just work." Of course, that belief isn't necessarily accurate, but it still exists.

And PCs have come a long way during the past five years or so.

To help make a decision between the two platforms, Falconer posted a thread in our Windows 10 forums:

James Falconer

08-04-2017 09:36 AM

“

Hey folks - serious (for me!) question. My mom is looking at getting a new computer. She's no computer expert, but can get her way around most systems no problem. Question is - what would you recommend... A Windows PC or Mac? I know she's open to both - so if you have pros and cons for each it'd really help us make a decision!! Really appreciate the feedback in advance!

Reply

One of the main differences between PCs and Macs is the price. You get a decent PC for significantly less than a comparable Mac, so that's an advantage for Windows. Apple's macOS is perhaps a bit prettier and more fluid, too, (that's a win for Mac) though the Fluent Design System in the upcoming Fall Creators Update could very well change that. And PCs are infinitely more configurable by their owners, though that probably doesn't matter much to the average tech newb.

Those are my quick thoughts. But what do you think? Chances are, if you're reading Windows Central, you might have some degree of Windows bias. But if you're honest, and if you had to buy a new computer for your mom, which way would you go? Hit the forum link below and let the community know.

From the forums: Windows 10 vs MacOS

If you're unable to set up OneDrive in a different location, it's likely that the drive is using an unsupported file system, and here are the steps to get around this problem.

On Windows 10, the OneDrive desktop client recently received an update that suddenly drops support for older file systems, including FAT32 and exFAT, and even the newer ReFS (Resilient File System). As a result, if you now try to use a storage using an unsupported file system, you'll end up getting a "Your OneDrive folder can't be created in the location you selected" or "Drive must be formatted with the NTFS system to work with OneDrive" message.

According to Microsoft, the sync client was never actually designed to support other files systems other than NTFS. Instead, it was a "bug" that permitted users to set up OneDrive on drives formatted with another file system, and now the company simply fixed the issue.

If you want to use OneDrive on an SD card, USB flash drive, or external hard drive, but it's using an unsupported file system, there are different ways to convert to NTFS, even without having to move the files around. (Though, it's always recommended to keep an up to date backup of your files before making system changes.)

In this Windows 10 guide, we'll walk you through the steps to overcome the file system limitation using OneDrive so that you can use an alternative location to store synced files.

• How to convert a drive to NTFS using Command Prompt
• How to convert drive using exFAT or FAT32 to NTFS using Format utility

How to convert a drive to NTFS using Command Prompt

If you're trying to set up OneDrive on a storage that already has a lot of files, you can use the Convert built-in command line tool to convert the file system from FAT32 to NTFS without having to move the files around.

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

3. Type the following command and press Enter:

   convert DRIVE-LETTER: /FS:NTFS

   Important: In the command change DRIVE-LETTER for the letter of the drive you want to convert.

Once you've completed the steps, the drive will be converted to NTFS without destroying the files already stored in the drive, and then you can go through the OneDrive setup again.

The only thing you need to remember with this process is that after making the conversion, you can't go back to FAT32.

Converting drive using exFAT or ReFS to NTFS

If you're using exFAT or ReFS, you can't use the Convert command. In this case, you'll need to backup your data, use the steps below to reformat, and then restore the data.

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

3. Type the following command and press Enter:

   format DRIVE-LETTER: /FS:NTFS /Q /V:DRIVE-NAME

   Important: In the command change DRIVE-LETTER for the letter of the drive you want to convert, and change DRIVE-NAME with the label you want. You can quickly figure this out on the This PC section on File Explorer.

After you've completed the steps, the process will delete everything and convert the drive to NTFS. Then you should be able to run the OneDrive setup again without issues.

How to convert drive using exFAT or FAT32 to NTFS using Format utility

If using Command Line is a bit challenging, or the drive doesn't have a lot of data, you can temporarily copy the data to another location, and reformat the drive using the Format utility.

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Click on This PC.

3. Under "Devices and drives," right-click the drive you want to use with OneDrive, and select Format.

4. Using the "File system" drop-down menu, select NTFS.

5. Check the Quick Format option.

6. Click the Start button.

After the process is complete, you can restore any data, and then you can try to go through the OneDrive setup again, and this time, you should not see any warning messages.

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

Online scammers are always modifying and evolving their ploys, and one of the latest such scams involves spam email that resembles tech support messages from well-known companies and retailers, designed to get victims to click suspect links or call in for fake support, according to Microsoft.

The company recently posted a related warning on its Windows Security blog. From that post:

The said spam emails use social engineering techniques — spoofing brands, pretending to be legitimate communications, disguising malicious URLs — employed by phishers to get recipients to click suspicious links … However, instead of pointing to phishing sites designed to steal credentials, the links lead to tech support scam websites, which use various scare tactics to trick users into calling hotlines and paying for unnecessary "technical support services" that supposedly fix contrived device, platform, or software problems.

Fake Amazon order cancellation email, in which the order number is a suspicious link.

The concept isn't new, but the means (getting people to panic and pursue tech support) to the end (stealing innocent victims' money) is slightly different.

People who use Microsoft Exchange Online Protection (EOP) for Office 365 and Outlook.com are protected from the ploy, because anti-spam filters in those products identified characteristics of phishing emails and blocked the dangerous messages, according to Microsoft. And the company's Edge browser can also block pop-up boxes and or dialog loops created by tech support scam websites, Microsoft says.

The company also says three million online users encounter tech support scams every month, though these new phishing-type ploys appear to be new and could increase that number.

A new cumulative update for Windows 10 PC and Mobile is now rolling out!

Microsoft is rolling out a brand new cumulative update for Windows 10 on PC and Mobile today, that brings a bunch of new security updates and under the hood improvements and fixes. These updates are rolling out with Patch Tuesday as build 10563.540 on both PC and Mobile.

Build 15063.540 changelog

• Addressed issue where the policies provisioned using Mobile Device Management (MDM) should take precedence over policies set by provisioning packages.
• Addressed issue where the Site to Zone Assignment List group policy (GPO) was not set on machines when it was enabled.
• Addressed issue where the AppLocker rules wizard crashes when selecting accounts.
• Addressed issue where the primary computer relationship is not determined when you have a disjoint NetBIOS domain name for your DNS Name. This prevents folder redirection and roaming profiles from successfully blocking your profile or redirects folders to a non-primary computer.
• Addressed issue where an access violation in the Mobile Device Manager Enterprise feature causes stop errors.
• Security updates to Microsoft Edge, Microsoft Windows Search Component, Microsoft Scripting Engine, Microsoft Windows PDF Library, Windows Hyper-V, Windows Server, Windows kernel-mode drivers, Windows Subsystem for Linux, Windows shell, Common Log File System Driver, Internet Explorer, and the Microsoft JET Database Engine.

Microsoft provides one known issue for the cumulative update rolling out today: Installing this KB (4034674) may change Czech and Arabic languages to English for Microsoft Edge and other applications.

The update is rolling out to everyone on the stable version of the Windows 10 Creators Update (including Insider Release Preview) right now under the name KB4034674. Users on the Anniversary Update, November Update and original Windows 10 release are also receiving cumulative updates today too.

Interested in using Windows 10 S on your already existing Windows 10 Pro machine? There's an easy way to get it. Here's how.

Microsoft has released a tool that makes it incredibly easy to "sidegrade" from a Windows 10 Pro installation to Windows 10 S with just a few clicks, allowing anyone to try out Microsoft's Store-only version of Windows 10. Microsoft recommends doing this on test hardware, for reasons we'll outline below. And to be clear, Windows 10 S is a version of Windows 10 that's locked to the Windows Store for all your apps and games, and you cannot run programs from outside it.

If you want to try out Windows 10 S on your own hardware, there are a few things you need to take note of. Microsoft doesn't recommend you try this on all hardware because some device drivers don't install or run or Windows 10 S. That can cause problems

The sidegrade to Windows 10 S only works from a Windows 10 Pro, Windows 10 Education, Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Pro Education installations. If you're using Windows 10 Home, this upgrade will not work and you will be left with an unactivated version of Windows 10.

If you're using any of the four variants that work with the Windows 10 S sidegrade, you shouldn't need to worry about activation. Under the hood, Windows 10 S is just Windows 10 Pro with a few additional security tweaks, meaning your device will remain activated through the sidegrade.

The sidegrade will remove your already installed programs that you downloaded from outside the Store, however, so keep that in mind.

Switching from Windows 10 Pro to Windows 10 S

1. Head to Microsoft's site and download the Windows 10 S Installer.

2. Select Run when prompted. (This option should be present with most web browsers.)

3. In the Installer, select Next.

4. The Installer will check your PC and make sure it is eligible for the upgrade, and once that's done you should select Next.

5. The Installer will download and begin installing Windows 10 S, you can now go back to using your PC like normal.

6. Once the Installer is finished, it will give you an amount of time before it needs to restart. Select Restart now to continue the installation.

7. Your PC will restart and continue installing Windows 10 S.

8. Once your PC boots back up, you should be running Windows 10 S!

Depending on your hardware, the time this takes may vary. For most machines, this process shouldn't take more than an hour. Remember, once you're on Windows 10 S, you can sidegrade back to Windows 10 Pro anytime. Here's how to do it.