Watch Microsoft’s Ignite Vision Keynote right here

Microsoft’s Ignite 2017 conference is about to get started in Orlando, and you can watch it live below when it starts at 9 AM EST. For those unfamiliar, Ignite is Microsoft’s annual event for IT leaders, and there will be more than 1,000 sessions about productivity, IT and cloud infrastructure, security and more. You can also expect Microsoft to make a lot of announcements about Office 365, synergies between Skype for Business and Microsoft Teams and much more.

We’re attending the introducing keynote this morning, so keep it locked to OnMSFT if you don’t want to miss any of the announcements that will be made during this first day.

The program issued a command but the command length is incorrect

If you’re getting the ‘ERROR_BAD_LENGTH’ error code with the description ‘The program issued a command but the command length is incorrect‘ follow the troubleshooting steps listed in this article to fix it.

The command length is incorrect: Error background

‘ERROR_BAD_LENGTH’ occurs on Windows servers especially after installing the latest updates. The error is usually triggered by malware infections or corrupted system files.

The good news is that this error code occurs extremely rarely. On the other hand, the bad news is that the number of solutions to fix it is quite limited.

The command length is incorrect [FIX]

Solution 1 — Reboot your server

Users reported that rebooting their servers helped them get rid of the ERROR_BAD_LENGTH error code. As simple and rudimentary as this solution may appear, do use it before you continue with more complex troubleshooting steps.

Solution 2 — Run a full system scan

As stated at the beginning of this article, ‘The command length is incorrect’ error code may also be triggered by malware infections. Run a full system scan in order to detect and remove malware. Then check if the issue persists.

Solution 3 — Repair your registry

The simplest way to repair your registry is to use a dedicated tool, such as CCleaner. Don’t forget to first backup your registry in case anything goes wrong.

You can also use Microsoft’s System File Checker to check for system file corruption. The utility verifies the integrity of all protected system files and repairs files with problems when possible. Here’s how to run an SFC scan:

1. Go to Start > type cmd > right-click Command Prompt > select Run as Administrator

2. Now type the sfc /scannow command

3. Wait for the scanning process to complete and then restart your computer. All corrupted files will be replaced on reboot.

Solution 4 — Roll back to a previous OS version

If the problem still persists after you rebooted your server, scanned it for malware, and cleaned your registry, try rolling back to a previous bug-free version.

We hope that the solutions listed above helped you fix the ‘ERROR_BAD_LENGTH’ error code. If you’ve come across other workarounds to fix this problem, you can help the Windows community by listing the troubleshooting steps in the comments below.

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Access And Customize Advanced Touchpad Settings [How to]

Touchpads can be incredibly useful, but many users like to adjust hidden settings. Speaking of which, many are wondering how to access touchpad’s advanced settings.

Adjusting the settings can help if the touchpad is not working, so keep on reading to learn how to properly access these settings.

How do I customize my touchpad?

  1. Open the Settings app and navigate to Devices.
  2. Select Touchpad from the left pane.
  3. Now customize your settings.
  4. Optional: Use the dedicated touchpad software for more options.

How do I access my touchpad settings?

Use Mouse properties applet

  1. Press the Win + R hotkeys in order to bring the Run box.
  2. Inside the Run field enter main.cpl and click on OK when done.maincpl advanced touchpad settings
  3. This command will open the Mouse Properties window, from where you can then access and modify advanced touchpad settings in Windows 10.
  4. So, from the Mouse Properties window, you can adjust based settings for your mouse and also for the touchpad.
  5. The advanced touchpad settings can be reached by switching to the manufacturer tab – in this case, we had to click on the ELAN tab.mouse properties advanced touchpad settings
  6. There you will receive the settings related with the hardware support for your particular touchpad.
  7. As already outlined, you can change only regular settings by default.
  8. For displayed the complex tweaks I needed to click on Options…advanced touchpad properties
  9. From here I can choose to customize and optimize the touchpad functionality in Windows 10.

Keep in mind that these steps are for the Toshiba Satellite notebook, and they might be slightly different on your device. However, the general principle remains the same.

As you can see, finding the advanced touchpad settings is pretty simple, and you can access them in a matter of moments if you know how.

From there you can configure your device or even completely disable the touchpad on your PC if you choose to do so.

We hope that you find this guide informative and that you managed to properly configure your touchpad.

3 solutions to delete Netflix content in Windows 10/11

Netflix is one of the most popular online streaming services that can be used by Windows 10 users. This platform offers full support for the Windows system as there is a dedicated Netflix app available on the Windows Store.

Through this app, you can also choose to download your favorite videos and TV shows and watch everything offline. While this ‘offline’ feature is extremely useful, it also comes with a small downside: the content you download will be stored on your Windows 10 device and you can soon experience disk storage issues. That’s why you should learn how to easily remove the offline content downloaded through the Netflix app.

By default, the Netflix content is saved in the same place where the Netflix app is installed on your Windows 10 PC. Shortly, the videos will be stored inside the ‘C’ partition of your device. Well, this is where the Windows OS and other system files are stored too. Therefore, saving a large amount of files on this partition is not recommended. As a result, you should remove unnecessary files from time to time, including the Netflix offline content.

How to remove Netflix content in Windows 10

Remove only certain movies or TV shows

  1. On your Windows 10 device launch the Netflix software.
  2. From the top-left corner of the main Netflix window click on the ‘hamburger’ icon.
  3. Select My downloads from the list that will be displayed.
  4. All your downloaded movies and TV shows will be now listed on your computer.
  5. Now, from this window click the Edit icon (from top-right corner).
  6. A checkbox will be now displayed near the downloaded contents.
  7. Just select the entries that you don’t want to keep.
  8. When done click the Delete button – located also in the top-right corner.
  9. That’s all.

Delete all Netflix offline content

  1. Open the Netflix app once more.
  2. Click on the three dots icon which is located in the top-right corner of the main window.
  3. Select Settings from the list that will be displayed.
  4. From the Netflix settings page find the Download field.
  5. Under download locate and also select the ‘delete all downloads’ option.
  6. Wait while the Netflix content is removed and restart the app.

Remove Netflix files manually

As mentioned, the files that are downloaded from Netflix for offline viewing are saved by default within the C partition. You can locate all these files by navigating towards ‘C:UsersUserNameAppDataLocalPackages4DF9E0F8.Netflix_mcm4njqhnhss8LocalStateofflineInfodownloads’.

Note: enter your own user name in the string to access the Netflix folder. Once there, select the files you want to remove (press and hold Ctrl and click on the implied files or press Ctrl+A if you want to select the whole list) and resume the delete process.

Those are the 3 methods that can be successfully applied in Windows 10 for removing Netflix content. Note that if you remove these files instead of deleting them, the Netflix app will no longer display the transferred content.

If you have any other questions related with the solutions listed above, let us know in the comments field below.

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Microsoft Store Rebrands to Windows Store [Full Story]

We already knew Microsoft was planning on rebranding the Windows Store to Microsoft Store when the company started diversifying its media offerings for Windows 10 devices.

Read on to find out all about how Windows Store became Microsoft Store.

The rebranded Windows Store is rolling out

The company is now rolling out the rebranded Windows Store to Windows Insiders in the Release Preview Ring together with an app update. This update involves a brand new logo for the Microsoft Store and also changes the Windows Store’s name to ‘Microsoft Store.’ While the new logo looks rough for now, this is probably not the final version.

The potential reasons behind the rebranding

Microsoft is likely revamping the Windows Store with a new name and logo to provide users access to more products in Windows 10, with potential plans to offer products and services directly on Surface hardware or other third-party products such as the Fitbit straight from the Microsoft Store application.

The newly revamped store in Windows 10 could also lead to Microsoft making it cross-platform along with providing users the opportunity to make TV shows and movies purchased from the Microsoft Store available across their various devices and the web as well.

Does Windows Store still exist?

Windows Store is going to become Microsoft Store after the update rolls out. Basically, it will rebrand itself. In other words, Microsoft Store and Windows Store is the same thing.

Of course, none of this has been officially announced — not even the rebranding– which this could mean that things are still in the testing process for now.

The Extended Attributes are Inconsistent: 14 Ways to Fix it

ERROR_EA_LIST_INCONSISTENT is a system error that can appear on any version of Windows. The error is usually followed by The extended attributes are inconsistent message.

The error usually appears when opening applications that require administrative privileges, but other programs, too, are sometimes unaffected. Keep reading to find out the solutions!

How do I fix The extended attributes are inconsistent error?

1. Change the sound settings

  1. Press Windows + X to and choose Control Panel.
  2. Once Control Panel opens, go to Sound.
  3. Navigate to the Sounds tab and select Windows User Account Control from the list. Choose (None) from the Sounds menu and click Apply and OK to save changes.

According to users, The extended attributes are inconsistent message can be caused by certain sounds on your PC. To fix the problem, you need to change your sound settings.

After saving changes, check if the problem still appears. We know that this is an unusual solution, but many users claim that it works, so be sure to try it out.

2. Perform a clean boot

  1. Press Windows + R, enter msconfig and click OK.
  2. Go to Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, and click on Disable all.
  3. Go to Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
  4. Right-click each application on the list and choose Disable from the menu. After disabling all applications, close Task Manager.
  5. Go back to the System Configuration window and click on Apply and OK.
  6. After doing that, restart your PC or log off and log back into your account.

Third-party applications and services can sometimes interfere with Windows and cause this problem to appear. In many cases, these can start automatically with Windows and cause this problem to occur. To fix the problem, you need to perform a clean boot.

If the issue doesn’t appear anymore, it means that a third-party application is causing this problem. To find the problematic application, you need to repeat the same steps again and turn on all services and applications one by one or in groups.

Keep in mind that you need to restart your PC or relog into your account to apply changes. After you find the problematic application, you need to remove it or update it to the latest version.

3. Change the User Account Control settings

  1. Press Windows + S and enter user accounts. Select User Accounts from the menu.
  2. Click on Change User Account Control settings.
  3. Once the window opens, move the slider to the default value or set it to Never notify. Click OK to save changes.
  4. After doing that, restart the computer and check if the problem is resolved.

Few users also recommend performing these steps after booting into Safe Mode. This fix for The extended attributes are inconsistent error in Windows 10 worked for many.

4. Disable sounds and reinstall the sound drivers

  1. Open the Control Panel, and choose Sound.
  2. Navigate to the Sounds tab and set Sound Scheme to No Sounds. Click Apply and OK to save changes.
  3. After disabling all sounds, you should be able to install applications. However, to fix the problem, you need to reinstall your audio driver. To do that, press Windows + X and choose Device Manager.
  4. Locate your audio driver, right-click, and choose Uninstall from the menu.
  5. Click OK to remove the driver.
  6. After doing that, restart your PC, and the driver will be automatically installed.
  7. Now you can restore your default sound scheme, and the problem should be permanently resolved.

It seems that a corrupt driver can cause this problem to appear, but after reinstalling the audio driver everything should be back to normal.

A few users also suggest switching your audio scheme to Default to fix this problem. If you have custom sound schemes installed, be sure to try this before uninstalling the driver.

5. Check your accounts

  1. Press Windows + R, enter netplwiz, and click OK.
  2. Check Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer option. Select your account and click on Properties.
  3. Go to the Group Membership tab, select Other, and choose Administrators or Users.
  4. Repeat the previous steps for all available user accounts.
  5. To apply the changes, you need to log off of every signed-in account and log back in.

Few users claim that the issue only affects standard non-administrator accounts, so if you see The extended attributes are inconsistent, upgrade the standard account to an administrator account to fix it.

6. Create a new user account

  1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to the Accounts section. Go to Family & other people and click on Add someone else to this PC button.
  3. Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
  4. Now click on Add a user without a Microsoft account.
  5. Enter the desired user name and click Next.

If The extended attributes are inconsistent error arises due to a corrupt user account, creating a local account should work. Check whether the problem still appears. If not, you can switch to the newly created account and use it as your main one.

7. Install Windows updates

  1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Go to the Update & Security section and click on the Check for updates button.

Windows will now check for available updates and download them in the background. Several users reported that this solution worked for them, so be sure to try it out.

8. Temporarily uninstall your antivirus software

If you want to protect your PC from malware, it’s important to have an antivirus installed. However, some antivirus tools can cause issues with Windows and lead to The extended attributes are inconsistent error message.

To fix the problem, you can temporarily disable your third-party antivirus software and check if that helps. Even if you disable your antivirus, your PC won’t be vulnerable because Windows 10 comes with Windows Defender, which protects it from online threats.

In case disabling the antivirus doesn’t solve the issue, you might have to uninstall the program. If removing your antivirus fixes the problem, you might want to try updating it to the latest version or switch to a completely different antivirus tool.

Users reported that Avast was causing this problem on their PC, but after removing it, the issue was resolved completely.

9. Run the DISM and SFC scan

  1. Press Windows + X and choose Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu.
  2. Run the following command:Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  3. Now, paste the following command and hit Enter:sfc /scannow
  4. The SFC scan will now start. This process can take a while, so be sure not to interrupt it.

In some cases, this error can occur if your system files are corrupted. If that’s the case, you might be able to repair them by performing an SFC scan or running the DISM commands.

10. Change the power settings

  1. Press Windows + S and enter power options. Select Power Options from the menu.
  2. Click Change plan settings for the currently selected plan.
  3. Now select Change advanced power settings.
  4. Navigate to Switchable Dynamic Graphics, and select Global Settings. Set On battery and Plugged in to Optimize performance.
  5. Click OK to save changes.

After making these changes, try to run the problematic application again and verify whether The extended attributes are inconsistent message still appears. If you can’t find the options from Step 4, it means that this solution doesn’t apply to your PC.

11. Change Group Policy settings

Tip icon Tip
Gpedit.msc is included in Pro and Enterprise editions of Windows but users can install the Local Group Policy Editor on Windows 10 Home.
  1. Press Windows + R, enter gpedit.msc, and then click OK.
  2. In the left pane, navigate to Local Computer Policy, select Computer Configuration, and then choose Windows Settings.
  3. Now, go to Security Settings, expand Local Policies, and click on Security Options.
  4. Now you need to disable the following policies:
    • User Account Control: Use Admin Approval Mode for the built-in Administrator account
    • User Account Control: Detect application installations and prompt for elevation
    • User Account Control: Only elevate executable files that are signed and validated
    • User Account Control: Only elevate UIAccess applications that are installed in
      secure locations
    • User Account Control: Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode
  5. To disable any of these policies, simply double-click them to open their properties and then choose Disabled. Click Apply and OK to save changes.
  6. After disabling all policies, close Group Policy Editor and check if the problem is resolved.

12. Uninstall problematic applications

  1. Open the Settings app and go to the System section.
  2. In the pane on the left, navigate to Apps & features, select the problematic app from the list on the right, and then click on Uninstall.
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen to remove the app.

Sometimes third-party applications can cause certain errors, and one of those errors is The extended attributes are inconsistent. To fix the error, you need to find and remove the problematic application.

Some users reported that Crowdstrike app was causing the problem, so if you have this application on your PC, we urge you to remove it.

13. Perform a System Restore

  1. Press Windows + S and enter system restore. Choose Create a restore point from the menu.
  2. Click on the System Restore button.
  3. Choose Next.
  4. Check the Show more restore points option in the bottom left corner. Select the desired restore point and then click on Next.
  5. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

If The extended attributes are inconsistent error message started appearing recently, you might be able to fix it by using System Restore. This is a useful feature that allows you to restore your PC to the previous state and fix many problems.

After your PC is restored, the error should be resolved, and everything will work normally.

14. Reset Windows

Tip icon Tip
Before you proceed, make sure to create a bootable USB for Windows 10 as the process requires reinstalling the OS. Also, use dedicated backup software to create a copy of the files to retrieve them later.
  1. Open the Start Menu, click the Power button, press and hold the Shift key and then choose Restart.
  2. Choose Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC, and click on Remove everything.
  3. If asked to insert installation media, be sure to do that.
  4. Select Only the drive where Windows is installed, and then click Just remove my files.
  5. Now you’ll see a quick list of changes the reset will perform. To start the reset process, click the Reset button.
  6. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

After the process is done, you’ll have a clean installation of Windows 10. You’ll have to move your personal files from the backup and install all applications again.

However, the problem with this error should be resolved. This is a drastic solution because it will remove all your files, so use it as a last solution.

ERROR_EA_LIST_INCONSISTENT and The extended attributes are inconsistent errors can prevent you from running certain applications on your PC, but you should be able to fix them by using one of our solutions.

Before you leave, find out some quick tips to boost the performance of Windows.

For any queries or to share more solutions with us, drop a comment below.

Error code 805a8011 on Windows 10/11 mobile devices [FIX]

If you are using the Windows operating system on your mobile devices, you must have definitely stumbled upon the error code 805a8011. This usually occurs when you are trying to install or update your mobile application from the Windows Store.

Error code 805a8011 may be due to issues related to app connection problem, low storage space, issues with syncing to Microsoft account, and many more. We have compiled a list of solutions to fix the error code 805a8011 problem on your mobile devices.

How to fix error 805a8011

Solution 1 – Change your network

Switching your Internet connection should fix the error code 805a8011 problem. If you used a public Wi-Fi network, you can disconnect it and use another Internet connection. You can also use another mobile Internet as the case may apply and try to access the Windows Store.

error code 805a8011

Solution 2 – Free up your storage space

Error code 805a8011 problem may be caused by low or insufficient storage space on your mobile phone. You need to free up some space so as to enable your Windows mobile devices to accommodate new applications or update already existing apps. This can be done by deleting unwanted apps, videos, music, photos, and other files up to a minimum of 100MB. The error code 805a8011 should probably be fixed by this method.

Solution 3 – Check your Date and Time Settings

The error code 805a8011 can appear because of the incorrect date and time settings in the phone operating system. Check the date/time and time zone settings to ensure they are correct. Disable automatic update of date and time using the Internet, and set the date/time parameters manually. Restart the Windows phone, reconnect to the Internet, and access the Windows Store.

Solution 4 – Synchronize your Microsoft Account

Due to unspecified data, Microsoft may prevent you from logging into the Microsoft account for security reasons. Check to see if all your Microsoft profile fields are full. Before you proceed, you need to log in from your PC to your Microsoft account, fill out all the fields provided, and accept the license agreement. Follow these steps:

  • Login to your Microsoft account and ensure that Microsoft services are working properly. If you do not have a Microsoft profile, sign up at Windows Live
  • In your Windows mobile device, go to Settings
  • Click on the Email + accounts
  • Press and hold on Microsoft account
  • Tap on the “Synchronize” menu

After these steps, it is highly recommended that you reboot your mobile device and access the Windows Store. Try to download new apps or update installed apps. This solution should fix the error 805a8011 problem.

Solution 5 – Reset your Windows phone

Resetting your Windows phone and reverting back to the default settings should probably fix the error code 805a8011 issue. Before you proceed, it is highly recommended that you backup your files such as documents, contacts, music, pictures, videos, music, and other important files. To back up your files, follow these steps:

  • On your Windows mobile device, go to “Settings”
  • Tap the “Backup” menu
  • Then, tap on “Apps+Settings” option
  • To back up only your settings, tap on Settings Backup
  • To back up only your apps, tap on App Backup.

Note: It is very important that you backup important stuff before you reset your Windows phone.

There are two steps available to reset your Windows mobile devices which is either soft reset or hard reset.

Steps for the Soft Reset

  • While your Windows mobile device is in an active state, press down and hold Volume and Power buttons until you feel that your phone is vibrating.
  • Release the buttons afterwards and wait while the device starts rebooting automatically.
  • Check whether you can access Windows Store or not.

With the soft reset method, if you still receive error code 805a8011, then you have to go for the hard reset method. Hard reset solution is available for both Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 mobile devices.

Note: Your Windows mobile device will revert back to the factory state when your reset it.

Steps for the Hard Reset (Windows 8, Windows 10)

For Windows 8 and Windows 10 mobile devices, follow these steps for hard reset:

  • Turn off your Windows mobile device
  • Press and hold the Volume down key and plug-in your charger. Your Windows device would start showing an Exclamatory Sign (!) on your screen
  • Then, press the keys as in the following order:
  1. Volume Up
  2. Volume Down
  3. Power
  4. Volume Down.

Your Windows phone will automatically restart. You have successfully hard reset your Windows 8 phone.

Steps for the Hard Reset (Windows 8.1)

Windows 8.1 mobile devices can be hard reset by following these steps:

  • While in active state, go to “Settings”
  • In the Settings menu, tap on About
  • Proceed by tapping on “Reset your Phone” menu
  • Then, two warnings would prompt on your screen. Tap “Yes” to proceed to the next step
  • Your mobile device will restart automatically

You have successfully reset your Windows 8.1 mobile device.

In conclusion, the solutions above can fix the 805a8011 error on your Windows mobile devices. You can now install new apps or update existing apps.

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Project Cars 2 reported bugs: multiplayer doesn’t work, jagged graphics, and more

Project Cars 2 is now live on both Windows PCs and Xbox One. If you want to drive the most powerful cars in the world and experience thrilling car races, then this is the right game for you.

Unfortunately, many players are reporting various issues after they install the game. In this article, we’re going to list the most frequent Project Cars 2 bugs reported by gamers in order to give you an idea of what to expect. We’re sure that Bandai Namco will patch these issues as soon as possible, but until then, gamers need to find a way to deal with them.

Project Cars 2 reported issues

UPD is missing

It appears that UDP did not make the cut for the initial console release.  If you’re looking for the UDP option but can’t find it, you’re not the only one as the option is currently unavailable on the Xbox One. Hopefully, the title’s upcoming update will fix this issue.

Logitech G920 issues

Gamers report that Logitech G920 wheels break the game, with the wheel suddenly pulling left and right, making it very difficult for players to keep their cars on the track.

I was really excited for this game…day one controller issues yet again, same as project cars one (Gamepad that time)
When driving in a straight line, or sitting still on the track. The Logitech G920 wheel violently yanks left & right non-stop, which makes the game unplayable. I double checked and the issues doesn’t exist in project cars one. Just project cars 2. (The wheel still yanks left & right in corners, just not as severely)

For more information on the wheels compatible with the game, check out this list.

AccuForce is not detected

Many players report that Project Cars 2 won’t detect AccuForce, so there is no way to set steering inputs. The good news is that one resourceful player has a workaround to this problem: when assigning the Steer Left and Steer Right, simply return the wheel to center as soon as you’ve turn it to the respective direction in order to assign the function. Do not turn the wheel to its extent and hold it there.

Anti-aliasing is ineffective

Gamers report that PC2 doesn’t always offer the best possible graphics experience as jagged edges are the norm.

MSAA, FXAA, SMAA, all are pretty ripe with obvious and distracting aliasing on every setting in PCARS2. And I don’t have enough power for high enough of Super Sampling for that to make a difference.

Would it be possible to add a TAA (Temporal Anti-Aliasing) option in the near future, Slightly Mad Studios? […] at this point I’d take the the most severe post-TAA blur over all the jagged edges in an instant. Would love to have it as an option with the rest, would be incredible on so many tracks.

Joining online games is a difficult task

Many PC2 players report they can’t enter lobbies. As a result, they can’t join multiplayer online sessions. There are also various errors you may encounter while trying to connect to lobbies, including the ‘Host migration failed” error.

Help! i cant join online game sessions! I can see the game sessions but get stuck on the joining screen. it then goes to “disconnected from game session”. Anyone have some advice, “restarted PC already and tried running it as admin.

The good news is that the game’s devs are aware of this issue and are working on a fix.

These are the most common issues affecting Project Cars 2. If you encounter other problems, use the comments below to tell us more your experience!

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Project Cars 2 list of compatible wheels

Project Cars 2 is the ultimate driver journey. This impressive car racing game should be on every gamer’s list this year. You’ll have a blast spinning that wheel and performing various tricks with your car.

Speaking of wheels, if you’re planning to purchase Project Cars 2, you should first check the list of compatible wheels. In this manner, you’ll know if you need to buy a new wheel, or you can use the one that you already own.

Project Cars 2 wheel compatibility

Project Cars 2 compatible wheels on PC

  • Thrustmaster RTG Force Feedback Clutch
  • Thrustmaster Ferrari GT Experience
  • ​Thrustmaster Ferrari F430 Force Feedback
    Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Integral T500
  • Thrustmaster T500RS
  • Thrustmaster T300RS
  • Thrustmaster Ferrari F1 Wheel Advance T300
  • Thrustmaster Ferrari F458 Force Feedback
  • Thrustmaster T150
  • Thrustmaster TMX
  • Thrustmaster TS-XW
  • Thrustmaster TS-PC Racer
  • Logitech G25
  • Logitech G27
  • Logitech G29
  • Logitech G920
  • Logitech Driving Force
  • Logitech Driving Force Pro
  • Logitech Driving Force GT
  • Logitech MOMO Force
  • Logitech MOMO Racing​
  • Fanatec CSR (+ Pedals)
  • Fanatec CSR Elite (+ Pedals)
  • Fanatec CSW
  • Fanatec CSW V2
  • Fanatec CSL Elite
  • Fanatec CSL Eliten PS4
  • Fanatec CSW V2.5
  • Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo
  • ​Fanatec Porsche Turbo GT2 Turbo
  • Fanatec Porsche Turbo GT3RS
  • Fanatec Porsche Turbo GT3RS V2
  • Fanatec Porsche Turbo PWC
  • Fanatec Porsche Turbo PWC4
  • HORI RWA

Project Cars 2 compatible wheels on Xbox One

  • Thrustmaster Ferrari 458
  • Thrustmaster Ferrari 458 Spider Racing
  • Thrustmaster TMX
  • Thrustmaster TS-XW
  • Mad Catz Pro Racing Force Feedback
  • Fanatec CSW V2 Base
  • Fanatec CSW V2.5 Base
  • Fanatec CSL Elite Base
  • Fanatec CSLE
  • Logitech G920

There you go, we hope you already own these wheels so that you don’t spend more money buying one.

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Turn-off automatic default printer management in Windows 10/11

Setting up a new printer is easy, especially if you are using the default Windows 10 configuration wizard. The drivers for the new printer are scanned and applied automatically, so you will not have to download the drivers by yourself.

Of course, depending on each printer, you might have to use the original installation CD for properly setting up the hardware. Anyway, in some situations, while using more than one printer from the same computer you might receive the following message: ‘Setting this printer as default means Windows will stop managing your default printer in Windows 10’. Well, during this tutorial we will show you what to do in order to prevent this alert or similar other system errors.

Understanding how Windows 10 sets the default printer

Windows 10 has extremely useful features which can assist you while adding a new printer to the system. Additionally, the Windows OS offers intuitive troubleshooting solutions to apply when problems with a certain printer are found. And everything can be initiated and completed by using built-in system settings.

However, there is a small problem that might affect some users. As you might know the Windows firmware is choosing the default printer based on certain, yet intuitive, algorithm: Windows 10 marks the last printer you used as the default printer. Of course, this process is done automatically each time you print something. Actually the OS will reconfigure the printer each and every time you print.

Now, this can turn out to be a real issue especially if you use different printers at once – the Windows 10 message / prompt that will be displayed when you will try to switch from one printer to another will be this one: ‘setting this printer as default means Windows will stop managing your default printer in Windows 10’. The message can be translated in one sentence: if you choose to set the default printer manually, Windows will stop automatically assigning the default printer as explained above.

So, for preventing such prompts you should choose to turn off automatic default printer management in Windows 10. This process is explained below.

How to turn-off automatic default printer on Windows 10

  1. Open the Windows 10 Settings app interface – press the Win+I keyboard keys at once.
  2. From the main Settings window click on ‘Devices (Bluetooth, printers, mouse)’.windows settings
  3. All the printers and scanners that are currently in use will be listed there.
  4. Scroll down until you see the ‘Let window manage my default printer’ option.disable default printer management windows 10
  5. Turn off this feature.
  6. That’s all.

Don’t forget: switching from different printers might bring other problems which might not be easily addressed through the built-in Windows 10 troubleshooting wizard. The fastest way in which you can fix a printer malfunction is by reinstalling associated drivers or removing and reconfiguring the hardware.

Now Windows will no longer reconfigure the default printer each time you will switch from one printer to another in the printer dialog. And, of course, you will no longer receive the ‘Setting this printer as default means Windows will stop managing your default printer in Windows 10’ error message.

If you have other problems with your printers, use the comment section below to tell us more about the issues that you encountered.

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Ronaldo Lima’s FIFA 18 rating is too low for his signature move

The official version of FIFA 18 will be released soon and include all the exciting features we’ve been reading about for a past few months. However, there’s one oversight in the game that caught the attention of many players: ‘the original’ Ronaldo’s four-star skill rating in the game. Most players who discover this mistake find it shocking as Ronaldo Lima is one of the most technically gifted players of all time, so giving him a four-star skill rating is surprising to say the least.

To make things even worse, having this rating means Ronaldo won’t be able to perform his famous elastico move invented by the man himself. It makes little to no sense for a player who made this move famous to be unable to perform it in the new FIFA game.

Maybe Ronaldo was given the four-star skill rating by accident or maybe EA did this on purpose — we don’t know for sure. But fans are definitely unsatisfied, as many of them have already expressed their disapproval on social media.

Since the official version of FIFA 18 is still more than a week away from its release (we only have a demo for now), there’s still time for the development team to fix this. But we’re not sure if they’re going to do it after all.

What do you think about player ratings in FIFA 18? Let us know in the comments below!

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Windows Insiders: get ready for a very busy next few days

Get ready for some hot and heavy Windows Insider action. Dona Sarkar has just revealed that things are going to get very busy as we get close to a final RTM Windows 10 Fall Creators Update release.  Unlike previous builds, though, there will be no build teasers, no major features, and only mostly bug fix releases in the coming days ahead.

Given that the release of the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update is just a few short weeks away, this is not a real surprise. As you may recall, Microsoft was busy this week too, pushing out two new builds which were fairly minor and mainly focused on improving stability and fixing the small bugs which Windows Insiders reported.

Build 16291 rolled out on Tuesday, with just one new Cortana related feature in tow. Then, shortly after, on Wednesday night, Microsoft pulled a surprise and pushed out build 16294, mainly to fix some issues which were plaguing Surface Pro 3 users.

You can expect more of the same in the next few days, as Microsoft get itself ready to release the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update to a wider audience. Be sure to keep it tuned in right here to OnMSFT, as we will be following all the Microsoft news carefully over the next few days!

Panasonic launches the rugged Windows 10 2-in-1, Toughbook CF-33, in India

Panasonic has unveiled the new rugged, detachable Windows 10 2-in-1, the Touchbook CF-33, in India. The CF-33 is world’s first rugged laptop with 3:2 aspect ratio for display.

An evolution of the bestselling Panasonic Toughbook CF-31 and CF-20, this 7th generation rugged Toughbook laptop is aimed for police, emergency services, government agencies, defense, and field service workers.

The Toughbook CF-33 is a detachable laptop for mobile workers and offers a fully rugged laptop with detachable keyboard as well as a larger display tablet. It sports a magnesium chassis and comes with IP65 rating for water and dust resistance. It includes an IP55-rated digitizer pen for workers in toughest of weather conditions.

With the evolving needs of enterprise and government sectors, we are transforming with times to offer best computing solutions for our customers. Old bulky laptops present safety concerns, portability issues and are not very resilient to damage. We at Panasonic are constantly looking to offer products that not only improve the efficiency, but enhance productivity and bottom-line performances for a number of years.

– Vijay Wadhwan, Business Head System and Solution Business, Panasonic India

Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 Key

  • Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
  • Display: 12-inch 10-finger capacitive touch QHD (2160 x 1440)
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-7300U vPro 2.6GHz (with i7-7600U option)
  • RAM: 8GB (with 4GB and 16GB options)
  • Internal Storage: 256GB SSD (with 128GB and 512GB options)
  • Camera: 2MP webcam | 8MP rear camera
  • Weight: 2.76 kg in laptop mode | 1.53 kg for tablet
  • Ports: 2 x USB 3.0 | USB 2.0 | HDMI | LAN | micro SD-XC | Serial | VGA

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 is priced at ₹270,000 ($4167). According to the company, Panasonic Toughpad devices enjoy 65% market share in India, and with the introduction of new products in the Toughbook and Toughpad series, the company aims to increase the market share to over 70%.

Windows 10 version 1803 will bring full support for Progressive Web Apps

Last week, Microsoft announced during its Edge Summit that Progressive Web Apps would soon hit the Windows Store, with Microsoft Teams being first in line. All sessions from the event are now available on demand, and the one called “PWA, HWA, Electron, oh my! Making sense of the evolving web app landscape” includes interesting information about what seems to be one of the biggest features of Windows 10 version 1803, the next major revision to Windows 10 after the soon to be released Fall Creators Update, coming next spring .

As spotted by Thurrott.com, Microsoft’s Senior Program Manager Kirupa Chinnathambi reveals in this session that Progressive Web Apps support will be enabled in the next major version of Windows 10 (which likely be named version 1803), but Windows Insiders should get early access to these new type of hybrid apps before everyone else.

If you’re not familiar with Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), they’re expected to become an excellent alternative to full native apps on Windows 10. PWAs are much more than a simple web app wrapped in an .appx container, meaning that they can work across a variety of devices (including phones, Xbox One consoles, Windows Mixed Reality headsets, etc.). Additionally, PWAs run over HTTPS, and they can work offline and send you push notifications.

To be clear, PWAs on the Windows Store will behave and look like native UWP apps, and Windows 10 users should not see any difference. Microsoft Teams is a perfect example of a PWA done well.

Interestingly, Chinnathambi revealed that Microsoft is already piloting a limited set of PWAs, and Windows 10 users can now test PWAs in Edge by enabling “Service Workers” under about:flags in the settings. Later this year, Microsoft will turn on Service Worker functionality by default in Windows 10 preview builds, and full PWA support will roll out to everyone with the next major Windows 10 release.

Microsoft is already courting developers to bring their PWAs to the Windows Store, but the company will also crawl the web to automatically add reputable PWAs to its digital store. Time will tell if this can be a good solution for the lack of quality apps on the Windows Store, but this could definitely help make Windows 10 S a more viable option for many consumers. However, it’s still not clear if PWAs could help Windows 10 Mobile in any way.

Project CARS 2 is now available to play on Xbox One

Project Cars 2 is now available to play on Microsoft’s Xbox One family of consoles. This sequel to the original Project Cars game features over 180 cars to drive, a 24-hour day and night cycle, and gameplay that was tested by real car racers. Here’s the official game description and link.

Project CARS 2 delivers the soul of motor racing in the world’s most beautiful, authentic, and technically-advanced racing game. Features 180+ licensed cars from iconic manufacturers, largest track roster on console, dynamic surface & weather physics, full 24-hour cycle featuring real-time atmospheric conditions and seasonal ambience, state-of-the art physics model, all-new Online Championships mode and more.

Buy Project Cars 2 on Xbox One

Are you going to play Project Cars 2 or is there another new title like The LEGO NINJAGO Movie Video Game that’s caught your eye? Let us know in the comments below.

Play The LEGO NINJAGO Movie Video Game on Xbox One right now

The LEGO NINJAGO Movie Video Game is now available to play on the Xbox One in most regions. The game, as its title suggests, is based on the new LEGO NINJAGO movie which also debuts in cinemas this week. The film is a reboot of the popular NINJAGO animated TV series and features a host of celebrity actors lending their voices to the different LEGO characters. Here’s the official game description and shopping link:

Find your inner ninja with the all-new LEGO NINJAGO Movie Video Game! Play as your favorite ninjas, Lloyd, Jay, Kai, Cole, Zane, Nya and Master Wu to defend their home island of Ninjago from the evil Lord Garmadon and his Shark Army. Master the art of Ninjagility by wall-running, high-jumping and battling the foes of Ninjago to rank up and upgrade the ninja’s combat skills. Only in the LEGO NINJAGO Movie Video Game will you experience the film across 8 action packed locations each with its own unique Challenge Dojo. And with the Battle Maps, play against friends and family in competitions for up to four players!

Buy The LEGO NINJAGO Movie Video Game on Xbox One

This latest LEGO video game differs from previous ones in that it allows for characters to level up with different skill sets and also supports four-play local multiplayer in a special battle mode. Are you planning to buy The LEGO NINJAGO Movie Video Game? Let us know in the comments.

Fix: ”0x86000c09 err_quic_protocol_error” in Google Chrome

It’s hard to be at the top for so many years, especially if you’re referred to as ”resource-hogging monster” or ”private data collector for Google”. But Chrome still is the most used web browser on multiple platforms. It would be even better if there are fewer errors that occasionally plague users, like the ”0x86000c09 err_quic_protocol_error” error we’re addressing today.

If you have had a hard time with repetitive slowdowns in loading followed by the error prompt, look no further. The solution for your problem is below.

How to address the ”0x86000c09 err_quic_protocol_error” in Google Chrome

Solution 1 – Clear Browsing history

The first step you should take concerns the stored browsing data. Especially, the cache that can pile up quickly and cause performance drops and similar issues. Chrome is already acknowledged as one of the most resource-hogging browsers, and the abundance of cache is making things even worse. It can, like in this scenario, cause an error or two, as well.

Follow the instructions below to clear the Chrome browsing data:

  1. Open Google Chrome.
  2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to summon the Browsing data dialog box.
  3. Check the ”Cached images and files”, ”Cookies”, and ”Download” history boxes.
  4. Under the ”Clear the following items from” drop-down box, select the ”the beginning of time”.
  5. Finally, click on the ”Clear browsing data” button.

Solution 2 – Disable VPN or proxy and check the connection

Connection issues are commonly related to a large variety of Chrome errors, including the one we’re referring to today. In order for everything to work in a seamless manner, you’ll need to ensure that your connection is stable. In addition, it’s strongly advised to temporary disable VPN or Proxy and look for changes. Occasionally, they can cause the stall within Chrome, or even invoke crashes and errors.

The best way to confirm that everything is working fine is by using the alternative browser. If the alternative browser works without issues and you’re still stuck with the Chrome error, make sure to check the remaining step.

Solution 3 – Disable QUIC protocol

The innovation-wise, Chrome is right at the top, with an abundance of experimental features tested on a daily basis. However, some of those can occasionally cause issues with the browser itself. That just may be the case with the QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections) protocol. Even though the initial thought behind this protocol is to speed up the internet browsing, it can be quite unstable at times. That can, consequently, lead to slower loading times or even the ”0x86000c09 err_quic_protocol_error” error.

For that purpose, we advise you to disable it, and you can do so by following the instructions below:

  1. Open Chrome.
  2. Copy-paste chrome://flags/ in the address bar.
  3. Press Ctrl + F to open the search bar.
  4. In the Search bar, paste Experimental QUIC protocol and press Enter.
  5. Now, once we successfully located the QUIC protocol, click on the contextual box below the protocol and choose Disable instead of Default.
  6. Relaunch browser and you should be good to go.

That should do it. In case you have any additional issues or a suggestion on how to address this Chrome error, make sure to tell us in the comments below.

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PS1 to EXE Converters: Best to Use in 2026

Ps1 files are PowerShell scripts used for configuring various execution policies that can be executed only by PowerShell. As a quick reminder, PowerShell is a Windows OS shell and scripting tool which encrypts files.

The process of converting Ps1 (PowerShell scripts) to executable files is a complex process.

However, we’ve come up with a few solutions to tackle the complexity making it easier for you to convert Ps1 files to .exe.

What are the best tools to convert Ps1 to .exe?

PS2EXE – Simple and easy to use

PS2EXE is a Microsoft PowerShell script that lets you convert PS1 scripts to executable files.

The tool encapsulates the script with a lightweight PowerShell host written in C# and compiles the dynamically generated C# source code in memory to a .exe file. PS 2EXE compresses the PowerShell script within the executable file that is generated.

⇒ Get PS2EXE

PowerShell to exe&msi Converter – Fast conversion

PowerShell to exe/msi Converter is a free tool that does exactly what it says: it converts your PS1 scripts to either exe or msi executable files.

The interface is so simple that a child can use it. Just choose your ps1 file and click on Build to convert it. You may also rename it and select an exe or a msi file. Is that simple.

⇒ Get PowerShell to exe/msi Converter

PowerShell Studio – Best for professionals

Converting Ps1 files to .exe files is easier with PowerShell Studio – a premium Windows PowerShell editor.

This software can visually create PowerShell GUI tools, carry out multi-file and file debugging, create MSI installers, monitor script performance, and many more.

PowerShell Studio Integrated Synthesis Environment (ISE) supports Ps1 32-bit and 64-bit files.

The tool developed by Sapien Technologies is available as a free trial, and it’s an indispensable tool for coders.

⇒ Get PowerShell Studio

ISE Steroids – Great PowerShell editor and converter

You can convert Ps1 files to .exe using ISE Steroids which is a desktop application. The software specifically extends the built-in ISE of a typical PowerShell editor.

ISESteroids is premium software that can be downloaded for free, but the trial version lasts 10 days.

The tool has various slick features to the ISE editor, which you can customize.

⇒ Get ISESteroids

We’ll end our list here. With these tools, you can easily convert your PS1 files to .exe files, improving your PowerShell scripts security.

You may also be interested in reading our guide on what is PowerShell and how to use it. You can get a clearer view of the conversion process by checking this guide on how to convert PowerShell to EXE.

If you know about any other great PS1 to exe converters that you’re using successfully, let us know about them in the comments section below.

Disable SMBv1 on Windows using these quick methods

Recently, the cyber world was hit by Petya and WannaCry ransomware which has generated a lot of security concerns for Windows users. Unfortunately, the vulnerabilities of the Windows Server Message Block (SMB) service helps ransomware to propagate. Due to security reasons, Microsoft recommends that you disable SMBv1 so as not to fall victim of ransomware attacks.

Server Message Block is a network file sharing protocol meant for sharing information, files, printers and other computing resources between computers. There are three versions of the Server Message Block (SMB) which are SMB version 1 (SMBv1), SMB version 2 (SMBv2), and SMB version 3 (SMBv3).

Disable SMBv1 on Windows

SMBv1 is the oldest version of the Server Message Block protocol. Microsoft released official documentation on how to disable SMBv1 as a preventive measure against the WannaCry ransomware. As a result of this, all Windows users are required to install the latest patches released by Microsoft. We will show some ways to disable SMBv1.

Disable SMBv1 using PowerShell

First of all is PowerShell a Windows shell and scripting tool. You can disable SMBv1 on your Windows using PowerShell.

Step 1: Go to the Start menu and type “Windows PowerShell”

disable-smbv1-windows

Step 2: Also, Launch PowerShell window in the administrator mode

disable-smbv1-windows

Step 3: In addition, Type the following command

Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:SYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesLanmanServerParameters" SMB1 -Type DWORD -Value 0 –Force
disable-smbv1-windows

Step 4: Finally, Hit the “Enter” key to disable SMB1

Experiencing legacy shares failing over NetBIOS on Windows? Learn how to fix SMBv1 file sharing broken over NetBIOS before you proceed with disabling the protocol.

Disable SMBv1 using Windows features (Windows 7, 8 & 10)

Also, you can disable SMBv1 by turning it off using Windows features.

Step 1: First of all, Search for “Control Panel” in the Start menu and open it.

disable-smbv1-windows

Step 2: Also, In the Control Panel window click on the option “Programs and Features.”

disable-smbv1-windows

Step 3: Also, Click on the link “Turn Windows Features On or Off” that appears on the left panel.

disable-smbv1-windows

Step 4: In the Windows Features window; Scroll down, find the “SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support” option, uncheck it and click on the “OK” button to save the changes.

disable-smbv1-windows

Step 5: Windows will perform necessary changes and prompts you to restart your system.

disable-smbv1-windows

Step 6: Finally, Click on the “Restart Now” button to effect the changes.

disable-smbv1-windows

Disable SMBv1 using Windows registry (Windows 7)

Furthermore, disabling SMBv1 using Windows registry requires editing the Windows registry.

Step 1: Press the Windows button and type “regedit”

Step 2: Also, Press Enter to open Registry Editor and give it permission to make changes to your PC

disable-smbv1-windows

Step 3: In the Registry Editor, use the left sidebar to navigate to the following key:

disable-smbv1-windows

Step 4: In addition, Create a new value inside the Parameters subkey. Right-click the Parameters key and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.

disable-smbv1-windows

Step 5: Also, Name the new value SMB1. The DWORD will be created with a value of “0”, and that’s perfect. “0” means SMBv1 is disabled. You don’t have to edit the value after creating it.

disable-smbv1-windows

Step 6: Hence, You can now close the registry editor. You will also need to restart your PC before the changes take effect. If you ever want to undo your change, return here and delete the SMB1 value.

Disable SMBv1 using Windows registry (Windows 10)

How to disable SMBv1 using Windows registry on Windows 10.

Step 1: In the Start menu, search for regedit and open it.

Step 2: Navigate to the highlighted path.

disable-smbv1-windows

Step 3: In the right panel, right-click and select the option “New” and then “DWORD (32-bit) Value.”

disable-smbv1-windows

Step 4: Name the new value “SMB1” and press Enter.

disable-smbv1-windows

Step 5: Double-click on SMB1, enter “0” in the Value Data field and click on the “Ok” button.

disable-smbv1-windows

Step 6: Restart your system to disable SMBv1.

Note: If you ever want to enable SMBv1 again, change the value data to “1” instead of “0”.

These methods are only applicable to disable SMBv1 on a single PC but not a web server or an entire network. For more information concerning disabling SMBv1 across an entire network or a web server, consult Microsoft official documentation on disabling SMB.

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Pre-order your Xbox One X now before it’s sold out again

Xbox One X consoles will start at $499 in the U.S., with European and UK pricing set at €499 and £449, respectively. All consoles are set to ship later this year with a release date currently set for November 17, 2017.

Pre-order sales of the Project Scorpio edition were a success and standard edition Xbox One X pre-order today for $499.99 across all important retailers.

Xbox One X, Microsoft’s best console ever

The console will power 4K experiences and will provide the best visuals for all games across all consoles. The amazing device will be able to perform everything that the Xbox One S can perform but much better, offering better visuals, 4K, a smaller design and a faster HDD. You’ll get to live a premium Xbox experience unmatched in today’s market.

The Xbox One X might just be the best place to play your games

The console is Microsoft’s attempt to fight back in the evolving console war currently dominated by Sony’s PlayStation 4. Although multi-platform games on the PS4 have outperformed their Xbox One counterparts, that might no longer be the case after the Xbox One X is unleashed because it is supposed to be 50% more powerful than Sony’s PlayStation 4 Pro.

With the largest line-up of console games now able to span generations due to backwards compatibility, the Xbox platform is an incredible place to play. And with the Xbox One X coming up, it should become the best place to play your games, playing faster and looking better than ever before.

Don’t waste any more time and make sure to place your pre-order now! For any additional info check out the Store.

The next Xbox Live Sessions will feature James Corden and FIFA 18

Microsoft has announced that the next Xbox Live Sessions will feature James Corden, host of the host of The Late Late Show. Corden will be playing FIFA 18, and viewers definitely are in for some jokes and humor during the entire session.

As usual, the session will be hosted on the Xbox Mixer Channel, this time on Sunday, September 24 at 12:00 PM PDT. Xbox fans will also have a chance to get an early look at the game before it launches on September 29th, ask Corden questions, or enter to win codes for FIFA 18 and EA Access.

Aaron Greenberg, GM of Games Marketing at Xbox, remarked on having Corden as a guest.

Xbox One is the only console with EA Access, which allows fans to play FIFA 18 first starting today and what better way to celebrate that than with James Corden who will undoubtedly entertain fans globally during his Xbox Live Session,”

Previous guests for Xbox Live Sessions included DJ Khaled and Marlon Wayans. Microsoft is saying that other guests will be doing Xbox Live Sessions soon, including athletes, actors, and some of the best musical talent.

Microsoft Teams previews Dial In Conferencing

Earlier this month, we learned that Microsoft was preparing to upgrade Skype for Business users to Microsoft Teams, a transition that would be opt-in while the company continues to enhance the Microsoft Teams experience. There are definitely a lot of synergies between the two products, and a new feature that lets users join Microsoft Teams Meetings using their Skype for Business dial-in number is apparently in public preview.

credit: Jeff Brown.

After creating a new Microsoft Teams Meeting yesterday, Skype for Business Technical Consultant Jeff Brown spotted the dial-in conferencing information in the meeting description, with a new “Join by Phone” section including dial-in number and conference ID details. When a participant joins the Teams Meeting using PSTN, he will be identified by his phone number in the participant list, explained Brown.

credit: Jeff Brown.

“The dial-in conferencing is a welcome feature and only goes to show that Microsoft Teams is rapidly taking on Skype for Business features,” shared Brown in a blog post yesterday. “One noticeable feature missing from meetings is the ability to dial-out or the “call me at” feature to dial out to a phone.” Despite the Dial In Conference ability being in public preview, it looks like Microsoft has yet to officially announce the new feature. There are a couple of Ignite sessions dedicated to Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business next week, and we expect to learn more about dial-in conferencing in Teams on this occasion.

Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite now out on Xbox One in most regions

Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite is now available to play on the Xbox One family of consoles in all major regions. The game is the latest in the popular Marvel vs. Capcom fighting franchise and features a new art style, new characters, and the complete removal of any character whose movie rights currently belong to FOX. Here’s the official description, shopping link, and trailer:

The epic clash between two storied universes returns with Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite, the next era of the highly revered action-fighting game series. Marvel and Capcom universes collide like never before as iconic characters team up for action-packed player-versus-player combat. Ultron Sigma has begun the systematic eradication of all biological life. Against all odds, heroes arise from the rubble, form new alliances and stand together against the ultimate threat, their only hope laying with the all-powerful Infinity Stones.

Buy Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite on Xbox One

Have you played Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite and would you recommend it to others? Let us know why or why not in the comments. Did it meet your expectations?

Enhance Scoria Gaming Headset Review

The Scoria Gaming Headset is a relatively new headset designed for gamers. It boasts 7.1 audio for a more immersive gameplay experience and also features a built-in mic for multiplayer chat or online streaming.

Due to its USB connectivity, the Scoria Gaming Headset unfortunately isn’t compatible with Microsoft’s Xbox One family of consoles however it works perfectly fine on Windows 10 PCs and impressively sets itself up automatically within minutes after the initial connection is made. No manual installation of software is required to get it running.

An Impressive 7.1 Surround Experience

When it comes to sound quality, the Scoria really impresses with a clear separate focus on each individual audio channel that effectively creates a truly immersive experience when playing supported games or watching a movie or TV show. The bass, while not the deepest, works completely fine and few will find much to complain about here.

LED Lightshow

Arguably the main feature of the Scoria Gaming Headset is its LED lighting which can be set as either one of five available color options or left to cycle through the spectrum on an automated basis. The lights aren’t as bright as most would expect when turned on in a well-lit environment though which could disappoint some users who play games with the lights turned on. They really are designed to be used in a dark room while playing games on a PC and they suit this situation just fine.

Comfort Level & Practicality

The Scoria Gaming Headset is fairly well designed with both of its earpieces fitting into place comfortably. Its double-headband (or whatever you’d call it) creates a form factor that quickly and conveniently adjusts to the user’s head size automatically without requiring any trial-and-error manual fixing as is the case with most rival headsets.

The headset’s microphone is also worth mentioning due to its ability to extend to a fully-functional mic form or be quietly pushed back into the left earpiece when not being used.

What lets the Scoria Gaming Headset down is its weight which is surprisingly heavier than one would expect. At 14.4oz (or 408g for everyone not in the U.S.A.), the Scoria is the heaviest of Enhance Gaming’s headsets and it definitely feels like it. It’s not heavy enough to cause any neck pain or be made unusable but it does cause a strain when looking down or when sitting in any position that isn’t completely upright. This extra weight appears to be a side effect of the metal headband which, while making the overall device look cool, does make it heavier than it should be. This may be a headset worth trying on in a store before buying.

Overall Impressions

The Scoria Gaming Headset is fantastic value for its current price (under US$50) with its very solid 7.1 surround sound experience that really elevates the gaming and movie-watching experience on a PC. The customizable LED lights are a very attractive feature that could be a major selling point for many gamers though will likely appeal more to those who stream on services such as Twitch and Mixer due to their added visual flair. Worth checking out.

Available on Amazon & Enhance Gaming

Microsoft Band sign-in issues: 5 easy ways to fix them

Nowadays, maintaining a well-balanced and healthy life can turn out to be a real challenge. Balancing our working hours and the remaining time of the day to take care of our daily problems is a difficult act. But, as it should be, the goal is to build a healthy lifestyle – we must protect our body in order to keep our mental and emotional balance.

Now, there are a few ‘tricks’ to use for ensuring that you achieve this balance every day. And such solution is the Microsoft Band, a gadget that can help you exercise wisely every day. The best thing is that the Microsoft Band can be paired with your smartphone, so you can apply your own exercise regimen whenever you wish to. Of course, there are dedicated Microsoft Band apps available for the major OS platforms that are currently available on the market.

However, the purpose of this tutorial is not to review the Microsoft Band but to show you how to troubleshoot a common problem that recently affected many users: the sign-in issue. Apparently there is a small glitch within the Microsoft Band app (regardless of the OS platform you are currently using) that is stopping the usual sing-in process.

Don’t worry, since we are talking about a soft-related bug, there are different solutions that can be used in order to easily fix the already discussed issue. Now, if you haven’t already experienced this problem, here is the main behavior: you open the Microsoft Band app and you enter your sign-in details (the Microsoft ID and your personal password) and instead of being prompted with the actual app interface you get a white screen that says “We’re logging you in to your Microsoft account”, which enters into a loop state. So, you basically never get to use the Band app on your smartphone or tablet.

If you get this sign-in error, you shouldn’t panic. This is not a hardware problem but a software issue which can be easily addressed with the help of some easy steps, which are explained in this tutorial.

How to fix Microsoft Band sign-in problems

Solution 1 — Uninstall and re-install the Microsoft Band app

As usual, the first thing to do should be a fresh start. So, uninstall the app from your handset and re-install it afterwards. This should fix any bugs that are related with blocked processes that run in the background or any other compatibility problems. The uninstall / install operation should only take a few moments so you can re-try the sign-in sequence within minutes.

Solution 2 — Disable Bluetooth, restart and unpair

Another way in which you can try to fix the Microsoft Band sign-in problem is by trying to reconnect the Band to your phone and to the mobile operating system that is used. You can do that easily by disabling the Bluetooth connection, by unpairing the app from your device and by rebooting your handset when done. Eventually, you will have to reinstall the app and reconnect it with your handset via Bluetooth.

Solution 3 — Clear app data cache and wipe dalvik cache

If you are still having troubles while trying to sign-in into the Microsoft Band app, you should also try to clear the cache from your device. In this way, you can make sure that there aren’t any processes related with the Band still running on your handset after you remove the software. By clearing cache you can afterwards obtain a clean install of the app, thus you can refresh the sign-in processes.

Solution 4 — Reset the Microsoft Band

Up until now we applied solutions that weren’t aiming the Band. But, a reset might also help you troubleshoot all the issues. You can choose to restart your Microsoft Band by following:

  1. Press and hold the Power and the Action buttons at the same time – after 3 seconds you will get the ‘turn power off’ message.
  2. Swipe left and tap on ‘yes’, or just keep pressing the already mentioned keys for about another 8 seconds.
  3. Eventually the screen will be flashed red. You can now release the buttons for initiating a quick restart, or you can keep pressing the keys for a few more moments in order to completely turn off your gadget.
  4. When done, press on the Power button in order to power-on your Microsoft Band.

The reset process can be done differently, by using the built-in settings as it’s showed below:

  1. On your band tap on the Settings icon.
  2. Navigate towards Power.
  3. Swipe left and choose ‘factory reset’.
  4. Tap on ‘reset device’.
  5. When asked about ‘erase all data’ choose ‘yes’.

Of course, after you apply the reset you need to set up the Microsoft Band again – reestablish the Bluetooth connection.

Solution 5 — Wait for a new update

The sign-in problem might appear after an update. If that’s the case, troubleshooting solutions listed in this article won’t work for you. You might have to wait for a new official update – then, all the issues will be automatically fixed. Anyway, just make sure that you are using the latest version of the Microsoft Band app and that everything is up to date on your smartphone.

Conclusions

Hopefully, the guidelines from this tutorial helped you to fix the Microsoft Band sign-in problems. We will update this step by step guide as soon as we find new solutions that could work for you.

2 Quick Ways to optimize Windows 10/11 startup

Windows as an operating system is not exactly known for its fast boot times.

In fact, Windows will start getting sluggish after usage of a year or two. The issue with Windows is that it needs doses of maintenance laced with the latest updates.

That being said, there do exist a couple of ways by which we can make the Windows boot faster. In this segment, we will walk you through all the possible methods that can be employed for a faster Windows machine.

How to speed up PC startup

1. Access Windows 10 Start Manager

optimize Windows 10 startup

Start Manager is a subset of Task Manager and the former allows you to choose all the apps that need to be started during a boot. The best approach is to activate only a couple of apps for startup and use the rest when needed.

In order to access the Startup Manager go to Taskbar > Right Click > Task Manager.

At first, the processes page will be opened post where you will find the ‘Startup Tab’ on the right-hand side. Clicking on the Startup tab will show you all the programs that are consuming the computing resources during boot.

Thankfully Windows also has a Startup Impact Column that shows the impact of the programs and thus will eventually help you decide between the apps.

Please note that some of the apps are labeled “Not Measured”. this means that Windows 10 doesn’t have sufficient data to measure the impact of that particular program.

Select all the programs you wish to shut down during boot. Click on the program and then select the “Disable” button at the bottom of the dialog box.

Also, use your discretion to shut down some of the manufacturer preinstalled programs as its very likely that you won’t be needing them. If you need more information about any of the programs simply right-click and select search online.

2. Enable Fast Windows 10 Startup

  1. Open Power Options by typing “Power” in the search bar and select the best results.
  2. In the next menu select the following option, “Choose What the Power buttons do.”
  3. In case of the grayed-out menu select “Change settings that are currently unavailable” from the top section of the menu as shown in the figure above.
  4. The last step is to tick the box against the option “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” and most importantly don’t forget to click on “Save Changes.”

If you want to have a Windows PC that boots relatively faster then this is the best bet for you. The Fast Startup intelligently kills the programs that are not needed during a boot and thus speeds up the entire boot process.

The Fast Startup stores all the required system files including those of the Windows Kernel and device drivers in a master file and loads the same into the RAM while rebooting.

So what happens, in this case, is that all the applications are shut down and yet the user will not lose any data.

In order to improve the startup process on your PC, there is effective repair software capable of detecting current system issues and speeding up overall performance.

That being said the Fast Startup has its own downsides, for instance, it can potentially cause problems if your machine is set up to dual boot.

In some cases, especially with dual-boot systems, the boot options might not appear as expected. Enable Windows Boot Manager to ensure your PC displays all operating system choices during startup.

We wouldn’t recommend the Fast Startup feature for advanced/power users however for general users it shouldn’t pose any problems.

One thing we have noticed after switching Windows 10 to Fast Startup is that the battery backup has also improved, though marginally. You can also improve startup time by going to the Startup folder on Windows 11 or 10 and removing all items from it.

Another piece of advice is to try and avoid storing files on the desktop, I know it’s convenient but also adversely affects the startup time.

On a related note, the temporary files also tend to slow down your system, so consider using programs like Wise Registry Cleaner or AVG TuneUp to clear the temporary files and also repair your registry.

Night Light not working in your download of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update? Here’s a fix

The latest version of Windows 10 Creators Update offered a slew of new features, with one of the most useful being the Night Light. This feature blocked the notorious blue light emitted by the display when evening sets in. Blue light is considered to disturb the circadian sleep cycle and will trick the brain into believing that it’s not nighttime yet. The quality of a person’s sleep is also adversely affected by blue light.

The feature has now made it to several smartphone operating systems and also other computer operating system alongside other blue light-taming apps like the much-acclaimed f.lux. In the recent past, Windows Insiders running the latest Windows 10 Builds have complained that a certain Nvidia update breaks the Night Light feature.

The worst part, however, is that the driver update is also breaking f.lux or another third party software that promises to filter the blue light. The culprit seems to seek refuge in the latest Windows 10 Fall Creators Update build 16288 which comes with Nvidia GeForce driver v387.68. The bad driver update has also caused stuttering during gameplay. That being said one can get the Night Light working by following the steps given below.

How to fix Night Light issues on PC

  1. Click on the Start
  2. Search for “Device Manager” and then press enter
  3. Expand Display adapters
  4. Select GPU option by double-clicking
  5. Click the Driver Tab
  6. Click Roll Back Driver, fill the corresponding feedback form that asks you for reasons to roll back
  7. Wait for some time and ignore the “Not Responding message”

With the driver rolled back the Night Light should start working just fine along with f.lux. Microsoft will surely iron out the issue but with the rollout date for the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update rollout nearing a lot is at stake.

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Microsoft joins Dell and General Dynamics in $1 billion contract to bring the cloud to the U.S. Air Force

Microsoft has joined General Dynamics and Dell in a contract with the U.S. Air Force, granting the collection of companies $1 billion to build a Cloud Hosted Enterprise Services (CHES) program. The program will be part of an ongoing effort by the United States Government to implement more cloud technology into their infrastructure, driving efficient and less costly work.

The program is meant to be rolled out to 776,000 users, and is planned to be ready to go in under a year. “The CHES contract extends the ability of the Air Force to collaborate across the enterprise,” explained Leigh Madden, General Manager for U.S. Defense at Microsoft. “We aren’t just delivering a secure productivity solution, we’re freeing up resources, so our airmen can focus on mission critical tasks,” he added. On top of the US Air Force, the CHES will also benefit the Defense Logistics Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

One of the biggest contracts that the U.S. Government has ever struck in terms of its communications technology, the design of the new CHES is something that can make serious leaps and bounds in the efficacy of the American government. Depending on how this works out in the long run, it could also mean that more aspects of the government will be moved over to the cloud for faster and less expensive operation.

Microsoft joins the Coalition for Better Ads

Microsoft announced in a blog post that the Redmond-based company has joined the Coalition for Better Ads. The Coalition helps provide a better, more streamlined online experience for consumers so that they are not inundated with online ads while browsing.

Here is Microsoft’s full statement:

“At Microsoft, we believe in supporting and collaborating with the online advertising industry to develop standards that make the digital ecosystem function better for consumers, marketers and publishers.

In this spirit, we are excited to announce that Microsoft has joined the Coalition for Better Ads (CBA). Through our advertising platforms, and our multitude of consumer services, we believe we can make an important contribution to improving and safeguarding advertising standards on the web.

Microsoft is committed to working with our industry partners and the Coalition for Better Ads to continue the development and implementation of standards that will have a positive impact on consumers and the entire online advertising community.”

By joining the Coalition for Better Ads, Microsoft wants to make sure its own ads platform, Bing Ads, stays within consumers’ rights and expectations for online advertising.

Windows 10 Creators Update improves quality, lowers customer support calls

Since Microsoft launched Windows 10 and “Windows as a Service,” Windows 10 users now get two major updates every year which bring several new features as well as under the hood improvements. And if the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update will start rolling to all users on October 17, Microsoft is describing today the current Windows 10 version (aka the Creators Update) as “the most performant and reliable version of Windows 10 ever.”

If the timing of the announcement is quite interesting, Microsoft penned a lengthy blog post to detail all the performance, battery life, reliability and security improvements introduced by the Creators Update. Highlights include the new power slider, which allows user to prioritize battery life over performance, and vice versa. Many stock Windows 10 apps such as Movies & TV, Outlook Mail and Microsoft Edge are now more battery efficient (though other browsers vendors may disagree).

If performance matters to you, Microsoft also shared the following data proving that Creators Update is significantly faster than the Anniversary Update:

  • Booting up your device is now 13% faster, and logging in after boot is up to 18% faster.
  • Unlocking your device with Windows Hello Facial recognition is up to 30% faster.
  • Microsoft Edge is also up to 53% faster in the Creators Update thanks to efficiency improvements that make scrolling pages and loading pages faster, and website rendering and interaction more responsive.
  • Two features used daily are the Start Menu and Windows Search, and we’ve improved both – the Start Menu opens faster, and we’ve optimized Windows Search performance.
  • For devices on which multiple users log-in (e.g., classrooms) the first user log-in is up to 47% faster in the Creators Update.

Microsoft also says that its close relationship with its OEM partners really helps to make Windows 10 more reliable across the vast ecosystem of devices running the OS. “With well over 400 thousand ecosystem drivers on Windows 10, we work closely with device manufacturers to test and ensure the reliability of their device drivers,” explained John Cable, Director of Program Management, Windows Servicing and Delivery. As a result, Microsoft claims that it saw a 18% reduction in users seeing certain system stability issues in the Creators Update compared to earlier versions of Windows 10.

Likewise, Microsoft and its OEM partners saw reduced customer support volumes since last year. “Our close collaboration with our ecosystem partners has resulted in a 39% total reduction in operating system and driver stability issues between the Anniversary Update and Creators Update,” explained Cable.

“By listening to user and partner feedback, we evolve Windows to make each quality update and each feature update better than the last,” added Cable. “It also assures we continue to keep Windows 10 the most reliable, performant and secure version of Windows ever.”  Overall, it seems that Windows as a service as come a long way since the days when Microsoft was aggressively pushing the Windows 10 update to Windows 7 and 8 users. AdDuplex recently noted that the Creators Update was rolling out to all users at a slower pace compared to the Anniversary Update, and it’s also worth noting that Microsoft no longer hesitates to delay major updates that are not fully baked (My People, Timeline, etc). Quality is always better than quantity, and Microsoft obviously agrees with that.

Would you also say that Windows 10 is becoming more reliable after every major update, or did you encounter any major issues after installing the Creators Update? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

Latest Windows 10 Maps app on Skip Ahead provides bus, ferry, train schedules, more

Microsoft has released an update for the Windows 10 Maps app for those who have opted to Skip Ahead (via Aggiornamenti Lumia.) The update is fairly minor but adds in bus, ferry, train schedules and more.

After updating, the latest version of the Windows 10 Maps app gets pushed to version 5.1708.2511.0. Other notable features delivered in this update are some Fluent Design elements, and user interface changes. A rough translation of the changelog for the update can be seen below.

  • It is now possible to check the schedules of Bus, Metro and ferries: Simply click or “tapping” on the icons that symbolize the vehicle and automatically you will see the list of all upcoming departures
  • Improvements with Fluent Design
  • Improvements and minor fixes
A look at the bus schedule (Image via Aggiornamenti Lumia.)

As has been the case in the past, you can expect for this update to roll out to the standard Windows 10 Mobile and Windows 10 Mobile users very soon. If you’ve already received this update on your device, let us know your thoughts by dropping us a comment in the section below.

Xbox Live trolls can now play in Overwatch multiplayer matches

Apparently, Overwatch is no longer governed by Xbox Live’s reputation system, allowing “Avoid me” players (AKA trolls) to be able to be put in matchmaking with anyone (via Reddit). As outlined in the Reddit post, Overwatch players will be all be grouped from the same matchmaking pool, regardless of reputation in competitive play.

The Reddit post comes after an Overwatch patch update yesterday (full patch notes available here), which includes a number of general, interface, and other updates that include the aforementioned “Avoid me” players on Xbox Live:

[XB1] Players whose Xbox Live reputation has been downgraded to “Avoid Me” will remain in the same matchmaking pool as other Overwatch players. However, they will no longer be able to use the in-game voice communication.

In other news, Overwatch will be free to play on Windows, Xbox One, and PS4 this weekend, starting September 22 and running until September 25, 2017. While Overwatch will be available free to play for Xbox Live Gold members in all regions, Windows 10 PC users will only be able to participate in the following regions: “Americas, Europe, and Asia gameplay regions—excluding Korea.”

Xbox One gamers with Xbox Live Gold memberships will be able to play as one of the 25 heroes available in Overwatch. There are also 4 different game modes and 16 different maps available to play, including:

  • Assault: Hanamura, Horizon Lunar Colony, Temple of Anubis, and Volskaya Industries
  • Escort: Dorado, Junkertown, Route 66, and Watchpoint: Gibraltar
  • Assault/Escort Hybrid: Eichenwalde, Hollywood, King’s Row, and Numbani
  • Control: Ilios, Lijiang Tower, Nepal, and Oasis

Any progress made in Overwatch this weekend will be saved and carried over if you decide to purchase the game. Xbox Live Gold members are also offered a special discount and can get Overwatch for $38.99, down from its regular price of $59.99!

Download Overwatch today from the Microsoft Store and get ready to start playing for free this weekend!

PepsiCo CFO Hugh Johnston joins Microsoft’s board, ValueAct’s Morfit to leave in November

Microsoft announced yesterday the appointment of Hugh Johnston, vice chairman and chief financial officer of PepsiCo, to its board of directors and to the board’s audit committee. The 56 years-old exec previously worked as a director and audit committee chair for Twitter Inc. and AOL Inc, and will bring his valuable experience to Microsoft’s board.

“Hugh is an accomplished financial and business leader who brings a depth of experience from his successful career at PepsiCo where he has oversight of finance, IT, e-commerce and the company’s digital transformation,” said John W. Thompson, independent Microsoft board chairman. “He is a great addition to Microsoft’s board of directors, and we look forward to working with him.”

Johnson’s addition is effective immediately and will make the board reach 13 members. However, the Redmond Giant also announced yesterday the upcoming departure of ValueAct Capital President G.Mason Morfit, who chose not to seek re-election to the board. Morfit will leave the board at Microsoft’s annual shareholders meeting set for Nov. 29, 2017. “Mason has been a valuable adviser at an important time in Microsoft’s transformation, and we are grateful for his contributions,” Thompson said.

The next Windows Insider Webcast is later today (9/20) at 10:00 AM PDT

Microsoft has revealed that the next Windows Insider Webcast will be later today on September 20th at 10:00 AM PDT. This webcast is set to focus on Microsoft’s flighting system and will feature familiar faces including Jason Howard, Program Manager on the Windows Insider Engineering Team.

For those who are unsure, 10 AM PDT is 5 PM in UTC, and you can convert this time to your specific time zone by checking here. The webcast is a great way to connect with the Windows Insider team and have them answer your burning questions about the company’s flighting system. As usual, you can watch on Mixer or check later in the day on demand if you happen to miss it live.

Microsoft last held a Windows Insider Webcast last month on August 29th, and it was focused on the mechanics of the Windows engineering systems. So, be sure to tune in again this time, as you no doubt will learn more about how the Windows Insider team works to get those new builds to your desktop!

Minecraft’s Better Together Update begins rolling out on Xbox One, Windows 10, & Mobile

It looks as if the beta for Minecraft’s Better Together Update has no finished and the full, proper, public launch of the new unified Minecraft is ready to rollout.

https://twitter.com/Chupacaubrey/status/910213343528419328

According to Mojang’s Aubrey Norris, the update has already begun to roll out to Xbox One consoles and will continue in waves throughout the rest of the week while the Windows 10 and mobile versions will update tomorrow. The Nintendo Switch version will apparently update later in the year as Mojang is still testing this new version on that console.

After the update has been installed, all versions of the game will be renamed as simply, Minecraft (i.e. no Minecraft: Windows 10 Edition-type titles), and a load of new changes will be implemented. You can read a comprehensive of what will be new here. The biggest new feature will be the ability to play with other players on different platforms. As long as they’re running the latest version of the game that is.

Minecraft will be getting another big update later in the year with its Super Duper Graphics Pack which will add 4K graphics and higher resolution imagery (pictured above).

Are you excited to play this new version of Minecraft? Let us know in the comments below.

Xbox 360’s Fable Anniversary is coming to Xbox One

Microsoft’s Phil Spencer has confirmed in a tweet that the popular Xbox 360 video game, Fable Anniversary, will indeed be coming to the Xbox One family of consoles via the system’s backwards compatibility feature. While no estimated release date was announced, Spencer did state that it’s being worked on right now so fans shouldn’t have to wait too long.

Fable Anniversary was a re-release of Fable: The Lost Chapters for the Xbox 360 and contained a variety of improvements such as better graphics and Xbox Achievements. The game came out relatively recently in early 2014.

Do you enjoy playing Xbox 360 games on your Xbox One via backwards compatibility? Let us know your favorites in the comments below.