Table of contents for June 2016 in Windows Help & Advice

Hold the front page! Microsoft has just announced there’s a free Anniversary Update coming for Windows 10 in ‘late summer’. It will add more support for handwriting on tablets that use pens, improved Cortana features that turn it into a proper virtual assistant and support for HoloLens, Microsoft’s first foray into the world of augmented reality. But really, my first thought on hearing the news was, “Wait! Has it been a year already?” Well, it’s strange to think so, but yes, by the end of July, Windows 10 will have been with us for a whole year. Where has the time gone? To help you get more out of Windows 10 before the update lands we’ve got a great tips feature starting on page 16 , and there’s the…

Mmmm… chocolates. Don’t mind if I do. I think you may have confused Revl with Revels, Mars’ chocolate-coated sweets. This Revl is a tech company behind a new kind of GoPro-style action camera, which will probably help you lose weight rather than put it on. I have more than ten GoPro-style action cameras and they’re all rubbish. What makes this one good? The problem with most action-camera footage is that it’s really shaky, because the cameras are mounted on vibrating or moving surfaces, such as handlebars or helmets. Some include optical image stabilisation to smooth out the footage, but the Arc aims to fix the problem with a motorised gimbal. A motorised what? A motorised gimbal. This is built into the Arc and connects the camera to its mount. It…

$90 MILLION The budget of Bright , a new movie starring Will Smith. While the astronomical budget isn’t unusual by Hollywood standards, what makes it stand out is that it’s being produced by Netflix. The film tells the tale of a cop (Smith) partnered with an Orc (Joel Edgerton), and it’s helmed by Suicide Squad director David Ayer. $45 million is to be spent on the film itself, and a further $45 million will go on paying the cast and crew. 18,166,973 The number of zombies run over in a 48-hour period. Thankfully the slaughter didn’t happen in reality – instead it took place in Dying Light: The Following, an open-world game in which the undead walk the earth. Players killed 194 zombies…

Packed with informative tutorials Every issue, we guarantee to pack the magazine with great tutorials teaching you all the best things you can do with your PC. Each article features step-by-step instructions to make learning new skills fast and enjoyable. Customise Windows to work your way We all know how to do the basics but getting the most from Windows isn’t always easy. Our dedication to the operating system means you get the very best tips and tricks for all versions of Windows. Get more from your favourite websites We all have our list of favourite sites but often we miss out on great features because they’re difficult to use or hidden from sight. We’ll show you how to do more online, for a more satisfying web life. Discover new…

Your guide Alex Cox says… “With just a little effort, you can make Windows 10 slicker, faster and easier to use” At a glance Skill level… Anyone can do it Straightforward Tricky in parts Suitable for… Windows 10 Windows 8.1 Windows 7 Not all computers fare particularly well in their transition to Windows 10. The promised quick, clean environment and super-fast boot time might not have materialised. Or there might be as much clutter as there was before, if not more. And for the majority who have had a pleasant Windows 10 experience, you could make it even better still. Here we’ll speed up your system and clean it up at the same time. We’ll disable some of Windows 10’s less-essential features, clear away unwanted clutter, and make sure you’re…

Your guide Tim Hardwick says… “Control what your kids can and can’t see and do in Windows 10 with child accounts” At a glance Skill level… Anyone can do it Straightforward Tricky in parts Suitable for… Windows 10 Windows 8.1 Windows 7 The internet is an amazing information resource that brings convenience to our everyday lives. But with such freedom come drawbacks, particularly when it comes to child safety. Few would deny their children access to the web, but how do you ensure they are protected from unsuitable content? Happily, Windows 10 offers a solution in the form of child user accounts. If you’re sharing your PC with your kids, giving them their own account allows them to go online safely by letting you set up age restrictions. That way,…

TIME TAKEN 30 minutes So far we’ve use the built-in Windows 10 Photos app or organise and edit your photos, but it is quite basics. If you want more then Adobe Photoshop Express (free on the Windows Store) enables you to edit you shots to perfection. This fantastic Windows app is like a cross between Photoshop and Instagram, with simple tools to help you correct common flaws, plus it has an array of fun filters. There are a few paid-for options, but the majority of its tools and features are free. It’s easy to use, with a simple interface ideal for mice and fingertips alike. Visit the Windows store to download it now! BACK Click here at any time to return to the main editing window and choose a different…

In each issue of Windows Help & Advice we show you how to get to grips with Windows 10, and master the basics. This month we look at how to recover files and avoid viruses and malware. File recovery in Windows 10 is handled by File History. You’ll need an external hard drive to back up to, but once you have that enabled, your files will be safe and secure. It’s always a threat knowing a virus or malware could attack your PC, but there are ways to avoid this without having to pay. Let us know how you get on by emailing us on windows magazine@futurenet.com.…

TIME TAKEN 10 minutes Avast Free Antivirus Avast Free Antivirus ( www.avast.com ) is one of the most popular security tools around. The program is simple to install and its straightforward interface makes it a pleasure to use. A first scan identifies potential threats on your PC, and it’ll have a minimal impact on your system’s performance. Avast Free has some useful extras, too. A Software Updater alerts you to program updates you’ve missed, and its Browser Cleanup tool provides a simple way to remove add-ons. Comodo Internet Security Premium If you’re looking for combined anti-virus and firewall protection, then Comodo Internet Security ( www.comodo.com ) has your back covered. It includes the expected protections against viruses and spyware, of course, but also comes with some…

“You won’t have to worry about losing your pics if your PC fails” Photos are still the best and easiest way to preserve your memories and most smartphones will include a decent snapper. You still need a place to store all your photos, though, and there are lots of competing online choices. And they all come with a multitude of advantages – you don’t have to worry about losing your pics if your computer fails, and you can access them from just about anywhere. Flickr (flickr.com) revolutionised online photo storage when it launched in 2004. It completely changed its business model a couple of years ago, too, offering everyone a whopping 1TB of free photo storage. While it’s a tempting offer, Flickr hasn’t been updated for a while and cracks…

Docx doctor Microsoft introduced its docx file format in 2007, and it’s become hugely popular. Prior to Windows 7, there were only two ways to open docx files, though: with Microsoft Word, which is part of the paid-for Office suite, or with the free OpenOffice software. But Windows 7 brought with it a new and improved version of minimalist text editor WordPad, complete with docx compatibility. It may not be enabled by default, in which case you’ll have to find your Word file, then right-click on it and choose ‘Open with…’ followed by ‘Microsoft Wordpad’. Some formatting might not be displayed properly, but it’s one of the quickest and easiest ways to view and edit docx files. Customise the Start Screen Love it or hate it, Windows 8’s Start Screen…

1 Which tech company is rumoured to be creating an electric car? A. Bush B. Amstrad C. Dyson 2 Which revolutionary technology is pizza chain Domino’s trialling? A. Delivery robots B. Self-heating pizzas C. Items of food with fewer than 1,000 calories 3 Gamer Olivia Munn has a role in which summer blockbuster? A. Captain America: Civil War B. X-Men: Apocalypse C. The BFG 4 Which actor has created a voice pack for Elite: Dangerous? A. William Shatner B. Mark Hamill C. Chris Barrie 5 A Microsoft chatbot was taken offline for which offence? A. Being racist B. Starting a revolution C. Saying it liked Justin Bieber 6 Which company brands its cameras FinePix? A. Nikon B. Fujifilm C. Polaroid…

Your guide Tim Hardwick says… “Spruce up Windows 10 and make it more inviting by customising its settings” At a glance Skill level… Anyone can do it Straightforward Tricky in parts Suitable for… Windows 10 Windows 8.1 Windows 7 There’s nothing wrong with the way Windows 10 looks out of the box, but after living with its understated blue aesthetic for a while, things can start to look a bit dull. Thankfully, there’s nothing to stop you brightening things up and transforming the appearance of the desktop, thanks to a number of built-in display options. Windows 10’s settings allow you to change window, Taskbar, Start menu and Action Center colours, but that’s not all. A number of desktop themes are also available for you to choose from, meaning with the…

Your guide Nick Odantzis says… “Windows 10 is a powerhouse of productivity, but you can make it even more potent with these amazing tips” At a glance Skill level… Anyone can do it Straightforward Tricky in parts Suitable for… Windows 10 Windows 8.1 Windows 7 Windows 10 is designed for getting stuff done, whether it’s writing documents, sending emails or editing pictures. In fact, it will do most things you ask of it, getting your work done in the best way possible, as well as including many improvements to productivity, allowing you to access things faster and easier than ever before. However, that’s not to say it can’t be improved further – the default settings in Windows 10 are designed for the majority of people, but everyone’s needs are unique.…

Your guide Tanya Combrinck says… “Creating presentations with Google Slides is easy and allows you to share your presentation with others, work collaboratively or publish online” At a glance Skill level… Anyone can do it Straightforward Tricky in parts Suitable for… Windows 10 Windows 8.1 Windows 7 There’s now no need to use an office suite to build presentations; there’s a full-featured, free application that’s accessible from your Google account! From within your Drive, just click 'New > Google Slides' (or 'Create > Presentation' if you’re still on the old Drive) to get started. If you’re new to presentations, a good place to go for inspiration is slideshare.net. Exploring the slides here will give you an idea of how much information to use and what images work well. Like most…

TIME TAKEN 40 minutes Access the editing tools Open the Photo app from the Start menu, then locate the photo you want to edit by the date it was taken or created. When you’ve found it, double-click it to view it up close. If the picture appears blurry, don’t panic – it’s because it’s being downloaded from your OneDrive storage. Once done, click on the image to reveal a number of options at the top of the screen – click the pencil icon to go to editing mode. Crop and straighten Basic Fixes should be selected on the left of the picture by default – click it if it’s not. The Rotate button rotates your photo by 90 degrees clockwise – perfect for photos that have come out on their…

TIME TAKEN 30 minutes Microsoft OneDrive is a free tool that enables you to store your files online and retrieve them through a web browser. It comes built into Windows 8.1 and 10, but there’s also a desktop app available to download from http://onedrive.live.com. In the wake of its success on the desktop, Microsoft has launched mobile apps that bring all the convenience of OneDrive to your Android or iOS devices Not only does this enable you to open files and work with them on the move, it enables you to back up photos and videos taken on your phone, so a stolen handset doesn’t mean lost memories. MENU Tap here to choose the type of files to view (photos or other documents), adjust your sharing options, and access or…

“The best cloud services offer two-factor authentication, for an extra layer of security” There are three things to consider when you’re thinking about using a cloud service for anything important. Those things are reliability, security and privacy. Reliability is the obvious one. It’s a good idea to experiment with free versions of any paid-for service before committing any cash. It’s also worth looking for services that work offline when you can’t get a connection, so for example OneDrive and Dropbox will wait until you get an internet connection and update your files and folders when you do. There’s more to reliability than access, though. In November 2015, Microsoft cut the available storage on its OneDrive service. Office 365 users had their unlimited storage reduced to 1TB, while free storage was…

Sometimes it’s nice if your PC just automatically connects to networks you trust. And that’s what WiFi Sense is for. It automatically connects you to hotspots that it knows about through crowdsourcing, or that your contacts have told you about through WiFi Sense. You can turn WiFi Sense on or off in the Settings app. But remember, if you use it then you agree to give away your location data.…

This month we’re ready to embrace the sunshine and get going. And that means taking our tech outdoors. However, this is usually much easier when gadgets are truly portable, which is why we love the all-new Spectre x360 15 from HP. It’s slim enough and light enough to take anywhere and looks great too. But how does it perform? Read the review to find out. The Galaxy S Tab Pro also promises true portability and has fast become our go-to gadget for the commute. And while we’re out, we have some fun too – we test out the Yi Action Camera and put the Fitbit Blaze through its paces. Until next time!…

Windows 10’s built-in photo software is its best yet, with lots of simple and quick fixes to make your snaps look like they were taken and edited by a pro. It also lets you browse photos in an intuitive way, and combine similar photos into a gallery. If it’s not set up as your default editor, you may need to right-click on the photo you wish to edit, then choose ‘Open with’ followed by ‘Photos’. Then you can edit away.…

indy100.independent.co.uk The closure of The Independent’s printed newspapers is the end of an era – but it’s also the start of a new one. Founded in 1986, the newspaper won an audience attracted to its thoughtful and in-depth criticism of current affairs, rather than attention-grabbing headlines. Like a lot of printed media it couldn’t compete with online news sources, and its last issue was finally printed on Saturday March 26, 2016. However, the newspaper will still be available online, as well as its offshoot Indy100. This approachable site jostles humorous Buzzfeed-style lists, such as ‘12 things you should never do in a British person’s home’, with more newsworthy topics such as what’s got more expensive as a result of the budget. Its hilarious and compelling take on global affairs is…

Whether you’re stuck for inspiration or want to become a master of your Windows computer, our Explore section is the place to come. Each month we pack in tutorials covering a range of subjects suitable for all levels of expertise. This time we show you how to give Windows 10 a new look, and then how to work more efficiently in it. We go exploring through the Windows Store adding new apps. And finally, we demonstrate how easy it is to create your own blog. Enjoy and see you next time!…

Your guide Cat Ellis says… “It’s now easier than ever to share your hobbies, interests and passions with these brilliant free blogging tools” At a glance Skill level… Anyone can do it Straightforward Tricky in parts Suitable for… Windows 10 Windows 8.1 Windows 7 The internet is packed with passionate people sharing tips, advice and much more about their favourite pastimes. And thanks to free blogging tools, you can also become part of that vibrant community of enthusiasts with just a few clicks of your mouse. We’re going to look at three of the best blogging platforms – Wordpress, Blogger and Weebly – all of which have their own special features and options. Roughly speaking, Weebly is the most straightforward of the three, letting you drag and drop images and…

Your guide Tim Hardwick says… “Discover a world of great new apps that have the Microsoft stamp of approval” At a glance Skill level… Anyone can do it Straightforward Tricky in parts Suitable for… Windows 10 Windows 8.1 Windows 7 Windows 10 isn’t short of great built-in apps, but there will come a time when you want to do more with your PC, which is where third-party apps come in. Finding apps online and downloading and installing them can be a lottery. Many apps out there are of questionable quality. Worse, some installation packages sneak other executable files onto your system with dubious intent. How can you be sure an app is what it says it is without some sort of independent review process in place? That’s where the Windows…

Your guide Nick Peers says… “Syncthing-GTK makes it easy to keep the latest version of your files on all your PCs” At a glance Skill level… Anyone can do it Straightforward Tricky in parts Suitable for… Windows 10 Windows 8.1 Windows 7 One of the biggest challenges with working on more than one computer as part of your daily life is having easy access to the latest version of your files. Cloud storage, like Microsoft’s OneDrive, is one option, but these come with limits to the amount of free storage, and occasional hicups with syncing files is par for the course. If you want a rock-solid option then consider an app called Syncthing. This free and open-source solution uses P2P technology to directly link two or more PCs together through…

TIME TAKEN 40 minutes Find the app The Photos app should be sitting on your Start menu – look for a tile with a blue background. The app’s live tile is probably activated, so if you’ve already added images to your Pictures folder (or you’ve uploaded photos to your OneDrive account) you’ll probably find it’s displaying some of your personal images, if it’s not immediately obvious. Your first run If you don’t have photos in your OneDrive folder, and haven’t added any pictures yet, Photos probably looks a bit bare – there’s just a dark screen and a folder for screenshots. Prove to yourself that it’s working by taking a screenshot. To do this, press [Windows]+[Print Screen] together, or hold the [Windows] button and press the volume rocker if you’re…

Have you ever wondered where things actually are when you’re using them? Your Netflix film, your Spotify song, the Office 365 document you’re working on in your web browser? They’re all in the cloud – or in other words the storage and processing is happening on somebody else’s computer before the results are sent to yours. When you upload photos to Facebook you’re storing them in the cloud. When you access your Outlook.com emails, those messages are in the cloud. Social networking, photo sharing, music streaming… more and more, the things we do with our gadgets involve putting things on or getting things from the cloud. On Windows, the cloud can do even more. You can use it to store more files than your hard disk could ever handle, or…

TIME TAKEN 30 minutes Enable File History By default, File History is turned off, so open the Start menu and click ‘Settings’. Select ‘Update & security’ and choose ‘Backup’. Now click ‘Add a drive’ to choose which external drive to store your backups on – this can include NAS drives or USB drives plugged into your router (just click ‘Show all network locations’ when the link appears). You’ll also see a reference to ‘Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7)’ – if you’ve upgraded from Window 7 and want to continue using the old backup tool from that version of Windows, click this link and jump to ‘Set up Backup’, on page 82 . Set backup options Click the ‘More options’ link to review the default settings. File History…

You can trust our reviews Our reviewers are 100 per cent independent, with years of experience in the world of computing. Our rigorous testing procedures mean that only genuine, high-quality products are awarded high star ratings. If you see an item of hardware bearing a high score, you can be confident that it is an excellent product. We choose the best products Thousands of new PC products are released every year and choosing between them can be an impossible task. Our experts select only the best hardware and software to feature in this magazine. Even better, our star rating system makes it simple to find the best products, giving you a fast, trustworthy guide. How we review Our expert reviewers guarantee to test every piece of hardware rigorously and thoroughly,…