Believe it or not, Windows 10 doesn't have DVD playing capabilities built straight into it. That might seem reasonable as numerous computers now come with no kind of disc drive included in them, but when you've got a computer having a DVD drive or have picked up an external DVD drive, you'll be left unclear about how you can play DVDs in Windows 10.

There are a variety of solutions which will let you play DVDs in Windows 10, and we'll go over those we believe are the best solutions for their simplicity and convenience (and lack of added costs).

How to play DVDs on Windows 10 with pre-installed software

If you've obtained a computer having a DVD player built-in, chances are very good it came with its very own software for enjoying DVDs. Since Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 not have the support built in, computer makers that add DVD players are almost certain to add that support in themselves before shipping out the product.

So, this is what you should do:

The first step: Look for the built-in DVD player software.

Should you have your computers user manual, there might be instructions for playing DVDs inside it. You can also explore the manufacturer's web site to see which media/DVD playing software they installed.

Another possible way for locating the software would be to open the Windows search bar and kind in "movies" or "DVD" and find out what results appear. The pre-installed software is probably, though not guaranteed, to look.

You may even get the software to launch automatically just by putting a DVD to your computer's DVD drive.

Once you have identified the software that came pre-installed, you need to easily be able to play your DVDs.

How to play DVDs in Windows 10 with free software

If you're using an external DVD drive or aren't able to find any already installed software for DVD playback on your pc with an internal DVD player, you're never out of luck.

While Microsoft does have a paid option for playing DVDs in Windows 10, you can get by having a great free option. VLC Media Player is the best free video player for countless reasons, also it so transpires with support DVD playback. You may even try any software that came bundled by having an external DVD drive, as they often come with some.

Step one: Launch VLC
Second step: Insert your DVD

Playback may begin automatically. Whether it does, you're all set. If it doesn't, carry out the following steps:

Step three: Select Media > Open Disc, or press Ctrl + D with VLC because the active window.
Fourth step: In the new pop-up menu, under "Disc Selection," choose DVD and press Play at the bottom.

If VLC hasn't identified your DVD, you may have to explain in which the disc drive is. It can be done using by pressing browse in the "Disc Selection" portion of the pop-up menu and selecting your computers DVD drive from the drive options on the left of the File Explorer window.

How to play DVDs in Windows 10 using Microsoft's paid software

As good as VLC is, we can understand if you are cautious about using a third-party software, so we'll provide instructions on Microsoft's software.

Step one: Try Windows Media Player.

Launch Windows Media Player with your DVD inserted. In the navigation menu on the left side of Windows Media Player, you may see your DVD appear. Select it, and then try to play it. In case your computer came with a pre-installed DVD decoder, the DVD may play. If this fails, try out next thing.

Second step: Try the Windows DVD Player app.

You can get the Windows DVD Player app or by looking it up within the Windows Store. This is a $14.99 app, however, you can use it inside a trial mode to help you confirm it will use your DVD drive.

To download the Trial version, select the three dots next to the Buy button, and choose Free trial offer. Once it's installed, run it and insert a DVD. If the app determines it is suitable for your device, you are able to choose the Buy Now option to get the complete app and employ it to play DVDs.

On Windows 10, Credential Manager may be the feature that stores your sign-in information for websites (using Microsoft Edge), apps, and networks (such as, mapped drivers or shared folders) when you check the option to save your valuable credentials for future logins.

Credential Manager isn't new, it's been around for some time, and it's not just permits you save your passwords, but it also allows you to view, delete, add, backup and restore logon credentials.

In this guide, you'll learn the steps to make use of the Credential Manager on Windows 10 to manages all your logon information.

How to edit existing sign-in information using Credential Manager

Begin using these steps to update your password or username already stored on Windows 10:

Open User interface.

Click on User Accounts.

Click on Credential Manager.

Click the Windows Credentials tab (or Web Credentials).

Choose the account.

Click on the Edit button.

Update the password as necessary.

Click on the Save button.

When you complete the steps, the information is going to be updated using the new credentials, meaning no more login prompts should you originally saved the wrong username or password or the sign-in information has changed.

How to delete sign-in information using Credential Manager

Begin using these steps to delete a merchant account credential already stored on Windows 10:

Open Control Panel.

Click on User Accounts.

Click on Credential Manager.

Click the Windows Credentials tab (or Web Credentials).

Select the account.

Click the Remove button.

Click the Yes button.

Once you complete the steps, the account credentials will no longer be available on the device, implies that future logins will require you to definitely enter a username and password.

How you can add new sign-in information using Credential Manager

Begin using these steps to include an app or network credential on Windows 10:

Open Control Panel.

Click on User Accounts.

Click on Credential Manager.

Click the Windows Credentials tab.

Click the Give a Windows credential (or Add a certificate-based credential) option.

Specify the internet or network address that matches the app or network resource.

Specify the password to authenticate.

Click the OK button.

When you complete the steps, the new account information is going to be put into your device to sign-in automatically the next time you access the apps or network shared.

How you can backup sign-in information using Credential Manager

Begin using these steps to export and backup all your credentials for apps and networks:

Open User interface.

Click on User Accounts.

Click on Credential Manager.

Click the Windows Credentials tab.

Click the rear up Credentials option.

Click on the Browse button to specify a destination for the backup.

Specify a name for the .crd backup file.

Click the Save button.

Click the following button.

Use the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keyboard shortcut to carry on.

Specify a password to safeguard the Credential Manager file.

Click the Next button.

Click the conclusion button.

After you complete the steps, you'll get a .crd file containing all your Windows 10 and web credentials that you can import to a different computer in order to the same device after a clean installation.

How to restore sign-in information using Credential Manager

Use these steps to restore your sign-in information from backup on Windows 10:

Open User interface.

Click on User Accounts.

Click on Credential Manager.

Click the Windows Credentials tab.

Click the Restore Credentials option.

Click the Browse button.

Choose the .crd files with the backup information.

Click on the Open button.

Click the Next button.

Make use of the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keyboard shortcut to carry on.

Type the password to unlock the Credential Manager backup.

Click on the Next button.

Click on the Finish button.

When you complete the step, all of your web, app, and network credentials is going to be restored in your device.

Although this guide concentrates on Windows 10, Credential Manager continues to be readily available for a long time, meaning the steps will also work on Windows 8.1 and Windows 7.

If you're a Microsoft Edge user, you might find that Windows 10 Insider Build 17713 offers a welcome addition: the opportunity to manage autoplaying video on the site-by-site basis.

The brand new Windows build isn't heavy on new features for consumers, though business users may find some interesting additions: Web Sign-in, Fast Sign-in, as well as using biometric logins to log right into a remote PC. Microsoft did make some enhancements to how Edge uses PDF files, as well as Notepad.

Here is a look at what's new:

Autoplay, PDF controls within Edge

While Google's Chrome along with other browsers have begun offering users the flexibleness to determine how to handle autoplaying video online, Microsoft's Edge hasn't followed suit, until now. As part of Edge's new per-site controls, you will have the freedom to determine whether video autoplays. To access the controls, click on the small lock-shaped icon in the browser.

Edge has added dictionary functions, so that you can highlight a word and get a definition. If you open a PDF file within Edge, you'll also be able to see floating text descriptions for the icons. You are able to hide the PDF toolbar, too.

Microsoft adds WDAG configuration options

Most users probably have never used Microsoft's Windows Device Application Guard (WDAG), its secure browser for plumbing the dark corners from the web. (Here's how.) Only one of its flaws, in addition to performance, has been the opportunity to configure what it really does. The brand new build pushes more options in front of you, as part of the Settings menu.

Notepad beefs track of zooming, wrapped find

Microsoft surprised many using its improvements for Notepad that rolled out in Insider Build 17666, and now there's even more. Build 17713 adds support for users to search for text strings across wrapped text, and there is something slightly better: the ability to zoom text, too. No more can we have to deal with tiny text! Just use CTRL+ Plus (Ctrl and also the plus sign), or Ctrl + Minus (Ctrl and also the minus sign)-the same controls to zoom webpages in and out-to control the size of the font.

Enterprise logins get easier: Fast Sign-In and much more

These functions aren't available to consumer PCs (yet?) however they are worth knowing about: If you are using Remote Desktop, you have a choice of using Windows Hello to log in on the remote computer as part of the Remote Desktop session. Microsoft has also instituted the ability for corporate to sign in with Web credentials, (using something called SAML) as well as what Microsoft calls "Fast Sign-In," which dramatically decreases the time users have to register on the shared PC. All three of these require specific policies to become enabled on the PC, though.

Be careful! Here are things to watch out for

Build 17713 seems a little more unstable than others, though. Currently there is a bug that blocks the opportunity to recover or reset your computer, so you may wish to delay updates until it's fixed. Another odd bug is that, with PCs which have multiple monitors, the display may be off a little. If you see that, try good ol' Ctrl-Alt-Del to bring up the Task Manager, then hit the Cancel button.

Microsoft has introduced a brand new feature in Microsoft Edge browser that enables the blocking of auto-playing media controls.

The software giant announced such capabilities in the browser a few weeks ago, promising the new Chromium-based browser would be able to provide additional controls to users to be able to block media that starts playing automatically when loading websites.

The organization has thus released this selection because of its experimental Canary build underneath the form of a flag that needs to be enabled manually from the flag configuration screen.

The flag is known as "Limit Media Autoplay" and it is available starting with Edge Canary build 77.0.211.0.

"Algorithmically limits certain websites from playing media automatically. Most popular websites will remain unaffected," the flag reveals.

Per-site media controls

As Microsoft itself explains, the media auto-playing feature would still operate on popular websites, so users might want to install third-party extensions to block it here as well.

However, Microsoft is also working on per-site controls that would technically make it easy for everyone to configure whether or not to block media that plays automatically on-page load for every website or not. No ETA has been provided, but we ought to expect such capabilities within the coming weeks.

The media autoplay blocker is going to be available on both Windows and Mac, because the flag notes.

Microsoft Edge, that is now according to Chromium, is available in in preview on both Windows and Mac. So far as Windows is worried, the browser could be installed on older Windows and on Windows 10.

Microsoft is believed to be planning a Linux version of the browser as well, albeit for the moment, this type of project is not yet been confirmed. However, given Edge is dependant on Chromium, there's no technical limitation for the app to launch on Linux too.

Microsoft will quickly migrate to the Chromium engine for that Microsoft Edge browser, and as area of the transition, the software giant became one of the biggest contributors to the growth and development of fraxel treatments.

As a result, the company proposes improvements that may become implemented not only in Microsoft Edge, but also in other Chromium-based browser, for example Google Chrome itself.

Probably the most recent features that the clients are focusing on is much better support for the dark mode.

The Chromium-based Microsoft Edge already comes with a dark theme, but you will find parts of the browser UI which are yet to embrace this visual style. And something of these is tooltips.

Microsoft believes that it can resolve the problem of tooltips while using standard theme by implementing a technology already available on Windows 10 and which the majority of UWP apps rely on. Called Aura, this mode assists you to switch the tooltips to a dark mode as well in the browser.

The organization has already started testing the black tooltips in Microsoft Edge, and users themselves can provide them a try having a dedicated flag within the Canary build.

First of all, you have to update to the latest Canary version of Microsoft Edge browser. This tutorial is based on Microsoft Edge Canary version 77.0.208.0.

Launch the browser and in the address bar type the following command to launch the advanced flags configuration screen:

edge://flags

While using search engine at the very top, search for this flag within the same screen:

Enable aura tooltips on Windows

The one-step manner in which doesn't involve you trying to find the flag is dependant on simply copying and pasting the code below in the address bar of Microsoft Edge Canary:

edge://flags/#enable-aura-tooltips-on-windows

The default setting of this flag is disabled, so you need to use the drop-down menu next to it to be able to switch it to Enabled. Doing this will need a browser reboot in order to save your settings.

The next time you launch your browser, the tooltips that demonstrate up when navigating the web should are now using a dark mode, much like UWP apps do across Windows 10 when the dark visual style is enabled.

Microsoft explains the difficulties of implementing a dark mode for tooltips in Windows within this commit:

"The native Windows tooltip doesn't support dark theme and it has some accessibility issues with the written text scaling settings. Using the aura tooltips we are able to solve these two problems together.

This transformation completely enables Windows to make use of TooltipAura, behind a Feature flag. One of them change is definitely an increase towards the maximum width of tooltips from 400px to 800px to be able to better match the native tooltip and avoid some of the early truncation issues described by https://bugs.chromium.org/p/chromium/issues/detail?id=292738 (which ChromeOS currently is affected with)."

Google Chrome will also include aura tooltips enabled automatically in the Windows version of the browser. Google has made this alternation in Chrome Canary, and it is expected to activate this option within the stable build of Google Chrome within the upcoming updates.

Meanwhile, Microsoft keeps refining the experience in Edge, so we only hope that similar improvements could be released on macOS as well. By migrating to Chromium, Microsoft can release Microsoft Advantage on non-Windows platforms as well, including here macOS. The present preview builds of the browser, namely the Canary and Dev versions, can be downloaded on both Windows and macOS, having a Linux version not yet confirmed by expected to land at some point in the near future.

Microsoft has updated the lineup of phones available in the Microsoft Store, because the company stopped selling several older models that are less likely to become purchased by its customers.

These devices do not include Windows phones, which Microsoft has stopped selling, but Android models manufactured by its partners, like Samsung and Razer.

As reported by Neowin, Microsoft has become selling just the latest-generation Samsung and Razer phones, so you can buy the Galaxy S10, the Galaxy A6, the Razer Phone 2, the ASUS ROG Phone, and the Samsung Galaxy Note9.

Models like Samsung Galaxy S8, Note8, and the first-generation Razer Phone are thus no more offered by the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft is very likely to add a new phone to the list sometime next month after Samsung launches the brand-new Galaxy Note 10. The Redmond-based software giant became one from the largest retailers of Samsung models, and it typically adds new devices the South Koreans launch in a few weeks after release.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is projected to become unveiled on August 7, while sales will start later the same month.

The Android push

As everyone knows already, Microsoft is not making its very own phones, as the company abandoned its mobile platform and is now focusing on apps and services for Android and iOS.

The Android devices which are kept in the Microsoft Store can thus be customized with apps produced by the software giant itself, including Microsoft Launcher, Cortana, and Microsoft Edge. Microsoft even recommends installing some of these apps on Android for any personalized experience that provides easy access to its services.

As a reminder, Windows 10 Mobile is anticpated to be retired in December, after which the organization will no longer release any security updates for that devices still being used.

Microsoft has made available the download links because of its May 2019 cumulative firmware and drivers pack developed for a number of its Surface devices, which manages to improve system stability, security, and gratifaction, in addition to camera performance.

Specifically speaking, the producer has rolled out updates for its Surface 3, Pro 3, Pro 4, Pro 5th Gen, and Pro 6 tablets, Surface Studio and Studio 2 systems, as well as for the top Book, Book 2, Laptop, and Laptop 2 devices.

In terms of changes, the current packages install new versions of Camera, network, Bluetooth, and graphics drivers, as well as other updates as highlighted within the Release Notes below. However, know that not all changes are suited for every tablet (be sure to look into the description page of your model).

When it comes to installation, save the downloadable file on your Surface unit, install all drivers included, and follow all instructions displayed on the screen for an entire and successful installation.

Still, don't forget that this package is only compatible with Microsoft's Windows 10 platform. Also, after using the present release, it would be smart to reboot your tablet manually (otherwise requested automatically), to ensure all changes work properly.

However, when you purchase the Windows Update Service, you'll need to wait in line for your Surface unit to get this updated package. Through this service, all updates are supplied to customers in stages; thus, you might not receive it at this time.

With this thought, download the May 2019 firmware from the links below, do the installation, and check our website as often as you possibly can, as we'll keep you posted when a newer update is available.

For many, two of the best products Microsoft ever produced are Windows Mobile and Windows 7-and support for are ending in about a year's time.

Earlier this week, Microsoft reminded customers that official support for Windows 7 ends on January 14, 2020, even posting an official reminder page to encourage people to be quick and adopt Windows 10.

Now is even the time for Windows phones to finally accept their fate: Windows 10 Mobile, version 1709, will forfeit support on December 10, 2019. At that time, Windows 10 Mobile users won't meet the requirements to receive new security updates, non-security hotfixes, free assisted support options, or online technical content updates from Microsoft free of charge, Microsoft says. In other words, no new patches. Backups, at least, will persist until March 10, 2020. It's a whole lot worse if you possess a Microsoft Lumia or Lumia XL: June 11, 2019 would be the last date those products are supported.

Because Microsoft has discontinued support for the Lumia family, this news is bleak for individuals who own and employ a Lumia phone: "With the Windows 10 Mobile OS end of support, we recommend that customers proceed to a supported Android or iOS device," Microsoft says. "Microsoft's mission statement to empower every person and every organization on earth to achieve more, compels us to support our Mobile apps on those platforms and devices."

The good news, if there is any, is that Windows Mobile market share was always tiny to begin with, and today is basically infinitesimal: 0.10 %, based on NetMarketShare. (Two remaining few users are my wife and eldest son-can't play Fortnite if your phone doesn't support it, right?)

The more serious problem is the transition from Windows 7. Microsoft's beloved Windows 7 is easily the most popular desktop PC operating-system in the world, with more than 40 percent share of the market, again by NetMarketShare. Microsoft is encouraging businesses to make the transition prior to the deadline, and also to ensure users also migrate from legacy apps like Internet Explorer-which will die with Windows 7, too.

The upgrade path from Windows 7 is, naturally, to Windows 10-which isn't free. Microsoft's encouraging businesses to migrate to Microsoft 365-its package of Office 365 and Microsoft Windows support-which has a free upgrade from Windows 7, 8, or 8.1 Pro, however for $20 per user, monthly. Consumers have no such option-you'll pay $139 to download Windows 10 Home , or perhaps a bit less should you choose a system-builder option. In either case, the free upgrade window closed long ago.

What this signifies for you: If you possess a Windows Cell phone, you're going to have to migrate your phone's data onto an iOS or Android device, if you haven't already. As for Windows 7 owners, the problem is financial: Copying your data for an hard drive, than upgrading to Windows 10, requires a good investment over time and money. Unfortunately, using Windows 7 after support expires is playing with fire.

We've noted for a while that Microsoft was considering building its very own foldable Surface model, and if the data provided by an analyst is anything to be believed, the debut of this device should happen in under 12 months.

Jeff Lin, Associate Director, Consumer Electronics at IHS Markit, told Forbes that Microsoft is indeed focusing on a foldable Microsoft Surface, and it is expected by now next year.

Lin claims Microsoft is targeting the first half of 2020 for the launch of the device, but when it's ready earlier, it could go reside in the very first quarter of the season.

The brand new Surface device will use two different 9-inch screens connected to each other and boasting a 4:3 aspect ratio. It'll run WCOS (Windows Core OS), and can feature several optimizations for any dual-display interface. The OS itself, in addition to apps, need several updates to run correctly on a dual-screen tool and to support this aspect ratio.

Support for Android apps

The analyst says there's a good chance Microsoft's new Surface model will use Intel's 10nm system-on-a-chip called Lakefield and will feature always-on connectivity like LTE or even 5G.

The greater interesting bit is the fact that Microsoft apparently wants its foldable Surface to boast support for Android apps, a thing that users have been requesting on Windows phones as well. There's a chance that Android apps could be supported to be able to cope with the possibility insufficient apps optimized for any dual-screen Windows device.

Lin says the device will also run the "iCloud service" in Windows 10, but at this time it's not clear if Apple's software could come pre-installed or not.

Given the foldable Surface is still a work in progress, some details should be taken having a healthy dose of skepticism, especially as Microsoft can invariably change its mind overnight by the time it gives the project its go-ahead.

Google has announced a few improvements for Chrome browser in order to protect users against dangerous websites and phishing pages.

Starting with Google Chrome 75, the applying integrates a brand new warning whenever a confusing URL is loaded, and with the assistance of a passionate extension, users can report pages they think could pose a threat to their devices to the search giant.

This way, Google says, the organization can expand its blacklist and help protect others too, all utilizing a community-driven system that flags dangerous websites.

Microsoft itself is offering a method to report unsafe links in the new Chromium-based Microsoft Edge, but this time, the operation is a little bit more straightforward and relies on systems produced by the software giant itself to bar malicious pages.

A new Microsoft Edge browser is currently in development, because the Redmond-based software giant migrates to Chromium, exactly the same engine that powers Google Chrome. Preview builds already are on Windows 10, older Windows, and macOS.

How you can benefit by an unsafe page to Microsoft is pretty simple actually. The option can be obtained in the actual menu of the browser at:

Microsoft Edge > Menu > Help and feedback > Report unsafe site

Microsoft doesn't need you to enter too many details about the page you're reporting, so you only need to tell the company if you think the page is safe or unsafe, indicate the language used on the website, and resolve a captcha to assist fight spam.

And that's practically all about it.

However, Microsoft doesn't make use of the same blacklist as Google, albeit the 2 tech giants cooperating on the common system that might be integrated into their browsers would help build a a lot more effective protection tool against dangerous websites.

The software giant depends on its very own Windows Defender SmartScreen feature, which itself builds a database of potentially-dangerous links to block them on Windows as well as in Microsoft's browsers. We discussed more about SmartScreen here, but the essential part is this:

"Windows Defender SmartScreen uses information from Internet Explorer, Microsoft Edge, and Windows users around the world in addition to anti-virus results, download volumes, download history, URL reputation, and many other criteria to determine the likely chance of downloaded programs."

So once you report a webpage as very damaging, Microsoft engineers can determine whether it indeed posts a threat to visitors, and if it does, add it to the SmartScreen blocklist. When a link is positioned in this article, it should then be blocked on Windows 10 as well as in Microsoft's browsers, with a warning displayed whenever the dangerous content is going to be loaded.

Simultaneously, Windows users are also permitted to bypass the SmartScreen warnings, as well as in Microsoft Edge they can download files that are reported as unsafe. The easiest way to do this is to open the download manager, right-click the download and click Download unsafe file. If another warning shows up when attempting to operate the downloaded file, click the option that reads Run anyway.

Remember that the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge is still a work happening, so other improvements in this regard could soon make their way to the browser too.

Additionally, because it's according to Chromium, Microsoft Edge are now able to run Google Chrome extensions as well. This means Edge users may also install Google's extension for reporting malicious websites and send them to the search giant for further inspection.