For Windows 8.1, see Create a USB recovery drive. To download Windows 11 installation media, see Recovery options in Windows. Create a recovery drive so you can reinstall Windows 10 or Windows 11 in case you experience a major issue such as hardware failure.

In the search box on the taskbar, type device manager, then select Device Manager from the menu.

UEFI offers new features including faster startup and improved security. It replaces BIOS (basic input/output system). More recent Surface devices use a new UEFI called Surface UEFI. For more info, including info about which specific devices use it, see How to use Surface UEFI.

Insert your security key into the USB port or tap your NFC reader to verify your identity. Follow the on-screen instructions, based on your specific security key manufacturer. If your key manufacturer isn't listed in the on-screen instructions, refer to the manufacturer's site for more information.

After this time, you may be billed, and you’ll need to request a refund to cancel your order. For more info about digital game pre-orders, see: Pre-order Xbox digital games in the Microsoft Store. Visit the links below to find out about refunds for other types of products: Xbox subscription cancellations and refunds.

Record last… turns the most recent moments of play into a game clip when background recording is turned on. Set the duration in Windows Settings > Gaming > Captures. Find your game clips and screenshots by opening Game Bar and selecting Widget Menu > Gallery.

Virtualization lets your PC emulate a different operating system, like Android™ or Linux. Enabling virtualization gives you access to a larger library of apps to use and install on your PC. If you upgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 11 on your PC, these steps will help you enable virtualization.

Add an app to run automatically at startup in Windows 10. Select the Start button and scroll to find the app you want to run at startup. Right-click the app, select More, and then select Open file location. This opens the location where the shortcut to the app is saved.

Earn points toward rewards by doing the stuff you do every day. It’s easy and it’s free. All you need to do is sign up, and Microsoft Rewards will be included in your Microsoft account: Microsoft Rewards. Once you’ve signed up, sign in to your Microsoft account to see your current points.

If you can’t set the power mode in Power & battery settings, open Control Panel, select System and Security > Power Options, then choose a Balanced power plan. Learn how to change the power mode on your Windows PC to preserve your battery, limit notifications, and background activity.