How to redeem a gift card, Xbox download code or token. Both Microsoft and Xbox gift cards and download codes and tokens work the same way: once redeemed to your Microsoft account, you can spend your balance at Microsoft Store online, on Windows or Xbox, and you can get downloads for the latest apps, games, movies, TV shows, and Surface, Xbox ...

The Microsoft Authenticator app helps you sign into your accounts when you're using two-step verification.

Getting ready for the Windows 11 upgrade. How to check if your device meets Windows 11 system requirements after changing device hardware. Learn how to use the PC Health Check app to help you improve your device performance.

Enable Windows 10 programs such as Windows Media Player to support activities that include the playback and recording of multimedia files that are encoded with standards-based codecs. Movies & TV: An app that's used to play digital video. Windows Voice Recorder: An app that's used to record sounds.

You can use installation media (a USB flash drive or DVD) to install a new copy of Windows, perform a clean installation, or reinstall Windows. To create installation media, go to the software download website, where you'll find step-by-step instructions.

Learn how to activate Windows using a product key or digital license, check your activation status, and link your Microsoft account.

On your PC, in the Phone Link, select Messages. To start a new conversation, select New message. Enter the name or phone number of a contact. Select the person you want to send a message to. A new message thread opens for you to begin with.

TPM 2.0 is used in Windows 11 for a number of features, including Windows Hello for identity protection and BitLocker for data protection. In some cases, PCs that are capable of running TPM 2.0 are not set up to do so. If you are considering upgrading to Windows 11, check to ensure TPM 2.0 is enabled on your device.

ReadyBoost lets you use a removable drive, like a USB flash drive, to improve your PC’s performance without opening your PC and adding more memory (RAM). To use ReadyBoost, you’ll need a USB flash drive or a memory card that has at least 500 MB free and a high data transfer rate.

The easiest way to get language packs for Windows 8.1 and Windows RT is to download and install them using the Language Control Panel. Download and install additional languages to view menus, dialog boxes, and other user interface items in your preferred language.