Windows 10: Updating from Old Versions of Windows, Offline

Hi all! I have a few windows boxes I would like to update. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the boxes, they cannot connect to the internet requiring manual updates permanently and haven't been updated in about a year. They are therefore running very old versions of Windows 10 1607 for one of them. My question&nb

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Microsoft enables offline play for Windows 10 games

Most Windows 10 games will support offline play, but you'll have to work at it.





"Larry Hryb, the man known to the world as Major Nelson, announced on Twittertoday that Microsoft has "made some backend updates to improve your experience playing @Windows 10 games offline." Basically, if you're going to be somewhere that lacks online coverage—on a submarine, for instance—it will still be possible to play your games. But there are some restrictions.

"Most games available in the Store on your Windows 10 device support offline play, but check the details of the game to make sure yours is supported by searching for your game at http://www.xbox.com," the Xbox support site says. "Most games with a campaign mode will be playable offline, but games with network co-op or multiplayer features will not work while you’re offline. While playing offline, some features, such as the ability to purchase additional items from the Windows Store, will not be available. Additionally, any leaderboards will be unavailable while you're offline."

Obviously, online features like buying stuff from in-game stores won't be available when you're offline, but the bit about "games with network co-op or multplayer features" not working while offline really isn't clear. We tested with Gears of War 4 and confirmed that the offline features like campaign and LAN multiplayer worked just fine when disconnected.

There are more caveats, though. You're limited to just one "designated offline device" at a time, and you can only change your designated offline device three times per year. Switching into offline mode isn't all that easy, either. First, you'll need to set your designated offline device:

• Make sure that you’re online.
• Check that your device has the latest Windows updates: Go to Start,Settings, Update and security, and then Windows Update and see if any relevant updates are available.
• Open the Store. You’ll be prompted to sign in if you haven’t already.
• Select the Me icon (this is your profile picture).
• Select Settings, and then under Offline Permissions, make sure that the toggle is set to On.

After that, you'll have to "prepare" your games by launching each one that you want to play offline while you're still online, and logging into your Xbox Live account. This is a bit like launching Steam into Offline mode while you still have an internet connection... but you'll have to prepare each individual Xbox game this way before going offline.

Once you've logged into the game while you're online, you can exit at any time and you'll be set. Of course, if you change your mind and want to play something you haven't properly prepared, you're out of luck.

The upside is that this only affects Windows 10 games, but it still seems wildly complicated and restrictive to me. Worse, while improved functionality is always welcome, I can't see how this does anything but beg for unflattering comparisons with Steam: When I want to play my Steam games offline, I set Steam offline, restart it, and I'm on my way—and I can do it as often as I want. Microsoft's implementation of offline play is an improvement, but only because it wasn't available at all previously. As a step toward becoming more competitive with Steam, though, it falls woefully short."

Microsoft enables offline play for Windows 10 games | PC Gamer

 

Printer keeps going offline when windows 10 updates

Hi Graham,

Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.

I understand that your printer shows offline.

• When you say “Printer keeps going offline when windows 10 updates” do you mean that the printer goes offline after installing updates?
  

I suggest you to follow the below given methods and see if that helps.

Method 1:

I suggest you try
changing the printer’s status from “offline” to “online” and check if it resolves the issue.

Method 2:


If the issue persists, I would have you download and run the HP Scan doctor from the manufacturers website. Refer to the article and follow the suggestion on
Resolving Printer Offline problem using the HP Print and Scan Doctor.


Method 3:


If the issue persists, I suggest you refer to the article
Troubleshooting offline printer problems
and perform the troubleshooting steps mentioned and see if that helps.

Hope it helps.

Regards,

Zaki

 

brother MFC260c printer offline

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



I understand that your printer shows offline after a power outage. I'll certainly assist you with this.



However, please let us know:

• May I know the update that was installed? To check go to Start >> Settings >> Update & Security >> Windows Update >> View update history.
  
• Which build version of Windows 10 is installed on the computer? Refer
  Which version of Windows operating system am I running?

I would suggest you to refer the troubleshooting steps mentioned in the article

The printer status is Offline or Paused.



You may also want to refer the troubleshooting steps mentioned in the article

Troubleshooting offline printer problems and

Change a printer's status from “offline" to “online".



Let us know how it goes, we will be glad to help you further.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator