Microsoft’s new AI editors already facing backlash over racism story

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

For the past decade, various tech industries have extolled the virtues of artificial intelligence and its place in the future of humanity. Unfortunately, not all benefits have extended equally to everyone and a recent Microsoft gaffe once again highlights a continued AI blindspot for people of color.

As tensions run high in the US following the murder of several people of color by police officers in recent months, Microsoft’s new AI publishing software pushed out a story dealing with the personal effects of racism on bi-racial singer Jade Thrilwall but featured the wrong mixed-race performer.

While the story was about Jade and her reflections on racism, the featured image was of band member Leigh-Anne Pinnock, another mixed-race singer of the band Little Mix. While apparently a reoccurring incident according to Jade, Microsoft’s gaffe was called out by Jade in particular on social media.

“@MSN If you’re going to copy and paste articles from other accurate media outlets, you might want to make sure you’re using an image of the correct mixed race member of the group.”

“This shit happens to @leighannepinnock and I ALL THE TIME that it’s become a running joke,” she said. “It offends me that you couldn’t differentiate the two women of colour out of four members of a group … DO BETTER!”

The blunder comes a few days after news that Microsoft was in the midst of firing hundreds of human editorial staff in favor of its own AI editing platform.

Despite the tech industry’s bullish ambitions about AI, the software continues to have a spotty relationship when dealing with people of color with reports of the best algorithms struggling to recognize black faces equally, or even Microsoft’s own AI bot Tay using racially insensitive rhetoric comparing black people to monkeys.

When confronted by The Guardian about the bungled article in light of its recent editorial downsizing, a Microsoft spokesperson responded with, “As soon as we became aware of this issue, we immediately took action to resolve it and have replaced the incorrect image.”

Unfortunately, Microsoft’s AI editorial mistake doesn’t seem to give the company pause in continuing to shift its new news publishing process, and instead, the remaining staff is being instructed to clean up the mess caused by its AI replacements.

Because they are unable to stop the new robot editor selecting stories from external news sites such as the Guardian, the remaining human staff have been told to stay alert and delete a version of this article if the robot decides it is of interest and automatically publishes it on MSN.com. They have also been warned that even if they delete it, the robot editor may overrule them and attempt to publish it again.

As news continues to highlight protests, race, and injustice in the United States and particularly around black lives, Microsoft’s new AI will be definitely working overtime to correctly match black faces with new stories that surface, the question is, how often will it be successful?

Don’t expect a new Inside Xbox digital event this month, but team is “working hard” on July’s first-party games showcase

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Last month, Microsoft announced a series of “Xbox 20/20” monthly moments to share some next-gen news ahead of the launch of the Xbox Series X later this year. For the May Xbox 20/20 update, Microsoft did an Inside Xbox live stream to reveal some trailers of upcoming games running on Xbox Series X, and the Xbox team has since admitted that the showcase didn’t exactly meet fans’ expectations.

With Microsoft promising monthly updates throughout the rest of the year, there has been some confusion about a potential Xbox digital event this month. Yesterday, Jeff Grub from VentureBeat wrote that “The company was aiming to show off the long-rumored, more-affordable Xbox Lockhart around June 9. But it pushed those plans all the way to August — at least for now. Microsoft doesn’t want to go before Sony’s Thursday event.” ”

However, Xbox marketing exec quickly denied on Twitter yesterday that Microsoft had delayed this rumored June event to August. “We have not pushed anything back, our plan remains to have our next digital show in July and teams are working hard on that,” Greenberg tweeted.

Actually, Greenberg announced in a series of tweets on May 5 that there wouldn’t be an Inside Xbox digital event in June. “There will be news we are planning to revel/release, but not an Inside Xbox show next month, Greenberg said in a reply to a question about a June event. In another tweet, the exec said that “June will be done a bit differently than an Inside Xbox show.”

While we should get some Xbox news this month, this will likely come in the form of a blog post on Xbox Wire. Microsoft still has a lot of things to discuss, including the availability of Project xCloud on Windows 10 PCs, or new Xbox Series X features that probably deserve a bit more attention, such as Smart Delivery.

Anyway, Microsoft better comes up with something substantial this month to make the wait before the July digital event more bearable. With Sony planning to reveal the first PlayStation 5 games on Thursday, June 11, the Japanese company has a big opportunity to claim back the next-gen gaming narrative before Microsoft can strike back next month with its first-party games showcase.

How to delete a chat in Microsoft Teams

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Sometimes, you just want to delete a chat you had in Microsoft Teams. It could be because you said something embarrassing, or it could be because you want to clean up your conversation list. Currently, it is not possible to delete a chat in Microsoft Teams, but there are some ways around it that can do the same thing. Here’s a look at those workarounds to delete a chat in Microsoft Teams.

Hide the chat

Deleting a chat usually removes it from the list of messages, but since it’s not currently possible to delete a chat, you’ll need to hide it instead. This will keep it out of your way, just as deleting it would. You can do this by right-clicking on the chat, and clicking the hide button. Once you hide the chat, it won’t show up again until someone posts a new message to it. You can bring it back by searching for the name of the person or the chat in the search box, and clicking it. The chat will then reappear in the location you last left it, and you can bring it back to the list by right-clicking again and choosing to unhide. 

Mute a chat

Along with hiding a chat, you can try to mute a chat to get it out of your way and “delete” it in Microsoft Teams. Muting a chat still includes you in the conversation, but you just won’t get notifications from it. You can do this by selecting the chat, right-clicking it, and then choosing Mute. You can always unmute via the same process. Used in combination with the hide function, this is a good way to get rid of the chats you no longer want to see anymore.

Other tips and tricks for chats

While it currently isn’t possible to completely delete a chat, you can still delete a certain message from a chat if you want, by right-clicking the message and choosing Delete. There’s still a lot more to chat in Microsoft Teams. You can use formatting, apps, and so much more in chats in Teams. We’ve covered all these topics, so feel free to check out our Microsoft Teams news hub for tips, tricks, and other guides relating to Teams. And, let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Fix: Runtime error r6025 in Visual C++ [Skyrim, Fallout]

Posted on by Matthew Adams

The Microsoft Visual C++ runtime library error r6025 occurs on Windows platforms when running software that relies on Visual C++ libraries.

When software calls a pure virtual function with an invalid call context, you can get an error message stating, Runtime Error! Program: C:Program FilesProgram Name R6025 – pure virtual function call. This is a runtime error that crashes software, and these are a few resolutions that might fix it.

How to solve Microsoft Visual error r6025

  1. Scan System Files
  2. Repair Microsoft NET Framework 3.5
  3. Install Visual C++ Redistributable Packages
  4. Clean Boot Windows
  5. Erase Junk Files and Reinstall the Software

1. Scan System Files

Runtime errors can often be due to corrupted system files. As such, running a System File Checker could repair pertinent system files and fix this issue. You can run an SFC scan as follows.

  1. Press the Win + X hokey, and select Command Prompt (Admin) on the Win + X menu.
  2. Input ‘Dismissive /Online /Cleanup-image /Restore health’ and press Enter before running the SFC scan.
  3. Then enter sfc /scannow and press Return to run the SFC scan.installation error 0xc000021a sfc/scannow
  4. The SFC scan can take between 20-30 minutes. If the Command Prompt states that WRP repaired some files, restart the Windows OS.

2. Repair Microsoft NET Framework 3.5

  1. It might be the case that you need to repair the Microsoft NET Framework installation. To do that, press the Win key + R keyboard shortcut, enter ‘appwiz.cpl’ in Run and press the OK button.
  2. Click Turn Windows features on or off on the Programs and Features tab to open the window directly below. net framework 3.5
  3. Now uncheck the NET Framework 3.5 checkbox, and press the OK button.
  4. Restart the Windows OS.
  5. Open the Windows Features window again.
  6. Select the NET Framework 3.5 checkbox, and click the OK button.
  7. Then restart your desktop or laptop.

3. Install Visual C++ Redistributable Packages

It might be the case that your laptop or desktop is missing a Visual C++ redistributable package and its run time components required by the software. Those are usually automatically installed on Windows.

The Programs and Features tab lists your installed Visual C++ packages as shown in the snapshot directly below.

control panel programs and features uninstall a program

If your desktop or laptop lacks some C++ redistributable packages, you can manually install 32 and 64-bit versions. Make sure you add the 32-bit packages to a 32-bit Windows platform. You can download the more recent Visual C++ redistributable packages from these website pages:

4. Clean Boot Windows

Error r6025 could be due to antivirus and system maintenance software conflicts. To ensure that isn’t the case, you can disable all non-Microsoft services. That selective startup is a clean boot, which can resolve software conflicts.

  1. First, open MSConfig by entering ‘msconfig’ in Run. That will open the window shown directly below when you press the OK button.msconfig
  2. Select the Selective startup option on the General tab if that isn’t already selected.
  3. Select the Services tab shown directly below.msconfig
  4. Select the Hide all Microsoft services option.
  5. Press the Disable all button to stop all the services.
  6. Press the Apply and OK buttons.
  7. Then select the Restart option on the System Configuration dialog box.

restart after msconfig changes

5. Erase Junk Files and Reinstall the Software

Erasing junk files and reinstalling the program that’s returning the r6025 error is another potential resolution for the issue. Erase the junk files before installing the program again. This is how you can erase junk files and reinstall software in Windows.

  1. First, open the Programs and Features tab by entering ‘appwiz.cp’ in Run.
  2. Select the software to remove, and press its Uninstall button. Then press the Yes button to confirm.disk cleanup
  3. Next, enter ‘cleanmgr’ in Run; and press the OK button.
  4. Select to scan the drive where you installed the program, which would usually be the C drive.
  5. Select all the file checkboxes on the Disk Clean-up window directly below.disk cleanup
  6. Press the OK button and click Delete Files to erase the selected file categories.
  7. Restart Windows after erasing the junk files.
  8. Then reinstall the software that you uninstalled.
  9. In addition, check if there are updates available for the preinstalled software.

Those are a few potential fixes for error r6025 that don’t require any extra third-party utility software.

Aside from the resolutions above, there is numerous third-party system optimization software that could feasibly fix error r6025 with their registry cleaners and system file repair tools. Check out this software guide for further PC repair kit details.

Here are some similar issues that users encounter and that should have the same steps applied to fix them:

  • Skyrim runtime error r6025 – The error occurs while playing Skyrim and updating the framework components will fix the issue.

  • Runtime error r6025 Fallout 4 – This runtime error happens when opening Fallout 4. Either reinstall the game or update the Redistributable package to make the problem go away.

  • Runtime error r6025 pure virtual function call – Follow the steps from this guide to fix this issue.

  • Microsoft Visual C++ runtime error r6025 – The main culprit, Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable package that has to be fixed.

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Disable Fast Startup on Windows 10 with these simple steps

Posted on by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

The Fast Startup has a few positive things going for it. However, since its introduction, many users switched to SSD storage or have a dual-boot system configuration.

Especially if you want to shut down your PC instead of putting it into a hibernate mode (which Fast Startup does).

However, even though users disable it, Microsoft boldly re-enables it with a new major upgrade.

To make things even worse, some users can’t find the Fast Startup feature in the Shutdown settings. Thus, they can’t disable Fast Startup in Windows 10.

We made sure to shed some light and show you how to get it back or, even better, disable it with 3 different methods ignoring the missing UI option.

Make sure to check the solutions we listed below if you can’t disable Fast Startup.

How to definitely disable Fast Startup on Windows 10?

  1. Try with the standard approach
  2. Check BIOS
  3. Try with Local Group Policy Editor
  4. Check whether Hibernation is enabled
  5. Run SFC and DISM
  6. Use the BAT file
  7. Disable Fast Startup via Registry Editor

1. Try with the standard approach

You’ve probably tried it already but we should give it another go. Firstly, reboot your PC as the problem might be caused by a temporary bug.

This wouldn’t be the first time for a system feature to go missing, especially if you’ve only recently installed the system. Also, the same can happen if you’ve made upgrades to the latest Windows 10 version.

Those usually re-enable Fast Startup by default but nothing is certain when it comes to Windows 10 and optimization.

On the other hand, if the Fast Startup option is still missing from the Shutdown settings section, move to additional steps.

2. Check BIOS

The next step is to inspect related BIOS/UEFI settings. There might be something related to Fast Startup and it’s disabled by default. If you can’t see the Fast Startup option, you can be sure it’s disabled.

However, if you want to utilize the system UI to tweak your boot settings, we’ll need to start from BIOS.

If you’re not sure how to boot into BIOS/UEFI settings, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Choose Update & Security.
  3. Select Recovery from the left pane.
  4. Under the Advanced startup, click Restart now.
  5. Choose Troubleshoot.
  6. Select Advanced options.
  7. Choose UEFI Firmware Settings and click Restart.
  8. Once there, enable Fast Boot and save changes.
  9. Exit and reboot your PC.

3. Try with Local Group Policy Editor

The second method besides BIOS (only applicable on Pro and Enterprise versions of Windows 10) concerns changing some Local Group Policy settings.

The Local Group Policy Editor allows you to take complete control over almost anything on your PC in order to limit permissions.

This, of course, requires the users to have administrative permission in order to make changes.

Here’s how to disable Fast Startup within the Local Group Policy Editor:

  1. In the Windows Search bar, type Group Policy and open Edit group policy.
  2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Shutdown.local GPE disable fast startup disable fast startup windows 10 registry
  3. Right-click on the Require use of fast startup line and click Edit.
  4. Make sure that you choose either Disabled or Not configured in order for Fast Startup to be accessible in local settings.
  5. Confirm changes and navigate to Power Options > Choose what power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable and disable Fast Startup.
  6. If you set it to Enabled, the Fast Boot will be enabled by default and you won’t be able to disable it from within the System settings.

4. Check whether Hibernation is enabled

As you might know, Fast Startup won’t work if you’ve disabled Hibernation. Without the ability to hibernate, Windows 10 won’t be able to utilize the Fast Startup feature.

There’s a simple way to check whether Hibernation is indeed enabled or not on your PC. It requires Command Prompt run as administrator.

Follow these steps to re-enable Hibernation if disabled:

  1. In the Windows Search bar, type Command.
  2. Right-click on the Command Prompt and run it as admin.run command prompt as admin can't disable Fast Startup on Windows 10
  3. In the command line, type the following line and press Enter:
    • powercfg.exe /hibernate on
  4. Close the Command Prompt and disable Fast Startup through the Windows UI.

Once you’ve enabled hibernation, navigate to Power Options > Choose what power buttons do > Change settings that are currently unavailable and disable Fast Startup. Just uncheck the box beside it and you’re good to go.

5. Run SFC and DISM

This solution is more of a precautionary measure. In the case of system corruption, even some essential power settings might get unavailable. And there’s always a possibility something broke, especially after a major update.

If that happens, there’s a well-known combo, System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management tools. Both tools check for corruption in system files.

DISM is more reliable in applying fixes, while SFC will provide you with a better general insight into the problem.

Here’s how to run SFC and DISM in a succession:

  1. Type cmd in the Windows search bar, right-click on the Command Prompt and run it as an administrator.
  2. In the command line, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.sfc scannow windows 10 fast startup missing
  3. After that, copy paste these lines one by one and press Enter after each:
    • DISM /online /Cleanup-Image / ScanHealth
    • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  4. Wait until the procedure ends (it might take up to 10 minutes).
  5. Restart your PC.

6. Use the BAT file

And now, we have finally come to 2 different methods to disable Fast Startup despite the option is not available in Shutdown settings. The first and probably the easiest method is utilized by running a preset BAT file which will do everything for you.

You won’t need to meddle with Registry on your own in order to disable it.

Here’s how to disable Fast Startup with the BAT file:

  1. Download the BAT script file, here.
  2. Right-click on the file and run it as an administrator.
  3. Wait until the changes are made and reboot your PC.

7. Disable Fast Startup via Registry Editor

Finally, the second method we can suggest relies on disabling Fast Startup by editing the Registry. Now, we strongly suggest backing up your Registry before making any changes to it.

Also, make only recommended changes and don’t meddle with the Registry unknowingly.

Follow these instructions to disable Fast Startup via Registry Editor:

  1. In the Windows Search bar, type Registry and open Registry Editor.open registry editor disable fast startup windows 10 registry
  2. Navigate to
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsSystem
  3. Right-click in the right pane and create a new DWORD.
  4. Name it HiberbootEnabled and set its value to 0.
  5. Exit Registry and you should be good to go.

With that said, we can conclude this article. In case you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to tell us in the comments section below. We look forward to hearing from you.

Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter app: All you Need to Know

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Microsoft’s Wireless Display Adapter is a valuable tool that connects your Windows 10 device to a TV screen, monitor, or projector.

So, you can stream movies, view photos, or display a presentation on a big screen without cables, and in this guide we’ll show you how to perform Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter setup.

Table of contents

Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter Explained

What is a wireless display adapter app?

A wireless display adapter app is a software application that allows you to wirelessly display the screen of one device on another device, such as a TV or a monitor.

It allows you to project the screen of one device onto another without needing any physical cables.

Typically, you install the wireless display adapter app on both devices and connect both devices to the same Wi-Fi network.

Once the app is installed and the devices are connected, you can use the app to connect the devices and begin mirroring the screen. In addition, many wireless display adapter apps are available, including popular options such as Google Chromecast, Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter, and Apple AirPlay.

These apps are often used for presentations, gaming, and other applications where displaying content from one device to another is helpful without any physical connections.

How does the Microsoft Wireless Display adapter work?

The Microsoft Wireless Display adapter is a device that allows you to wirelessly display the screen of one device, such as a laptop or a smartphone, on another device, such as a TV or a monitor. Here’s how it works:

  1. The Microsoft Wireless Display adapter connects to the HDMI port of your TV or monitor.
  2. The adapter uses Wi-Fi Direct technology to create a direct wireless connection between your device and the adapter.
  3. You connect your device to the adapter using the Miracast wireless display standard. Miracast is a wireless display standard allowing you to stream video and audio content from one device to another.
  4. Once your device is connected to the adapter, you can wirelessly display your device’s screen on your TV or monitor. You can do this for various purposes, such as watching movies, playing games, or giving presentations.

How can I download the Microsoft Wireless Display adapter app?

  1. Open the Microsoft Store app on your Windows 10 device by clicking the icon on your Taskbar.
    wireless display adapter app
  2. Type Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter in the search bar; press Enter, then click on the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter app from the search results.
    wireless display adapter app
  3. Click on the Get button to download and install the app.

How do I use the Wireless Display Adapter app?

  1. Launch the app, and a pop-up message will appear on the screen asking you to help Microsoft improve the next version of the software. In addition, you can specifically send Microsoft information about your system and how you use the software. The company pledges to respect user data privacy.
    Help improve wireless adapter app
  2. Plug the USB and HDMI from the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter into your big-screen device. You can then connect your Windows 10 computer to your big screen.
  3. Go to Action Center, and select Connect. Your computer will start searching for wireless displays and audio devices. Then, select the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter.
    search wireless devices windows 10
  4. If the adapter fails to connect, go to Settings by pressing Windows + I.
  5. Select Devices, click on Bluetooth & other devices, choose Add Bluetooth or other devices, and select Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter.
  6. You can then go to Adapter Settings, name the adapter, select the language, and adjust the screen. You can also secure your device and set a password to prevent unauthorized access.
  7. If you want to install the latest updates for Microsoft’s Wireless Display Adapter, navigate to Firmware and check for updates.
    update microsoft wireless adapter
  8. If you want to refresh the connection, select the Restart Adapter option in the left-hand corner.

You can use this app to name the adapter, adjust the screen, change the TV or monitor language, set a password to lock the adapter so that nobody can use it without your acceptance, change the adapter pairing mode, and more.

Now that the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter setup is finished, you should be able to stream content to other screens wirelessly.

Is it possible to download the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter app without the Store?

Officially, this process is not straightforward, but a couple of services will help you download MS Store apps like the Wireless Display Adapter app without using the Store.

We have written a comprehensive article on how to Download the MS Store apps without the Store.

FAQs

What is the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter?

The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter is a device that lets you mirror or extend your PC, tablet, or smartphone screen to an HDTV or monitor wirelessly using Miracast technology.

How do I set up the Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter?

Plug the adapter into your TV’s HDMI and USB ports. On your Windows device, press Windows + K, select your TV from the list, and choose Connect. Your screen will appear on the TV in seconds.

Why won’t my PC connect to the adapter?

Make sure both devices support Miracast, the adapter’s firmware is updated, and you’re within range. Try restarting your PC and TV, then reconnect. Also, verify that Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are enabled.

Can I use the adapter without Wi-Fi?

Yes. The Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter creates a direct wireless connection between your PC and TV, so you don’t need an internet connection for screen mirroring.

Still having trouble with pairing, black screens, or random disconnects? Follow our full Microsoft Wireless Display Adapter not working guide to fix common Windows 10 issues step by step.

There you go; we hope this quick guide helped you connect your Windows 10 computer to a bigger display device.

Now that you know how this feature works, don’t miss our guide on how to cast Windows to a TV for more information.

⇒ Get Wireless Display Adapter 

User profile error after Windows 10/11 Update [QUICK FIX]

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Many users reported that a pop-up alert appears when they turn on the computer after Windows 10 v1903 was installed. The message states that something is wrong with the user profile.

The screenshot is posted below, followed by this message:

Can someone tell me what this means? And how can I fix whatever it is. When I turn on my pc I keep getting this pop up, that I need to contact my administrator. But I am the administrator!!

pop up image event properties

As the message box from the pop-up window states, the error might be caused by some network issues.

Also, as an independent advisor responding to the message says, the problem might appear if the PC thinks it is a server.

Moreover, the same user comes with a possible solution:

Try creating a new Local Admin account, sign into it, test if the problem persists. 

Creating a new Local Admin account is probably the simplest way to solve this error. The procedure is relatively easy, and you can check our complete guide.

Of course, another solution is to revert to the Windows v1809 OS. This could not be an option for some, because they need the new features that the May 2019 Update has to offer.

Have you encountered issues with your user profile after the update? Let us know in the comment section below.

  • How do I reset my user profile?
There is no actual reset button for your user profile. You will need to delete it and create it again. If you don’t know how to do that, just read our step-by-step guide.
  • What causes a corrupt user profile in Windows 10?
Sometimes this is caused by a problem with your registry. If your user profile is corrupted, you won’t be able to load it, and sometimes, you won’t even be able to log in toWindows 10.

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Windows 10 Unigram Telegram app updates to 4.0 with major new features and changes

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

The popular third-party Telegram app, Unigram, received a massive update this week that brought it up to Version 4.0 and added several new features that users should be excited about such as chat folders for organizing conversations and media streaming.

Here’s the full release notes:

Chat folders

  • Organize chats into Chat Folders if you have too many chats.
  • Create custom folders with flexible settings, or use default recommendations.
  • Pin an unlimited number of chats in each folder.
  • Right click on a chat in your chat list to add it to a folder.

Stream Videos and Audio files

  • You can now play any Videos and Audio files without having to download them.

Improved stickers, GIFs and emojis

  • Stickers and GIFs are now animated in the sticker panel and inline bots results.
  • Enjoy greatly enhanced loading times for GIFs.
  • Quickly find GIFs in emoji-based sections covering the most popular emotions.
  • Check the Trending Tab for the top reactions of the day.
  • Right click on any GIF in search results to save it to your collection.
  • Pinned stickers panel
  • Emoji sets have been updated to Unicode 12.1.
  • Inline bots got a lot of love as well: all results are now displayed correctly.

Improved files sender and media editor

  • New files sender optimized for desktop.
  • Choose whether to send your photos and videos as media, files or albums.
  • Send uncompressed videos and GIFs.
  • New media editor to crop, rotate, flip images and to draw on them.

Improved storage optimization

  • Storage optimization screen got a slick redesign and a more polished UX.

… and more!

  • This release also includes more than 300 between bug fixes and improvements plus UI polishing in the whole app.

Unigram rose to popularity among Windows users a while ago due to frequent updates and support for Windows 10 Mobile Windows phones. While support for the mobile version has since been discontinued, the PC version continues to iterate with new features and added functionality. It’s even available to use on Xbox One consoles though it’s unclear how many do.

Do you use Unigram or do you prefer the official Telegram app? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments below and then follow us on Pinterest for more Windows app content.

Unigram—Telegram for Windows
Unigram—Telegram for Windows
Download
QR-Code

Unigram—Telegram for Windows
Developer:
Unigram, Inc.
Price:
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5 best laptops under 3lbs [Updated List]

Posted on by Matthew Adams

Laptops have become increasingly smaller and more lightweight over the years. Very lightweight laptops are known as Ultrabooks.

Those are laptops that are under an inch thick and typically have 13 or 14-inch displays. Most laptops that weigh in at under three pounds are Ultrabooks.

However, there are also some lightweight 2-in-1 convertible laptops that are lighter than three pounds. Check out these super lightweight laptops.

Deals are subject to change. Sometimes, some of the deals listed in our guides may no longer be available by the time you hit the buy button. So, hurry up and grab them while they’re hot.

What are the best light laptops on the market?

LG Gram 17

  • Plenty of storage space
  • Excellent battery life
  • Expansive QHD 17-inch display
  • Lots of ports
  • Graphical performance isnu2019t great
Amazon Product Check price

LG gram 17 is the most lightweight 17-inch laptop in the world. Furthermore, its expansive display also boasts a very decent 2,560 x 1,600 QHD resolution.

The IPS panel covers 95.1 percent of the sRGB color gamut. It’s a quality VDU with excellent colors few Ultrabooks can match.

Aside from its great 17-inch display, the LG gram 17 packs in a 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16 GB RAM, and one TB storage.

Those are pretty solid specs, but its Intel UHD Graphics 620 GPU’s graphical performance doesn’t compare that favorably to the best NVIDIA GPUs.

The portability of the LG gram is enhanced with its terrific battery. The LG gram’s battery can last up to 17 hours. So, this is an ideal choice for users who take their laptops out and about.

Dell XPS 13 9310

  • Top-notch performance
  • Minimal monitor bezels
  • Quality 4K or Full HD displays
  • An alternative 2-in-1 convertible XPS 13 model is available
  • Long-lasting battery that lasts up to 15 hours
  • Small number of ports
Amazon Product Check price

The Dell XPS 13 is among the most high-rated ultraportable laptops, which incorporates a cutting-edge 11th generation Intel Tiger Lake processor that delivers serious performance.

Its best model has 16 GB RAM, expansive one TB SSD storage, and a 13.4-inch display with a great 4K resolution.

As a Dell laptop, the XPS 13 comes with the Dell Mobile Content software. That’s a handy addition for users who need to transfer files from smartphones to laptops with regularity.

Its power button’s integrated fingerprint scanner is also a handy login feature.

Surface Laptop 3

  • Plenty of storage space
  • Good battery with fast recharging
  • Classy design
  • Sharp QHD (2,496 x 1,664) display
  • AMD Ryzen model delivers superior graphics performance
  • Lacks a Thunderbolt 3 port
Amazon Product Check price

Surface Laptop 3 is a good value Ultrabook with an elegant design that’s available with 13 and 15-inch monitors and various color options.

With a 10th gen Intel i7-1065G7 processor, 16 GB RAM, one TB SSD, and an integrated Intel Iris GPU, and QHD display this is a strong productivity laptop.

There’s also an AMD Surface Laptop 3 model that’s better for gaming. That packs in an AMD Ryzen 7 3780U processor and Radeon RX Vega 11 GPU and supports DirectX12 and FreeSync.

Since we’re talking about it, have a look at our comprehensive list of the best FreeSync monitors that you can buy right now.

However, that AMD model weighs a bit more than three Ibs (about a 0.7 Ibs difference with the lighter one).

Another good thing about this laptop is its all-day battery that lasts up to 11 hours. That battery also recharges very quickly. So, you don’t have to wait around much longer than an hour for this laptop to get fully charged.

HP Elite Dragonfly

  • Top-notch 4K resolution VDU
  • Decent battery that can last about 12-13 hours without a recharge
  • Fast multitasking performance
  • Good variety of ports
  • Itu2019s quite pricey
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The HP Elite Dragonfly is a productivity laptop that’s had rave reviews. Its best configuration has a sharp 4K resolution display with an IPS panel for better viewing angles and colors.

With a 4.6 GHz Intel Core i7-8565U CPU and 16 GB RAM, this laptop can handle heavy multitasking with aplomb.

If you’d like to upgrade your RAM, take a look at our nice list of the best 16 GB RAM you can buy in 2021.

The HP Elite Dragonfly is also a flexible 2-in-1 convertible laptop you can utilize as a tablet. With its 360-degree hinge, users can lie this laptop flat or in its stand or tent mode.

A stylus pen comes included with Dragonfly, which will come in handy for design software.

Razer Blade Stealth 13

  • Includes a dedicated NVIDIA GPU for superior graphics
  • Includes a Thunderbolt 3 port
  • A 4K resolution model is available
  • Can run the best Windows games
  • Minimal bezels
  • Battery life doesnu2019t compare favorably with other Ultrabooks
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This is the world’s first Ultrabook gaming laptop. The Blade Stealth has a Full HD 13-inch VDU with a fast 120 Hz refresh rate.

It also packs in an 11th generation Intel i7 processor and a GTX 1650 Ti GPU, which gives it better graphical performance than Ultrabooks with integrated GPUs.

This laptop is also compatible with the Razer Core X external graphics thanks to its Thunderbolt 3 port.

Core X is an external graphics card unit you can connect with the Stealth to supercharge it with desktop graphics cards. So, the Stealth is akin to a desktop gaming rig when hooked up with a Razer Core X.

These are some of the best laptops available that are lighter than three Ibs. If you want to check out some beefy laptops, check out this great list of the best gaming laptops on the market.

These options are extremely portable laptops with solid system specs that have great lightweight designs and long-lasting batteries.

Windows 10 2004 drawing app bug has an easy workaround

Posted on by Don Sharpe

Despite the many useful features Windows 10 2004 brings, the OS is associated with dozens of update bugs. Some of the issues are so serious that Microsoft put affected PCs on a compatibility hold, effectively preventing them from upgrading to the latest OS version from the company.

A significant chunk of these bugs have something to do with Windows 10 drivers incompatibility.

Still, Microsoft has acknowledged yet another glitch affecting Windows 10 May Update users. While the bug doesn’t block updates, it causes external display issues in laptops and tablets.

Workaround for the Windows 10 2004 drawing app problem

The bug affects Windows 10 2004 devices that have a built-in display, for example a laptop.

So, if you connect your laptop or tablet to an external monitor that’s set to mirror the built-in display, both monitors will have a flickering problem.

More so, the external display goes dark if you try drawing in any Office app. The bug affects MS Word, Whiteboard, and other applications that support drawing.

Additionally, a quick review in Device Manager shows a warning sign next to your graphics controller.

There’s good news for affected users: You can fix the issue by simply restarting your Windows 10 machine.

The external monitor should recover if you restart your device. Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows 10 version 2004. We are working to fix the issue in a future version of the operating system.

Plus, Microsoft  said that it’s working to fix the issue. The only not-so-optimistic news coming out of that announcement is that only a future version of Windows 10 can address the bug.

While the external display problem doesn’t prevent users from using their Windows 10 PCs, it seems too severe to fix with a minor update.

What Windows 10 2004 bugs have you encountered so far while using your PC? Feel free to let us know (or ask any questions) via the comments section below.

Windows 10 search for Chrome yields Microsoft Edge promo

Posted on by Don Sharpe

There was a time when a browser from Microsoft, Internet Explorer, dominated usage. IE required no aggressive pushing because it faced no serious competition then. Well, things changed, and that isn’t the case with the new Microsoft Edge.

Another browser, Chrome, is the most popular now. So, Microsoft is employing all manner of tricks to bring Edge to the attention of Windows 10 users looking for rival browsers.

Microsoft Edge Windows search promo

According to Bleeping Computer, Windows 10 users are encountering Microsoft Edge ads whenever they try searching for a rival browser. So, when you launch Chrome or another browser by searching it first in Windows 10, you’ll likely get an ad recommending Edge.

This is neither the first nor the last time the Redmond-based tech giant is pushing ads for its new Chromium-based browser to Chrome or Firefox users.

For example, some OneDrive users have been getting a similar promo when they access their accounts via a competing browser. However, at least you can get rid of the banner ad in OneDrive by clicking the close button.

However, there’s no way to remove or close the Windows 10 search Edge ads that Bleeping Computer reported recently. Users have in the past complained about potentially intrusive promos that Microsoft likes to push across its platforms from time to time.

The latest Edge campaign is likely to attract the same negative sentiments, especially if it’s impossible for users to disable or close the ads. Nonetheless, the new Microsoft Edge is much improved, compared to legacy Edge that Windows 10 isn’t supporting.

Microsoft isn’t the only tech company promoting its browser through in-app ads, though. In fact, Google is delivering a similar promo for Chrome to Edge users with Gmail accounts.

As always, feel free to share your thoughts or ask any questions via the comments section below.

Firefox 78 offers a quicker way to reopen closed tabs

Posted on by Don Sharpe

Everyone has accidentally closed a web browser tab at some point in their life. It’s easy to make that mistake and close the wrong tab, especially when you’ve got many open tabs. While the ability to reopen closed tabs is not something new, Firefox 78 will change how you can use it.

Firefox 78 offers a quicker way to reopen closed tabs

Firefox 78 will let you open multiple closed tabs by going to the Tab content menu and choosing Undo Close Tabs (via Techdows). You’ll be able to download the browser by June 30, 2020.

It appears that this feature only works after you’ve closed more than one tab using the Close Multiple Tabs submenu. For example, you can close multiple tabs by right-clicking on a tab and selecting Close other Tabs.

If you did it accidentally, you can quickly fix the mistake in Firefox 78 by first right-clicking on the active tab. The context menu that comes up will show the Undo Closed Tabs option. Selecting it reverses the inadvertent closure of multiple tabs.

Any browser feature that fast tracks your access to the web is certainly welcome all the time.

But users have to be moderate with the use of the Undo Closed Tabs update coming with the next version of Mozilla Firefox. It appears that using that capability on too many closed tabs at once can cause the browser to crash.

The latest Firefox browser, version 77, allows you to reopen closed tabs too. But the process is a bit longer.

The version has a host of impressive new features, though, such as the availability of WebRender to more Windows 10 users. Hopefully, the upcoming Firefox 78 improves these native capabilities further.

The ability to reopen closed tabs is not unique to Firefox. Chrome, Chromium-based Edge, Opera and others have it too. So, we created a guide to show you how to do it in these browsers. You can check it out anytime!

In case you have any questions or thoughts about the upcoming Firefox 78 or any other browser, you can always reach for the comments section below!

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Intel working to fix Windows 10 2004 Optane memory bug

Posted on by Don Sharpe

Windows 10 2004 finally came out on May 27 with plenty of new features. It introduced a much-revamped Cortana app with enterprise-oriented capabilities, reserved storage improvements, and even the ability to troubleshoot your PC in safe mode by signing in via Windows Hello.

But Windows 10 2004 installation didn’t go smoothly for some users. Multiple issues caused (and still are causing) update failure, with Microsoft putting many of the affected devices on a compatibility hold.

An Intel Optane memory is the latest to affect users of the Windows 10 May 2020 Update.

According to Windows Latest, the microchip maker acknowledged the existence of the compatibility issue.

Intel to fix the Windows 10 2004 Optane memory issue

An Intel spokesperson who spoke with Windows Latest confirmed that the company, in partnership with Microsoft, is developing a solution.

On May 31, 2020, Microsoft acknowledged the problem after a user had tweeted about it.

The company confirmed the likelihood that the Intel Optane may be incompatible with the May 2020 update. It also suggested to the user that installing the latest Intel driver for the hardware might help.

According to Intel, it appears the Optane memory compatibility issue hasn’t affected a lot of users, though.

The company’s spokesperson added that users of Optane SSDs or server products didn’t experience the issue.

As a rule of thumb, you can always uninstall any application that causes compatibility problems with otherwise healthy hardware or hardware drivers. That can be an option as you wait for Intel and Microsoft to roll out a permanent solution.

Alternatively, users that have noticed an Optane M10 or H10 issue after updating to Windows 10 2004 can try to repair the system.

To do that, go to Programs and Features and choose Intel Optane Pinning Explorer Extensions. Next, click Repair.

Have you encountered any driver compatibility issue while updating to Windows 10 2004? You can always share your experience in the comments section below.

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Microsoft offers free Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 when you purchase a discounted Galaxy Note10

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

The US Microsoft Store is currently offering a free Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 with every purchase of a Galaxy Note 10 smartphone (via SamMobile). The offer is available with both the 6.3″ Note10 and 6.8″ Note10+ devices, and you will get a $279 Galaxy Watch Active 2 absolutely free of charge.

In addition to the pretty hefty freebie, the Samsung Galaxy Note10 is now available starting at $849 with 256GB of storage, while the Galaxy Note10+ starts at $999 for the 256GB version. These smartphones are currently available in Aura Glow, Aura White, Aura Black colors, and we invite you to check the Microsoft Store listing to make your choice.

 

Samsung Galaxy Note10 series deal

Smartphones aren’t exactly front and center on the Microsoft Store, and Microsoft is actually only selling Samsung phones as of this writing. The Korean company has a special partnership with Microsoft, with the premium Galaxy smartphones enjoying an exclusive “Link to Windows” feature that makes interacting with a Windows 10 PC really seamless.

Do you think this deal a good opportunity to make the jump to a Galaxy Note10, or is a free smartwatch not enough to tempt you? Sound off in the comments below.

Green Browser: Here’s everything you need to know

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

The history of web browsers is quite rich, and while today’s market is dominated by a couple of browsers, in the past there were more viable solutions.

One such browser is the Green Browser, and in today’s article, we’re going to show you some of its features and let you know if the browser is still viable.

What is Green Browser and should I use it?

1. What is Green Browser?

greenbrowser main window

Green Browser was made by a Chinese company, quicker and it’s based on Internet Explorer’s Trident rendering engine.

One highlight of this browser is its low memory requirement, so it should work on any older PC. The browser is similar to Maxthon and some of Maxthon addons will work with Green Browser.

The browser supports mouse gestures and it has its own adblocker. Thanks to the collector feature, you can easily save snippets of text from pages for later use.

Additional features include a page manager, a quick menu for elements, and a floating video player that stays on top of other applications.

Green Browser is discontinued and the latest version was released in December 2016.

⇒ Get Green Browser

2. What are Green Browser alternatives?

Green Browser uses Trident’s rendering engine which is outdated by today’s standards, and since the application is discontinued, it’s vulnerable to attacks.

This is why a browser such as Opera would be a better choice. Opera is humble in terms of requirements, so it should be able to handle any website.

The browser also has a built-in ad blocker, as well as tracking protection that will block tracking scripts and cookies, and make web pages load faster.

For an extra layer of protection, there’s a built-in VPN that you can use. The VPN is completely free and it offers unlimited bandwidth.

Additional features include a pop-out video player, the ability to take screenshots, integrated messenger and Instagram, the ability to organize tabs into workspaces, and much more.

Opera

An excellent web browser that offers many useful tools, including the ability to save and print your web pages.
Free Visit website

Green Browser had its place in the early 2000s, but nowadays, it has been completely outperformed by Opera and all other modern web browsers.

Xbox One bundles make use of new “Digital Direct” feature to redeem free content

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

It seems that Microsoft may soon stop including digital codes to redeem free content in Xbox One bundles. Instead, the company has debuted a new “Digital Direct” feature that allows consumers to redeem all digital content included with an Xbox One bundle during the setup process.

This new Digital Direct feature recently spotted by consumers who purchased the Limited Edition Xbox One X Cyberpunk 2077 bundle (via Thurrott.com). As the game won’t be released until September, consumers can already use Digital Direct to redeem the game by signing in with their Microsoft account after booting up the console.

No More Digital Codes With Console Bundles, First Account Linked To New Xbox Gets License from xboxone

Microsoft explains this new Digital Direct feature on this page, though Brad Sams from Thurrott.com reported on it first back in December 2018 when it was codenamed “Roma.” While this new feature is more convenient for consumers, it’s also less flexible than digital codes that used to be included in Xbox One bundles: With Digital Direct, all digital content (Games, Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Live Gold subscriptions) included in an Xbox One bundle will be attached to the first Microsoft Account that redeems it. In other words, you can no longer gift this content to friends, as you could do with digital codes.

It’s not clear if all Xbox One bundles now use Digital Direct to redeem free content instead of digital codes. Anyway, all Xbox One bundles are currently sold out on the Microsoft Store, and the  45,000 units of the aforementioned Limited Edition Cyberpunk 2077 bundle sold out really quickly.

Lunascape browser for Windows 10: What you need to know

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

The browser market is dominated by major web browsers, but there are many lesser-known web browsers that offer some amazing features.

One of these browsers is Lunascape, and in today’s article, we’ll take a closer look at its browser and see how it compares to modern browsers.

What is Lunascape browser and should I use it?

1. What is Lunascape?

Lunascape was first released in 2001, and unlike other browsers, it used not one but three rendering engines. This was an amazing feature since it allowed you to switch the rendering engine on the fly.

Of course, an option for auto-switching was available as well, so the browser would always choose the most suitable rendering engine for a specific website.

The browser has the ability to display tabs in multiple rows, as well as support for mouse gestures. It’s also worth mentioning that the browser has a wide array of tab management features.

Overall, Lunascape offers some interesting features, but the browser hasn’t been updated since 2018.

⇒ GetLunascape

2. Should I use Lunascape?

lunascape browser for windows 10

Lunascape gained popularity with its ability to switch the rendering engine on the fly. In the past, not all browsers followed the same standards, so the ability to switch rendering engines was more than useful.

Nowadays, browsers follow web standards more closely, so there’s no need to focus on rendering engines. The largest problem of the modern Internet is security, and this is where Opera One shines.

Opera One has its own tracking protection, so it will block tracking cookies and scripts and make your web pages load faster. In addition, Opera One has a built-in ad blocker and an AI.

For more security, there’s a free VPN with unlimited bandwidth available. Other features include the ability to organize tabs into workspaces, a pop-out video player, and instant messenger integration.

Opera One is built on the Chromium engine, so it supports Chrome extensions, and with availability on all mobile and desktop platforms, there’s no reason not to try it.

Opera One

Go for a web browser that is fast, secure, stable, and built using the best engine available: the Chromium engine
Free Download Visit website

Lunascape was a great browser in the early 2000s, but after browsers started following web standards more closely, Lunascape was replaced and forgotten.

Have you ever used Lunascape before? Let us know in the comments section below.

FIX: Visit google.com/device and enter this code

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Certain devices can give you a message saying Go to google.com/device on any browser and enter this code.

This message isn’t anything to worry about, and today we’ll show you what to do if you encounter it.

How do I fix google.com/device code message?

1. Follow instructions in the message

  1. Go to google.com/device page.
  2. Now enter the code that is displayed on your device and click Next.
    connect a device connect to device google.com/device on any browser and enter this code
  3. After doing that, your account should be verified and ready to use.

Go to google.com/device on any browser and enter this code message is just a security feature that will protect certain devices and services. It works as a two-factor authentication of sorts.

By entering this code on Google’s device page, you’ll confirm the authenticity of your account and you’ll be allowed to log in.

Although you can do this in any web browser, we’d recommend using Opera One. The browser has its own ad blocker that will block ads and tracking scripts and make websites load faster.

The browser also has a VPN that can be used for circumventing geo-restrictions or as an extra security layer. Of course, the VPN is completely free and it offers unlimited bandwidth.

Opera One is also light on your resources, so it should be able to handle any task with ease. The browser also has the ability to organize tabs into workspaces, and there’s even a built-in messenger and AI.

Opera One is built on Chromium engine, and it works with Chrome apps, so if you’re using any Google device, Opera One will be the perfect choice for it, so feel free to try it.

Opera One

Enter your codes safely knowing that your data is protected by several layers of protection.
Free Download Visit website

Go to google.com/device on any browser and enter this code is just a security measure, and we hope that you understand better why this message appears and how to handle it after reading this article.

Windows 10 news recap: Xbox app could add mod support for PC games, Xbox Game Bar adds support for third-party widgets, and more

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Welcome back to our Windows 10 news recap, where we go over the top stories of the past week in the world of Microsoft’s flagship operating system.

Microsoft’s GroupMe app updates on Windows 10 devices with support for Dark Mode

The GroupMe app on Windows 10 has received a new update that adds support for dark mode, allowing it synchronise with your system-wide setting for the theme.

Microsoft GroupMe app icon.

Xbox app on Windows 10 shows traces of incoming mod support for PC games

The new Xbox app on Windows 10 has been found to show traces of mod support for PC games arriving in the future, such as enabling easy access to a game’s mods folder.

Xbox Game Bar on Windows 10 now supports third-party widgets

Those looking to customise their Xbox Game Bar experience on Windows 10 can now do so, thanks to the support of third-party widgets. A new Widgets Store provides access to the available widgets, including some from Razer and XSplit.

Xbox Console Companion UWP app to be replaced with the new Game Pass-focused Xbox app

The Xbox Console Companion app on Windows 10 is set to be replaced shortly by the newer Xbox app, which focuses more on Xbox Game Pass.

That’s it for this week. We will be back next week with more Windows 10 news.

Microsoft Teams free lifts meeting length and size limit

Posted on by Don Sharpe

Between now and when COVID19 became a global menace, Microsoft Teams has undergone a significant transformation.

As over 44 million people sign into the Office 365-powered tool daily, Microsoft has been improving it to empower millions of remote workers that can no longer report to their former physical offices.

For example, the platform’s Meetings feature has expanded in capacity to support up to 250 participants per session. At the same time, Microsoft is working to extend that limit to 300.

However, only paying customers have been leveraging the best of Microsoft Teams features, including Meetings. That’s set to change with the Redmond giant rolling out extra features to Teams free users.

Microsoft Teams lifts meetings length restrictions

For now, Microsoft Teams free users can have meetings of any length and size on the platform. Microsoft said it made that change in response to the corona virus pandemic.

Significant benefits that started rolling out to Teams free users on June 2, 2020 include the ability to create Meetings.

As such, any number of non-paying users can now set up and hold video or audio conferencing sessions in Teams.

Not only can these users create instant meetings, but they can also schedule future conferencing events.

Similarly, you can share the content on your screen with others for free. That may include a specific app window, the entire desktop, or a PowerPoint file.

However, it appears that Microsoft hasn’t removed storage restrictions in place for Teams free users.

The non-premium version allows up to 2GB per user and 10GB in the event of shared storage. This limitation can impact the ability to store recorded Meetings sessions.

Nonetheless, this move by Microsoft may pay back when more users upgrade to the commercial version of Teams after sampling some of its premium features.

What do you think of the extra Microsoft Teams free features now available to users? You can always reach for the comments section below to share your thoughts or ask any question.

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Microsoft Edge supports controversial deep-linking feature

Posted on by Don Sharpe

Back in February, Google announced it was implementing a feature called scroll to text fragment in Chrome. The capability debuted with version 80, before several other Chromium-based browsers followed suit, including Microsoft Edge.

Scroll to text fragment allows developers or website owners to deep link a text snippet in the URL to any part of a web page.

When the user clicks this type of link, it leads them to a specific block of text or phrase on the target web page. This way, deep-linking lets web visitors navigate to what they’re after much faster.

Scroll to text fragment works in Microsoft Edge

Recently, the folks at Techdows experimented on the deep-linking feature in Microsoft Edge. They found that the capability is supported in the new Chromium-based browser.

However, it appears that the implementation of scroll to text fragment in Edge isn’t perfect yet.

It is surprising to learn that Scroll to Text Fragment works in the New Microsoft Edge browser, but Google search isn’t creating Scroll to text links for featured snippets in the Edge browser and that’s why Edge is also not highlighting text on websites when a user comes from by clicking a featured snippet.

The main issue is that Google search isn’t generating deep links for featured snippets in Microsoft Edge.

So, when you click a featured snippet, Edge will not highlight the intended block of text or phrase on the target web page.

Why scroll to text fragment is controversial

Right now, Chrome, new Microsoft Edge, and Opera are some of the browsers that support scroll to text fragment. But Firefox isn’t joining them anytime soon.

Those opposed to deep-linking argue that the capability is open to abuse. For example, a bad actor may send such links to a web page looking to retrieve potentially confidential data or information.

What’s your take on the user privacy issues stemming from deep-linking browser capabilities? You can always ask any question or share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Microsoft Edge popup banners appear in OneDrive

Posted on by Don Sharpe

Most stats put the market share for Microsoft Edge somewhere between 4% and 6%. Chrome continues to lead by more than 60%.

It’s, therefore, easy to understand why Microsoft is aggressively pushing Edge on people that use rival browsers.

Already, some Windows 10 Search users have reported seeing a message that encourages them to try the new Microsoft Edge.

Microsoft isn’t stopping there. The company is now promoting the browser to OneDrive users, according to a report by Windows Latest.

OneDrive users now targeted with Microsoft Edge messaging

Microsoft is doing a great job with the features it keeps adding to Edge. For instance, automatic profile switching is ideal for users with multiple profiles (such as work and personal).

Also, along with other Chromium-based browsers, Edge recently received a built-in spellchecker. The browser should naturally appeal to more users with all these feature enhancements it’s getting.

But Microsoft also wants to use free advertisement to grow the popularity of Edge.

So, next time you sign into OneDrive, you might encounter a banner message talking up several Microsoft Edge qualities. It appears that Microsoft is delivering the messaging to users of Chrome and other browsers.

The banner has a link you can click to download the Chromium-based browser.

According to Windows Latest, you can quickly get rid of the massage by clicking on the X button.

The Chromium-based browser started rolling out in January 2020, and it still has a long way to go before catching up with industry leader Chrome. For starters, it has to wrestle some market control from the hands of its closest rival, Firefox.

Chrome may be at the top, but Google isn’t sitting pretty either. You can tell that from the Chrome promotions the company is pushing on Gmail users accessing their accounts via Microsoft Edge.

Are the many browser options available today too confusing? Have you chosen your favoriteyet? As always, you can let us know in the comments section below.

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Microsoft Edge users encounter Chrome ads in Gmail

Posted on by Don Sharpe

The entry of the new Microsoft Edge browser is neither the beginning nor the end of browser wars. But it’s certainly an escalation of long-standing tech rivalries.

Such competition comes in different shapes and forms, with each browser company unleashing its most effective weapon to expand its market share.

A perfect case in point is the ongoing Google Chrome ad campaign targeted at Gmail account owners using Microsoft Edge.

Gmail alerts recommend Chrome to Microsoft Edge users

Google has been pushing Chrome ads to Gmail accounts accessed via Edge for a while now.

Probably, after signing into your Gmail account in Microsoft Edge for the first time, you’ve encountered this notification from Google:

Google recommends using Chrome. Try a fast, secure browser with updates built in.

This particular recommendation gives you the option to not switch to Chrome. But if you click Yes, you’re redirected to a page where you can download the browser.

You might be in for a shock if you thought Google was going to end these Chrome promotions targeted at Edge users any time soon.

The company is now delivering similar recommendations via its email security alarm system. When you sign into Gmail on Windows (in Edge) from a new PC, you may receive this promotional message:

Make the most out of Windows 10 with the Chrome browser. Chrome is a fast, simple browser built for the modern web.

While it’s difficult to work out the exact number of users of each desktop browser, most stats point toChrome as the market leader. Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge come at a distant second and third respectively.

As such, Edge doesn’t begin to threaten Chrome’s dominance. But the aggressive nature of Chrome promotions indicate that Google is not taking its browser’s supremacy for granted.

Likewise, Microsoft Edge has a similar campaign via Windows 10 Search. The company has also targeted Firefox users with Edge ads.

What’s your take on the ongoing Microsoft Edge, Chrome, and Firefox market rivalry? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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WiFi packet loss: What is it and how to fix it?

Posted on by Vlad Constantinescu

Using wireless Internet connections is becoming increasingly popular. The main reason is obviously, a wire-free environment. Although more efficient, wires can quickly clutter a place, or at least make it seem that way.

More so, routers are able to accommodate many wireless devices. More than the Ethernet ports on its interface, anyway. And the fact that you can use it on a wider variety of devices makes it even more convenient.

However, using wireless certainly has its downsides, which we’ll discuss briefly in the following sections.

Pros and Cons of WiFi

Pros:

  • It can accommodate a large number of devices
  • You can use it on multiple device types (phones, consoles, tablets)
  • Reduces cable cluttering

Cons:

  • Slower connection speeds
  • Interference
  • Prone to being hacked (wireless passwords can be cracked)
  • Packet loss

What causes WiFi packet loss?

The most common cause of packet loss is network congestion. Therefore, if there are more than just a few devices connected to your wireless network, you might need to do a bit of network management.

However, there can be other causes, as well. For instance, your router might broadcast a weak signal or your ISP might throttle your bandwidth to minimize its costs.

Packet loss WiFi fix

1. Use a VPN

  1. Download Private Internet Access on your PCprotect your data with Private Internet Access
  2. Install it
  3. Launch it
  4. Log into your account
  5. Connect to the server of your choice
  6. Check if the problem still persists

Private Internet Access is an excellent VPN service brought to you by Kape Technologies. It’s a great privacy service that passed all of our tests with flying colors. It has a broad range of servers you can connect to and 24/7 live chat support.

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access

Experiencing WiFi packet loss? PIA may be of help.
$2.85/mo. Buy it now

Using a VPN can do a huge difference if your ISP is ill-intentioned and limits your bandwidth. However, there’s not much a VPN can do if you have hardware issues, your network is overloaded, or the destination server is faulty.

2. Troubleshoot your connection

  • Use our guide to help you run a packet loss testPacket loss analysis Windows with tracert and pathping
  • Identify the troublesome hops on your network
  • Take the corresponding measures depending on the test results

As we’ve said above, more often than not, WiFi packet loss occurs due to network congestion. Thus, there’s nothing much you can do about it, especially if you’re not the network admin.

However, after you run the packet loss test, you can try one of the following suggestions:

  • Fix/upgrade/update/repair/replace any faulty component on your network (PC, router, cables)
  • Call your ISP and ask them to fix the issue if the problem’s on their side
  • Ask your ISP to contact the network distribution company
  • Contact the destination server’s owner (e.g. game server owner, customer support)

When everything else fails, switch to wired

Although this article is supposed to help you bypass WiFi packet loss, the truth is that switching to wired (if and when possible) is the greatest way to avoid this unwanted phenomenon.

Alternatively, you can try using a VPN if you suspect your ISP of foul play, try our suggestions above, or even perform a bit of network management if you have administrative rights over your network.

TF2 packet loss: What is it and how to fix it?

Posted on by Vlad Constantinescu

TF2 (Team Fortress 2) is the sequel of one of the most popular Valve games: Team Fortress Classic. You know how they say sequels are usually awful? Team Fortress 2 is one of the exceptions that shattered the standards quite remarkably.

If you’re not familiar with TF2, the principle is quite simple. You get two teams, a red one and a blue one. Each team holds up to 16 players. You can choose from 9 classes, and each comes with its own awesome set of skills.

Then, depending on the game mode, you compete with the opposing force (pun intended). In some games, you’ll need to push a little cart to its destination, while in others you’ll just engage in mindless fragging ’til you drop.

It’s sheer fun, combined with a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor. If dying in games gets you all worked up, it’s better if you steer away from TF2.

Now for some less pleasant stuff. Since it’s an online game, TF2 faces the same challenges as any other similar game/service. That means high latency, packet loss, jitter, or even connection timeouts.

What is packet loss in TF2?

Packet loss is, generally speaking, one of the worst things you could experience while playing a game. Or using VoIP. Or streaming multimedia content. Essentially, it happens whenever data packets you send/receive never make it to their destination.

This can affect your game experience dramatically since packet loss can cause further issues such as lagging, rubberbanding, crashes, or connection timeouts. And in a beautifully-chaotic game such as TF2, every frame counts if you aim to win.reduce ping in Team Fortress 2 with VPN
The good news is that more often than not, packet loss in TF2 comes and goes. Meaning that it usually fixes itself with no additional assistance from you. And that’s also the bad news, as it means there’s no magic fix.

The most common cause of packet loss in TF2 is network congestion. There are way too many players that the servers can’t easily accommodate. Thus, at times, you might experience packet loss because of that.

However, in some cases, the packet loss might have a more specific cause. And the reasons here vary wildly, from bad Ethernet cables to ISP throttling and TF2 server-side problems.

How to fix packet loss in TF2?

1. Use a VPN

  1. Download Private Internet Access and install it on your PCPIA VPN
  2. Launch it and log into your account
  3. Connect to the server of your choice
  4. Run TF2 and check if the issue still persists

Private Internet Access is a great all-round VPN service from Kape Technologies. It can help you tackle a lot of challenges such as enhancing your privacy, securing your connection, removing geo-restrictions, and sometimes even bypassing packet loss.

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access

Losing packets in TF2? PIA could help you out.
$2.85/mo. Buy it now

However, note that there’s no guarantee that using a VPN will work for you. VPNs can only bypass packet loss if the issue is on your ISP’s side. Thus, if you leak packets on your home connection or if the TF2 servers have some issues, using a VPN won’t work.

2. Troubleshoot the connection manually

  1. Use our guide to run a packet loss test on your connectionPacket loss analysis Windows with tracert and pathping
  2. Determine which hop leaks packets
  3. Take the necessary actions, depending on your findings

Therefore, you can experience packet loss in four different locations. Preferably not at the same time. Namely:

  • Your home network (PC, router, cables, home line)
  • ISP’s network
  • The servers of the network distribution company
  • TF2 game servers

Depending on the location of the leak, you might need to perform some of the following actions:

  • Check/repair/upgrade/update any faulty components on your side
  • Give your ISP a call if you notice anything wrong with their servers
  • Ask your ISP to contact the network distribution company
  • Contact Valve if you notice that the TF2 server is troublesome

Packet loss in TF2 can be fixed most of the time

Long story short, if you’re experiencing packet loss in TF2, you can usually fix it. Most of the time network congestion is the culprit, and all you have to do is wait.

However, in certain situations, the causes can be quite specific and might require you to step in. Last, but not least, even though using a VPN to bypass packet loss might not work all the time, it’s still good practice to invest in a trustworthy VPN such as PIA.

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AWS and Slack integrate as rivalry with Teams intensifies

Posted on by Don Sharpe

AWS and Slack recently announced an expansion of partnership on cloud technologies and workforce collaboration tools. Microsoft’s Azure is Amazon Web Services’ chief rival, while Slack takes on Teams.

Their rivalry just soared a notch higher with the latest announcement.

AWS and Slack join hands to thwart Teams

Amazon and Slack hope to expand their enterprise customer base with collaboration on technologies like AWS.

Slack will be leveraging Amazon Chime, an AWS-based business communications service.

It’s not difficult to see what Slack is going for here—the global reach, availability, and low-latency benefits of the AWS infrastructure.

“Slack and AWS will strategically partner to help distributed development teams communicate and become more efficient and agile in managing their AWS resources from inside Slack. Slack will migrate its Slack Calls capability for all voice and video calling to Amazon Chime.”

They key integrations the two companies announced are:

  1. Amazon Chime to integrate with Slack Calls
  2. AWS Key Management Service integrates with Slack Enterprise Key Management (EKM)
  3. Slack taps leverages AWS Chatbot
  4. Slack integrates with Amazon AppFlow

Competing with Teams is no walk in the park for Slacks

Competing with Microsoft is always a daunting task, especially if the competitor is a smaller company like Slack.

Slack’s strategy involves cranking up third-party app integrations to cater to all the needs of its enterprise customers. On the other hand, Microsoft’s Office 365, which powers Teams, is a one-stop shop with unrivalled breadth and depth.

In other words, for pretty much any single thing Slack brings in from outside, Teams can get it internally.

For example, as Slack integrates with AWS Chatbot, Teams has the Azure bot service at its disposal.

That’s not to say the Slack’s strategy is not working. Instead, it means that Slack has to worry about things like extra costs that come with all these third-party app integrations.

Nonetheless, Slack should be fine if any new partnerships don’t result in extra costs for its customers.

So, what do you think about AWS /Slack integration? Feel free to let us know in the comments section below.

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How to set the dark theme in the new GroupMe for Windows 10

Posted on by Claudiu Andone

GroupMe is a simple chatting app for Microsoft’s platform. You to create chat groups, by adding your friends via their email or mobile phone number.

It’s still favored by college folk all over the US for being that straight forward and simple.

Although the mobile versions of GroupMe got a dark theme years ago, the Windows 10 version somehow was left out. Until now!

How can I change GroupMe to a dark theme?

Well, the good news is that you don’t need to get any programming or hacking done because it’s a clickable option available in the new version, 2.44.7.0.

It’s pretty easy to do if you follow these exact steps:

  1. Open GroupMe and click on the Settings button, the cogwheel from the bottom left corner of the window.GroupMe settings
  2. Click on the box under the App Theme option at the top of the Settings list. Right now, the theme is set to System Default.Groupme app theme
  3. You have two other options, the Light and the Dark. You select the latter, of course.Groupme select dark
  4. After you select the Dark theme, you will see a message under it that prompts you to restart the app if you want for the changes to take effect. Do so.Groupme restart app message
  5. After the restart…Darkness! Enjoy!Dark theme in Groupme

How can I change the system theme to dark?

Without any changes, the GroupMe theme is set to System Default. That means that if your system is set to Dark, the new GroupMe will also start with a dark theme.

If you want to change the systemwide theme to dark, follow the next steps.

  1. Type dark mode systemwide in Windows search and click on the setting from the results.Change to Dark mode systemwide
  2. Click on the box under Choose your color and select Dark. In just a few seconds, you will have your Windows 10 with a dark theme.Change the setting to Dark

Are you a dark mode fan? Do you use GroupMe? Leave us your thoughts in the comments section below.

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PowerToys for Windows 10 gets several bug fixes with latest update

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft has released a new version of PowerToys for Windows 10 with a couple of improvements and bug fixes. The version 0.18.12 of the app specifically addresses a few glitches that affected PowerToys Run, the new search tool similar to macOS’ Spotlight feature that was introduced in the version 0.18 last month,

Microsoft stated that you need to reset PowerToys Run’s app data to apply some of the bug fixes. To do this, head over to the PowerToys Run folder on your PC “%localappdata%/Microsoft/PowerToys/PowerToys Run”, and then delete all the content of this folder.

 

Here’s the full list of improvements and fixes in PowerToys version 0.18.2:

  • #3223 – [Launcher, Tracker] doesn’t find some apps (file explorer, windows terminal,…)
  • #3180 – PowerToys run shows Notepad en Notepad++ twice
    • This is partially fixed, will be fully fixed in 0.19
  • #3599 – Does not find Evernote
  • #3532 – No camera in run
  • #3215 – When PowerToys is running as administrator, everything Run launches is also ran as administrator
  • #3646 – PowerToys Run shows no files or folders when running in admin mode

Microsoft brought back PowerToys last year to give power users new tools to be more productive on a Windows 10 PC, and team working on it has been iterating pretty fast so far.  For anyone interested in learning more about the latest version, we invite you to check out the official GitHub page.

Windows Update cannot currently check for updates [Full Fix]

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Serious issues with Windows Update can sometimes occur, even if you’re expecting the best when a new version becomes available.

Many users reported Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because you must first restart the computer so that a previous installation can be completed message on their PC.

This message can be quite problematic, and in today’s article, we’ll show you how to fix it.

How can I fix Windows Update cannot check for updates?

  1. Edit your registry
  2. Make sure that your date and time are correct
  3. Make sure that the necessary services are running
  4. Delete the corrupted Windows log file
  5. Reset Windows Update components
  6. Run Windows Update troubleshooter
  7. Install the update manually
  8. Perform an in-place upgrade

1. Edit your registry

  1. Press Windows Key + R and enter regedit. Press Enter or click OK.
    Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running
  2. When Registry Editor opens, navigate to ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionWindowsUpdateAuto Update in the left pane. Now right-click Auto Update key and choose Export from the menu.
    Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because updates on this computer are controlled by
  3. Enter the desired file name, choose a save location, and click the Save button. In case anything goes wrong after modifying the registry, you can always run this file in order to restore it.
    Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running
  4. Expand the Auto Update key in the left pane and search for the RebootRequired key. If this key is available, right-click it and choose Delete from the menu. When the confirmation dialog appears, click Yes.

According to users, sometimes the Windows Update cannot currently check for updates message can appear due to problems with your registry.

Windows creates RebootRequired key when Windows Update starts, and once the update process is finished, this key is removed.

Unfortunately, sometimes issues with Windows Update can occur, and the key won’t get deleted by Windows. However, you can fix the problem simply by removing that key manually.

After making these changes, restart your PC and the problem should be resolved.

2. Make sure that your date and time are correct

  1. Right-click the clock icon on your Taskbar. Choose Adjust date/time option from the menu.
    Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because updates on this computer are controlled by
  2. Now locate Set time automatically option and turn it off. Wait for a few moments and enable this feature back on again.
    Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running

If you’re getting Windows Update cannot currently check for updates message, the problem might be your date and time.

If your date or time isn’t correct, you might not be able to check for updates. However, you can easily fix this problem by readjusting your date and time. To do that, just follow the above steps.

After doing that, check if the problem is still there. If you want, you can also use the Change button to manually adjust your date and time.

3. Make sure that the necessary services are running

  1. Press Windows Key + R and enter services.msc. Now press Enter or click OK.
    Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because updates on this computer are controlled by
  2. When the Services window opens, locate Background Intelligent Transfer Service and double-click it to open its properties.
    Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running
  3. Set Startup type to Automatic (Delayed Start) and click Apply and OK to save changes.
    Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because updates on this computer are controlled by
  4. Now double-click Windows Update service and change its Startup type to Automatic (Delayed Start).
    Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running
  5. After doing that, try to start both the Background Intelligent Transfer Service and Windows Update service.

According to users, you can experience Windows Update cannot currently check for updates message because the necessary services aren’t running.

To fix this problem, it’s advised to start BITS and Windows Update services manually. After doing that, the problem should be completely resolved and everything should start working again.

4. Delete the corrupted Windows log file

  1. Open File Explorer and go to the C:WindowsSoftwareDistributionDataStoreLogs directory.
  2. Locate edb.log file, and rename it or delete it.
    Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because updates on this computer are controlled by

If you’re unable to update your system due to Windows Update cannot currently check for updates message, the problem might be a corrupted log file.

To fix this issue, it’s recommended to find that log file and remove it or rename it. After doing that, the problem should be completely resolved and you’ll be able to install updates again.

Several users reported The action can’t be completed because the file is open in Application Experience message while trying to edit this file.

If this happens, it’s advised to start your PC in Safe Mode and try to rename or remove the file again.

To do that, just follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app. You can do that by using Windows Key + I shortcut.
  2. When the Settings app opens, navigate to the Update & Security section.
  3. Select Recovery from the left pane. Now click the Restart now button.
  4. You’ll see a list of options. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings. Click the Restart button.
  5. You’ll be presented with a list of options. Select the version of Safe Mode you want to use by pressing the appropriate key.

After you boot to Safe Mode, locate the log file and rename it or delete it.

5. Reset Windows Update components

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator. To do that, just press Windows Key + X to open the Win + X menu and choose Command Prompt (Admin). If you want, you can also use PowerShell (Admin).
  2. When Command Prompt opens, run these commands one by one:
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop cryptSvc
  • net stop bits
  • net stop msiserver
  • Ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
  • Ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
  • net start wuauserv
  • net start cryptSvc
  • net start bits
  • net start msiserver

Sometimes Windows Update cannot currently check for updates message can appear because Windows Update components aren’t working properly.

This can occur for various reasons, and the best way to fix this problem is to reset Windows Update components. This is relatively simple to do, and you can do it by following the above steps.

After these commands are executed, check if the problem is still there.

If you find this solution a bit tedious due to all these commands that you have to run, you can always create Windows Update Reset script. Use it to run them automatically.

6. Run Windows Update troubleshooter

  1. Open the Settings app and go to the Update & Security section.
  2. Select the Troubleshoot from the menu on the left. Pick Windows Update from the list and click the Run the troubleshooter button.
    Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooter.

According to users, the Windows update cannot currently check for updates message can sometimes appear if there’s an issue with Windows Update.

However, Windows 10 comes with various troubleshooters, and you can use them to fix common problems.

If you’re having issues with Windows Update, you might be able to solve the problem simply by running Windows Update troubleshooter.

Once the troubleshooter is finished, check if the problem is still there.

7. Install the update manually

  1. Visit the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
  2. In the search bar enter the update code.
  3. A list of matching updates will now appear. Locate the update that uses the same system architecture as your operating system and download it.
    Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because updates on this computer are controlled by
  4. Once you download the update, double-click it to install it and follow the instructions on the screen.

If you’re getting Windows update cannot currently check for updates, you might be able to circumvent the issue simply by manually installing the updates.

In case you don’t know, you can download the Windows Updates manually and install them on your own.

Before you can do that, you need to get the update code. The code has a KB prefix and it’s followed by an array of numbers, and you can easily find it in the Windows Update section.

After completing the procedure, you should have the latest updates installed and the issue should be resolved.

8. Perform an in-place upgrade

  1. Download and run the Media Creation Tool.
  2. Choose Upgrade this PC now option and click Next.
  3. Select Download and install updates (recommended) and click the Next button.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen. Once you reach Ready to install screen you need to click Change what to keep.
  5. Select Keep personal files and apps and click the Next button.
  6. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.

Windows update cannot currently check for updates can appear if there’s an issue with Windows Update, but you can fix this problem by performing an in-place upgrade.

In case you don’t know, an in-place upgrade will force your system to update and reinstall it while keeping all your files intact.

Once the setup is finished, check if the problem with Windows Update is still there.

Windows Update cannot currently check for updates can be a problematic error, and prevent you from downloading updates, but we hope that you managed to fix it using one of our solutions.

The above solutions may be applied to all these common problems reported by users:

  • Windows update cannot currently check for updates because you must first restart – Even if you’re told to restart the computer, running the Windows Update Troubleshooter is ideal if you want to diagnose the issue automatically.
  • Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running – In order to avoid this message, you need to go to the Services window and make sure that the required services are running properly.
  • Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because updates on this computer are controlled by – This issue can appear if you don’t have the necessary privileges, but you can easily solve it by using one of our solutions.

How to Use Online Proxy Browser

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Protecting your privacy online is relatively simple, and the simplest way to do that is to use a proxy.

There are many online proxies that you can use in your web browser, and in today’s article, we’ll show you how to use them properly.

How do I use online proxy in my web browser?

1. Use proxy extensions

  1. Open your browser’s extension store.
  2. Find the suitable proxy extension and install it.
    proxy extension download online proxy browser
  3. Configure the extension and you’ll be ready to use your proxy.

You’ll notice that many proxy websites offer their browser extensions as well. Using a browser extension has its advantages, and once you enable it, you’ll have a proxy running for all your tabs.

Extensions suffer from the same issues as the websites that provide the same services, and they will offer limited features or ads in the free version.

To avoid these limitations, it’s advised to use a browser that has its own VPN, such as Opera One. Its VPN is completely free, and it comes with no ads or bandwidth limitations as many proxies do.

In addition to VPN, the browser has a built-in ad blocker and the ability to block tracking cookies and scripts in order to speed up your browsing experience.

Even more, it is based on the Chromium engine, and all Chrome extensions should work on Opera One without any issues.

It’s worth mentioning that the browser is light, so it should handle any website with ease.

Opera One

Looking for an online proxy browser? This might be the ideal moment to try out Opera One!
Free Visit Website

2. Visit proxy websites

  1. Visit any proxy website.
  2. Enter the URL that you want to visit.
  3. Optional: Select the desired location of the proxy server.
  4. Now click Go or any other button to visit the website.
    proxy website online proxy browser

This is the simplest method, but it has its flaws. By using this method, you’ll have proxy enabled only on a single website or on a single tab which can be a problem for some users.

In addition, some of these services offer limited features or ads in the free version.

Using an online proxy is usually rather simple, and you can do it easily by following instructions from this article. If you want better and unlimited protection, then Opera with its VPN might be a better choice.

Let us know your choice by using the comments area below.

Microsoft’s GroupMe app updates on Windows 10 devices with support for Dark Mode

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft’s Windows 10 GroupMe app (via WC) received a small update today that brought it up to Version 2.44.7.0 and added support for Dark Mode.

No other changes appear to have been made with this update but it’s still significant as Dark Mode remains a popular feature request for users for pretty much every app that doesn’t have it yet.

GroupMe is a free communication tool that aims to streamline the process of creating groups of contacts and communicating with them in an organized fashion. The app may not be that well-known but it’s actually been around for a while having launched way back in 2010.

Do you use GroupMe? Let us know why or why not in the comments below and then follow us on Pinterest and Twitter for more Microsoft app news.

GroupMe
GroupMe
Download
QR-Code

GroupMe
Developer:
Skype
Price:
Free

The Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox One X bundle is now available and it doesn’t cost $2,000

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

The Xbox One X Cyberpunk 2077 Limited Edition Bundle is now available to buy at Microsoft, GameStop, and other video game retailers. Despite it recently, and incorrectly, being listed as costing $2,000 on the Microsoft Store website last month, it only costs $299.

The bundle contains a special 1TB Xbox One X console that boasts a very cool design with textures, glowing elements, bright panels, LEDs, and even a color shift effect. A limited edition Cyberpunk 2077 Xbox Controller is also included, as are a digital pre-order for the full Cyberpunk 2077 video game (due out in September) and its first DLC (due out post-launch), and a one-month trial of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Check out the full showcase trailer for the console below:

Cyberpunk 2077 is one of the most-hyped video games coming to Xbox One and video game platforms in general. The title has had a strong connection to the Xbox brand since it was first revealed at E3. Make sure to read about this and more in our exclusive interview with CD PROJEKT Red’s John Mamais here.

Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077
Download
QR-Code

Cyberpunk 2077
Developer:
CD PROJEKT RED
Price:
$29.99

How to use MSN in browser

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

MSN web portal was well-known in the past, but over the years it has lost some of its popularity. However, the MSN website is still available and fully functional.

In today’s article, we’re going to show you what MSN is and how to use it in your web browser.

How do I use MSN in my browser?

1. What is MSN?msn browser

MSN is a web portal created by Microsoft way back in 1995. The website is still available, and it still works as a news portal.

In addition, MSN offers links to Microsoft’s services such as Office, Outlook, and OneDrive. It’s worth mentioning that links to other services such as Facebook, Skype, and Twitter are also available for quick access.

MSN can also provide you with the current weather report for your area, and if you need to search for something, there’s a Bing search available at the top.

2. How to use MSN?

Using MSN is incredibly simple – you just have to visit its website and that’s it. Once the website loads, you can read the news or perform other tasks.

Although MSN works in every browser, we recommend using it in Opera One.

Alternatively, Opera One has a news feed on its home page, and you can easily customize it with your own RSS feeds.

use msn in browser

Namely, to use the RSS functionality in Opera One, right click the side bar, and add the Personal news tab to the sidebar.

Then, add the news sources you want by typing the website URL into the blank field. For MSN, you’ll see several options, depending on the subject you want to read about.

opera rss feed

Opera One

Reading the latest MSN news has never been easier with Opera One’s Personal news feed.
Free Download Visit website

Have you ever used MSN? Let us know in the comments below.

Download Audible App for Windows 10/11 & Mac

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Although the joy of reading can never be taken away, sometimes it is more convenient to just put your headphones on and listen to a book.

This is a viable solution when you are on public transportation or in any area with a lot of noise pollution and you wouldn’t be able to concentrate on your book.

Luckily, there are some audiobook players out there that can be of assistance in such scenarios.

Take, for instance, Audible, a well-known service that anyone can use. Apart from being a very simple and easy-to-use audiobook player, it also allows users to buy and download any audiobooks they like.

The service offers users a huge collection of books, which is growing daily. Audible for Windows 10 is also available in the form of an app that users can download, and today we’ll be taking a look at it.

How can I get the Audible app for Windows 10 & Mac?

audible-windows-8-app-audio-book-player-market (1)

Audible for Windows 10 & Mac is a free app that can be downloaded on any Windows 10 and even Windows 8/RT device & Mac and it will act as the gateway to your collection of audiobooks and thousands other from their virtual library.

When you start the app, you will be greeted with a welcome screen where you can see some free samples of audiobooks and browse the virtual store for other titles.

Users who want to buy audiobooks from the app must create an account with Audible, which can be done directly from the app.

Also, you will need an Amazon account for this process to work. After you create your account, you can buy any books you like and pay by inputting your credit card information.

audible-windows-8-app-audio-book-player-market (6)

For past members of Audible, there is the option of simply logging in to their account and on the main window of the app, they will see all the titles that they have purchased.

The app’s user interface is very easy to use and it works very fast, with almost no loading time when switching menus.

audible-windows-8-app-audio-book-player-market (2)

The overall design of the app is pretty good, but there are some areas where some improvement would not harm.

Such is the case with the book search feature, which can be done via the Search Charm.

On most occasions, it renders no results even if the books that you search for exist and another one is the in-app web interface which allows users to use the website search feature.

However, the window is only half-screen, the information is crammed and the design is not as good.

Nevertheless, even with this lower quality design for the in-app web interface, Audible for Windows 10 and Mac is a great app for listening to audiobooks.

It works very well, the media buttons are available from the main window, and the huge collection of titles that it offers give it the edge over its competitors.

audible-windows-8-app-audio-book-player-market (5)

Many liked the app, and although they are fans of reading books, and not listening to them, they admit that Audible for Windows 10 has a lot of potentials and intend to keep using it.

Audible recently received a series of new features and improvements that include:

  • Associated PDFs are now available directly from the player
  • Users can now control playback on hover from the taskbar – this feature is available for desktop users only
  • The app received a complete redesign for Windows 10
  • Improved library management
  • The ribbon player offers easy-to-access controls
  • Integrated store and search allow users to browse over 180,000 available titles easily

⇒ Download Audible for Windows 10

If the Audible app sounds like something you have been looking for as well, keep in mind that the audiobooks can be listened to on several devices:

  • Audible for Windows 10 desktop app – Since it is designed especially for Windows 10, you can only expect to get the best. For customers using Windows 10, we encourage them to use the link above.
  • Audible Mac app – You may also enjoy Audible on Mac via iTunes. Go to your Library on the Audible desktop site and click Download next to the audiobook you want.
  • Audible app Android – You can clearly enjoy the free Android app too. Grab it from the Play Store and take advantage of the latest audiobooks while on the go.
  • Audible desktop app – With the desktop app already installed, you just need to click Launch, sign in to Audiobooks from Audible, and click the Library icon. If there are no books in your library, you’ll have to purchase one before you can download an audiobook.
  • Free audible app for Windows 10 – If you’re on a tight budget, do note that new customers can sign up right away for a free 30-day trial of Audible.
  • Audible player for PC – Keep in mind that you may listen to titles directly from the Audible website or download them to your PC. Then, import all Audible titles into Windows Media Player.
  • Audible Windows download – To download your audiobook to your Windows PC, you may also download Audible Download Manager and configure it to import audiobooks to Windows Media Player or iTunes.
  • Audible iPhone app price plan – Amazon Prime members can enjoy Audible for free.

Attacker uses an Office 365 site to steal user credentials

Posted on by Don Sharpe

Email phishing may be one of the oldest tricks up the sleeves of any hacker, but it hasn’t run out of fashion yet. For example, a malicious player recently set up an Office 365 phishing base to fraudulently obtain usercredentials.

Pretty much any platform that requires user authentication to allow access can be a target for phishing.

Also, anyone can be a victim, from SaaS customers to OneDrive users.

Malicious actors created an Office 365 email phishing site

Hackers sent remote workers malicious email links to fraudulently capture their user credentials, according to an Abnormal Security report.

For starters, they took advantage of the fact that many organizations are currently setting up VPNs to secure internet connections for their work-at-home employees.

The target receives an email disguised as official communication from their employer’s IT department in this phishing attempt.

Next, the target clicks the link in the email, which leads to a VPN configuration that the attacker set up. In the end, the employee lands on a login page hosted on the Office 365 platform.

Since the site looks almost 100% the same as the genuine one, the remote worker, sadly, falls for it.

Therefore, the victim supplies their login details oblivious of the fact that they’re not signing into their employer’s official portal.  So, just like that, the bad actor makes away with the target’s Microsoft credentials.

The attack impersonates a notification email from the IT support at the recipients’ company. The sender email address is spoofed to impersonate the domain of the targets’ respective organizations. The link provided in the email allegedly directs to a new VPN configuration for home access. Though the link appears to be related to the target’s company, the hyperlink actually directs to an Office 365 credential phishing website.

Here are tips for optimizing your email security:

  • User discretion: Always check the URL of any web form that requires your user credentials.
  • Email security: Use email scanning anti-malware.
  • Windows updates: Always install Windows security updates.
  • Microsoft’s security tools: This can elevate your threat detection capabilities.

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Slack and Amazon enter multi-year deal to compete with Microsoft Teams

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

Despite a relatively spotless earnings report where the company, by all accounts, beat its own expected guidance, Slack saw a post-market trading slide in its stock of almost 16%.

However, a new multi-year deal with Amazon may do wonders to help regain investor confidence while also better positioning the company to take on its emerging rival in Microsoft Teams.

According to a report from The Verge, Slack has chosen to partner with Amazon to roll out its communications platform to an undisclosed percentage of the company’s 840,000 employees. On the backend of the Amazon and Slack deal is that the latter will adopt the former’s Chime platform for its video conferencing feature set, along with the internal adoption of more AWS services for the company.

Slack has been a long time customer of AWS for various cloud services related to chat and the move seems only logical given the nature of industries the Amazon and Slack preoccupy. In addition to adopting Chime, Slack will also leverage its Amazon partnership for analytics, machine learning, compute, storage, AI, security, and scale for the foreseeable future.

Underscoring the entire deal is Slack’s newfound ability to address the elephant in the room, Microsoft, more directly. While Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield took a more tribalistic stance in proselytizing that Microsoft is “unhealthily preoccupied with killing” the company, vice president of Slack, Brad Armstrong took a more business-minded approach to discuss why adopting Chime allows Slack to ratify its mobile video conferencing features the platform arguably lacked in comparison to Microsoft Teams.

For now, we’re just focused on shoring up the back end. As Chime has additional features, we’re looking at bringing the mobile experience to include video, which it doesn’t today. We’re also looking at transcription.

Earlier today, Slack reported that of the 750,000 organizations making use of the chat service and that 122,000 users are paid customers signaling a 28% year over year increase. Meanwhile, a little over a month ago Microsoft reported 75 million daily active users pulling from a pool of 258 million paid Office 365 seats that have access to Teams.

The new deal allows both Amazon and Slack to bolster areas of their services that have proven to be weak spots individually when competing with Microsoft. Amazon gets to offer its customer a flexible and interoperable leading chat service while Slack gets to scale expeditiously while also getting access to Amazon clients they may not have otherwise been exposed to.

Arguably, the deal is a win for Microsoft as well which will allow the company to aim its competitive efforts at a growing, but increasingly singular target in the enterprise cloud services and communications sector.